Job Discussion Forums

[denise]

[TheLongWayHome]

I don't regret doing the CELTA either. I really had no idea what ELT was about and the CELTA gave me that structure and methodology, albeit a little biased by what the instructors favour. More importantly I saw how NOT to teach English, which saved me from making an arse of myself for the first few months of teaching. It's an introductory course, that's all, a foot in the door, not the be all and end all of ELT.

Ironically I would still shy away from in-house courses, even having written one. I think they are becoming more acceptable though, and I have seen teachers hired who have on-line TEFLs and zero experience in the classroom.

[coffeedrinker]

[denise]

I sometimes get the impression that some people use "CELTA" just to mean "TEFL course"--in the same way people would order a coke when all they really want is a soda. So when discussions of CELTA courses come up, sure, sometimes they really do refer to actual CELTA courses, but sometimes they seem to refer just to the basic four-week certification. It could be that potential teachers have only ever heard of the CELTA.

d

[coffeedrinker]

Maybe, but it does seem a frequent thing that experienced teachers specify it...

I have a celta, and I don't make a big difference between different courses, but I think if you scan through the boards there is quite a lot of anger (really - or whatever) directed at the celta. I'm curious if people really think it is worse than other four week courses, and if not, why there is such animosity towards it...and there really seems to be. Granted, things sometimes just go like that in forums and it may be just my impression that the celta is especially "disliked" or whatever.

But I also suspect it's a lot easier to rail on the celta in a one off post than it is when someone asks you specifically what's wrong with it (again, I'm speaking generally and not at any one person in this thread).

Back to the topic at hand - as I already posted I think having a certificate helps getting a job in many parts of the world, and this is not really anything suprising. I do think a responsible person with a tefl certificate is better than that same person without one, though there are always individual differences.

I can entertain the notion that in some ideal world only teachers with advanced qualifications ever teach, but where do people start then, they get these qualifications without ever teaching?

[Justbecause]

However having a celta doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be a better teacher than someone with a lot of experience teaching. In fact some people view this as a hindrance to being a good teacher. Perhaps experience should be viewed as more important than qualifications. Possibly other tefl courses should be given more credibility. You should be able to have more flexibilty when choosing a teaching course.

[RebelGirl26]

I'm finding this to be an interesting discussion. I'm planning on applying for a CELTA course and I have a question. For those of you who don't like the CELTA or other 4 week preparatory TEFL course - what do you recommend for someone who wants to get into the field?

[Jetgirly]

[Stephen Jones]

The alternative is the Trinity Cert. Quality of instruction will depend on the location and individual instructors.

[davechile]

As with many forums posts we get all mixed up with the OP. My question to the Vets out there is:

1) If I can pay $600 for a 4 week TEFL course in my home country or $600 in the country I am going to begin teaching in is that laying a good foundation for a career in Teaching English Globally?

2) Should I spend $3,000 in my home country for a CELTA Training and get my Certificate here? Or Spend $1,800 on CELTA Training in the country I am going to begin my career in?

Like most people that start they want to see if this is the life for them and in 2 years I think I will know. But, I also do not want to take a generic course begin teaching and find I do not get as many offers because I did not get the CELTA in the beginning. As you all say, it is the experience that ultimately counts. But, all things equal: 4 week course 120 hours and 2 years teaching experience. Who is going to get the most responses?

Generic Joe
CELTA Cindy

This is for the Americans out there. Extreme analogy: If I was accepted at Harvard Business School and I was Accepted at UCLA Business School. Which would hold more cache overseas...I would think more people overseas would have heard of Harvard than UCLA even though they are both excellent business schools. I could have been a horrid student at Harvard or a Brilliant student at UCLA...but the reputation is already there.

Cheers

Dave

[Justin Trullinger]

[Stephen Jones]

I haven't checked the emails but I think the CELTA in IH Bangkok cost me $1400. Highly recommendable by any standards.

Don't waste money on anything less than a CELTA or Trinity.

As to where to take it, if you don't know what country you want to teach in, and haven't researched it, you're wasting yours and everybody else's time.

[fraup]

You don't need to take the CELTA in the country you plan to teach in. I took mine in Budapest because of a) the timing b) the lower cost and c) I wanted to teach in Eastern Europe. People who wanted to teach in-country got a list of Hungarian schools, but since the course was at International House we also had access to IH openings.

[mcsam]

Going off topic slightly.
I did a CELTA because, after months of reseach, it was the most recognised qualification and the one that most employers wanted BUT I also did the CELTYL after I had been thrown in the deep end teaching kindergarten students for 6 months. The CELTA did not prepare me for the demands that small children make. I do not regret doing the CELTA because up to that point I had never set foot in a classroom and it gave me a good grounding but experience is key.
I have found that if you want to specialise in teaching young learners then the CELTYL is invaluable to have on your CV because so few people have it. It is only run a couple of times a year in a few locations.

[zorro (3)]