Korean Job Discussion Forums

njp6 · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Location: Gangnam, South Korea

Whose the winner in this round?

My gf and I are looking for certification to beef up our resumes. Basically we want the certification that will help us get the higher paying jobs out there. We are looking to go to Dubai possibly some other foreign land next year. Anybody tell me which is the better of the three?

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

For Korea, just about anything over 100 hours will do for public job pay increases of 100,000 to 200,000 per hour. For most other jobs here, there is really no need to get a TEFL of any kind.

For Dubai... hmm... I'm going to guess you'll get more mileage out of a CELTA. You'd better ask around on boards frequented by people who teach there to be sure.

jkamphof · Joined: 12 Apr 2008

From what I remember, CELTA is basically a university level program that takes a bit of time to complete and costs a whole chunk more that TESL etc. But for serious ESL qualifications, especially in Western Europe - and you have no ESL training or degree - the CELTA is indispensible. TEFL/TESL certificates are usually issued through private means and can range from 60-120 plus hours and are much less serious as far as global recognition especially if compared to CELTA. I did my first 3 years in Korea without a TESL then got it when i got back to Canada. I went back to Korea and made really no difference this time. However, lacking teaching experience or a degree in English a TESL certificate can make a positive impact.

Mmmmm re-reading that I hope I didn't get confusing....whatever! Wink

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

Some interesting points made so far. If you listen to Bassexpander's podcast about Professional Development for EFL Teachers (From Tornados to Teaching or something named like that) it should provide some insight to different options available.

Now some key things that I would like to provide. If you wish to continue teaching and develop professional during and after Korea, a TEFL Certificate which includes 100 hours course time including teaching practice with feedback is really invaluable. These courses include:

1. CELTA
2. TESOL Certificate
3. Trinity TEFL Certificate

These should be accreditated by their relevant examining body and any quality teacher training program shall have quality assurance procedures (review of training staff, material, etc).

The CELTA is considered the most professional due to the training, history of teacher training, history of Cambridge ESOL as an accrediting body. The Trinity TEFL and TESOL are still good but I think the CELTA is offered internationally and would open doors of opportunities for you to teach in other countries.

Now if you don't really want to continue teaching after you leave Korea but wish to do some TEFL Course to complement your experience. There are some areas to consider:

1. Online course
2. Weekend intensive course
3. Distance study courses

The online courses are popular in Korea amongst EFL Teachers. They would improve your prospects and salary compared to new EFL Teachers entering this country. One obvious example to illustrate this is that in Public Schools, you receive a pay increase if you have completed an online course.

The weekend intensive course is also popular to introduce the concepts, ideas and opportunities as a teacher. It is intense and they are available in the UK and USA, for example, during weekends and I completed a course before I came to Korea to improve my salary negotiation and further understand the career that I wished to pursue. There are obvious downsides to this course. There is no teaching practice, no review of grammar and very limited learning. It would be better if you pick up a book about English Language Teaching and read about it. It would be cheaper but the certificate that you receive is interesting to show when you want to negotiate a salary, but is an expensive negotiating tool in itself.

Finally, the distance study course is interesting. There are courses available through a number of different universities offering MA's in Applied Linguistics and TEFL which could be studied. There are a number of opportunities available in themselves if you study from a reputable University, such as Curriculum Development, Testing & Evaluation, etc. But I would recommend that you gain an MA after a few years from completing a TEFL Certificate. It seems natural to develop slowly within your chosen career.

I hope this helps and it isn't too long.

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

The CELTA and Trinity College TESOL are the most widely recognized, being as they're the only courses that are recognized by the British Council. The former probably nudges ahead on the 'Cambridge' kudos stakes, but any learning institution worth their beans will know that the two are pretty much the same in terms of delivering both content and quality. I think that the cost is pretty much the same for both too.

Sody · Joined: 14 May 2006

If you want the better jobs in Dubai, then all those certs are pretty much worthless.

You will need a Bachelor of Education, a Masters, a Masters in Teaching, a PhD or a Masters in TESOL if you want to work in a good school in the Emirates.

Also, if you have university experience in Korea, they will count it. I know because my friend made the switch from Korea to Dubai. They didn't really count his elementary school experience in Korea though.

Sody

sonicmatt · Joined: 04 Oct 2007

does anyone know of some good online programs for obtaining a TEFL? Thanks.

agoodmouse · Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Location: Anyang

njp6 · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Location: Gangnam, South Korea

I've got sort of a side question here. I actually have TESOL cert. through one of those 40 hour courses. I've taught a bit in the states so I have teaching cert also and I've taught in Korea for 2 plus years. My main worry with CELTA is that I'll sign up for something that is repetitive and attempts to teach me things I already know. Can anyone tell me, how demanding is the CELTA course and would you recommend it to a fairly experienced teacher?

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Just suck it up and knock out the MA. Sooner or later, if you want to remain in education, you're going to need it. Besides, and besides, ask anyone who's done one, and they'll tell you that the MEd is a cakewalk.

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

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Are you doing the MA TESOL/Applied Linguistics, or the MEd? And of course it depends on the program you choose. True, some are tougher than others, and all on-line programs were not created equal.

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

PRagic wrote:

i4NI · Joined: 17 May 2008 Location: Seoul

The next Celta is in February correct?

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

NJP6 - I would not recommend this course to experienced teachers...unless you absolutely need this certification.
You may find your experience competes with the trainers ego...and in this case...be prepared to swallow your pride.
I wrote the following for another similar thread...so...I will add it here.

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.