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unclejoe80
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Posts: 21
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 Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:16 pm Post subject: CELTA course, worth it? |
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Is it worth my time and money to do a CELTA course? I already have a TEFL weekend certificate but no online material.
I can still pay a little extra money and finsh the online part of the course which would wokr out cheaper then going for the CELTA.
I only have 3 months experience teaching english to kids in thailand as a volunteer teacher. I also have a BA in behavioural studies and I am 27 years old.
So, would having a CELTA greatly improve my chances of getting employed or make me a better teacher? It's been nearly 5 years since doing the teaching with kids. I'm hoping to get something around the 40000baht per month mark. Any idea's? |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 1:08 am Post subject: Re: CELTA course, worth it? |
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| unclejoe80 wrote: |
Is it worth my time and money to do a CELTA course? I already have a TEFL weekend certificate but no online material.
I can still pay a little extra money and finsh the online part of the course which would wokr out cheaper then going for the CELTA.
I only have 3 months experience teaching english to kids in thailand as a volunteer teacher. I also have a BA in behavioural studies and I am 27 years old.
So, would having a CELTA greatly improve my chances of getting employed or make me a better teacher? It's been nearly 5 years since doing the teaching with kids. I'm hoping to get something around the 40000baht per month mark. Any idea's? |
A CELTA will certainly help but with your degree you don't need it for a job in Thailand.
A newbie right off the plane will have difficulty landing a job at 40k + anywhere in the LOS. Most starting jobs are in the 32-37k range with the odd one hitting 40k. You will always do better in your 2nd year after you have some connections.
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jumpamonkey
Joined: 02 Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Location: Bangkok
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:37 am Post subject: Get the CELTA |
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If you're serious about teaching then do the CELTA. You cannot compare it to your TEFL. It's a grueling experience if taught correctly and takes a full month including daily observation of your teaching in a real clasroom with feedback that makes many cry. No joke.
I got mine and was offered 7 positions ranging from 25K-43K. All had widely varying hours and responsibilities. I ended up taking the lowest for 15 class hours at a uni. |
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Mamainak
Joined: 27 May 2011
Posts: 31
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:58 pm Post subject: Re: Get the CELTA |
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| jumpamonkey wrote: |
It's a grueling experience if taught correctly and takes a full month including daily observation of your teaching in a real clasroom with feedback that makes many cry. No joke.
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This made me laugh out loud!  I just finished my full-time CELTA course, and luckily I never cried because of my feedback, but it doesn't mean they weren't harsh.
But to stay on topic, it's amazing how much I learned in those 4 weeks. They teach you something in the morning and in the afternoon you already have to teach it to someone else... |
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MaiPenRai
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 390
Location: BKK
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| Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:20 am Post subject: |
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If you have got the money and the time, the CELTA course will be quite beneficial, at least once you learn that you have to adapt many of the strategies and methods to suit a classroom of 40+ 14 year old Thai kids.
Even with years of experience and relevant degrees, I still found that I learned a few new things on my CELTA course.
If you dont have the time and money, dont stress the CELTA if you are planning on teaching in Thailand. With a little caring, passions, tenacity and effort, you will figure out the basics within a few months. Grab Harmer's "How to Teach English" or "Srivener's "Learning Teaching" and practice while you read. |
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Sam1
Joined: 25 Sep 2009
Posts: 18
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:42 pm Post subject: The question is.... |
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is it worth your sanity?
12, 16 and 20 hour days being taught concepts and graded on performance with zero time to practice the concepts prior to putting them on display for students who have paid to take an ESL course.
The CELTA tutors are fantastic. The course is highly regarded and recognized. The methodology is highly suspect in this graduate's opinion.
To get most jobs in Asia, CELTA is not an absolute necessity.
To get a job in Europe, much more necessary. I don't recall that you noted where you are from, but EU jobs are easily filled with EU passport holders.
Former Eastern Bloc nations bring some US folks in. |
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ClaireGolding
Joined: 14 Jun 2011
Posts: 2
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 12:47 am Post subject: What about Cert IV TESOL? |
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| I'm tossing up whether to do the CELTA or do a Cert IV in TESOL (in Australia). I am assured its every bit as good and has the same 100 hours requirement. Any thoughts? |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 12:56 am Post subject: Re: What about Cert IV TESOL? |
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| ClaireGolding wrote: |
| I'm tossing up whether to do the CELTA or do a Cert IV in TESOL (in Australia). I am assured its every bit as good and has the same 100 hours requirement. Any thoughts? |
Again, it LARGELY depends on where you are planning to go.
If you are headed for Thailand AND going to teach KIDS then save your money.
If you are headed for Thailand and plan to teach adults in a language academy then either one will land you in good stead.
IF you don't know or have no preference then having one (in addition to your degree) will certainly open up more doors for you.
If you don't have a degree then the options are much different and you should have one (or the other) as a minimum and even at that your chances of legal employment are slim.
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handsome_waterboy
Joined: 30 Aug 2009
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Definately worth it. Think of this, if a guy (or gal) has been teaching 10 years and 1 has the Celta and the other doesn't...even though they are 'flip a coin' similiar employees, the Celta will trump the non-Celta. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 12:13 am Post subject: |
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| handsome_waterboy wrote: |
| Definately worth it. Think of this, if a guy (or gal) has been teaching 10 years and 1 has the Celta and the other doesn't...even though they are 'flip a coin' similiar employees, the Celta will trump the non-Celta. |
A degree (visa requirement) and 10 years in the classroom AND decent references vs newbie with a shiny new CELTA?
I'll hire experience over the CELTA, today, tomorrow and next week.
<edit> and I DO do the recruitment for our school (100+ staff).
Last edited by tttompatz on Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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champ
Joined: 28 Jul 2007
Posts: 94
Location: Kerla
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:42 am Post subject: CELTA |
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| handsome_waterboy wrote: |
| Definately worth it. Think of this, if a guy (or gal) has been teaching 10 years and 1 has the Celta and the other doesn't...even though they are 'flip a coin' similiar employees, the Celta will trump the non-Celta. |
I second handsome_waterboy.CELTA will be helpful with a degree not without it. |
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unclejoe80
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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So in the end I will be doing a 120 hour TEFL course in bangkok as part of a package.
120 TEFL vs. CELTA? I imagine the CELTA is more useful in terms of getting a job perhaps. But I'm really just looking for some class experience and practice to plan and stuff like that. Just get into the swing of it really. So I'm hoping the 120 hour TEFL will be ok. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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| unclejoe80 wrote: |
So in the end I will be doing a 120 hour TEFL course in bangkok as part of a package.
120 TEFL vs. CELTA? I imagine the CELTA is more useful in terms of getting a job perhaps. But I'm really just looking for some class experience and practice to plan and stuff like that. Just get into the swing of it really. So I'm hoping the 120 hour TEFL will be ok. |
120 hours with 6 (or more) hours of observed practicum with real students and you are fine.
As to the package, I hope it was not one of those 595 quid TEFL and we give you a 5 month contract type of packages. IF it was, make DARN SURE you have a "B" visa and work permit before you head into the classroom.
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unclejoe80
Joined: 02 Dec 2010
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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I have been assured that i'll have the visa. Hopefully all goes well.
and the work permit aswell. If I don't have those there'll be no chance i'll be stepping up in front of a class. |
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