Job Discussion Forums

Jetkuma · Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Posts: 9 Location: US

Hi Guys,
I have been filling out my CELTA application for ILA. I noticed they asked a lot of teaching experience questions. Not only that, they asked about "Professional Qualifications" and "Career Experiences". As i am going to graduate in May 2010, so i do not have a lot of any of those. I only have about 2 years of working experiences during my college years, and the other experiences are in extracurricular activities. So i have a feeling my chance of getting accepted into the CELTA course is very slim.

What is the acceptance rate in ILA CELTA course? How do they select their candidates? Should i do one year contract with them to improve my resume and gain experience in teaching?

runthegauntlet · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:47 am Post subject:

I wouldn't worry. The school can't make money if they don't let people do the courses. The certification is an entry level requirement. It'd be quite absurd of them if they required working experience in that field before letting someone take a course that would give them an entry level certificate into said field.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I would second that. I wouldnt overly worry. Some people DO get turned down from courses, but I would guess they are the kind of people that really wouldnt be suited to the course. This probably wouldnt apply to a recent Uni graduate IMO.

AjarnIam · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 95 Location: Thailand

Seriously, don't worry. They like to scare people with their app. forms and telephone interviews, but at the end of the day they want a heartbeat and a pocket full of money. It's a good course, slanted to English language structure IMO, but at the same time preparing you for the classroom. If you already have several years teaching exp. it's a bit dull, and you end up laughing at their canned approaches to TEFL. NOTHING 100% will prepare you for a classroom, but CELTA will give you some good tips, and they will rid you of public speaking fears.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:21 am Post subject:

You'll be fine. You have as good a chance as anyone.

The CELTA people want the money, true, but they ask all those many, many application questions to weed out the weirdos from the course. This makes their lives much easier, and also the trainees. It's hard to credit it, but some people write all sorts of strange things in their application forms. One typical line went something like: "Why do you want to become an EFL teacher?" - " To meet blondes; to go to X drug-related country; to go to...". You get the idea. That's what you are up against sometimes...

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:18 pm Post subject:

AjarnIam · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 95 Location: Thailand

The best part of CELTA was arguing with the 23 year old trainer who I'm sure had never been in a class of 50 in his life. I could make his poor face turn 19 shades of red with just a single comment. It was good fun IMO. They won't fail you, so chill and have fun with it.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject:

Two folks failed on the course I took.

And on the course I now teach...I won't fail anybody. Participants are welcome to fail, though, if they don't meet the required standard. (I don't fail them, they fail themselves.)

How the *beep* did you get a 23 year old CELTA trainer?? By my count, they're supposed to have at least five years experience, DELTA, MA TESOL, or similar, and preferably post-qualification experience.

When did this guy start teaching, age 15?

(I don't work with CELTA. Have been a licensed SIT TESOL trainer for the last several years, though- getting qualified was as hard a teaching feat as I've pulled off in a while, and I was 30 with quite a bit of experience. Can't imagine how anyone could get there by age 23.)

Best,
Justin

AjarnIam · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 95 Location: Thailand

lol...I might have been exaggerating a bit on his age, but I've sure he was sub 30...he hated me with a passion...good fun

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:26 pm Post subject:

Why'd he hate you?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:47 pm Post subject:

Not to put too fine a point on it, but trainees with experience but not training can be hard on a trainer. Sorry if your trainer wasn't very good, but...you get out of it what you put into it, you know?

I've done courses with PhD qualified university teachers my parents' age. I think there's still plenty they can learn from me, and vice versa as well.

I have had classes of 50, and done plenty of other things besides that justify my being a trainer. After a trainee has decided to pay me for that expertise, turning up and wasting a lot of time on the course by challenging my expertise...it doesn't sit well...

Best,
Justin

AjarnIam · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 95 Location: Thailand

My apologies to Justin and anyone else I may have offended in here yesterday. Like taking the keys from a drunk driver, someone should have pulled me off this computer considering the mood I was in. CELTA is a great program.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Returning to the main point: don't worry about blanking some parts of the form. Lots of people start without experience or professional qualifications. Do work hard at the grammar test (assuming there is one).