Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daveeslcafe888]

Hi Everyone,

My contract is finishing out next month. I definitely like international teaching, but am not sure what direction to take next. Currently, I am not certified.

Of course, I'd prefer English teaching to adults. But, I know that may not be feasible.

1. Do you guys think it's worth the one month of time off work and $2000 to get certified?

2. Which certifications do you recommend?

(I know CELTA is widely cited; but, some people would say TESOL, etc. gets a better "bang for the buck").

3. Could you give me a descending list of certificates, based on how well-accepted they are?

(E.g.:

CELTA
CELTA Online
TESOL
TEFL
TEFL Online)

4. Are there any downsides to certification?

(I.e. idiotic employers citing over-qualifications).

I know I've asked this question; but, I want to be thorough. I know how much b.s. there is in this market; I want to make sure before I go to so much trouble.

Thanks,

[The Floating World]

Celta and delta don't mean anything in n.e Asia, so unless you'll be looking for jobs outside it, keep your money.

[ttompatz]

[waseige1]

I did the CELTA a year ago. Yes it is a brand, yes others are similar...

That said, the price of the others was not much cheaper and I decided the CELTA was the only one that guaranteed global appreciation for it.

True it is not appreciated for what it is in Asia, but it is accepted as the others so at least not a detriment to it.

I decided not to try and save a few hundred bucks to do a different one.

I am happy with my decision. I will also add that dollar for dollar, hour for hour it was the single best educational training experience I have had in my life.

I am 50, have an MBA and other certifications too.

It was a great course and I highly recommend it. It teaches you how to teach and spends VERY little time on why you teach it that way. If you want theory, go elsewhere. If you want practical "this is how you do it", take a CELTA.

If you take it, resign yourself to the fact you WILL NOT have a life for that month. The workload is unbelievable and not easy.

I also believe it was recognized this year in my university job search. I sent out about 25 resumes and got 7 interviews.

[The Floating World]

Did you land a job out of those 7 interviews and were they business eng positions related to your mba or positions you believe the celta affected your chances of getting?

[waseige1]

[_RainBoWs_]

I am a fully qualified teacher (trained in the UK). I completed a 1 year PGCE course to become fully qualified.

I would never say i am a better teacher than someone else who i have never seen teach, and that goes for all the teachers who are unqualified, teaching around the world.

But the reality is, right now, there are many teachers in the UK and the US who are fully qualified and unemployed. More and more of these teachers are considering moving to an International School.

Therefore the reality is, even if you get a CELTA or a TEFL you are still not going to get a teaching job in most International Schools. Schools usually request applicants be fully qualified. Some Schools could not care less if you have taught for 10 years overseas if you dont have a PGCE or the equivalent. But some Schools will hire you, but you have to be realistic...they will probably be less prestigious.

But at the end of the day, there is no harm in applying. Korea accepts many persons unqualified because most qualified teachers would not accept the contract conditions for ESL teaching in Korea. Furthermore a CELTA is a way to negotiate a pay increase (as i have been told, its not so much years of experience but certifications and qualifications that count in Korea).

A good friend of mine has been teaching for 6 years (3 years in Japan). He has a CELTA but is unqualified and for this reason can't get a teaching position in a mainstream school in the UK. He now teaches foreign students in a Tuition centre/school in the UK, but his pay is not great.

[ttompatz]

[daveeslcafe888]

Thanks, guys. It sounds like I should go for it. Yes, $2000 + living expenses are a bit much.

But, it sounds like it will never hurt me, and actually may help me in a target place.