Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daveeslcafe888]

Hi Guys,

I just got accepted to the CELTA in Seoul. While the instructor grilled me in the interview, and I surely looked incompetent, I'm glad I got in. Maybe he had some faith in me, maybe he just wanted my money.

I have some questions on the worth of the CELTA:

1. Does it matter what country you get it?

(I know the expert, TTOMPATZ, believes a Korean CELTA would still be useful in the Middle East, Europe, etc.; however, some people say that it would make it harder for me to get a job other places).

2. The benefits I see are:

a. Some practical skills in doing what I'm supposed to be doing (teaching).
b. A universal standard of proficiency, unless quality varies from one place to another
c. Name recognition (at least a Korea one would help me get jobs teaching adults in Korea).
d. Affiliation with the University of Cambridge
e. Possible contacts with other CELTA groups in other places

3. What do you guys think?

(I know $2000 + living is expensive. But, at least I'd have some set proficiency).

Thanks for the consideration in this stressful decision.

[ttompatz]

It'll take more than a CELTA and a BA to land a decent job in the middle east but globally, as far as TEFL/TESOL certifications go, CELTA IS the most recognized brand on the planet.

The ties to the other Cambridge ESOL certs are also worth noting. There are lots of places (eastern Europe, Central/South America and most of the commonwealth) where is is one step short of being a requirement rather than an option.

IF your goal is to work with adults it is as good as gold for an entry level certification and having the CELTA coupled with your degree will put you in good stead in most places.

It, tragically, is largely a waste of money if you plan to work with kids unless you do the CELTA-YL option as well (no longer offered as a stand alone program).

.

[1927]

It doesn't matter where you do the CELTA. An employer would rarely even ask where you took the course. Doing it in Seoul should not be an obstacle to you finding a job elsewhere.

Regardless of where you do it, your instructors should be qualified CELTA instructors and the program should be overseen by a representative of Cambridge - this is why it has the reputation it does.

IMHO, if you are considering staying in the ESL field for a few years, it is worth the investment. It not only opens up better job opportunities, but it also helps one become a better teacher of English.

[gypsyfish]

It doesn't matter where you take the CELTA. Cambridge certifies all of the courses.

A couple advantages to taking it in Seoul, if you live here, are you save money on your plane tickets and housing and your knowledge of Korean students. One of the activities you will have to do (I think - I did when I took it here) is to interview a student, analyze the student's ability and offer suggestions for improvement. You probably can already anticipate some potential issues, so the paper will be easier to write.

[missty]

It doesn't matter where you get the CELTA, no employer is interested in the country that you have taken it in, only your results and the fact that you have it.

To be honest, if you are serious about teaching EFL for a long time, then there really isn't any decision to be made. If you want to teach in Europe for example, then a CELTA is pretty much a standard requirement and without it you wont land a job easily.

But it really depends on your situation. If you are keen on teaching for a long time then take it. But if you're only going to be in Korea for a few short years then no, its not worth it. However, as someone who has traveled around a bit, I have found that Korea is one of the only few places who don't regard a CELTA to be necessary. Italy, Hong Kong and Eastern Europe all require it as almost a standard. It even helped me get my job in China. So if you're planning on teaching for a long time/in other countries? Then there is no question, you should take it to get better job opportunities.