Job Discussion Forums

[erikashatz]

I don't read criticism of the quality of the certification course at ILA, or have I missed that? Is their course equivalent to other credible courses? It looks credible and high quality, considering their client-base. I did read another website with cautions about ILA. Thank you in advance for your responses.

[inhanoi]

Hi. You're referring to their CELTA course. It should be fine. All CELTA courses are approved and monitored by Cambridge, they even do a site visit during each course. So whether you do the course in HCMC at ILA or Apollo (or in Hanoi at Language Link or Apollo) the content and process will be basically the same. The differences will be in the facilities and especially the individual instructors --each course has two, and they are usually brought in just to do the course. Some are employed by the center but usually not. So personalities will vary; someone may say they liked or disliked the instructors at School A, but that's subjective and probably irrelevant since the instructors usually change.

All of the schools provide the same basic facilities as required by Cambridge. Keep in mind that running the CELTA is not usually profitable for the schools (it is for Cambridge of course). They run the courses because it enhances their credibility and reputation, and it provides a potential pool of new teachers who have been thoroughly assessed.

The best part of any CELTA course in VN is the students, they are wonderful.

[mark_in_saigon]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=91288&start=0

A very thorough discussion of the situation on that thread. There is another one dedicated to ILA in one of the stickies, it is not quite as up to date though.

[Biaom]

ILA is the way to go. The facilities are at a higher standard then the other schools in HCMC. Also, beware of individuals who were 'disrespected'
and now want to take the piss out of ILA.

[mark_in_saigon]

Yeah, and while your at it, beware of anyone who wants to warn you about not paying attention to a factual discussion by implying that the poster was seeking revenge rather than just giving an honest assessment of his experiences in a very complete and balanced way.

[Biaom]

The �Seven Sins� Of Memory: Although we tend to think of our memories as retaining a perfect record of our experiences, human memory distorts in these seven ways.

Transience: Memories fade over time.
Absent-mindedness: Lapses of attention cause us to forget temporarily.
Blocking: When conflicting demands are placed on our memory, they may interfere with each other and block recall. The word may make it to the tip of your tongue but no further.
Misattribution: Memories are retrieved, but they are associated with the wrong time, place, or person.
Suggestibility: Memory is distorted to agree with a suggested result. See �suggestive context�
Bias: Memory is distorted by our own attitudes, beliefs, emotions, point-of-view, or experiences.
Persistence: Sometimes unwanted memories cannot be put out of mind

[erikashatz]

Thanks to all of you for the replies. I am in conversation with ILA, as well as TEFL International. I intend to take one of their courses, and it will likely depend on their course schedules.

[TravelnLass]

Hi Erika - I just finished the CELTA w/ ILA here in HCMC, and can't recommend it more highly. It was doable, but most definitely the pace was g-r-u-e-l-i-n-g. Nonetheless, the training was EXCELLENT. 18 of us, divided into 6 groups with 3 amazingly tutors.

Definitely worth every cent 'cuz w/ a CELTA in your pocket, you can write your own ticket here in VN.

And though there's no guarantees ILA will offer you a job at the end of your CELTA, suffice that - despite the fact that things are somewhat slow here now at Tet in VN, ILA offered jobs to every blessed one of us from my CELTA course. Myself, a 6 month part time contract (12 contact hrs. as that's all that I wanted). But most others got full time hrs.

HTH

[erikashatz]

Thanks TravelnLass / HTH,

Love your input. I have decided on the Cambridge CELTA w/ ILA. I'll be taking the April class in HCMC. Good luck with your work and your stay in Vn!

Warmly,
Erika

[TravelnLass]

April, eh? Good for you!

I'll still be here then (til July, after which I hope, hope, hope to resettle in my beloved Dalat where the temps/greenery is much like my sorely missed Seattle).

ANYWAY, do PM when you get here, and best of luck on the CELTA!

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=82697&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0