Job Discussion Forums

Brian Mc · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Hi all,

I have just found out that my job will be gone by the end of July�.yikes double yikes!!!!

I have been on this forum many times researching the various posts which are fantastically informative.

With the research I have done so far, it seems that I keep missing the boat re opportunities available in certain countries.

I am from Ireland, 31 and have a business degree. I am considering doing CELTA to get me started on my path to teaching. I have some experience subbing both in primary and secondary schools.

Spain and Prague seem to be saturated with teachers and now the drama in North Korea (plus the decreasing currency value) has turned me off of these places.

Is it worth doing the CELTA course or should I just head off and take a chance?

From researching, I have learned that CELTA is fantastic and should be considered if planning on making a career out of teaching English to foreigners. Obviously, I do not know yet if I would like to make a career out of teaching. I�d like to think that I would love doing this but I guess the reality of it could be quite different to what I perceive it to be. CELTA is quite expensive but is there any point in doing the itoi weekend courses?

Also, can anybody tell me of their experiences of teaching in Italy and what qualifications are needed?

I would have about �5,000 heading off.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this.

Cheers,

Brian

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Brian,

Sorry to hear about your job loss. I don't know if you'll make a career of it, but welcome to EFL- job loss is about to get less scary. Once you get started, there will be jobs open to you virtually everywhere in the world.

I'm not a CELTA disciple, but I would recommend that you get CELTA or similar- a real cert with real teaching practice. It isn't just for those who make a career of it. Frankly, it's more for those who spend a short time. The career types are going to want degrees in this, eventually. The short one month cert is really designed for newbies. The other "shorter" certs, with weekends, teaching peers instead of students, substandard input and substandard training, are simply a rip-off. Designed to tell you you're getting a qualification so they get your money. They aren't designed to teach you to teach; they appear to meet minimum standards for a sub-minimum price, and take advantage of the unwary.

They DO NOT get you a job. You may get a job when you have one, but frankly you could get a job anyway. And most places that would hire you with an i to i cert would hire you with none.

Frankly, anyplace that will hire a holder of a "non-standard" cert but not a non-cert holder seems to be confused over what a cert is, and what it's for. Not a good employer.

Do a real cert. And welcome!

Justin

Brian Mc · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Hey Justin,

Many thanks for the warm welcome and taking the time out to reply.

I will now definitely complete the CELTA course. Although it costs a few bob, I am certain that it will be well worth it!

I am sure I will have a million questions as I dwelve further to the ESL world.

Thanks again and have a great day,

Brian

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

Remember that the Trinity Tesol is considered the equivalent of the CELTA.

Brian Mc · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks Spanglish!

This is quite odd as the two places I'm considering giving it a go in are Colombia or Ecuador!!! Must be a sign Smile

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:43 am Post subject:

double post

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:47 am Post subject:

Dear Brian

Sorry to hear about your imminent job loss, but good on you for thinking about heading out of the country to teach English. Definitely get proper training and a certificate.

However, one word of warning. Be sure you are doing a Cambridge CELTA and not the local CELT. The Irish CELT is in no way the same as the Cambridge CELTA. Do not be fooled by any slick ACELS marketing bumf. I used to work as a 'RELSA' cert trainer (that was the old name for the Irish TEFL course) and I was appalled by the lack of any standards at all on the course. In fact, there wasn't much of a set course in the first place. My trainer colleagues, some with not even a year's experience, used to just wing input sessions, and award grades to trainees randomly. The blind leading the blind. But for a hefty fee.

I realise that things have improved slightly since that time ( just 4 years ago) but even this new version of the course still lacks an outside inspector to carry out the teaching practice observation, which is essential to guarantee objectivity etc. Also, the CELT trainers usually have little qualification to be involved in teacher development, even now. And training centres vary hugely in quality across Ireland.

Think carefully. I'd do a CELTA or Trinity any day

Brian Mc · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Hey Sashadroogie,

Many thanks for the warning. Most of the schools I have researched in Eire only seem to be offering the local CELT courses. I found only one school in Dublin that offers the CELTA

I think the best option for me is to do the course in the country that I plan on teaching in. South America sounds pretty amazing and more research I do, the more I am leaning towards it.

I finish in my current job at the beginning of August and plan to take a little time out and perhaps start the course in Ecuador in September.

Cheers again,

Brian

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

Hi Brian,

I was in Venezuela on vacation about ten years ago with a Venezuelan friend.
We were close to border with Colombia and she wanted to cross over for a day to do some shopping. I wanted to go with her but she said it was too dangerous as tourist are frequently kidnapped. Obviously, I took her advice. I would definitely not consider Colombia as a place to do anything.

If I had the amount of money you have to start out with, I would go straight to Thailand, get recognized TEFL degree at Phuket, then head straight for Chiang Mai up north where it's cooler. Europe is great but since you are from there it might be more fun to go southeast Asia.

Best wishes

BocaNY · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 131

plato986 · Joined: 09 Feb 2009 Posts: 13

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

OK,
Good advice.

khmerhit · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:08 pm Post subject:

CAMBODIA__TRY IT AND SEE Cool

voltaire · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:10 am Post subject:

If you have �5,000, why work at all? Are you married? Why not put your euros in a Thai bank, live off the interest and debauch to your heart's content? Ah, to be 31 with �5,000 in the bank!

Times may well have changed, but I knew a German in Japan in the 1980's who had a Thai wife back in Bangkok. His plan was too work like a dog, or even a salaryman, in Tokyo for two years, save US$10,000, I think t was, and live in youthful Aryan retirement in Thailand for the rest of his life. (even a non-native white guy could teach English in Japan back then)

Maybe these days it would be more realistic for you to work part-time, starting in the afternoon when your hangover has gone, and just keep your �5,000 forever gaining steady interest until the next global financial meltdown.

... just a suggestion... Smile