Job Discussion Forums

[jen_blue]

Hello,

I'm really keen to go on a TESOL/CELTA and last year managed to be awarded a grant from the British Council. I wasnt aware that I had awarded the grant until the beginning of January by which time courses in my area (Lancashire/Manchester/Liverpool) were full. I looked further afield but then accommodation +cost became an even bigger issue hence I couldn't manage to find a course which would fit their criteria of completing before the end of March.

In this round of applications they are allowing part-time courses which would be far better in fitting with my commitments and that I have dyslexia and feel that 9am - 6 pm day + travel from Preston. I am going to have to learn a lot having never taught before and would like to give it the commitment it deserves.

However, I have now researched pert-time courses in the above areas and I am consistently finding course fall outside the British Council deadlines in that part-time courses begin around September - for instance Blackburn College 11th September and Tameside College 17th but this would be outside the dates that are listed on the website for applicants to begin their courses - 1 October and 30 November 2012.

Also Bolton College are running a part-time course 6th February - 6th June while Blackburn is running a course 22nd January to complete 16th May. Again this is outside the BC deadline of end of March.

I have never used my disability in the past to gain additional help and in fact have worked myself to death to try to match what other people can do and have succeeded by getting a good degree but I am really frustrated that I am going to struggle to find the money to pay for the course myself (so then I can choose the teaching method) but Im not sure I can manage to succeed in a FT 4 week course and it certainly wont be this year ;( I just seem to miss out on everything by the skin on my teeth.

I am stuck not knowing where to go.

[nomad soul]

Sometimes plan A just isn't doable no matter how much we want it to work. In your case, you need to consider another option, which doesn't entail using the grant from the BC. For example, if you're struggling to find the money to pay for a part time TEFL or CELTA course that fits the BC's criteria and time constraints, then why not put the cert training on hold. Instead, pursue a paying teaching job abroad that only requires a degree (training is provided) and that focuses on conversational English. After working a year or so and stashing aside your savings, you could then set about taking a suitable TEFL cert course that won't stress you out financially.

[tttompatz]

Have you looked at the options for the blended CELTA course (part on-line / part classroom) from Cambridge?

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/celta-online/index.html

.

[artemisia]

I agree with nomad soul about not getting locked into only one possible course of action, however attractive it is to get your fees paid. The BC just sounds too restrictive in terms of dates, which have no bearing on actual training courses available, so I would look at other options.

However, as part time courses are now possible, you could consider checking out the online Celta course. I believe its blended so you would do the teaching part in person. If you think you could afford to travel further afield just to do the practical component part, then you could look for a range of centres offering the course beyond your immediate areas and that might work out with the BC funding dates. (I see ttompatz has just suggested the same).