Job Discussion Forums

[the.enigmatic]

Hello all. Long-time reader, first time poster here. I have a couple of questions regarding getting started with a possible CELTA certification, but first I�d like to give a brief background of my situation in hopes that it will give better context to my question.

I�m a third-year college student here in the United States, and I am currently pursuing a double major in Business Management and Marketing with an International concentration. I am highly intrigued by the world of business and see it taking a large place in my life after graduation, and I also have a passion for linguistics and teaching others. I made the decision to study business because I truly love it, but also because it would provide a diverse variety of job opportunities. Since high school, it has also been my goal to obtain certification to teach English as a foreign language - and now, I am actively taking steps to pursue that goal (and hopefully, career). I have no formal teaching experience, and am not majoring in English, but have a high aptitude in regards to the grammar and mechanics of the language. After doing much research, I have singled out Bridge TEFL�s CELTA program in Budapest as a particularly appealing option - not only is it a widely recognized certification, but it appears to offer a solid preparation for beginners pursuing a career in TEFL. I am currently considering doing this course sometime during the summer of 2012, which leads me to my main question(s).

What are your thoughts on a college student pursuing a certification such as this before graduating? Is passing the CELTA feasible for someone with no formal education in English language teaching, or would it be perhaps more preferable to complete a lower-level TEFL certification first? I have had extensive experience with college courses (even some in a one-month time frame), but from what I have read, CELTA is an entirely different experience. By the way, has anyone here had first-hand with the Bridge CELTA program (regardless of location)? I believe I succeed in this course - but I would love to hear feedback from this community regarding my above questions, as I am admittedly a beginner in the world of language teaching. Thank you in advance for any advice you may have!

[tttompatz]

Can you do the CELTA while you are pursuing your degree = unlikely UNLESS you do it during the summer break (it is too intensive to do it any other way).

Should you do the CELTA is another matter and LARGELY depends on where on the planet you intend to go and who you THINK you may be teaching.

As an American you can rule out most of western Europe.
Without experience you can rule out anywhere in the middle east that is worth going to (in terms of salary/benefits).
This pretty much leaves Eastern Europe or Asia.

IF you are headed for Eastern Europe then it is a good idea since you will most likely be teaching people from their late teens to adults and a decent TESOL cert will get you an interview (especially when coupled with a degree).

If you are headed for Asia then save your money. Chances are more than likely that you will be teaching kids and the CELTA (teaching to adults) won't help you much beyond learning the CELTA way of doing lesson plans.

You'd be far better off to enroll in a class or two of methodology (pedagogy) in primary education at your university (even if you are in the business faculty).

Failing that get a cheapo on-line course and work your way through it. If it is rated at 100 hours or more it can get you a pay bump in some Asian counties (like Korea). Beyond that, IN ASIA, most employers don't care about your TESOL cert as long as you have a degree (often a visa requirement to work (legally) as a teacher).

.

[Sashadroogie]

Just curious - what is the CELTA way of doing lesson plans?

[spiral78]

[wiganer]

[spiral78]

Wiganer, congrats on your many moves. You must have been in the field for quite a few years, to have covered so many bases

Again, I've never got any problem with people who post based on personal experience. My problem is when any one poster, whose experience is necessarily limited (mine included) consistently tries to give advice covering the entire world. In this case, it's usually inaccurate.

[wiganer]

[spiral78]

I absolutely agree that ttompatz's advice regarding (so far as I can tell) all of Asia appears to be spot-on and very helpful. I've got total respect for that, and don't try myself to horn in on the region - I freely admit I know nothing much about it.


But if you've read through this thread, it would appear that there are some significantly muddy waters as regards Europe (where I've spent most of the past 14 years), and other regions.

My strong opinion is that, when we are giving advice based on what we actually know first hand, rather than from hearsay, we will avoid giving misinformation inadvertently, and thereby confusing a newbie who needs to make decisions based on information that's as accurate as possible.

[Sam1]

but you cannot accomplish the work necessary while doing anything else.

It is a brutal, demanding, soul-sucking month which envelopes your life with many 16 and 20 hour days.

It does not make you an elite teacher. It barely makes you a better teacher. But you can say you are and that's the value.

I am not fond of its methodology.

It is globally recognized and gets you a look from some schools.

I recommend it to all masochists and my worst enemies.

Good luck.

[santi84]

*I don't have a CELTA

I recommend doing it during a summer month when you have no other obligations. People who have never taught before, IMO, always underestimate the time and effort required when it comes to lesson plans and other administrative teaching tasks.

My TESL certificate took me two years to complete (as part-time university courses during my degree concentration in TESL) and I did one intense short month semester (Monday to Friday 8am-4pm), which is probably similar to CELTA. After 4pm, I was up until 9-10pm writing lesson plans and other tasks. Weekends were no different. I have heard it is about the same for CELTA.

There is nothing wrong with squeezing it in before you graduate, as long as you understand that it should be done during a "free" month and not attempt to fit it into your regular course schedule.

Good luck!

[spiral78]

[naturegirl321]

[wiganer]

[nickpellatt]

Just a few points. The CELTA is for someone with no formal language training or teaching experience. Sure, sometimes people do the course who do have experience, but dont worry this isnt always an advantage for them. They often have to unlearn what they have learnt.

I would also say there isnt really a lower level course to do prior to CELTA that might not end up being a waste of money. ttompatz is right that many Asian employers arent too worried as long as you have any certificate, but as the markets grow and legislation increases, the likelihood of needing a CELTA as a minimum is likely to increase. Employers such as Wall Street English in China require it already and they arent the only ones. You have mentioned this as a career, so CELTA is the first step of that really.

Doing any other course may be cheaper and less energy intensive now...but may prove to be a waste of time as you may have to go back and take a CELTA later.

Its also worth it as it helps you to learn the craft of teaching. I dont think its ever a waste of time and although it is geared towards adults (and there are lots of jobs doing this everywhere in the world) most/much of the skills learnt can be transferred to other class settings.

Courses can be intensive, but I dont see a reason why you cant complete one during a summer break. And I personally dont think they are too bad as long as you approach them in the right way. I didnt need 16 hours days and even had a few half days during my course experience.

Sashadroogie - My experience of 'course lesson plans' is that they require something pretty formal, with activities times by the minute, learning aims and goals listed for each stage. Details on how each stage is set up (T>Ss / Ss>Ss pairs / etc). Words to pre-teach should be listed with elicting questions, as well as instruction check questions and concept check questions listed. Oh...and those words should be noted with IPA transcriptions and marked for stress etc. Grammatical forms need to be listed, anticipated problems also. Just all pretty long winded TBH

[Sashadroogie]

Yes, I know this, in fact. However, my question was more to show that I would disagree that this is exclusive to CELTA, and am adamant that there is nothing somehow wrong with this 'way' of lesson planning. There is also much more to the CELTA than just learning to lesson-plan properly.

Ah! Time for bed for me.