Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chuggiya55]

I'm planning on taking CELTA in July. Although I have a B.Ed. and 10 years of classroom experience, 3.5 of which were teaching ESL in Korea and Canada, I believe its something that I really need.

Most of the time that I was teaching ESL, I was "wingin' it" and not completely certain of my methodology. Because of this uncertainty, I wasted countless hours on planning--trying to decide which approaches and activities were "just right for these students." CELTA will remove a lot of that uncertainty and time wasting. It may also help me to be a better role model or mentor for some of the younger teachers I'll undoubtedly be working with.

I know that most Korean schools don't give CELTA much weight. But, as someone else on this site once suggested, I can always play up on the "Cambridge University" thing.

Furthermore, times change. It seems that Korean Education is now going through some major upheaval and it seems very unlikely that Koreans are willing to continue being blissfully ignorant for eternity--especially when you consider how happy they are with all the well qualified ex-Nova instructors (from Japan) who've recently found their way to Korea and made quite an impression on the Ministry of Education.

All that being said, I can only say that, even though CELTA is ideal for me at this time in my life, I don't think one can ever say that it's for everyone at all times.

I'm really glad for all the discussion on this site, though. By reading everything I can from all the different perspectives here, I am able to eventally decide what is best for me. So, thank you everyone for all your excellent thoughts!

[deizio]

[esetters21]

On that note, are there other recognised TEFL or equivalent certifications that hold merit that aren't as costly? CELTA gives you experience, obviously. I already have that in my 5+ years of teaching, so I don't see the benefit there for me.

[Stormy]

[deizio]

The price of a random online unaccredited TEFL course being sold on Ebay, and a poll and discussion specifically about CELTA, what people learned through taking it, financial benefits... Nope, still not getting it.

[Stormy]

[shantaram]

Then it's relevant in the sense that it explains why you may haved ticked the 'no' box.

[Stormy]

I see it like this. The question was about whether or not people have a CELTA, as I stated in my first post, I do not have a CELTA. I am, however, interested in getting one in the future though I find the overabundance of 'qualifications' in this field overwhelming - what with CELTAS, TESOLS, TEFLS & courses such as the one being sold on Ebay.
Other posters mentioned the expense involved in the CELTA course, which I would imagine many people would find a major factor in their decision to obtain the CELTA or not. This was in my mind when I was cruising Ebay which is why I found it relevant at the time. I find it interesting that there is obviously a market out there for people to pay $95 for an Ebay course - and I guess I wonder whether or not employers would find that qualification as acceptable as a CELTA.
I'm sorry that you found this so irrelevant to this thread deizio. To me it was relevant in that I was considering the benefit of such courses, closely linked with the costs and practicalities of obtaining said qualifications while living and working abroad.
Disagree all you like, but I still personally find it to be relevant. You do realise this is a discussion board right? A thread is started & people discuss it, whether or not everyone else sees the relevance of their posts or not.

[nobbyken]

Is a CELTA course more suitable for teaching adults than children?

[bassexpander]

A more interesting thread would be for those who work at universities, but needed the CELTA to get their job. The problem is, every CELTA fan and thier socks would be clicking "YES" as has been done here.

Most people who don't have a CELTA probably aren't even bothering to read or vote in this thread. The ones who have taken the CELTA are likely more attracted to this thread, and will vote yes.

I believe the results are nowhere near reality, and that the actual number of teachers in Korea who have a CELTA is likely somewhere below 5 percent.

[Whistleblower]

A CELTA is a prerequisite if you want to teach adults. I done the CELTA at the British Council in Seoul and am glad that I did it. I met the best bunch of teachers on the CELTA Course and the teacher trainers are highly trained and educated.

[bassexpander]

[aarontendo]

[Scott in Incheon]

I am not sure that you can say a CELTA is a prerequisite for teaching adults. If you want to teach adults in Canada, you often have to be certified by the TESOL body of your province. Ontario wants you to have a 250 hour course and 30 or 40 hours of practicum. Not sure the numbers are exact, but a CELTA doesn't even come close.

I am thinking of getting certified before I go home. But I will probably take the CERTESOL course from the Uni of Sask. You can do the coursework by distance and even your practicum can be done overseas if you can get someone qualified to oversee you. The CELTA is just not enough. Maybe the CELTA combined with a DELTA would be enough but I don't know much about the DELTA.

If I was a certified teacher with experience and I wanted to know something about ESL...I would spend the CELTA tuition on some good books and spend a month reading and talking to other teachers.

[bodybydada]