Job Discussion Forums

[chryanvii]

After this year, I will look into the opportunity to establish the field of ESL as a career, since I kind of "fell" into it the backwards way, and am now starting to gain experience.

Many of the advertisements specify the following requirements:

For EAP Teacher: BA/MA (TESOL)+ recognised ELT diploma; MA (Applied Linguistics) + 2 years EAP teaching experience
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I DO NOT have an MA in TESOL, but I DO have a Master's degree in Landscape Architecture.

I DO now have at least 2 years experience teaching in China, and with the job I am about to take this year, it should really add on to my experience, as it is a legitimate joint-venture program [just without the pay]

To make myself more eligible for these higher-paying positions, I plan to obtain either a TESOL certificate or CELTA within the next year.

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Questions:

(1) Am I eligible for these higher-paying EAP positions with my credentials? I don't REALLY have to go back to school all over again, do I?

(2) Which certificate is better to help justify my credentials for an EAP/Joint Venture: the TESOL, the CELTA, or the DELTA?

[GeminiTiger]

The short answer is no.

A TESOL/CELTA is a qualification for a standard job (regular public school or language mill) not used to get qualified for international schools.

A masters degree in architecture isn't useful. It may earn you a pay raise of about $50 a month in some schools. If your teaching degree was in in something like computer or natural science you might have a chance to find something teaching this course for higher pay)..

What these schools are looking for is certified teachers with licenses in their native English speaking country.

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Now, eventually someone might come by who actually works at such a school to give you more or even different insight but that is my understanding of the situation.

Lastly, this is China. Nothing is impossible, except what is impossible.

[Trevor Wadlow]

Gemini Tiger is almost right. Most joint ventures require an MA in TESOL or a Trinity Dip or Delta. Some, however, will take you on with a Trinity Cert or a CELTA plus a degree or MA in anything. The AIEN Institute at Shanghai Ocean University is one such place. The Trinity/Celta is the minimum requirement as this shows awareness of the communicative approach. They will overlook lack of experience if you show enthusiasm for applying the communicative approach to EAP which consists largely of writing. I hope this helps.

[Denim-Maniac]

Id think you may have to go back to school. Do you have any EAP teaching experience? Id imagine few places in China really give much opportunity to teach EAP. And understanding, and being able to teach the differences in register isnt always easy IMO.

A few other things to note, admission to DELTA or Trinity Dip is normally conditional to completing two years of teaching post CELTA / Trinity. I dont think anyone would get accepted on a DELTA without a CELTA and just two years in China. Could be wrong though.

I also know that a lot of the better jobs expect your two years experience to be post-CELTA. So having 5 years experience (for example) and then doing a CELTA actually means zero years experience post-CELTA, and lots of the better employers view things like that.

Of course, better employers in China Vs. better employers worldwide are not the same...but Im just trying to warn you of some pitfalls you might face. Good luck all the same, and hopefully your path will be easier!