Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VanIslander]

Last week I decided to do it, after two years of EFL teaching, to boost the teaching skills and to get the qualification for post-Korea positions (though I'm coming back for a third year at the same hagwon on Geoje Island).

This week I'm interviewed, accepted, registered, paid up, and planning to go. To Aukland, New Zealand. Yay!

If anyone's interested there's room in the 4-week course for another.

[fidel]

Just out of interest I did my CELTA in Auckland in 2000 at a large language institute called, I think, Auckland Language Centre. Where are you doing yours?

Here is a few hints to pass CELTA because you can fail and at least 20% of my class did.

- Get on well with the instructors. Listen to their criticisms, and take on board all they say. Don't argue with them. Show that you are taking their critiques on board and change your teaching style to their suggestions.

- Learn your grammar (brush up before you go)

- Keep your teaching talking time to a minimum, you are more of a facilitator rather than a lecturer.

- Know how to make lesson plans and how to estimate how long a particular activity should take.

-Focus on one main grammar point/function etc per class.

- be friendly and develop rapport with your students, they will be volunteers and pay a reduced fee to attend your class. They will also probably be highly motivated and have paid a lot of money to study in NZ.

The reasons why so many students failed was in my opinion, they didn'y take criticism too well and were too defensive. They also didn't adjust their teaching styles to the 'CELTA way'.

Anyway lots of luck, doing the CELTA paved my way into my current position which I wouldn't have got otherwise.


Some suggestions for Auckland.

If you windsurf do a search on Lake Pupuke on the North Shore, there is a guy who rents boards and does lessons, for the novice an excellent place to learn and for the experienced 360's higly possible.

For your island missions
Catch the ferry from downtown Auckland over to Rangitoto, for a day of swimming, climbing etc. It's a volcano, currently inactive but very interesting, you might also try Kawau Island, Motutapu and Waiheke Island for that touch of hippy madness.

Scuba diving.
If you know how there is a guy called Kevin Hodgson on Barry's Point road (Takapuna) on the North Shore who runs trips to wrecks/night dives whatever, an excellent bloke who can also train you up. Look in the yellow pages to find his contact details.

[matthews_world]

Thanks for the tips. I'm planning on doing the CELTA course too, but possibly Bangkok, in February.

[dulouz]

Matthew,

CELTA at ECC Bangkok is very popular. Its one of my daydreams and according to the class vacancies, it is for manu others too. The class fills up 2 - months ahead of time. If you really want to go, you need to sign up early.

[Kim Jong Jordan]

What are the benefits of having the CELTA certificate? I really don't know and am curious. Thanks

[dulouz]

CELTA is the oldest and best certificate. One of my fall back ESL jobs is teaching in Poland and Poland wants a CELTA. Yea, thats why a CELTA is better. You get to teach in Poland.

[Kim Jong Jordan]

Does it amount to better pay in Poland....or better yet, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand.....heck, Prague and the rest of Eastern Europe. What about if it is combined with an actual teaching degree from a University in either Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, England, or the U.S.? Thats the route I'm taking..........

[Derrek]

Wish I could join you, but my school waited until AFTER I paid for my ticket to the USA to tell me that I'd need to get a TEFL/TESL certificate next year. Not their fault, because Kyonngi up and decided to be more stringent about this after the dude in Konkuk University got busted for faking credentials.

[fidel]

So, cash in your ticket and take a slight loss, no big deal.

[Derrek]

The parents are expecting me, since I've been away for a year. I'm having enough trouble with them complaining about me being over here in the first place.