Job Discussion Forums

[madhatter109]

Hello everyone,
I am an American with 2 years teaching experience who is planning to get his CELTA degree in London this summer/fall. My brother lives in Islington and CELTA's cost about half as much in UK (compared to USA) so I figure why not! Anyways, I have a few questions to ask:

1. Any recommendations for cheap/reasonable priced schools not too far away from Islington?

2. Does anyone know if there is a special visa requirement for Americans taking the month-long certification? Will a tourist visa work ok?

3. Do you recommend a CELTA course in London for an American?

Thanks for any feedback/advice you can give me.

[coledavis]

The nearest school is, I think, City and Islington College:
http://www.candi.ac.uk/courses/factsheet.aspx?coursechoice=LL8X07A09

Whether or not it is the cheapest, at 1200 pounds, is a moot point and a list of schools can be found on
http://cambridgeesol-centres.org/centres/teaching/index.do

Although if you save on transport expenses, that may reduce any difference in relative costs.

Don't call it a degree, as this term is only used for lengthy higher education courses with certain titles (BA, MEng, PhD, etc).

Do be careful on the visa issue, as this is a hot potato in the UK these days. I strongly recommend discussing this with one or two of the CELTA courses before committing yourself to a course of action.

I very much doubt if any course is going to have a differential effect on American students per se. In general, the courses are taught in British English with Br Eng textbooks, although American spelling and vocabulary is not considered 'wrong'. But just as we have to consider American variants of English, you will have to consider British and will have to live with it throughout the course. And one thing which the course will insist on is an understanding and teaching of the Present Perfect tense. I know that Americans are taught it, but they tend not to use it much. Well, you will here!`

I hope that helps.

[MadGoldfish]

Try www.gumtree.com for accomodation, you can almost certainly make a private deal with someone on there for the month.

[AGoodStory]