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Jnehlig
Joined: 26 Jul 2015 Posts: 4
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 2:15 am Post subject: Do I need a CELTA |
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I am planning to head down to Peru in February, at which time I will have about five months of experience working with a nonprofit in my hometown, teaching ESL classes to adult refugees. My only other qualifications would be that I am a native speaker and have a B.S. in Biology. I am considering getting my CELTA but am not sure if it would be worth the time and money. From what I have read so far it seems that finding a job without a cert. is doable but I am wondering if having the CELTA would give me more job opportunities, or earn a higher salary?
Any opinions or advice would be appreciated. |
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sistaray
Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 82 Location: trumpland
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Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 7:15 am Post subject: Re: Do I need a CELTA |
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Jnehlig wrote: |
I am planning to head down to Peru in February, at which time I will have about five months of experience working with a nonprofit in my hometown, teaching ESL classes to adult refugees. My only other qualifications would be that I am a native speaker and have a B.S. in Biology. I am considering getting my CELTA but am not sure if it would be worth the time and money. From what I have read so far it seems that finding a job without a cert. is doable but I am wondering if having the CELTA would give me more job opportunities, or earn a higher salary?
Any opinions or advice would be appreciated. |
Peru board's pretty quiet these days it seems. I'll chime in but be warned that I've not taught there for over seven years. However, I see each of my ex-employers are still in business these days, and from what I hear from some friends who've been in Peru recently, things haven't changed a whole lot.
As has been argued ad nauseam in many corners of Dave's, whether or not you find the CELTA worth the time and effort has to do both with doors it opens (or doesn't) *and* how it improves your teaching. How much weight you give the latter consideration is your call. In my opinion, it's a working visa and *not* an entry-level ESL cert that opens doors in Peru, at least at international schools and some training centers. As you've probably read on this forum, work visas are nearly impossible for new arrivals with your quals to secure in Peru. IMO: most training centers will take you if you're personable and give off a nice Native English Speaker vibe. Some will take you without either. In my experience, some Peruvian training centers will offer training to get you up to speed on their teaching style / curriculum; others tell you you start the next day.
As re: a higher salary, in Lima at least, when I was there it was the same handful of schools attracting a pretty finite number of applicants. You could try negotiating a higher wage if you have a CELTA or other cert by leveraging this fact, i.e. "oh, employer X told me I'd get a dollar more per hour because I have a CELTA." And yes, the state of entry-level ESL in Peru is such that that extra dollar per hour will be meaningful! |
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Jnehlig
Joined: 26 Jul 2015 Posts: 4
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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 12:21 pm Post subject: |
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sistaray
Thank you very much for your response.
I am still thinking I will go through with the CELTA as I feel that it will make me a better teacher, and provide an opportunity for me to network with other EFL teachers.
I am wondering if you know anything about getting a work visa in Peru. From what I have read it seems like it is a bit of a hassle and most employers will not help you through the process. Would having the CELTA make it easier to acquire one, or is having a bachelors degree enough to be approved. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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Find a good employer and they'll help you. CELTA isn't needed. |
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currentaffairs
Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 1:37 am Post subject: |
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I would get a CELTA or TEFL cert. Many entry level jobs are requiring some form of certification nowadays. I remember going for a basic language school gig in Colombia and there were 5-6 other applicants. Anything that puts you ahead of the crowd would be useful. |
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