Job Discussion Forums

[marbleskin]

Although I've been teaching for more than 5 years, I don't have a TEFL or CELTA certificate... and I don't guess my experience and the large amount of self-study I do would really amount to anything in the eyes of the TK govt.

My situation is this: I plan to start an on-site/on-line grad program (MA and K-12 ESL certification) this summer (2005). During the fall and spring terms, I'd like to live in Turkey, work and continue my studies. I just don't have the TEFL/CELTA certificate -- or the time, money or inclination to take an on-site course.

Does it make much of a difference if I do one of the (cheaper) on-line TEFL courses? I mean, could I use it to find a job and get a work visa for Turkey? Normally I wouldn't consider it, but I've got so much experience and I'm going to grad school to study teaching ESL/EFL -- it just doesn't seem worth my time and money to do an on-site TEFL cert.

Any advice from the veterans?!

[naf]

You can get work without a CELTA but the pay is generally lower. I have a few friends teaching here w/o certificates but their pay is down around 12 mil an hour. If you think it's worth the time and money to get a certificate then do it and you will probably get a higher pay. Also note that many schools only count post-certificate experience for pay increases but at least the cert can get you in the door. Additionally many schools still want a CELTA from teachers with an MA because these on-line MA programs don't give teacher trainees proper observation hours. It's difficult to get hands-on training on line.

[dmb]

Th MA in the UK(or the ones I looked into and the one I am doing) do not have any teaching practice or observation. The reason being you can't get on a program until you have 4/5 years previous experience.

marbleskin, check your pms. I sent you the info you asked for.
Just to add to what naf said. in order to be legal you need a BA and a CELTA.

[marbleskin]

thank you both for your replies and advice!

i guess i didnt make it clear about the grad program i want to do -
it is both on-site and on-line, and includes one year of student teaching and observation. the end result is a (US) teaching certificate in K-12 ESL as well as an MA in education.

i'd like to live in turkey while i'm doing the on-line portion of the course and perhaps work in an elementary school, if possible. i could also do my observations there. i just won't have a CELTA/TEFL certificate or teaching license at the time.

working illegally kinda frightens me and i don't want to risk getting kicked out of the country forever. but if that kind of thing is generally overlooked, and i find a school willing to hire me based on my experience, i suppose i could try it. i'll be in turkey for 3 weeks this winter and maybe then i can scope out the situation a bit　more.