Korean Job Discussion Forums

azzwell · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:48 am Post subject: for those with a CELTA

I am doing the phone interview to get into a CELTA course next week. I am a little curious about the questions the interviewer will be asking. For those of you who have done the CELTA, what kind of questions were asked during the interview?

Dome Vans · Guest

The interview should last about 45 minutes although mine lasted about one and a half hours. It was their phone bill so not a problem.

They asked questions about the test that you filled out and sent in. They asked about a few of the grammar questions and to elaborate on some of the answers. If you make a mistake then you can usually talk your way out of it. As long as you show that you can see your own error then they should let it pass. Then they'll talk a little about the personal statement that you wrote and get an idea about you as a person. Make sure that you are aware if you make a mistake, you can tell because your interviewer will repeat a question.

Then they'll tell you about the course and make sure you're certain that you can handle the intensity of it and that it might be a little stressful. Apart from that it's pretty easy.

Whereabouts are you doing your CELTA azzwell? Most of the people I know who did it are very happy they did. It served it's purpose. I certainly enjoyed it.

Cue some the online tefl guys to pop in and say that they're very unlikely to turn you down because it's an overpaid, waste of money.....
3....2.....1.....

azzwell · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:01 am Post subject:

Im doing it in Prague, and the TEFL is the waste of money if you want to go where the real cash is. Thanks for the information.

Dome Vans · Guest

I did mine in Budapest with IH. Excellent city. I would have stayed there if the salaries had been slightly higher. There was a guy that I did my CELTA with, that went to Prague to work for Caledonian School for about 6 months. He had a great time there. He then moved onto Germany.

You'll be teaching lower intermediate to upper intermediate adult students. The eastern europeans are a brainy bunch. They know their stuff. Wish my students in Korea asked the same kind of questions.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

They will ask some grammar questions about your answers or mistakes. Just explain why you answered the way you did. In the end, it isn't that important because they want you to come to their school and pay the tuition.

The course itself is very useful.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Don't forget it's a business and they DO want your business. Not as serious as it sounds.

agoodmouse · Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Location: Anyang

In the winter, there were 6 people including myself in my course session in Seoul. Many were turned down because they weren't fluent enough in English -- a couple graduate degree holders from Sookmyeong University. Is Sookmyeong, like a few Australian MA programs, turning into a graduate degree giver to students who teach English but can't speak it well enough? I have no idea, I'm just going on anecdotal evidence. However, I've heard it's supposed to be a solid program. I'm hearing two different things. Anyone have first hand experience there?

CELTAs have a max of about 10 or 12 in each course, offered twice or three times a year in Seoul at two different centers. Domes Van and Ya-ta Boy and anyone else, how many people were in your course?

Dome Vans · Guest

crsandus · Joined: 05 Oct 2004

Dumb, slightly offtopic question. When you say CELTA, do you usually pronounce it like "selta" or "kelta"? Thanks.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Prague is a great place to do it! That's where I did mine. If you want to teach there, you've got your foot in the door!

About the questions: Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something. There was a grammar question that I just couldn't explain. I just admitted that I didn't know and the tester lead me through the answer.

The CELTA is really worth it if you're serious about teaching. It helped me to think about grammar in a much better way.

Of course if you've taught in Korea, some of the game and things they teach just aren't relevant to Korean students.

What month are you doing it in? June is pretty rainy but July is beautiful!!

When I was there, the beer was cheaper than the bottled water!! BIG drawback!! Laughing

azzwell · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:36 am Post subject:

january of 09, that and a little European trip in an audi A4 is my reward for surviving three+ years here in the land of sunshine. since you did it in Prague, i assume through IH? I am doing mine through them, and if you did yours through them as well do you mind sharing your thoughts about the course.

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003

CELTA - good times!

Did mine in Bangkok from June - July.

I'm sure it's going to be hard work but fun at the same time. Kind of like when you go through military training, if any of you have ever done that. While you're at boot camp you hate it. But after you get out you kind of miss it and all the fun you had with your buddies. I mean, it could be mostly me because I'm weird, but maybe you'llsee what I mean after you finish the course. It's tough but doable, obviously. To me, CELTA is definitely the "Boot Camp" for EFL teachers.

adventure pidgey · Joined: 26 Feb 2008

TECO · Joined: 20 Jan 2003