Job Discussion Forums

[uruguay1]

I would like to know if I would be better off getting the CELTA rather than a relatively unknown certificate here in the USA. I see many job advertisements that require CELTA or equivalent. But are these "equivalent" certificates actually worth the time, effort, money? The one offered in my area is recognized by the British Council, does this actually mean anything? Also, I can have the class here funded through financial aid, but if it isn't worth it, I would rather pay for the CELTA myself. Is Apollo a good choice? I am interested in them partly because their training center is wheelchair accesible. I have been told that ILA is not. I have already lived in Vietnam and am aware it is not the most wheelchair accessible country. Thanks in advance.

[bje]

As mentioned in previous posts, the CELTA is safest. It doesn't matter much where you do it, since the quality of the trainers at any given centre is what counts.

[jhawkguy77]

I have a certificate that is not that well known. It has all the requirements and is a difficult course. I took it in the US as well. I have had not had any problems using it here in Saigon. It is an accredited and regulated course unlike many of the other general TEFL courses. So I would say it is better than a TEFL cert but not as recognized and may not be as good as the CELTA cert.

[Steinmann]

How about being certified in the US to teach ESOL? Would that negate the TEFL cert requirement?