Job Discussion Forums

[dreworear08]

Hello! I am wanting to know when looking into taking a TEFL course is it wise to always go with an institution that offers a CELTA course? For example, I was looking at this school in Granada that offers a TEFL course (http://www.teflspain.org/tefl-4-week.asp), but it is not "CELTA", how much weight should the "CELTA" title carry in the decision making process of choosing a TEFL certificate program?

Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!

[SirKirby]

One important consideration is how much weight CELTA carries with those who might become your employers -- or not, if they don't like your qualifications.

Cambridge ESOL CELTA (or Trinity) do carry quite a lot of weight in that sense. Personally, I'd strongly recommend taking one of those two to anyone entering the profession.

What do they give you? (a) a decent start on the theory and practice of language teaching -- the basic knowledge in other words and (b) a better chance of a job.

All else being equal, if it's a choice between two candidates, Joe with CELTA (or Trinity) and Fred with "Jim's School Advanced TEFL certificate", Joe gets the job every time. The director of language school will not have to think about that one more than 1 second...

Trinity
http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/site/?id=293

CELTA
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/teaching-awards/celta.html