Job Discussion Forums

AJC · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 9

I know I need a training course, more to learn how to teach English than anything else. I'm looking at BridgeLinguatec in Buenos Aires. They offer a four week course with 6 hours of practice, and conditional employment in BA for the first few people to sign up for the course there.

Does anyone know if BridgeLinguatec is a reputable school?

Is this "conditional employment" something I should take seriously?

Should I be looking more seriously at a different program, like the ViaLingua course in Guadalajara (does anyone know anything about this one?)?

I'm open to suggestions if people think I'm barking up the wrong tree all together.

Details: I'm at square one, in that I know I want to teach English overseas, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. I'm two years removed from college and can't handle my cubicle anymore, so I need a drastic change.
I minored in Spanish in college and I'd like to go to Argentina with my main goal being to really learn Spanish. Money is a factor, so I'd like to keep my training expenses to a minimum. I've tentatively ruled out CELTA.
Thank you in advance for any advice that you can give a beginner.

Andy
Albany, NY
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Aramas · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 2:52 pm Post subject:

AJC · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 9

...mostly because I don't have the money right now to pay the extra $1000+ difference between CELTA and some of the other TEFL certificates. Also, it seems like in other parts of the world, where ESL is really booming (Korea, Taiwan), the CELTA certificate could actually lead to a better situation, but I'm more interested in teaching in Argentina, where CELTA versus another certificate wouldn't make much of a difference (from what I understand).

I need a course that will train me to teach ESL, taught in a Spanish-speaking Latin American country, at the best possible price.

tara_lee_anne · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 22

My mother got her TESOL certificate with Global Tesol and is now teaching English in a private school in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It seems to be the popular certificate to have down there, although Global Tesol costs $1000 (here in canada) but can be more expensive if you are outside of Canada. I do know there are other courses that are a bit less expensive, but I am going to take the Global Tesol program just because I know that you can get a job with it in Mexico and Latin America in general, which is where I am also looking at going. I don't know if that helps you any, but I just thought i'd throw my two cents in! Very Happy

AJC · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 9

Thank you for the reply. That's very helpful. I'm going to do some investigative work on Global TESOL right now to see where they offer programs and how much.

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

These classes cannot possibly be geared toward teaching people of a certain language. After all you are only supposed to speak English in class. Do you speak Spanish and plan to translate everything?

CELTA costs about 1000 so how can it be 1000 more than other classes. Unless you are taking the- Weekend Karaoke and TEFL certificate.

Aramas · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2004 3:31 pm Post subject:

Global and most other TEFL courses cost around $1500 AUD, and CELTA is around $2500 AUD here. Doing CELTA in-country where you want to work is usually around $2000 AUD at those that I've checked (Eastern EU and Russia). I think that the CAD and AUD are pretty close atm (AUD is around 80 cents USD)

However you look at it CELTA is a lot more expensive than most. I have no idea if it's worth the extra money.

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

tara_lee_anne · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 22

I never said it was geared towards people of a certain language. All I said was if he was looking at a certificate that has been proven to get you a job, Global Tesol is one to look at. He was looking at Latin America and since my mother is in Mexico and that certificate worked for her it would make sense to suggest it to others looking in or around the same area. The Global Tesol course costs $1000 (canadian) and seems to be fairly reputable. It also shows you how to teach both children and adults. Celta, on the other hand, is completely geared towards teaching adults which can put you at a disadvantage. Gerard, please read carefully before you semi-attack what people are saying! Very Happy

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Gerhard E. Jene · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 43 Location: London

If the generic TEFL certificate is all you need for the moment, go for it. As for the CELTA you can always go for it later after you see if you really want to continue. The others may disagree, but ultimately the decision will be yours.
As for the conditional work, it does in one way and I repeat in one way gives you work experience for the first year. It also saves you and limits you to what and where you work. I was also looking into a situation like that myself. But I opted out for an online course for the time being because of my work schedule.
I can not afford to take the time off right now to go after one of the other three courses I was looking at. One of the courses I was looking at was a month long. But they guaranteed me work for at least one year and half the cost of the course if I signed a contract with them and made a choice of either going to China or Indonesia. I could live with that.
If you have a chance to work within your own country, why not go for it. At least you do not have to travel far, the way things are going with the terrorism. Best of luck to you.

Gerhard

AJC · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 9

Thanks to everyone who chimed in on this for me. It's much appreciated. I'll keep you posted.

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

imho, as long as the school gave a good reference and had a good reputation, I'd take generic certificate plus 1 year expeince over celta with no experience any day of the week, were I looking for a new teacher.

You can learn more in 1 year of working than you could hope to learn in a one month training course.

ebritton · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2004 12:14 am Post subject: Global or CELTA?

Interesting discussion! I've been working on the same question and my decision has come down to Global or CELTA as well, and I'm having a difficult time deciding.

The main virtues of CELTA seem to be in the popularity of the brand, the considerable practice teaching, in being entirely classroom based in small classes and the amount of attention you get from a live instructor. It's a standardized and closely monitored curriculum with a theory base that can't be beat.

The virtues of Global seem to be that it is very focused on providing marketable, specialized skills, it has a great network for finding jobs and you get significant 'after sales service.' Global is thick with practical information that goes beyond the practice of teaching and coaches you into the market place.

Tough choice. I might do both of them - seriously.

rj · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 159

I'm in a similar situation. The CELTA would be nice, but it is expensive. The Bangkok course is by far the cheapest one I've come across, but that doesn't include accomodations or food. I've been thinking about a course offered by the Boland School.