Job Discussion Forums

[reblair79]

Hi, I'm Raymond. I've got a few questions but first I'll tell you the need to know about me. I'm 36 from the UK. I was in the Royal Navy until 2012 and left as I wanted to do TEFL.. The research I done concluded I was best to do this by getting a degree and a CELTA so I left the Navy to embark an Open Uni degree. I will complete this in May this year. I've been doing voluntary work with my local council for the last few months helping with ESOL classes for some experience.

I plan to do a CELTA either in the UK or overseas when I get my degree certificate this year.

This is where my questions and other thoughts begin. Here is what I am ultimately looking for firstly..

- To teach in a much warmer climate than the UK
- To earn enough that I can save to fly back home for a break in the UK for a few weeks and then fly out to a new location to teach again the following year.
- Not to be worked to the bone. I like to work hard, I'm passionate in what I put my mind to and will teach people to best of my ability, but I don't want to be taken the preverbial pee out of. So some good free time to enjoy the new culture is a big thing for me.

What do you experienced guys and gals suggest for getting the CELTA? e.g. should I fly out to Spain, Vietnam, Thailand etc and do it there and once complete just start chapping doors for jobs so to speak?

Am I missing anything out that is essential before I fly out somewhere?

Most of my savings will be going to the CELTA so how much money will I need in the bank when flying out somewhere to do the CELTA then job hunt?

Well that's enough for now I think. I will have a few other questions based on what answers I hopefully get back, but for now your input would be massively appreciated. Your thoughts and suggestions generally on all I have mentioned here are also very much welcome. e.g. am I being unrealistic in what I want?

Regards,

Ray

[suphanburi]

[Hod]

Hi Ray, another ex-RN here but probably not as long as you.

Just my view on CELTA, I doubt you'd get overly stressed by it but many do. It is a lot of work. You don't need any long commutes or other disruptions during those four weeks. If I'd done CELTA abroad, I'd have been more up for sightseeing or more likely drinking.

Do it in the boring old UK. Four weeks, three weekends. Done.

[spiral78]

I don't entirely agree with Hod in this case. Doing a CELTA in the country where you want to start teaching can be a very useful bridge into the country/culture.

A good training center will help you with (or provide) logistical support like airport pickup, accommodation during the course, and local orientation. Your fellow trainees can form your first social circle, your practice teaching students will really be representative of those you'll be working with when you start, and a good training center can hook you up with reputable local employers. It can really be a pretty good head start.

I don't know about long commutes (if the training center provides housing, why should it be a long commute?) and your fellow trainees are under the same time pressures as you will be, so they are unlikely to tempt you much to go sightseeing or out drinking.

Anyway, for Europe, it's very common to take the course in-country. Ideally in August; the peak hiring season is Sept/early October and it can be difficult to find much outside of that hiring window.

[reblair79]

Thanks for your replies. I think I will do the CELTA in the country I decide to go to. It's all very exciting.

With regards to this police check, I have a clean record so nothing to worry about there. But how is this arranged?

Hi shippers, which branch were you Hod?

[Hod]

Pros and cons. The CELTA is four weeks of doing nothing but CELTA. There's no time for networking or culture, and trying either of these will be a distraction. Plenty of time for excitement after, not during the CELTA.

Also, you'll be relying on the organisational skills of a locally-paid member of staff. I'd rather not fly all that way relying on one person. If your accommodation, for example, is messed up, the disruption to your CELTA will be horrendous. If you want something done properly...

If you are determined to do CELTA overseas, I'd opt for a centre which offers regular courses. Some centres only run CELTA once a year, and I'd be wary of how clued up the staff would be.

---

Was a lowly ME. Later an even lower MEA in the RNR, who don't even have that branch now, was a few years ago.

[reblair79]

Thanks Hod, that's really useful. I'm strongly considering International House in Spain or Bangkok. They seem quite experienced and I have checked out some Youtube videos for them. Does anyone have thoughts on them? With regards to this police check, how does one arrange this?

[suphanburi]

[Kowloon]

I did my CELTA in IH Bangkok and would recommend it. Excellent value for money, solid trainers and a really nice mix of students to teach.