Job Discussion Forums

[slang_tang]

Hi all,

I recently got my CELTA qualification (pass B). I'm going back to university in September to complete my B.A. in English and Philosophy. I had to leave without completing two classes because a family member was ill. (My university has a modularized system, so it's possible to complete the two classes by Christmas.)

I'm interested in going to the U.K. to work at a summer school and I'm putting my applications together. Is it "required" or "desirable" in most summer schools to have a degree?

I know there are a lot of cowboy summer schools, so I'm wary. But in the respectable schools, will my application even be looked at if I haven't completed my degree? (That is, if the school says a degree is required, is it even worthwhile applying?) I have lots of work experience, including internships at governmental departments, and three years' experience tutoring one-to-one students for the Irish Leaving Certificate.

Do I have a chance in the U.K.? If not, do I have any alternatives? I'm itching to get started teaching, so I'd love to teach this summer. Realistically, I'm limited to Europe for such a short-term contract.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[rafaella]

I'd say apply. You might not get anything but there's only one way to find out!

There's a summer camp job in Spain being advertised on tefl.com. From a quick look at their requirements, I didn't see anything about a degree being necessary.

[rafaella]

There's another one being advertised (on tefl.com again) in Italy that might be of interest to you too.

[rafaella]

Did you apply for any summer schools and, if so, did you get a favourable response? It might be useful for other posters in a similar position to know if it would be worth their while applying.

[maruss]

If you have some teaching experience and either Celta or Tesol,it was not hard to get a summer school job when I did it a few years ago,although the situation may well be more difficult now in the U.K. because of the economic cutbacks and increasing unemployment.It is also true that there are plenty of cowboy firms running summer schools and these are not limited to the smaller ones either,so tread carefully!Having a degree is no guarantee they will treat you any better!

[barabbas]

The better schools (and some bad ones) are British Council accredited, and one of the BC requirements is that teachers have a first degree (in anything) and a CELTA or Trinity Cert. However, in my experience the BC is much stricter about the Cert. than the degree and I know of reputable schools that will hire without a degree. After all, does knowing a lot about e.g. Chemical Engineering make you a better language teacher?!

[slang_tang]

Hi all,

In the end, I applied for lots of jobs (I think, like, twenty five in total). I was expecting lots of rejections -- but they didn't come.

A small number of schools sent the curt two-line "you need a degree to teach"; a few did not reply; the majority expressed interest. In the end, I had to reply with apologetic e-mails saying I'd already accepted a job somewhere else.

I was upfront about my situation -- that is, having no degree or formal ESL experience. I sent a good application letter, C.V., CELTA reference, work reference, etc.

I investigated each school I applied for. I had heard some true horror stories and did not want to end up with my passion for teaching being quenched by my first teaching job. The school I'm starting work for offers a good salary, has a good rep, and is in a nice area.

I'm nervous, but also very, very excited. I start in two weeks' time.

[Sublime]

For me it almost seems too easy to get a summer camp job in the UK - I've been pretty picky this time (in what I applied for) and I've had several offers. BUT, ideally I don't want to return to the UK (especially since it was only last year when I managed to escape the terrible regime there, lol)...............

If only it was this easy to get a job in a 'nicer' Country.

Anyway, good luck slang. I was in your position this time last year (and I didn't even have a CELTA back then). Happy Summer!