Job Discussion Forums

[mrjack]

HI All,
Can anyone enlighten me on the differences between the two courses please.
I hear the CELTA is very intensive and difficult. Is the TESOL course as challenging ?

[nomad soul]

Uh, you already have a thread on this topic of TESOL v CELTA, in which your question was addressed.

Here are the syllabi for both, which should help you do your own comparison:

CELTA: http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/21816-celta-syllbus.pdf
Trinity CertTESOL: http://www.trinitycollege.com/resource/?id=5407

And Trinity Cert TESOL vs CELTA

Frankly, either one is fine as an entry-level ESOL teaching cert.

[mrjack]

Thanks I thought I had asked it, for some reason I wasn't getting the email notifications. The CELTA one sounds painful, I was kind of hoping someone might say the TRINITY is not as bad !!

[twowheel]

[nomad soul]

[spiral78]

mrjack, you've evidently been around for 12 years - why do you need/want to pursue qualifications now, if I may ask? Your purpose and goals may also help to inform the advice you receive here.

[kpjf]

[ebooktrial0001]

I think the others raised good points about the big picture. You would probably take a pay cut.

But, as for your original post, I would say do the CELTA, simply because it has the Cambridge name on it. I did, and I'm glad I did.

[mrjack]

Well researched. I have been around quite a while. I have been teaching in the UK and abroad over the last eighteen years.
I did go abroad in 2005 but the school moved the goalposts when I arrived in KL and after three months, myself and another teacher left.
I am trying to get back into International Schools after a pretty miserable few years teaching in the UK in the state sector and a terrible school.
I'm not having much luck finding employment abroad and thought a TESOL might help to make me more employable.

[ebooktrial0001]

@MrJack

Good luck on your career.

In all honesty, I think most people who did ESL had some trouble finding jobs back home.

I would say to audit a few ESL classes and see if it is your thing. I have taught subject classes where the teacher is the subject matter expert, and ESL classes (best taught as student centered). I like the former more; so, ESL is not the ideal fit for me.

I think the good news is that genuinely good ESL teachers will always be demanded. As you see in your home country of the UK, and mine of the US, there are still millions and millions of teachers. I estimate that in the world, there are at least 2 billion people who would love to learn more ESL, if they had ready access to a good teacher (not an amateur).

I think a degree like a CELTA would definitely give the practical aspects of ESL teaching, such as student-centered lesson plans, activities, etc. that you will not get anywhere else. If you ever get a well-known master's in TESOL, etc. you could branch out.

Certainly, the need is there; as far as being a well-paid, highly demanded, unique opportunity, that is another story.

[kpjf]

Pity about KL.

I don't know what others think here but if you're teaching in an international school I don't really know if a CELTA brings much to the table, especially for the cost of it, unless you are potentially looking at TEFL jobs.

[kurtz]

[nomad soul]

[mrjack]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far for your honest and helpful responses.
I think I will give it a miss and do some supply teaching and hopefully get a lucky break when I apply for International Schools.
Thanks again.

[Landon]

I know exactly what a CELTA is, and what a TESOL is, but what is special about a Trinity TESOL? Is it better or more recognizable? There are tons of places that offer TEFL and TESOL courses. Just wondered.