Job Discussion Forums

BrentBlack · Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 96 Location: Quan 3, Saigon

Hello,

TESOL versus CELTA. I need your help! A little bit about me- I am an American male in my mid twenties. I have a B.A. in History, and soon to finish my M.A. in Marketing. I am primarily interested in teaching in Thailand, however I am considering others (China, Vietnam), and I am open to any and all ideas. I am interested in helping others and having a new experience. I would like to make enough money to save a bit, but I do not need to save outrageous amounts. I have researched both TESOL and CELTA programs. I have to say, at first I was in the CELTA camp, but recently I have been swayed to the TESOL side (job guarantee, and it seems the transition may be a bit more comfortable via that route). Throughout all of this I have thought of doing both. What could it hurt? Do one teach for a year, and then do the other. If I went down that road, I would do the TESOL first. I have read a few suggestions on other boards like this. Currently, I am thinking of doing the Tefl International Tesol program in Ban Phe. Why do you all say a TESOL certification is a waste of money? I have researched the different CELTA programs in Chiang Mai, Phuket, and "The Big Mango," as you all say, but I am unsure of landing in the country without some type of stable option. Anyhow what are your thoughts on the matter and my situation in general?

Thanks for your help!

Pauleddy · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 295 Location: The Big Mango

Actually, there are not enough differences to lose sleep over.

Both are well known, although more people seem to have a CELTA, in my experience.

http://www.cactustefl.com/get_started/interviews/tefl_jeremy_page.php

This link/URL has an interview with a senior teacher/director who can explain better than I am able to.

If you are going to start any course here, you must make sure that it is truly CELTA or TESOL. There are some home-grown courses here which may well be accepted locally, but are less valid internationally. The Ban Phe course has been the subject of controversy, receiving both plaudits and brickbats--in many, many posts on here and on other sites. Get every angle on it if you wanna go ahead.

eddy

BrentBlack · Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 96 Location: Quan 3, Saigon

Pauleddy · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 295 Location: The Big Mango

TEFL International based at Ban Phe has received both bad and good comments over many years.

I will not say any more, as I have no personal experience.

You need to get googling any or all combinations of TEFL Int'l, Ban Phe, etc.

There are folks on this site and other ajarn sites with more in-depth knowledge of this than I have.

Eddy