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TeresaLopez
Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City
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 Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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| donato wrote: |
| Well, I just started it mostly because since I work there I get a 50% discount. Everyone taking it already has a Celta or equivalent, so I think maybe that is why they wanted you to take it first? |
That could BE why, but that wasn�t what I was told, I was told twice that it was not for native speakers. I already have a 4 year degree in education, some graduate hours, a TESOL certifcate and 20 years experience teaching, so don�t think I need a CELTA. And even if I did I can�t afford to just quit my job for a month to take the course. I needed something that was recognized by the SEP, and found another alternative, it actually sounds similar in content, but it�s 280 hours total. And to be honest with you, based on the lack of communication on the part of IH - it usually took several days to get an answer to emails, and even then all my questions weren�t answered - I would probably neither take a course there nor recommend IH to anyone who asked. I had money in hand, wanting to take the course and after wasting several weeks going back and forth, the refused to even take my application, even though I clearly fulfilled all the requirements. Oh well. |
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donato
Joined: 05 May 2010
Posts: 98
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:40 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah, it sounds like they really did a bad job giving you information and it makes no sense why they wanted you to take the CELTA. Oh well, their loss... |
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AGoodStory
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Posts: 738
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:46 am Post subject: |
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"That could BE why, but that wasn�t what I was told, I was told twice that it was not for native speakers."
IH must believe that you are incapable of reading--the Cambridge website clearly and specifically states that the ICELT is "suitable for first language speakers of English." This story certainly doesn't help the IH image or reputation. Seems like sheer self-interest would motivate them to want to help you sort out an appropriate course, or at the very least to give you accurate information. |
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donato
Joined: 05 May 2010
Posts: 98
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:13 am Post subject: |
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| I always found everyone there knowledgeable and helpful. It may be one of those cases where you found the one shitty employee or something. It happens. |
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AGoodStory
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Posts: 738
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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| TeresaLopez wrote: |
| . . . I needed something that was recognized by the SEP, and found another alternative, it actually sounds similar in content, but it�s 280 hours total. . . |
Teresa, which course are you describing here? And are you taking, or planning to take it? |
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TeresaLopez
Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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| AGoodStory wrote: |
| TeresaLopez wrote: |
| . . . I needed something that was recognized by the SEP, and found another alternative, it actually sounds similar in content, but it�s 280 hours total. . . |
Teresa, which course are you describing here? And are you taking, or planning to take it? |
I am about halfway through a 6 month course at the Universidad Panamericana, it�s a very good course, includes a lot more observing and practice teaching than a CELTA (actually ironic in my case, since I am already teaching AND observing and evaluating other teachers as part of my job). It is taught by the same professors who teach the CELE course at UNAM, and uses the same materials. It is less than half the cost of a CELTA, and includes all materials. The class is pretty much evenly split between native English speakers, native but Bi-lingual teachers, and second language teachers. The course is taught in English. It is fairly intense in that there is a lot of reading and preparation of presentations and things, but I am learning a few new tricks, so that is good. The only downside is that I am not sure how much weight it would carry outside of Latin America, but since I have no plans to live outside of Mexico, that is not a concern for me.
As for IH, I had always heard good things about them in the past, but all it takes is one bad experience to sour you on a place, and the gentleman I dealt with via email there had amble opportunity to redeem himself. I asked more than once why I couldn�t take the ICELT and was never given a response other than I needed to take a CELTA, even though I explained several times why I could not take a full time course. |
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donato
Joined: 05 May 2010
Posts: 98
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:30 am Post subject: |
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| Do you remember whom it was you spoke with at IH? If you don't want to say publicly, feel free to IM me. I'm just curious. |
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james2187
Joined: 11 Apr 2011
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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| I understand that the course at UP is 18 weeks. I'm thinking of taking it in August. Have you found it to be worth the price? |
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BadBeagleBad
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
Posts: 1186
Location: 24.18105,-103.25185
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:50 pm Post subject: |
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| james2187 wrote: |
| I understand that the course at UP is 18 weeks. I'm thinking of taking it in August. Have you found it to be worth the price? |
The course is great, lots of readings, many of them articles, some theory, some practical stuff. IM me if you�d like the email address of the teacher, I am sure he would be happy to answer any questions you might have. The teacher is also head of the language center at UNAM, and the course is basically the same as the one offered at the CELE, with many of the same teachers as well. It is mostly taught in English, I think there is one book, and a couple of articles in Spanishl, but with about a third of the students being native English speakers, a third Bi-lingual people who have lived many years in both places, and perhaps don�t have a first language, and a third who speak English as a second language, there should be someone to help you if your Spanish isn�t up to academic reading. You also don�t have to pay the entire cost up front, but rather can pay in 4 installments, which is nice. |
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donato
Joined: 05 May 2010
Posts: 98
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 8:38 am Post subject: |
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| I'm totally confused. Why would you take a course where reading in SPANISH would be required??? |
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BadBeagleBad
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
Posts: 1186
Location: 24.18105,-103.25185
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:32 am Post subject: |
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| donato wrote: |
| I'm totally confused. Why would you take a course where reading in SPANISH would be required??? |
One of the articles used in the class is in Spanish. My understanding is that many of the Teacher�s Diploma courses are actually taught in Spanish, this course only has one reading in Spanish. |
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james2187
Joined: 11 Apr 2011
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:01 am Post subject: |
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Thanks a lot for the information, BadBeagleBad. I'll send you a PM now to get that e-mail address. I'm really interested in the course at UP and will probably wind up there if the class times don't interfere with some of my other commitments. I'm fluent in Spanish so and about to start a Diplomado at UACM in an unrelated field so that isn't a problem for me.
For me, being able to study in Spanish opens up my options like giving me the option to take the course at CELE UNAM. If that course started in the fall I would definitely choose it over the others. |
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BadBeagleBad
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
Posts: 1186
Location: 24.18105,-103.25185
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| Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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| james2187 wrote: |
For me, being able to study in Spanish opens up my options like giving me the option to take the course at CELE UNAM. If that course started in the fall I would definitely choose it over the others. |
Me too, but the timing didn�t work out for the CELE for me either, or I also would have taken it. Who knows, I still might, though I understand the content for the two courses is very similar, and they even have some of the same instructors, something you won�t find anywhere else. |
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