Job Discussion Forums

[kotobuki]

Feel free to redirect me. I'm starting to look into schools in Istanbul. I wonder if actually investing in a CELTA will help me transition into a teaching job at a university or with a corporation, teaching adults. Is it worth the investment? I've mentioned this: I've got lots of teaching experience and an old TESL certificate. What I don't have is a master's, a job, or patience to work at another low-paying language school where teachers don't share and have issues with students learning too quickly.

Are some schools more accepted than others? I wonder if a master's there will be recognized in the US or UK (accreditation?). Thanks for any advice.

[coffeespoonman]

With your experience and current quals, don't waste your time on a CELTA. Go for a DELTA. Just being enrolled will open up lots of possibilities in unis.

[kotobuki]

That would be even better! Have you heard of ITI? Thanks so much CSM.

[coffeespoonman]

Yep. Did my DELTA there, actually. I highly recommend it.

[jamessmart50]

Doing the CELTA is a good idea. They do CELTA courses at British Side, in Besiktas, and at ITI, in Levent 4. Both schools are very good and cost about the same I think.

The DELTA takes a year and a half and you normally need CELTA + 2 years experience anyway.

[coffeespoonman]

When I started my DELTA, I had about 3 years experience but no CELTA. It wasn't a problem at all. I just think that with the OP's other TEFL certificate and experience, the addition of a CELTA won't really make a difference. Better to jump up to the DELTA, which will make the top jobs available to him/her.

It can take a year and a half - mine took two. Some of my friends did it in one. However, I think that just being enrolled is almost as good as having it for a lot of unis.

[asalak]

British side is good, but speaking from experience of doing the DELTA back in 2001, I would recommend Dr Tom's place, ITI. Excellent, knowledgeable teachers. I learned a lot from it. Agree with missing out the CELTA, definitely, if you have exp. and a TESL cert and are planning on staying in Turkey.

However, whilst browsing another .com site, I saw a job advertised in Manchester UK which paid a scarcely princely �13/hr for CELTA, with DELTA/MA qualified teachers getting a full one pound/ hour more -somewhat mean considering the extra graft you put in for the higher quals.

But I think coffee is right -the better jobs will want the better quals in Turkey.

[kotobuki]

Yup, great advice, just what I was hoping for. I'm so happy to hear you recommend the school so I feel I have to look no further. A DELTA sounds like a happy medium, especially if I can work my way through.

Thanks again! You (and others) have been nothing but helpful.