Korean Job Discussion Forums

The Cosmic Hum · Joined: 09 May 2003 Location: Sonic Space

Does anyone have some info on the best place to get this, and what the fee for it is?
It would be nice to take it in Korea...this winter vacation if possible...I heard there was a course in Seoul last winter vacation, but I don't have any details about it.
..I didn't do a search...but...was hoping someone here would have more updated info and might be able to point me in the right direction.
Any and all constructive information is appreciated.

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

The British Council in Korea offer the CELTA every winter and summer. I took the CELTA Course last winter and it was brilliant. The trainers are really experienced and the teaching team offer great advice when planning lessons. I really would recommend you contact them for more info:

http://www.britishcouncil.org/korea-teaching-centre-cambridge-celta.htm

The Cosmic Hum · Joined: 09 May 2003 Location: Sonic Space

Thank you very much...that was just what I was looking for.
Take care and keep smiling. Wink

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Ugh.. more free CELTA advertising.

When are you guys going to start paying Dave for your space on here?

Oh, wait... you're trying to get people to sign up for your course for free.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I didn't need the CELTA for my university job.

You don't need a CELTA in Korea. Especially if you are going to teach kids. Can you learn something taking the CELTA? You bet. I knock the CELTA a lot, but I like the British Council's website for Task-Based Learning activities.

The rule of thumb I tell people to follow 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 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. Korea is naturally much more expensive. 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.

By the way, CELTA now has a long-term course that you can do over several months. I'm not up to speed on what that entails, so I can't comment.

jessie-b · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

I'm applying for the CELTA course in Korea but noticed that the course in Prague or Barcelona is half the cost. Can anyone recommend these?

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

CELTA in Korea is a money-making business. They are trying to maximize their profit. See my above post for more information.

prorohiv · Joined: 02 Dec 2005 Location: Seoul

Check out <http://www.igse.ac.kr/>

TTI, an affiliate of IGSE, offers a full-time month-long CELTA, and a part-time CELTA which can be completed over several months.

According to a co-worker with inside connections, the British Council is considering discontinuing their CELTA courses because it isn't financially viable for them to continue offering them.

The BC's one is 2.5 mil, and TTI's will set you back 2.1 or 2.2.

Doing it in Thailand, Prague, or Spain will cost you the equivalent of around 1.5 mil.

As far as professional development, I'd say do it. As far as putting it to work for yourself in ROK (ie. raises, promotions etc..), might as well forget about it.