Job Discussion Forums

[manxomejoe]

I have been accepted to a CELTA program in Boston with Teaching House for early next year, but recently I have started looking into CELTA programs in-country, especially HCMC. My reasons include cost ($2500 plus living in Boston vs. $1500 or so in-country), having a social group in-country at least for the beginning few weeks, and a possibility of employment right off the bat even if it's not the best. The usual reasons.

Yet one big question remains. Does the location of the CELTA course factor in to how well the CELTA certificate is regarded internationally? Will Teaching House Boston carry heavier weight in, say, Latin America? Thailand? Massachusetts? Would that possible esteem be worth potentially thousands of extra USD?

[spiral78]

I have zero experience in Asia, but I'll chime in here because the question is regarding international recognition of a CELTA. I can only speak directly for Canada and Europe, where I've been on hiring committees and can say that a CELTA from anywhere is a CELTA, but I'm quite sure this is generally applicable worldwide.

No. It should not matter where you take the CELTA. The purpose of the name-brand qualification is that it should be within the standards, regardless of where you get it. Your CELTA from HCMC should be regarded equally as highly as one from Boston in other parts of the world.

You also note some of the very good reasons for taking the course in-country if at all possible. These are entirely valid.

[manxomejoe]

Thanks! I really appreciate the response, and I do believe I'll be trying for ILA HCMC in February.