Job Discussion Forums

[paddyflynn]

I understand that the more reputable schools in HCMC require a CELTA. I don't have that, but I do have 12 credits toward a Masters in Applied Linguistics from U. Mass Boston.

I believe that my training is better than a CELTA, because I've had more instruction (12 credits hours at 15 weeks per credit = 180 hours vs. 120 for a CELTA), and the quality of instruction is higher in an MA program than in a CELTA course. What I don't know is, will the Vietnamese schools understand this and accept my credits in lieu of a CELTA, or will they simply follow the book and say "No CELTA, No job"?

[I'm With Stupid]

It's unclear from your post how many of those hours were actually observed teaching though. That's what they're really looking for when they ask for a CELTA, and there are plenty of MAs that are entirely theory-based. You can complete some MAs in Applied Linguistics without ever having to teach yourself. Secondly, I doubt any schools would accept a half-completed course, especially as (I assume) you don't have a certificate and don't technically have any qualification to be notarized yet.

[ExpatLuke]

Even MA TESOL programs are usually more on theory and methodology rather than actual teaching application. Your MA will be in applied linguistics. A linguistics degree can help you secure jobs here, but the reason many schools ask for a CELTA is because they want teachers. Not just a head of knowledge.

[skarper]

Cats and dogs. I prefer dogs myself. But if you need a cat to catch a rat then you need a cat. Whearas a cat will sit and watch the burglars carry your laptop and digital camera off. If you have both then they will probably fight. Same thing with Celtas/MAs IMO.

Celta and masters are two totally different animals. There are good reasons that schools want you to get a Celta (or equiv) and good reason a celta is no help in getting an academic university job.

All the people I ever met who had masters in EFL/TEFL/APP LING were RUBBISH in the classroom...but I didn't meet them all - and to be fair a sizable percentage of Celta 'qualified' people I've seen teach were pretty iffy too.

By all means try to blag them about how good your (incomplete as yet) masters makes you in the classroom - even if they see through it they might still hire you.

[vabeckele]

I think, with a bachelor's you should be okay to work in most places. Forget about work in process and maybe just bring it up while interviewing as this will show a motivation for further development.

Schools under Vietnamese ownership, for one reason or another, may or many not require a TEFL certificate for legal reasons, not for the actual job itself, in this case you can spend 50 dollars and get a 60 hour course to satisfy these legal requirements. Over the long term I would suggest you complete the master's as soon as you have the means to do so, a master's shows a level of academic competence that everyone recognises the world over. And quite possibly, your master's may have a practical teaching module included, which will then put the TEFL certificte concerns to sleep.