Job Discussion Forums

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

[quote="Matt_"]

27Bstroke6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 2

They like to claim that the interview is designed to screen candidates who won't be suitable, but my interview was more of a sales pitch - "Come and do the course and you'll definitely get a job afterwards."

The course leader also claimed that there were only fifteen places but they had eighteen applicants, so I'd better get my money in quick. Come the first day of the course, guess how many students there were?

One dropped out on her first day of teaching practice, and probably shouldn't have been accepted in the first place. Another guy came very close to failing as he was impossible to understand, even for native English speakers.

But as I said before, it's a useful introduction to teaching, and it does build a bit of confidence (if you can ignore the trainers' attempts to make you feel inadequate).

Definitely get as much terminology in your head before the course starts. It will make it a lot easier. I've found Scott Thornbury's books very helpful and readable.

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:12 am Post subject:

TEFL schools are businesses. CELTA or not. And they tend to take anyone that has cash in hand.

That said, they do teach some good basic method - Korea or not.

It is not a bad idea to get some training - it is only fair to your students who have paid good money to sit in your classroom.

CELTA, in my opinion having done teacher training in three countries over the last 15 years, is overrated - but a good course nonetheless. You can, however, get equivalent courses for far less.