Job Discussion Forums

[Jordan789]

Hey all,

I'm going to be moving to Asia (following a woman!, but also to see the world), and the idea is to teach English somewhere over there...

I'm a 32 year old white male American, with a MFA in creative writing, a BA in English literature, 5 years' experience teaching college-level writing, and 2 years' experience teaching English to adults (mostly Koreans, but some Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Europeans as well). Like, serious experience, from early conversation and grammar to advanced business writing. 20+ hours a week about for two years.

I'm debating between a CELTA and TEFL to increase job prospects and also to hone/improve my classroom strategies (I have no formal training). I've been accepted into a CELTA class in New York, and have applied for funding for it from a university where I teach, but worry that the funds will not be awarded. If that happens, should I just get a TEFL and save 1.5k, or is it worth it to get the CELTA?

Or should I just move to another country and find a job, since I've decent qualifications?

Sorry for the long and drawn out explanation and thank you to those of you who have taken the time to read and respond.

Cheers,

Jordan

[spanglish]

(head smack)

TEFL is not the name of any course or provider. It is an acronym, nothing more - Teaching English as a Foreign Language. An unaccredited TEFL course will do you approximately no good whatsoever in your teaching career.

Quality education costs $$ and the three good ones are the Trinity, CELTA, and SIT - all are 120 hours or more, are taught by qualified instructors and require a minimum of 6 hours assessed teaching with real students as well as other assessments. There are some other generic courses that are also legit, but you may as well do one of the previous three. FWIW my CELTA many years ago in South America cost $2,000, so if you're paying less in the US I'd say you're getting a deal. If you do get a CELTA I'd kind of recommend you do it in whatever country you are moving to (good for building some connections) instead of the US - unless of course you can get it paid for in the US.

It sounds like you could do okay without further education, but I would definitely recommend you get a CELTA or equivalent to increase your credibility and work on your classroom skills (I am guessing you'll be weak on the communicative method) and with what sounds like your very good experience thus far I think you will do quite well for yourself.

[Jordan789]

Thanks Spanglish.

By TEFL I was referring to other programs, which I suppose are the generic variety, like the 100 hour one given by oxfordseminars.

If I can't get the CELTA funded then I may fall back on a TEFL certificate in a foreign country, but probably not a CELTA due to the cost. I am not sure.

[spanglish]

I know that's what you meant; I was just being snarky because it's such a common newbie thing.

The generic offerings that cost significantly less than the CELTA - this includes Oxford seminars - will likely be viewed similarly as an unaccredited online course and do your career about the same amount of good: little to none. There's no free lunch.

If you decide not to do CELTA/equivalent, honestly I would recommend you just buy a couple good books and do some independent professional development instead of doing an Oxford Seminars type of course. With your experience and degrees, you should be able to brand yourself fairly effectively. If you end up going that route and teach more than a year or two, I'd suggest jettisoning the CELTA altogether and going straight to an MA TESOL, but strongly suggest doing one that includes a practical, classroom component. This probably would be a good thing to start right now, but I didn't suggest it earlier as you were balking at the CELTA price tag, much less starting an MA.

The New School looks to have a great albeit fabulously expensive MA program, but is instructive to see the components of their degree through which to assess others.

[nomad soul]

[Jordan789]

Thanks again, Spanglish.

I'm not sure I'm even close to considering an MA in tesol but maybe in a few years. Funding is certainly an issue more than anything. How to pay for it all? I could potentially scrap together a couple grand but an MA from The New School must run 50k?

Good advice on using it as a yard stick though.

[Jordan789]

Nomad soul,

My Union offers decent funding for continuing professional development. Since my schools are extremely diverse with many ESL students I'm attempting to sell it as being worthwhile. Seriously 90% of my students are ESL some semesters, with severe ESL issues.

I'm not sure which country yet. It will depend on where my girlfriend can find a job and get a visa. She's Sri Lankan and in a different industry altogether. I will check out the boards for the specific countries. Thank you.

[suphanburi]

[Jordan789]

Suphanburi,

Thanks for your response.

I'm uncertain what you mean when you say "CELTA is also well branded and Cambridge ESOL programs... are widely promoted in countries like Thailand and Vietnam." Is the implication that the CELTA is worthwhile in these places despite it being a cert. for adult education?

Regarding the higher end, or stricter requirements of places like Korea, I assume your information means I should aim for a cert. course that has 20-60 hours of face-to-face instruction...

Per your marriage idea, it's not one we're ready to jump into currently, but the idea of her being stuck in Sri Lanka is a problem that we've not considered. She has some relatives who have settled in Singapore and Australia.

Thanks, also, for joining the discussing. Much valued input.

[currentaffairs]

CELTA, Trinity certTESOL and SIT TESOL seem the best available. The last one may be cheaper than the first two..

Other courses are cheaper but not well recognised. With the flood of applicants and prospective teachers I would try to do one of the above courses to set yourself apart..

[nomad soul]

[suphanburi]

[esl_prof]

[esl_prof]