Job Discussion Forums

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

To the OP,
Setting aside the whole brand name vs. non-brand name debate, to address the financial component of your question:

A CELTA--or Trinity or SIT TESOL course--does not have to cost that much more than the Oxford course you cite. While the Vancouver CELTA may cost $2,500, as do the US courses, there are a number of locations where it costs much less. Several UK courses are in the $1,150--$1,400 range, and Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, and the CR all have a similarly priced CELTA course. Trinity courses in the UK can be found in the same range. However, you might want to think about taking a course in one of the locations where you are interested in teaching: South Africa has courses for $1,300--$1,500. Thailand has a CELTA for $1,600, as well as an SIT TESOL course for $1,400. While Japan has both a CELTA and a Trinity provider, either course will cost you over $3,000.

The link that Chancellor gave you at the beginning of the thread is a link to a Trinity course that has the double advantage of being both closest to home and lowest in cost. Although Trinity is not as ubiquitously referenced as CELTA, it is widely known and respected. (As others have said, it is the second most recognized of the three "brand names.") In addition, this particular course is a 5-week training that offers some additional components not required by Trinity College.

In the process of researching TEFL training programs last year, I spent some time evaluating the CELTA, Trinity, and SIT courses. After looking at and comparing such things as goals, philosphy, approach, structure, etc., I came to the conclusion that of the three, the SIT course would best prepare me to begin teaching; Trinity cert TESOL came in second; and CELTA third--interestingly (well, to me!) just the reverse of how well recognized the courses are. (I don't, however, want to suggest that this order would be true for someone else, given that I used pretty subjective and idiosyncratic criteria.)

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

killthebuddha, I was simply reacting to the website's comparison of CELTA training vs. other TEFL training programs--it struck me as a little self-serving on their part. No, I don't think you need to remove it; people can take a look and make up their own minds. Besides, one of the advertised books might be worth a second look! Smile

killthebuddha · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:08 am Post subject:

AGoodStory,

Now that's what the OPs asked for.

Thanks for that.

ktb

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

Thanks, ktb, that's very generous. I just figured a little practical info might be more useful to the OP at this point than continuing to thrash out the Name-brand-cert-vs-Non-brand-name-cert question. After all, there are now dozens of threads on this very topic. Though I do think more advice on how to evaluate a TEFL training course--along the lines of Justin's post--might be helpful to many.

Greg 09 · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 169

ktb, you might avoid making such statements as these, which may mislead readers.

"I know that some certification franchises (i.e. Oxford Seminars) disclaim any responsibility for the quality of their individual franchisees' programs."

Oxford Seminars does not franchise. Each of their trainers is a direct employee of OS, and they lease space for their classes, usually at a college or university. I cannot find anywhere on their website the disclaimer you mentioned.

"...customer review comparisons of CELTA with other similar programs places them well down the list according to customer satisfaction."

Such a statement implies that some kind of survey exists. Does there?

Other than that you make some valid points.

My Lombardi quote was in reference to spiral78's comments about the words "usefulness" and "enjoyment" relating to customer satisfaction. One does not enjoy getting their butt kicked, but the astute learner may find the lesson useful in future engagements. Smile

killthebuddha · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:13 am Post subject:

Yes Greg 09,

I seem to have been wrong about Oxford Seminars on two counts. They're not franchises; independent contractors are teaching their material. And I can't find a disclaimer anywhere at their website. I must have confused them with someone else. Neither can I find the review comparisons I referenced. There's just not that much out there.

As for the rest, I've deleted what was obviously an off-topic diatribe. I'm new here, and AGoodStory has pointed out that the merits of certification have been argued elsewhere. Sorry for the trouble.

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

But don't lose that energy and enthusiasm, ktb! If you can successfully incorporate that into your teaching, your classroom will be all the richer. From one newcomer to another, welcome!

Greg 09 · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 169

No worries ktb, we ALL have to be careful with words in the heat of discussion. Another (experienced) poster slipped on a phrase in this thread too, and I've had my foot-in-mouth too many times. That's why I wear leather shoes, I hate the taste of rubber.

It takes a big person to fess-up to being wrong, good show. Finally, you needn't have deleted your stuff, you did make some valid points.

Welcome!

killthebuddha · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your magnanimity and generosity. Every year I swear I make a new resolution, to not generalize or characterize. I think I began well in the posts I deleted, but it obviously got away from me. Lesson learned--again. Laughing

Chancellor · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 2:51 pm Post subject:

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

But then you also have to add on to that cost airfare that, especially from the U.S., can be really steep. So, while the cost of the course may be lower, the overall cost of taking the course might not be lower.

If you're taking the course in a country where you want to start teaching, you will have to pay the airfare regardless. If you take a course in N. Am, for example, you will still have to pay to fly wherever after. Yes, there are a few countries that pay for/reimburse airfare - but the majority don't.

Chancellor · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 3:06 pm Post subject:

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Actually, it's very very common to sign up for a course, pack up everything, and fly off to take the course and start work asap afterwards.

For example: It's pretty rare in the Euro region to have to fly back home again before starting work. Trust me - there are thousands and thousands of new teachers who do this every year.

Kornan DeKobb · Joined: 24 Jan 2010 Posts: 242

OP, if you are just going to teach ESL for a year or two, then it is neither worth jumping through all the hoops nor the cost of doing the CELTA (and certainly not worth it at ILA Vietnam!)

You can get a perfectly fine job with your qualifications in a place like Korea with housing and airfare provided or Japan in addition to a more than adequate salary.