Job Discussion Forums

[Burichan]

My fiance and I have been teaching in Japan for the past 4 years and are in need of some ESL qualification before heading back to North America. We've been researching CELTA and TEFL international (TESOL) courses around the world and are curious what the opinions on site are on the differences between these two certifications. (For example, a CELTA course in Vietnam or Thailand versus a TEFL international TESOL course in Egypt or Thailand.)

Thank you! :D

[Mark Loyd]

The CELTA is a ludicrous four week course that is largely unknow in the US and for which they will extract about a grand from you for. TEFL International is an even more ludicrous four week course that is unknown outside of the most apallingly paid jobs where you could have got the job without shelling out nearly a grand for.

Get some real qualifications.

[Cdaniels]

Although Mark is a bit "abrupt" he is absolutely correct. In the US only generic state "teaching certificates" will be recognized and these must be obtained within the US (although foreign university degrees or experience may expedite teacher certification.) Certification is handled by state governments and the process can be different for each state. Generally, established ESL programs here are geared specifically for teaching English to immigrants (often immigrants who lacked the means to learn English in their native country.) Many ESL teaching courses and programs are for working educators (mostly childhood educators) Perhaps surprisingly, the infrastructure for qualifying ESL teachers of adults in the US is rather poor. I wish it was as simple as getting "real" qualifications as Mark suggested.
On the other hand, if you're looking to leave North America again soon afterwards, the CELTA is, globally, the most widely recognized cert, and a Trinity cert is second. In Latin America, and other places, TEFL Int'l or any four week 100+ hour courses with practicum are equally considered.

[joshua2004]

If you have been teaching in Japan, you must have at least a bachelors. That combined with your teaching experience is all you need to teach in just about any country where English is not the first language.

If you want to teach public school ESL in the United States, you will need a teaching licence which generally takes about a year after or during a bachelors. If you want to teach ESL at a community college or university, you will need a masters in ESL, or applied linguistics, English, etc.

There is always work available at private schools or other businesses that work with English learners where you could find work and wouldn't need a teaching license. And for which your teaching experience would be highly considered. The American public schools' hands are tied when it comes to hiring because of No Child Left behind.

If you do not wish to pursue a degree in education, English, or something related; if you don't plan to make a living doing this, realize that all you need is a bachelors IN ANYTHING to teach almost anywhere in the non-English speaking world.* And if you have some teaching experience of any kind, you have a lot more opportunities. English certifications provide you, very ocassionally, with some teaching practice which could easily be had volunteering with a teacher willing to show you and let you practice some techniques. CELTA and other English certifications are unnecessary.

I often read posts asking "Which English certification is good?", "Which is a good school for English certification?", or "I don't want to pay the $1500 US dollars for this certification but I want to teach English, advice?" Since there is no regulation, stiff competition, and money to be made, English teaching certificate programs vary considerably in the duration of training, curricula and the qualifications of the graduates.

I don't suggest you getting an English teaching certificate.

*If you want to teach in some universities, you will sometimes need a masters and sometimes a doctorate. Check the schools in the country where you want to go. I have also heard of a one exception where a CELTA or other is required though I have never verified this. I would be interested if such a place would still require a CELTA if you have a bachelors or a bachelors/masters in Education.