Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kaox0018]

I am researching teacher training courses right now. I understand that sometimes that schools in Korea don't really care about certification but has anyone been able to negotiate a higher wage with a certification?

Also, does it matter if I walk in with a CELTA or TEFL? Do schools prefer one over the other?

One last one, does anyone not recommend going to a non-English speaking country to do the TEFL/CELTA training? I might have a chance to be in Asia and might enroll in a school in Thailand or China as an added vacation as well.

your own experiences are appreciated! thanks.

[mrsquirrel]

Everybody knows CELTA and Trinity

How many people know Jim's Back Alley TEFL school?

Choose carefully.

[gang ah jee]

[J.B. Clamence]

I agree with the previous posters. CELTA is more widely known and recognizable than TEFL (especially in Europe), but Koreans don't seem to care too much about either. As far as doing it in a non-English speaking country, it doesn't matter. The CELTA program is the same everywhere in the world.

[mrsquirrel]

If you can though

Get some teaching experience before you do the CELTA.

It will make your life a lot easier than just diving straight in.

I know it sounds backwards but I had been teaching for two years before I took mine and it was a walk in the park. They newbies who had never even sniffed a whiteboard marker were sweating.

[Matt_22]

Personally, I think a good-looking resume photo is one of the most important things recruiters are looking for - at least in Korea. As shallow as that sounds it's true, and many recruiters have even told me that over the phone. Who cares if it's a TEFL or a CELTA, as long as it's a standard 120 hour course it's all the same to them. And again, this is just Korea I'm talking about here.

[gang ah jee]

[Maz]

Like everyone has said, for Korea it doesn't really matter....

But, in many other countries it is highly advisable to have either a Cambridge certified CELTA or a Trinity certified TESOL.

[lover.asian]

Choose the CELTA.

[EFLtrainer]

I will say that a TEFL program sometimes is broader. CELTA is a cert to teach adults.

[Maz]

[Canucksaram]

In Korea your qualifications (other than having a B.A. degree and being Western, preferably Caucasian because of a common Korean misconception that "white" equals "English speaker") don't matter at all.

The typical hagwon owner will laugh, chuckle or pick his teeth while congratulating you for having "certification," but is more interested in having a "popular" (read "attactive" or "celbrityesque") teacher.

In the civilized world a CELTA certification is widely recognized and TEFL certification is generally considered second best. Note that CELTA is geared to adults. To teach English to second-language learners that are children you need a good bilingual co-teacher and the right spirit to get along with the kids.

[ashke516]

There is also the CELTYL and YL (young learners) extension to the CELTA.

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/teaching/index.htm

http://www.britishcouncil.org/me-english-teaching-cambridge-celta-yl-extension.htm

[ajuma]

[Hotpants]

In Korea, you'll barely see little pay difference between an MA and a BA grad for most jobs, and certainly no difference for CELTA/TEFL/TESOL certs.

It really doesn't matter what cert title you get in terms of employability, but it's advisable to do an on-site training course, as some employers in other countries don't favor those who have gained the cert through distance learning. Also, make sure that your school is recognized by an official teaching body such as the British Council or Arels, as some countries are more scrupulous about checking the authenticity of your qualification.