Job Discussion Forums

[EFL Teacher]

It appears that many employers in Saudi Arabia prefer the Cambridge CELTA as opposed to the Trinity TESOL certificate. I wonder whether any of the board-members can verify or expand on this? Is the Trinity TESOL certificate becoming extinct? It seems like they both are month-long, intensive courses that focus upon roughly the same topics, although the CELTA may be more geared towards teaching adults-hence the 'A'- in a group whereas the TESOL focuses on both group and individuals of all ages.

Even in England, it appears that the CELTA is surpassing the Trinity TESOL; there are Government-backed, country-wide programmes offering Further Education (FE) teachers ESOL Subject Specialist status and module one of the two module course is the Cambridge CELTA as opposed to the Trinity TESOL. Therefore, whoever has a CELTA can gain subject specialist status by completing module two only but someone with a Trinity TESOL, I guess, would have to do both modules because the qualification does not specify that it is solely for adults and therefore may not be compatible with the APEL rules. It seems like Trinity are not going to give up without a fight because they are now offering two new programmes: 'The Trinity Certificate in FE Teaching (TESOL) and the Trinity Certificate for Adult ESOL Subject Specialists'. Where does this leave those who want to teach in places such as Saudi and don't know which qualification to go for: if they do the standard Trinity TESOL then they won't have FE QTS status in England and if they do one of the other two then who will acknowledge them in Saudi Arabia? Whereas, if they do the CELTA then it is recognised in Saudi and they are half way to getting FE QTS, providing they have a Cert. Ed. or above (which is also needed to acquire FE QTS for those with a CELTA).

Additionally, on the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) website there is hardly a mention of Trinity TESOL whereas there is an abundance of information concerning CELTA. It appears they are pushing the CELTA to the extent that some colleges are running their final Trinity TESOL courses this year. Arguably, this is because the LSC favours the CELTA and if that is the case then it means that there could be all sorts of problems for institutes that don't follow suit.

Additionally, if one was wanting to enrol on the DELTA, could they do so with a Trinity TESOL or do they need to have a CELTA? I am relatively new to job-hunting in KSA; however, even so, I have been asked if I have a CELTA and there was no mention of the Trinity TESOL certificate; so much so that I felt that the employer preferred the CELTA over an MA in a related field because he felt it was more 'hands-on' and practical (although it only entails 6 hours of teaching practice). I am trying to make sense of it all! Any suggestions?

[Stephen Jones]

I always presumed they were more or less equivalent.

As far as Saudi goes I would say the most important things are degree, possibly Masters, experience and the biggest plus of all, prior Gulf experience.

If you have a degree in a completey non-language relatated field then get a Celta or Trinity Cert as a minimum.

It is Europe though, where they carry most weight.

[scot47]

Saudi employers like to see an MA or even better a Doctorate. Just what you need to teach Elementary English !