Job Discussion Forums

[pojohnny]

I'm planning on heading down there at the first of September and taking the Sept/Oct CELTA course. They've sent me an application that has a grammar exercise. It's made me really realize how much I need to brush up on my grammar.

I'm 34 and have been driving a truck for the past few years. I dropped out of college in my early twenties as a sophomore. And a victim of the public education system in Alabama before that. So this Cambridge accredited course has me both excited and intimidated.

It seems like they're really selective about who they take on. And that's got me a little worried. The problem is that I've already got my mind set on going to Costa Rica in September and taking the CELTA class. So if I get rejected by the application or interview process, it's going to seriously crap on my plans. I want to give TEFL a serious consideration as a possible career move. And it seems like the CELTA is the best way to go since I want something that's recognized in other countries as well.

I guess what I'm wondering about is just how strict are they? Shouldn't they be willing to take on anyone who can speak clearly and string together a couple of written sentences? Wouldn't the basics plus a motivated attitude coupled with cash on the barrel head be enough to get ones foot in the door?

[OleLarssen]

Hello,

first of all, congrats with your decision to screw it all and move abroad. It's working for me, and I'm sure it will work for anyone who is generally clueless about their next phase in life. ;)

I have no idea about the CELTA course in Costa Rica, but the Manuel Antonio TESOL course didn't make a big deal out of the grammar stuff since you will never get a job requiring you to teach (explicit) grammar constantly. Where is this course that you are talking about?

In the application phase to my TESOL course I was also asked to do some grammar, but it was more like a reminder that you need at least some clue what's going on than a filtering process. I'm pretty sure they won't be overrun with teacher students late in the year, so I doubt you would have a problem.

Ole

[pojohnny]