Teacher Discussion Forums

Hi All - I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction...

I've been teaching ESL for 2yrs now. The only "qualification" I have is a week's intensive "Introduction to ESL Teaching" in which I received an A Pass...

Some reading, experience and many experienced teachers have helped along the way. Now it's time for formal qualification of some sort... I do not have a degree and being in my late 30's and single, that's not where I want to go (!)...

I am considering doing a CELTA then a DELTA this year and hopefully with my experience behind me, I should be ok.... Can anyone verify for me if this will be sufficient to teach outside Asia - and not necessarily in the US?

Would I be better to do a year's diploma course in teaching through an Auzzie or NZ Uni than doing both CELTA and DELTA? Do Celta & Delta carry much weight? Can you teach in a university with them?

Many thanks for your help.

Carol

g'day carolpicstaiwan,

i was in the same boat as you a few years ago- working in TEFL without qualification and did a Trinity College modified TESOL certificate from a reputable uni in australia. It was one of the best things i have done it. i've heard other stories of people doing their one month TESOL certificate being a joke but the course i did was great. expensive and intensive but it was really rewarding- i recommend you do any TESOL cert which has a practical component to ti eg in the course i took TESOL stidents had to teach 14 hours (being observed by experienced teachers from the uni) i think during the 4 week course. i'm actually about to start a MAsters of education (TESOL) so i can't comment on the benefit of doing a Masters, but from what i can gather usually the masters is a year of theory.

I teach in korea and here the TESOL certificate doesn't carry much kudos but if you want to become a better teacher i'd recommend you do TESOL cert with pratical component- i know i definitely became a better teacher because of it. You need a tesol certicate to eatch in pretty much any country outside of asia in a reputable school. if you want to tesl in the USA at a university you need masters or higher.

cheers