Job Discussion Forums

Cujo · Joined: 24 Apr 2004 Posts: 4 Location: New York City

Wasn't sure whether to post this in China or Newbie:

I am still in the early stages of all this and I don't know how long I would be teaching, (at least one year), but is it worthwhile to get a TESOL certificate for China?

RSB · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 21

As you mentioned you aren't sure how long you want to teach EFL. If you are leaning towards one year, any additional salary you receive for having one probably won�t offset the cost of a TESOL certificate. Having said that, it will increase your job options.

If you are thinking you may teach EFL longer and want to include areas outside SE Asia in your job options I would seriously consider a CELTA rather than TESOL. Both can work but CELTA appears to be more heavily favoured in some areas.

inmexico · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 110 Location: The twilight zone

It does appear that slowly but surely, CELTA is becoming the 'go to' program. TESOL is losing its lustre.

Travelingman · Joined: 18 Nov 2003 Posts: 33

If one has many years of experience-- How important is a TESOL or
CELTA? Very Happy

carken · Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 11:49 am Post subject:

If one has many years of experience-- How important is a TESOL or
CELTA?

Travelingman: I'm assuming you have many years of teaching experience. Then, let me ask you this: how important would it be to know something about math in order to teach it?

I can say this because I'm a public school teacher certified to teach ESL. I had 15 college hours of training to get this certification, and it has certainly helped me to teach ESL in the States and in China. Yes, I agree that the "real learning" takes place as you teach, but there must be a foundation or background there for the "real learning" to build on.

Carole