Job Discussion Forums

Twinfan603 · Joined: 17 Jul 2015 Posts: 9

Esvoytko, I know my answer is lacking in substance, but for what it's worth my situation worked out like this (I'm 21, btw): I applied to 7 places; 2 of them gave me a flat-out no; 2 of them emailed me back to setup interviews; 3 didn't/haven't responded back. This may very well be conditional for my specific situation, but yeah, as a 21 year old that's at least a bit of feedback.

Also since this is my thread I figure I'll try to steer it back on track. The interview went very well (her words, not mine, although I felt the same way). WSI offered me a good package and employment, on the terms that I do my TEFL now, before going to Moscow. And, lending credence to what most of you on here have said, she told me to do one that has the 6 hours of in-person/supervised teaching--that's what they (and most other serious schools she said--and she even managed to mention shitty Chinese places that'd hire people regardless) accept.

I told her that I didn't have the money for the CELTA and I'd find another course that fits those requires and is more affordable. Since I will probably not do this long-term, I really don't know if the CELTA is a realistic investment for me. Does anyone have any cheaper, but still good, recommendations?

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

You do know how long in-house courses take btw. First, you have to find one that is starting in your time frame, then spend 3-4 weeks taking it.

Oooh, and of course you need to save up $1000+ to take the course.

Hope you didn't promise to go to Moscow any time soon.

Twisted Evil

Twinfan603 · Joined: 17 Jul 2015 Posts: 9

No, not something necessarily in-house, just with real teaching time. She said some of the people who work there had online courses with the add-on of hands-on teaching. And no, I didn't take the job; you're reading into the post far too much--I needed a TEFL regardless, so doing one now isn't a 1-to-1 fit for accepting the job at this moment.

Additionally, I said I couldn't afford the $2700 Celta, so you should back off with your endless speculation. Quite frankly, I have no idea how you're not banned from this forum yet. It seems your reputation precedes you as a self-interested troll. You have routinely verified that over and over, and unintentionally I might add. I question whether you honestly have 6 years experience, because you conduct yourself like an attention-starved teenager. Either way, with your level of self-involvement I find it very unlikely that you'd be of substantial help to anyone.

Give me a recommendation or stop posting. Who knows, perhaps I could complete the online course you did and have as much luck in employment opportunities as you've bragged about. Rolling Eyes

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

Twinfan603, I really wouldn't even entertain the idea of teaching at all if you're not all that interested in it to begin with.

Really, options are incredibly limited without a CELTA and/or experience, and Moscow almost always demands them. So why take work from other teachers in Moscow who actually WANT to teach? (except the 'McSchools', they can go to the clowns!)

Twinfan603 · Joined: 17 Jul 2015 Posts: 9

I didn't say I wasn't interested in teaching, because I am. I want to do this. If it was so painstaking or incongruous to me as a person I'd find another way or wait things out and see where my life went. I said I don't think I'm going to do it long-term because a) I have no idea where I'll eventually settle down, and b) if given the choice to do anything I would eventually work for a publishing company. Teaching languages is a natural segue into that.

I was given an interview without specific experience (only general teaching experience) or a TEFL, so I'm by no means taking work away from other teachers. If they are out there applying for the jobs I'm applying for, they are certainly getting them over me. Now that says something about the institutions interviewing me, whether they're Mcschools or not, but honestly I'm ok with that.

I'm not in this for the money, but regardless I've seen the TEFL industry cater to both those intending to make teaching english a life-long pursuit and those looking for a few years work. I understand why they do this for economic reasons, but even so, pushing a CELTA on everyone in some cases won't be the investment it's claimed to be. If I can get a TEFL that does what it needs to do without costing $2700, that is the way I want to go.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Twinfan603 · Joined: 17 Jul 2015 Posts: 9

I'm about 45 minutes from NYC.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Take a look at http://www.learn4good.com/tefl/new_york_city_tesol_schools.htm to see if any of the 120-hour (practicum inclusive) programs indicated fit your budget. Otherwise, you may have to postpone your overseas travel until you've worked to save up enough money for the cert and initial start-up expenses.

Deats · Joined: 02 Jan 2015 Posts: 503

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:16 pm Post subject:

Practical advice??? You ARE having a laugh sunshine!!!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 6:56 am Post subject:

Foma87 · Joined: 13 Sep 2011 Posts: 116 Location: Moscow

I would disagree with posters who claim certs are necessary to get a job and make a decent living; as well as to make a real impact on their students by being a good, prepared teacher.

I've worked almost five years in Moscow w/out certs and make just about as much as one can off privates and would also say I've impacted many of my students very positively.

In the meantime, I've had the time to attend many free teaching seminars and to have my classes observed by my colleagues, who have handed out very good feedback.

Just my opinion. Maybe I'm missing something here. But I wouldn't say a lack of cert has held me back in the least, at least if we are speaking long-term. Far more important is professional network and reputation (in terms of getting good jobs) as well as experience and receiving constructive feedback from other pros (for improving your trade).