Job Discussion Forums

zedington · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 10

Has anyone here gone through the one-month Cambridge CELTA program in Moscow that BKC offers? I'm past the "is it worth taking the CELTA" and "can CELTA teach you how to teach" arguments (though for posterity I've come to the conclusions of "yes" and "no"), so I'm not asking either of those questions, I'm just trying to get an unbiased idea of what the course is like from an American perspective, in terms of difficulty and job marketability afterwards.

Any thoughts on this experience from someone who has been through it would be tremendously appreciated. Thanks in advance.

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

I have taken the CELTA, though not at BKC, but I do know the people who teach it at BKC and they are very good.

If you take the CELTA at BKC, and do OK, they will hire you if they have an opening coming up. Not that they are doing you a great favour by doing so. Laughing

One thing to keep in mind, is that you are not going to have any free time during the course, so don't regard it as an opportunity to see Moscow. Of course you can append some free time of your own for this, but do consider visa costs and hassles in this picture (you'll need a business visa to stay over one month).

mitchellmadisonp · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Tennessee, USA

Hey I took the CELTA in January 2005 in Moscow. The experience was great. Being sooooo busy with the CELTA course helps with the shock of being in Russia those first few weeks. Also the CELTA training department at the school is very helpful with all things Russian as they may arise. Upon successful completion of the course you can easily get a job with BKC school, or any other school--Moscow is not short on opportunities for those wanting to teach English. In my opinion it's a great way to slip into life here in Moscow and help minimize the "speedbumps" that come with life here in Russia.

mitchellmadisonp · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Tennessee, USA

Yes the CELTA occupies a lot of your time, but it's not fair to say that you can't expect to see any of Moscow. I visited many museums, parks, and caught a performance at the Bolshoi during my CELTA. Plus anyone has ten minutes to walk from the school and have a beer walking on Red Square which will blow your mind even after a year here!!

adavidwatson · Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Posts: 28 Location: USA

I did the CELTA at BKC in the winter of 2000. It's very intense so expect to spend your weekdays busy with the course. I got to explore a bit on the weekends and had the other participants to hang out with. Last I knew BKC was one of the least expensive places to take it, and yes if you do well they are likely to recruit you. If you don't do well you won't pass and will be out a considerable chunk of change.