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Tano
Joined: 21 Aug 2011
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:49 am Post subject: Second tier schools |
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Hi all,
I've been in HCMC for nearly two months now, and after enjoying some well-earned time off, I'm getting serious about job-hunting.
Here's my snag: I have a BA and a TESOL certificate (40 class hours + 6 practical), but no CELTA. I have been advised by some friends as to the better-name schools to apply to (Apollo, LL, VUS, Cleverlearn, etc), but I have seen that the vast majority of these schools require a CELTA.
I also know that there are some schools that I've heard of that will hire you off the street if you have a white face.
Is there any middle ground? Can anyone recommend decent second-tier schools I can contact?
While I'm inexperienced, I got great reviews during my practicum, and I know I'd be an excellent teacher, I just need my foot in the door. Is it worth doing a CELTA on top of my TESOL? That's what I'm starting to contemplate now.
Thanks in advance. |
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deadlift
Joined: 08 Jun 2010
Posts: 267
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| Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:37 am Post subject: Re: Second tier schools |
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| Tano wrote: |
the vast majority of these schools require a CELTA.
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How do you know this? Have you applied and been told that you missed out because you lack a CELTA? Because I had always thought that these schools would prefer a CELTA, but it's not a deal-breaker. Please do correct me if I'm wrong. |
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haller_79
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
Posts: 145
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snollygoster
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
Posts: 478
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:14 am Post subject: CELTA |
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I dont have a CELTA-I have TESOL. In over 9 years in Vietnam, I never was out of work, mostly at what is considered "better" schools, Unis etc. My salary was well above what I needed to live comfortably, and no one ever told me I need a CELTA as well as my TESOL.
Some schools have CELTA on their "wish list", but there seems some sort of perception with some that it makes you a better teacher-This mostly from institutions who can offer to allow you to take CELTA at their place, or from misinformed Viet run or managed outfits. (Hell, they reckon a TOEFL score makes you a good teacher-so its obvious they dont have a clue.)
At the end of the day, your ability, and your willingness to be the Mr/Mrs/Miss Funny one who can make the students smile, is more importatnt. If you get too academic (get serious about wanting to give "real" education value), you will probably not be liked by the students- Bottom line? They pay the bills!
Suggestion! Get on with it and stop doubting your own ability because some twit put doubt in your mind because you don't have a CELTA in your collection of fancy papers that no one really worries about too much anyway. Only needed for the Work Permit and all the other mountains of totally useless crap the authorities require to keep them in a job. |
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LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:42 am Post subject: |
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Somebody told me that's thee actual DIRECTOR of Apollo Schools Viet Nam!!
Is that true?? |
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LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:50 am Post subject: Re: CELTA |
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| snollygoster wrote: |
I dont have a CELTA-I have TESOL. In over 9 years in Vietnam, I never was out of work, mostly at what is considered "better" schools, Unis etc. My salary was well above what I needed to live comfortably, and no one ever told me I need a CELTA as well as my TESOL.
Some schools have CELTA on their "wish list", but there seems some sort of perception with some that it makes you a better teacher-This mostly from institutions who can offer to allow you to take CELTA at their place, or from misinformed Viet run or managed outfits. (Hell, they reckon a TOEFL score makes you a good teacher-so its obvious they dont have a clue.)
At the end of the day, your ability, and your willingness to be the Mr/Mrs/Miss Funny one who can make the students smile, is more importatnt. If you get too academic (get serious about wanting to give "real" education value), you will probably not be liked by the students- Bottom line? They pay the bills!
Suggestion! Get on with it and stop doubting your own ability because some twit put doubt in your mind because you don't have a CELTA in your collection of fancy papers that no one really worries about too much anyway. Only needed for the Work Permit and all the other mountains of totally useless crap the authorities require to keep them in a job. |
This is on another thread (somewhere here on Dave's)...but, I'll state again: When I get back to my T�y nation, I've GOT to open up one of those TESOL/CELTA/DELTA/TEFL schools! (Maybe a WTF/ASAP school whilst I'm at it)
It is THEE license to print money! Suckering people into their "quals" by selling them the "fact" they'll never teach (or even get into, according to what one "advisor" at one of these joints told a woman I used to teach with) ANY, REPEAT, ANY nation unless you take their course!
This entire discussion about some of these certificates and their merits (real or perceived) is elsewhere in this board.
....bottom line - don't be intimidated that you have to run to Apollo or ILA or wherever and drop the 2 G's USD to their CELTA program. |
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snollygoster
Joined: 04 Jun 2009
Posts: 478
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:24 am Post subject: Apollo Director |
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that's thee actual DIRECTOR of Apollo Schools Viet Nam!!
Sure is!
If you get a CELTA, you will be able to do that too!
Unfortunately, that video just about sums up what the "real" world of teaching English is all about in Vietnam for a quite large section of the market. (Before someone gets all cranky, I DID say a "section" of the market- not ALL of it.)
Hugely academic, isn't it? I want to be the national Director of a big outfit so I can wear some cross-dressing stuff and talk with a silly voice and make a real pratt of myself on TV. |
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generalgiap
Joined: 03 Sep 2011
Posts: 95
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Suggestion! Get on with it and stop doubting your own ability because some twit put doubt in your mind because you don't have a CELTA in your collection of fancy papers that no one really worries about too much anyway. Only needed for the Work Permit and all the other mountains of totally useless crap the authorities require to keep them in a job. |
I actually agree with Snolly, start hitting the pavement and sooner or later you will find work. Most of the teachers at VUS and Neverlearn and many other schools do not have the CELTA but probably have another cert. 120 hours with 6 hours observation. However, it's a guarantee that some teachers do not even have a cert just a degree. The problem with your cert is that it is only 40 hours in duration. Therefore, some schools may not interview you if you only send them an email. You need to go in person and if you are there at the right time when they need a teacher, you will probably get the job.
A clarification regarding the Director of Apollo in the video, not only is he the director but the owner. I always thought he wasn't very sharp until he convinced Prudential Vietnam to make a major investment in Apollo. And of course, he was laughing all the way to the bank. |
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Beautiful Loser
Joined: 29 May 2011
Posts: 80
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: CELTA |
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| LettersAthruZ wrote: |
| snollygoster wrote: |
I dont have a CELTA-I have TESOL. In over 9 years in Vietnam, I never was out of work, mostly at what is considered "better" schools, Unis etc. My salary was well above what I needed to live comfortably, and no one ever told me I need a CELTA as well as my TESOL.
Some schools have CELTA on their "wish list", but there seems some sort of perception with some that it makes you a better teacher-This mostly from institutions who can offer to allow you to take CELTA at their place, or from misinformed Viet run or managed outfits. (Hell, they reckon a TOEFL score makes you a good teacher-so its obvious they dont have a clue.)
At the end of the day, your ability, and your willingness to be the Mr/Mrs/Miss Funny one who can make the students smile, is more importatnt. If you get too academic (get serious about wanting to give "real" education value), you will probably not be liked by the students- Bottom line? They pay the bills!
Suggestion! Get on with it and stop doubting your own ability because some twit put doubt in your mind because you don't have a CELTA in your collection of fancy papers that no one really worries about too much anyway. Only needed for the Work Permit and all the other mountains of totally useless crap the authorities require to keep them in a job. |
This is on another thread (somewhere here on Dave's)...but, I'll state again: When I get back to my T�y nation, I've GOT to open up one of those TESOL/CELTA/DELTA/TEFL schools! (Maybe a WTF/ASAP school whilst I'm at it)
It is THEE license to print money! Suckering people into their "quals" by selling them the "fact" they'll never teach (or even get into, according to what one "advisor" at one of these joints told a woman I used to teach with) ANY, REPEAT, ANY nation unless you take their course!
This entire discussion about some of these certificates and their merits (real or perceived) is elsewhere in this board.
....bottom line - don't be intimidated that you have to run to Apollo or ILA or wherever and drop the 2 G's USD to their CELTA program. |
$1350, plus whatever books you want to buy. The market's changing, so one should certainly have some sort of certification, whether it be a TESOL, or a CELTA. I don't like it any more than you do... |
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generalgiap
Joined: 03 Sep 2011
Posts: 95
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Suggestion! Get on with it and stop doubting your own ability because some twit put doubt in your mind because you don't have a CELTA in your collection of fancy papers that no one really worries about too much anyway. Only needed for the Work Permit and all the other mountains of totally useless crap the authorities require to keep them in a job. |
I actually agree with Snolly, start hitting the pavement and sooner or later you will find work. Most of the teachers at VUS and Neverlearn and many other schools do not have the CELTA but probably have another cert. 120 hours with 6 hours observation. However, it's a guarantee that some teachers do not even have a cert just a degree. The problem with your cert is that it is only 40 hours in duration. Therefore, some schools may not interview you if you only send them an email. You need to go in person and if you are there at the right time when they need a teacher, you will probably get the job.
A clarification regarding the Director of Apollo in the video, not only is he the director but the owner. I always thought he wasn't very sharp until he convinced Prudential Vietnam to make a major investment in Apollo. And of course, he was laughing all the way to the bank. |
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