Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kevtron]

Checking the forums and not just linking from google FTW...
This doesn't answer everything but it's a damn good start:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=132814

[The Cosmic Hum]

These threads just won�t seem to die, but�hmm...for what this is worth.... celta sucks.
I am often reminded of the scenario where a person sees a movie they expected to be great�paid their hard earned money�but were so disappointed they couldn�t admit it�and tells everyone how great it was just to get them to see it too�misery loves company.
I took the celta, and consider it to have been a waste of time and money.
I am sure it depends on where you take it, and more importantly the instructors teaching it, as with any course. I took it in Seoul, and the course on the whole was poorly managed and the material lacking�fraught with omissions and errors. The instructors were lame, poorly prepared and overly egoistic.
I guess if you have little professional experience and are prepared to accept what this course offers on face value then you might not have too many problems with it. As far as being the best course�well�I am not sure what people are comparing it to, but in my opinion�disappointing from beginning to end - this is little more than a money making institution, pumping out certificates for anyone with a pulse and $2500.
My suggestion would be to save your time and money and invest it in some good ESL teacher training books.
If you absolutely need some kind of certification....and I do believe that if you are going to teach ESL that certification is useful�there are many others...and much cheaper�apparently even on EBay.
I didn�t write this to get flamed by the celta worshipers; they have made their opinions clear enough.
I am not disputing what they have experienced. I am just giving an alternative view for those contemplating taking this course from someone who took the course and does not have such a glowing opinion of it.
I wouldn�t wish this particular course on anyone.

[sunnyvale]

All this TESOL certification stuff is confusing. Some places offer 4 week programs. Others offer 8 month programs. I'm guessing the 8 month university programs are for those who wish to pursue a masters degree.

Would a university in the U.S., Canada, or Australia recognize a CELTA certification and consider in relevant when applying for an M.A. in TESOL?

[weatherman]

I took my CELTA at the British Council in Seoul. Best money I have ever spent. Only wish I could get away and study the DELTA ..........

[sobriquet]

[bassexpander]

As far as getting raises at public school jobs, about all they seem to care about is that it's over 100 hours. Doesn't matter if it cost you 50,000 or 3,500,000 to do the course -- it's accepted all the same. It just has to be from an outfit that's verifiable, and is not a known degree mill.

I have a BA.

I didn't need a certification from TEFL International, or CELTA for my university job. I didn't need a TEFL International certificate for my university job.

I didn't need ANY certification.

You don't need a CELTA or a certificate from TEFL International in Korea -- especially if you are going to teach kids. Can you learn something taking the CELTA or getting a TEFL International certificate? You bet. I knock the CELTA a lot, but I like the British Council's website for Task-Based Learning activities. I also use books published by Cambridge. Good stuff. Highly recommended!

The rule of thumb I tell people to follow in regards to TEFL certification, however, goes something like this:

If you are....

... in Korea for just a year or two, and have no plans to teach elsewhere after, don't bother with any TEFL certification.

... in Korea for 3 to 4 years, plan to move on and teach in another country, or stay working a public school job, get a low-cost, approved TEFL course (many are below $400, and can be done via distance. Just make sure they are over 100 hours). If you plan to move around the world and teach in countries that respect the British system, then get a CELTA. All of these certifications (including the CELTA) are next to useless in the USA.

... in Korea for 5 or more years, you should get, or make plans to get, some kind of teaching certification or an MA in Education/TESOL. You could get a CELTA, but if you've been teaching for more than 4 years, I'd say it's a waste of money.

Remember, the CELTA costs about US $1,500 to $2,500, depending on where you take it. The full TEFL International course is going to be similiar in price (it was last I checked). Korea is naturally much more expensive for the CELTA. One could almost say they gouge you here (when they even offer it), but maybe it's the extra cost of buildings or something -- who knows. Don't forget to factor in flight costs, housing costs, and lost work costs for up to 5 weeks. Any flight costs you'd save by taking it in Korea are squashed by the high price of taking it here (unless prices have changed that I'm not aware of).

I added it all up, and found that I'd be out over 4 million won if I took the CELTA, counting lost work time. Even at a 100,000 won per hour raise for having it, that will take you more than a few years to recoup the costs at a public school job.

Not worth it, given my situation. Neither is TEFL International. At least the CELTA is supported by Cambridge, though. Unfortunately, if you're American, it won't help you get a public school job teaching in the USA. You need real university degrees and state certifications to do that.

Remember: MANY OF THESE CERTIFICATES ARE ONLY ACCREDITED BY THE COMPANIES/GROUPS THEY ARE OFFERED BY. Most transfer no credit to MA programs (or do, but do so to fake MA programs that are not accredited, or are degree mills themselves)

Would you seek medical care from a doctor who is only a doctor because he passed his own accreditation to become a doctor, and therefore certified himself? Now how about paying that doctor $1,500 to $2,500 for medical care which you don't need, and missing 5 weeks of paid work in the process?

Again, I work at a university, and I didn't need a CELTA or a piece of paper from TEFL International to get my job here. Neither did any of my coworkers, or coworkers at the large SKY uni down the street (few uni teachers in Korea needed it). You don't need one to work at a hagwon, either.

If you seek to increase your pay by 100,000 to 200,000 per month because you work at a public school in Korea, then look into one of the many low-cost TEFL certificate courses offered by companies like ITTT, KEI-TEFL, etc.. Oh, and if you want a lead on a really nice program being offered in Busan, send a PM to Yum Bum Suk. The on-site program he took sounded really great, and it's being offered by a founder of EFL-Law. You can find out about that by clicking on the banner link currently running on this site. The course is taught in person by Rod Ellis, an internationally-praised leader in the EFL industry. If you have been teaching for a while, would be far more interesting than being taught by a bunch of indocrinated trainers who have been trained to tell you you suck and that their way is the only way...

If you plan on teaching around the globe in countries which respect the British system, then consider the CELTA. Also consider, however, that most of these countries will not offer pay/benefits at the level of which you can receive in Korea WITHOUT the need for an expensive TEFL certification.

If you want to spend the $1500 to $2500 it costs to get one of these high-priced certifications just so you can "better yourself," then go for it. Whatever floats your boat.


If you still want a TEFL certification, then consider this:

Most respected course in Korea: Sookmyung Univ.'s TEFL course. One of the Korean Educational higher-ups started this program, and has used her political clout to interest Koreans in it (thus the popularity). Very expensive, and takes 3 1/2 months (I think). I heard a rumor that the cost is around 3.6 million, but don't quote me on that... might be a bit less. Credits can be transferred toward an MA at some schools, I'm told.

Most respected non-univ. TEFL internationally: CELTA and Trinity. Originated in UK, and most useful if you're from that country or plan to teach in Europe. Both expensive. Good courses for newbees with no teaching skills and a strong desire to learn. Lots of hands-on practice. Also expensive -- takes a month and costs around 2.5 million plus or inclusive of housing depending where you take it. Controversial teaching methods (CELTA) where trainers accept their way or you take the highway. CELTA is most known for its marketing prowess. Most employers (in Korea) have no clue what the CELTA or Trinity are compared to a $300 course, and many couldn't care less, despite extreme marketing by those selling it. A few schools around the world accept a CELTA as some credit towards an MA, but I'm not privy as to which schools.

Sort of well-known internationally: TEFL International. Rumored to be modeled after CELTA, but that's just what I heard. Just about as expensive. Known for marketing prowess. Also provides lots of hands-on. Even less well-known in Korea, if at all by most.

Other online courses: KEI-TEFL, ITTT, etc., all sub-$500 range. Good for grammar brush-up or self-study learning. Some offer a teaching practice component for extra. Do at your own pace. Not well-known, like just about everything else. 100+ hour certificates can get you a raise in a public school situation (most people).

Just remember that with about ANY non-university TEFL course, the people calling it "certified" are the same people offering the course -- or a group of like courses ganging-up under an umbrella name and "certifying" each other. Would you trust your health to a doctor who was only a doctor because he or a group of friends say he is a doctor?

You also need to find out where these courses will get you jobs. Korea is one of the top-paying places in the world for ESL, and you don't need a TEFL/TESL certification to work here. Similar with Japan. Then there's Saudi Arabia, but you have to ask yourself if you want to live in a compound, be treated subhuman by the locals, and have your values compromised to appease muslims. Again, jobs can be had there with NO TEFL certification, from what I've read. The rest of the places in the world these certifications promise you can work generally pay far less than Korea does, anyway. So, other than for self-betterment, what's the point?

In nearly every case, they won't secure you a job paying much more than you'd get paid without one. Many shady schools offer you a job after you finish the course. Truth be told, you're paying them for the training while they're making money from you teaching at their school. Then they offer you an "exclusive" job that you'd probably be better off without with, anyway.

Once again, I never needed a TEFL course to get jobs here. I worked my way up from hagwons to high schools to university. I took a TEFL course with Rod Ellis, but I took it long after I got my univ. job. I did it for the experience/fun of it. Thought it also might add some eye candy to my resume, but it'll never look as good as the MA/TESOL and Applied Linguistics I'm working on now.



Beware of individuals trying to sell you the idea that a 1 month course is better than 2 year MA in something ESL-related. They're doing exactly that -- selling you something. If they swear their course is better than a full MA, then the school they did their MA from must have been rubbish.

There are at least a few rubbish MA's, as well -- mostly from south of here a few thousand miles.

[agoodmouse]

I took the CELTA in Seoul in 2008 and it was an incredibly enriching on-site TESOL course. Hands down, it emboldened my satisfaction in teaching.

I've written about how, where in Seoul, and why I took the CELTA here, here, here, and here.

[sm]

Thanks for those links!

[soyoungmikey]

http://www.ontesol.com/tesl-canada.php

Do this one. It's 250 Hours and internationally recognized. You can do it at home and it has 20 hours of practicum time (More than a CELTA).

[edwardcatflap]

[soyoungmikey]

[edwardcatflap]

Ok but it doesn't mention the practicum as part of the course on the website. Not for the 635 pound fee anyway