|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
i4NI
Joined: 17 May 2008
Location: Seoul
|
 Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 2:53 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| VanIslander wrote: |
| i4NI wrote: |
| What time was the class at and how long was it per day? |
varies.. where i was it was 8am to 4pm (with a lunch break), the mornings for INPUT from course supervisors and feedback from previous day teaching reviewed, the afternoon for supervised and critiqued TEACHING of lessons one designs (in one's extra time, usually the evenings), teaching and providing feedback to the teaching of others one observes.
two of the four weekends were devoted to writing the longer two required essays, though because I wanted to take Sundays off I had some late thursday and Friday nights.
CELTA grads often develop friendships, you get TIGHT with those you take the course with, since it is like bootcamp, you work together, help each other out, though some go it alone too. |
Sounds worth it, but at that time, I don't know how I'm going to be able to take the course if I'm teaching at a public school. I inquired about the February course a while back and he told me:
| Quote: |
Our course in February is now full, but we will be running another course in July 2009.
I will contact you again at the beginning of March with more information about the course. |
I mean I might be able to use all my vacation days during that period, but i'm not sure. I'm curious how others have pulled it off while working. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bassexpander wrote: |
As always, it's worth it to mention that you:
1. Don't need this to teach in Korea
2. Most Korean schools do not compensate you more for having it (public schools will -- but not any more than far cheaper programs).
3. Most Korean schools have no idea what a CELTA is compared to a $300 online TEFL course.
4. If you are from a Brit commonwealth country, then the CELTA is a good idea if you plan to be in teaching for a while. If you're American, then get an MA/TESOL. It's not really recognized there past getting a few credits toward an MA at a handful of universities. |
Very true.
| Quote: |
| There are also many who disagree with the CELTA system. I've heard the story about the licensed public school teacher, and as I originally heard it told, he disagreed with the headstrong we are English gods -- do what we say, or get the hell out attitude (I paraphrased there) held by the CELTA trainers. |
Many? ... yeah it is the teaching of the CELTA method, a way of teaching, a specific skill set. Some students try to impose their own style oblivious to what CELTA is about: which is the teaching of a method, giving tools you can use or not use as you see fit given your particular teaching situation. The CELTA has given me two six shooter pistols I can whip out any time. Some days I use it a lot. Some days I don't. Some techniques I use always.
| Quote: |
| Think of CELTA as a feather in your cap. |
On this we disagree. It's much more than that. It's not just a resume booster. Your teaching is CHALLENGED, you LEARN, sink or swim, show you can teach ESL by their method, even if just for a month, or you won't pass the course. Over 90% of students pass, though one or two often drop out, and very few receive the higher distinction 'B' and 'A' that comes with it.
The CELTA changes just about everyone, even if just sharpening one's skills, adding some umph.
No, it doesn't make one an uber teacher but it shows one knows how to teach pair and group work in ESL.
After taking the course, I can see why a one-month CELTA course grad is preferable to an online MA grad. Gawd yeah.
Once more: It is like BOOTCAMP. Those of us who had a couple of years of ESL experience did better in the course than the few newbies. I feel sorry for those newbies. It was hard enough having had some comfort and familiarity in ESL teaching to do what was required. To be a NEWBIE? I dunno if I would've been able to complete it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
*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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
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 wrote: |
| Enjoy whipping-out your six-shooters. They cost 1.1 million each. |
Over the last four years post-CELTA that works out to nearly 50 months... hmmm... 45,000 won a month? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bassexpander wrote: |
| Threatened? Why would I, in my position, feel threatened by someone with a CELTA? |
maybe because you obviously have taken TESOL MA courses and belittle the CELTA where I said I'd see it as better than a distance MA if I was hiring.
| bassexpander wrote: |
| 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). |
Huh? I get no commissions and the CELTA takes applications EVERY month somewhere in the world (I actually recommended going OUT of Korea to take it. Intake times in other countries vary). It's nothing like the pyramid scheme of Amway.
| Quote: |
| 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). |
Ah.. the distance MA is better than the CELTA eh? How's your distance MA coming? 
| Quote: |
| Fact is, a CELTA is a feather in your cap. It's not a miracle course |
Funny thing is, I think that about distance MA TESOL courses!
| Quote: |
| The ONLY place I've seen a CELTA preferred over the others is at a school somehow associated with the CELTA itself. |
International schools the world over ask for the CELTA. Just look at the latest Saudi Arabia job in Riyad for 4.3+ million won equivalent. They want a BA plus either CELTA or MA or DELTA. Check it out. That is VERY typical. The CELTA has a good, well earned reputation because by its very structure it improves ESL teaching and assures a minimal level of competency. Nothing more. A distance MA doesn't even do that.
We can agree to disagree.
I am seriously thinking of doing a MA TESOL next year, though not by distance. We can argue the merits of each thereafter.
G'night for now. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bassexpander
Joined: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Someplace you'd rather be.
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
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. |
|
| Back to top |
| |
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
