Korean Job Discussion Forums

[i4NI]

[VanIslander]

[bassexpander]

*Yawns*

Yeah, right... CELTA "preferred" to MA/TESOL. You get the CELTA, and you'll poop gold TEFL bars in class. I've heard it all before.

Amway for English teachers.

Enjoy whipping-out your six-shooters. They cost 1.1 million each.

[VanIslander]

bassexpander there's no need to be threatened. I admitted you don't need it in Korea nor even if you plan to teach ESL in America in the future. But it helps. Of that there is no doubt. It is not NECESSARY to becoming a great ESL teacher. It just helps.

[bassexpander]

Threatened? Why would I, in my position, feel threatened by someone with a CELTA?

As I said before, if you're from a British commonwealth country, and plan to teach for a long time, it's worth it.

I don't like how people like you come on here and sell the course like Amway in a cult-like fashion (especially around certain months of the year when CELTA happens to be taking applications).

It's a good course, don't get me wrong. Do not, however, get so caught up in your own cult hysteria over it that you start making grandiose statements about how it's accepted more than an MA/TESOL (or gosh forbid, a 4-year degree in public school education with certifications).

Fact is, a CELTA is a feather in your cap. It's not a miracle course which will make you preferable to someone with an MA/TESOL at a university, or a true international school, where they seek certified educators. The ONLY place I've seen a CELTA preferred over the others is at a school somehow associated with the CELTA itself.

[VanIslander]

[bassexpander]

Man, it's getting thick in here.

Why would I feel threatened by your CELTA, when I already teach at a good university in Seoul? I did that, by the way, with NO CELTA. That only makes the CELTA look less necessary in these parts.

In fact, all I currently hold is a BA in Journalism. My BA won't get me a better job than I already have, and adding a CELTA to it wouldn't get me a better one, either. I'd need an MA (currently working on it) to move up to a higher university. Even still, I'd need a Ph.D. to truly get one of the best jobs here. The CELTA isn't even on the radar. Once I do get my MA, there's a good chance I'll be staying at this school, anyway.

This is Korea. It's not Saudi, and therefor, the schools do not have a British slant to them. You want to go work at a British school in Saudi, then get a CELTA. By all means, do it. Do not, however, imply that it's worth more than a feather in your cap here in Korea, because it's not. The same could be said of schools in the USA -- most of which wouldn't have a clue as to what the CELTA is in the first place.

By the way, with the exception of a British school in Saudi (where you're only safe living in a compound, and have little social life), where else in the world could you make more money with a CELTA than you could with a teaching degree and certifications? Most countries that accept it pay far less than Korea does (where it's no better than a $300 online TEFL in the eyes of 99% of the employers here).

People -- always, always remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

In the end, it's your money.

[bogey666]

with all respect bassexpander.

I think Van Islander is referring to CELTA as an overall tool/help, even OUTSIDE of Korea... it's not limited to the "korean experience".

it's equal to TESOL in most places, in some more British focused places... it's worth far more..

and most importantly.... as Van Islander notes.. it's infinitely helped him with his teaching skills (and being able to "whip out" several pistols as needed)

to ME.. at least, that's pretty effing important. One guy I talked to about an online TESOL told me it was a waste of his time and things he could use save for 2 out of 24 courses)

everything I've heard THUS far in this discussion indicates a CELTA is a far more valuable 'investment' (if you want to look at it that way. as is my preference)

I come from the and am comfortable with the old school professors lectures students approach (though I like to make it as entertaining and amusing as possible.. a lighthearted approach whenever possible)

I have major problems with brainstorming for "interactive activities" etc et etc, It's just something I have problems with... even apart from the problems of very large class size and lack of interest on the student part.

if the ENTIRE teaching method and approach focuses on such ideas and activities and interaction... that's what I am looking for
(and I happen to believe in their value, especially so in ESL)

then I think that's the one. (for ME, anyways)

now if I can get it done outside of Korea during say a summer vacation from PS -- that could/would be "lovely indeed" (as a Brit might say)

[agoodmouse]

After my month-long CELTA course in Seoul from 9am to 6pm for five days a week (yes, you can take it in Seoul and other places, but you had better be dedicated to teaching and working hard), I look back on my teaching and realize I could have done a lot better and been more effective -- I teach at a high school.

bogey666, yes, you're right about the gentleman who said online TEFLs are a waste of time. I've taken two online TEFLs and threw my money down a drain both times. Yes, I got a pay raise through the public school system here in Korea. But both were basically tutorials I finished in a matter of days. I didn't learn much. I probably got a brief monitor tan, though.

Van Islander, you're right about the CELTA being absolutely helpful in terms of everything it has to offer. I feel like a Swiss Army knife in the classroom. That's how much it has empowered me, in terms of producing interactive classroom materials, generating conversation between students, increasing STT and decreasing TTT, and providing vital error correction and quality feedback for my students. I sometimes reminisce about doing the CELTA over again, just to see if I could get a higher Pass. I plan on doing the DELTA and moving forward. Pair work and group work have increased unbelievably well after my course.

The sad reality is that the CELTA and online TEFLs are distinguished between, in Korea, with little or no discrimination whatsoever. Does this make the CELTA any less worthwhile? No. The CELTA is five days a week, eight hours a day, for one month, with two veteran teacher trainers and a group of your peers to give you feedback on your teaching practicals/demonstrations. Online TEFLs can't stand in for any of these facts, sadly; I finished my online TEFLs within days. I would that they did (i.e. stand in as mirrors for on-site TEFLs), as I'd have saved over two million won on something else. But I realize my professionalism and personal development have increased exponentially.

i4NI and antgonz, I did the CELTA between my first year's GEPIK vacation and my second year's beginning. I used all of my first year's vacation (i.e. 14 days) plus my renewal vacation (i.e. 14 or 20 days -- I can't remember) to take the CELTA at TTI in Duncheon-dong, Seoul, beside the beautiful Olympic Park at Jamsil. James Forrest at TTI would be the one you'd need to contact. There's a part-time CELTA on the weekends stretched over a couple months that you'd be able to take. Because you're interested in taking the CELTA in Seoul, here are some message links. I've written about how, where in Seoul, and why I took the CELTA here, here, and here,

[i4NI]

[kiwiduncan]

[agoodmouse]

[i4NI]

Thanks for your help a goodmouse. You've posted a lot of useful information.

[The Cosmic Hum]

hmm...seems like a runaway add for celta here.

[crosbystillsstash]

2.4 mill?