Korean Job Discussion Forums

ScottyG · Joined: 09 Jun 2006

Although I have 4 years teaching experience in Korea, I am thinking about getting a TESL or TEFL or CELTA or whatever certification. I am not sure this is needed, or even a wise decision, but it might open some new doors even if it doesn't really add to my repetoire.

Does anyone have some reccommendations as to what kind of program/certificate is the best and most widely accepted/respected and where I might take one.

I would like to do this economically within a time frame of two months. I would like to do this in a place like Thailand or the less expensive places in Europe. Any experiences or suggestions are welcome.

Cheers!

seoulkitchen · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Location: Hub of Asia, my ass!

There are a few answers over at the FAQ discussion board.
From what I could gather, the CELTA is better if you plan on going to Europe in the future, it is required there from what I've heard. It is geared toward adults.
The TESL/TEFL is more general I think.
Apparently it doesn't matter too much in Korea which one you get.
You'll hear a lot of people say neither one is necessary, however, I don't agree with that.
I plan on getting the CELTA as most of my experience has been with kids.
I haven't taught in a couple of years so I really want a refresher course as I am planning on getting back into it.
It never hurts to have more education.

So which one? Hell, only you can figure that one out.
Do you plan on going to Europe for teaching?
Do you plan on teaching in more adult oriented environments?
Compare costs and locations of programs.
Cambridge is recommended for CELTA, and Trinity for TESL/TEFL. They both have worldwide locations. Google them.

Good luck!

dulouz · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Location: Uranus

CELTA is the real thing, TEFL is the knock off. Europe wants CELTA.

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:04 am Post subject:

CELTA is seen as equivalent to a Master's degree for public school teaching in SOUTH KOREA as of last year onwards. You get a higher pay bracket if you have it.

Of course, I prefer to work in hagwons, and directors couldn't care less about that certification or any other usually.

I took my CELTA after my second year of teaching here, and I went to Auckland, New Zealand to do it. Glad I did, but wished I'd picked a much less expensive way to do it! (airfare, local CELTA fees, accommodation, food, entertainment was a lot of bloody money compared to Thailand or Poland or the supercheapest Bulgaria, which offer the same CELTA).

The CELTA opens a lot of doors AND will add to your repetoire, the multiple qualified teacher trainers will see to it that you get plenty of feedback to improve your skills. EVERYBODY needs improvement, in fact, the only guy to fail the group I took it with was a high school teacher with ten plus years of blabbering at the front of a room while students sit and listen. That model of teaching is not what CELTA is at all about.

I highly recommend the CELTA for anyone teaching groups in excess of 8-10 students, whether they be adults, adolescents or youngums. It really helps with group and pair lesson planning and execution of task-based learning, practically and efficiently. The one-month intensive course is well worth it, as every fellow teacher said when I did it.

Good luck whatever.

LateBloomer · Joined: 06 May 2006

Took my CELTA in Krakow, Poland last March. The course has a great reputation, is cheap (as is living in Poland while you're taking it) and Krakow is a great city. Have heard many say it's "Europe's best kept secret".

semphoon · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Location: Where Nowon is

What was the cost (In Korean W?) for the qualification and how long does it take to complete?

seoulkitchen · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Location: Hub of Asia, my ass!

Can people who have done the CELTA please tell us where you did it and how you would rate the place. (course cost, cost of living, accomodations etc..)

Thanks in advance!

LateBloomer · Joined: 06 May 2006

The one-month course at International House in Krakow was approximately 1,010,000 won. That particular course is well established and has a good reputation. Accommodation was in the range of 300,000 won and you could get a decent meal for between 2,500 and 5,000 won. Transportation is also cheap.

The course was damn hard work but very worthwhile. Your every move is critiqued in detail each time you teach and you teach a group of students most days. There are no exams. Your mark is based on your teaching evaluations and assignments. Even the experienced teachers admitted that they learned something.

As I said earlier, Krakow is a great city�lots to see and do and the beer is good and cheap. However, you won�t have that much time for extra curricular activities during the course. Most of us spent evenings and a good part of every weekend doing assignments or lesson plans.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Trinity TESOL or Celta are both good and are both recognised in Europe.

ilovebdt

daninkorea · Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Location: Seoul

As I understand CELTA and TESOL are the same, just different examination boards.

I am doing my TESOL in Thailand next month, which is going to cost $1500 including accomodation (although I am paying an extra $100 and staying in a hotel). It's with a company called TEFL international at their headquarters in Ban Phe. They have lots of different cities you can do it at, but I fancied doing it somewhere I could go for a swim after class!!

Adventurer · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

I researched this and got help from people on the forum. I am convinced the CELTA is the way to go, and I am going to do it for a month in Bangkok after my contract is up. At least, that is the plan.
Has anyone done it here and can give some feedback regarding the program?