Job Discussion Forums

[Professor]

From my personal experience living and teaching in Mexico City for the past two and a half years, I would say that it's VERY important for newbies who are thinking about getting into the EFL profession to have the following.

CELTA

After this the experience and then one or even two masters that are in Education and or TESOL specifically.

Have advanced degrees from people who have actually accomplished something teaching you their wisdom is CRITICAL. Plus, having a CELTA and a masters or two shows serious employers (Asia and the Middle East) that YOU are serious about the EFL profession. True, long term goals but they will benefit you greatly in the future.
Keep your future in mind not just the next party.

[Prof.Gringo]

Having an advanced degree(s) is just fine. And getting a DELTA is more important at that level as well.

So a MA TESOL, a DELTA, and a few years of actual teaching under your belt should place you into the elite of EFL pro's.

But one must avoid the mistake of so many in the EFL field. A piece of paper does not an English teacher make.

I have seen many teachers with a degree in education, or a CELTA or both, and they simply could not teach.

All the degrees and certs in world will do one no good if they aren't a good teacher. If you classes are dull, boring, have no point or leave the Ss scratching their collective heads, even a teacher with the best qualifications on paper will soon be left without a job and wondering what went wrong.

Here are some good resources for any teacher to review:

A Grammar Course for TEFL Certificate - Tony Preston

Berlitz English Grammar Handbook - Fredrik Liljeblad

Grammar Practice Activities - Penny Ur

_______________________________________________________

What does all the grammar knowledge in the world do you if you can't convey it successfully?

How to teach English - Jeremy Harmer

Learning Teaching - Jim Scrivener

Teaching English Worldwide - Paul Lindsey

[Professor]

[smithrn1983]

[quote="Professor"]

[Professor]

[nickpellatt]

Id kinda agree with Gringo. My experience is limited, but the teachers with a degree in education I have met may well have been excellent teachers in their home countries, but that didnt translate into excellent EFL teachers.

I was always torn between hoping for an MA or DELTA in the future, but the recent experience of a friend and colleague has made my mind up for me. She completed her MA TESOL this year, and didnt rate it at all in terms of improving her actual teaching ability. On that basis, I hope to do a DELTA instead, it may not be as highly rated, but it is more vocational rather than academic. But maybe thats just me

[Professor]

[smithrn1983]

BA in linguistics, speak four languages, and taught in multiple countries.

[Professor]

[Prof.Gringo]