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daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

From my preliminary research it seems that CELTA is the best teaching certificate for me. It appears to have a global reputation as a serious course for people who are serious about teaching.

I am sure I want to work in Asia. The rest is rather vague. Most of my Asian experience is in Thailand, but I don't want to work there straight away. Cambodia seems a very good option. The more I learn of the place, the more I like it.

The Certificate, however, is something I cannot afford to be complacent about. Firstly, am i right in preferring the CELTA to a TEFL?

Secondly, my home town of Manchester, England, is home to an Academy of English, this has links to the British Council and Uni of Cambridge ESOL examinations. They do a month-long intensive CELTA course that appears to be solid: http://www.manacad.co.uk/teacher.html

Might I be sensible to do the CELTA in Manchester, straight after I graduate from Uni next summer? This would mean that I'd get to Asia with a degree and a CELTA ... all ready to teach. Are there any downsides on obtaining a CELTA in the Uk rather than Asia? Or, is it a positive step? Might it be seen as a good thing by perspective employers?

Chancellor

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

Thanks for that Chancellor. I might know what country I would like to work in first, but there is a good chance I'll also want to work throughout Asia, maybe in the UK too.

Therefore, getting the cert. in England seems a valid option. What do you think?

brevel_monkey · Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 9

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

Saigon is very high on my list of potential places to work. Are you going to get a job through the course, have you got one lined up, or will you just hit the streets when you're there?

So, you've visited Saigon/ Ho Chi Min before? What kind of place is it? I have a fair amount of experience in Thailand and Indonesia, but never been to Vietnam. I like the sound of it. Seems to be a good balance between an interesting place, nice landscape and beaches, good money, with decent potential for savings.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

If you live in Manchester take the CELTA there. It's not a holiday so doing it somewhere you get free accommodation is sensible.

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I would also suggest doing the course in your hometown, mainly for the reasons you have mentioned yourself. A new place, new climate, new food, new friends ... there are 101 things to distract you during the course, making it harder than it needs to be. I did my course in my hometown, and the support network I had at home made it an easy and enjoyable experience to complete.

One other point - ppl normally talk about how its good to be in-country to make contacts and find that first job. Well the other side of this coin, is doing this course in your hometown, and getting a good result, means you may not have to move to the other side of the world for the first EFL job ... Your course provider may also need teachers ... and if they dont need them now, or you want to go abroad first, you will at least have good contacts in your home town to come back to!

daniel_hayes · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 177

It appears that getting my CELTA in Manchester would be sensible. The two courses here are Cactus and Manchester Academy of English. What is Cactus's reputation? I know they're a large company - or franchise - but that's about all I know.