TEFL/CELTA/CELT answers...

catweasel10

rentboy wrote: »

Thanks a million catweasel10, really appreciate that. Was just wondering what your initial interview for IH was like, if you had one, of course? I will be called for one soon and am really hoping to get onto the course and was wondering what the interview is like and what they ask.

Thanks again for your reply.

rb

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I was given a pre-interview task before I had the interview and had to e-mail it back before being given an interview date/time. It wasn't too different from the pre-course assignment, just much shorter. It seems to be designed to get you thinking about the areas covered in the course, like how to explain what 'a dark horse' is, or identify and name different tenses. There was also a section on why you want to do the course. I'm not sure if Dublin have the same interview style as Belfast, but it really isn't anything to worry about. The interview was grand and the DoS was absolutely lovely and put me at ease immediately. She went through my answers for the pre-interview task, and we had a chat about the course and where you go after it. Basically, I think the interview is designed to let you know how demanding the course is, and that you'll have to dedicate most of your waking hours to it for the four weeks. Some people think that they can work and do the course at the same time- it would be almost impossible! If you don't have someone to look after practical stuff, like having meals ready, during the course, my advice would be to freeze a load of meals. I know it sounds silly, but when you're zonked after a day in school and have an assignment or a lesson plan to prepare, it makes a huge difference to your stress levels. Feel free to PM me if you want any more info, and best of luck! It's a lot of work in a short space of time, but it can be good craic.

Just saw that the question had already been answered! Oops!

wonton

Dam i'm finding this all quite confusing.

could anyone that knows tell me what the main difference qualification and recognition wise with these courses?

Is the main difference just different names for basically the same thing?

so if I done the celt 160 hour course in dun laoghaire would that be recognised in other countries as a good qualification?

or are one of the other ones better?

dapto1

wonton wrote: »

Dam i'm finding this all quite confusing.

could anyone that knows tell me what the main difference qualification and recognition wise with these courses?

Is the main difference just different names for basically the same thing?

so if I done the celt 160 hour course in dun laoghaire would that be recognised in other countries as a good qualification?

or are one of the other ones better?

The CELTA and CELT courses are very similar, but the CELTA is more recognised internationally.

catweasel10

Wonton,

As far as I know, the CELT is fairly similar to the CELTA content wise. The CELTA is the better known of the two, so if you did the CELT, you may have to explain the qualification to prospective employers. The main difference, from what I've gathered, is that the awarding bodies are different.

dapto1

catweasel10 wrote: »

if you did the CELT, you may have to explain the qualification to prospective employers.

That's if you even get that far! A lot of places abroad won't even consider you unless you have a CELTA. Especially in Australia and some parts of Europe and Asia.

E.E.T

E.E.T wrote: »

I hope to travel in the very near future. I would like the option to teach English perhaps however I am not sure if my qualifications can be used/ even recognised.
Hopefully someone can shed some light...

I am a fully qualified primary school teacher (B.Ed Hons) of three years.
Before leaving college I did a week long TEFL course in the college and got an ACELS Preparatory TEFL Qualification for State Qualified Teachers. (I have not done the supervised teaching component, I have until the summer to do it...should I do it even?)
My first teaching post was as an EAL teacher so I have plenty of experience in this area. Also as a mainstream class teacher I have taught children who have English as a second language.

Do you think the above is enough to get me a job abroad? Or should I do CELT or CELTA etc?

Thanking you for taking the time to read this.

Bump! Anyone have any ideas?

catweasel10

E.E.T wrote: »

Bump! Anyone have any ideas?

I know a few qualified teachers who taught abroad without a CELTA, but this was a few years ago. I think it might depend on the school. Maybe you could send out a few CVs to test the waters?

cavanmaniac

E.E.T wrote: »

I am a fully qualified primary school teacher (B.Ed Hons) of three years.
Before leaving college I did a week long TEFL course in the college and got an ACELS Preparatory TEFL Qualification for State Qualified Teachers. (I have not done the supervised teaching component, I have until the summer to do it...should I do it even?)
My first teaching post was as an EAL teacher so I have plenty of experience in this area. Also as a mainstream class teacher I have taught children who have English as a second language.

Do you think the above is enough to get me a job abroad? Or should I do CELT or CELTA etc?

Thanking you for taking the time to read this.

I think you're more than qualified. As a licenced teacher, you should easily be able to secure a job teaching at an International School (schools in foreign countries that educate locals and immigrants through English), so you wouldn't necessarily have to just consider TEFL.

If you would prefer to just teach English, then you're still in a good position I think. You have your teaching licence and some experience which would get you a job in a flash in Korea, probably slightly better paid with your credentials. Here in Korea, all you need is a degree really for a basic job so you could get better or even look in other countries. Your B.Ed places you well ahead of 95% of TEFLers out there, so exploit it.

If the supervised teaching component of your ACELS cert is all you have left to do for the full qualification, then I say do it. Then you have everthing you need for teaching abroad; degree (and an Education degree at that), genuine classroom experience and a good quality cert with observed teaching practice (a stipulation for most of the better TEFL jobs out there).

So you're in a great position overall!

See Ye

You've got a good lot of information already. Some prospective language schools in Europe would take you over someone unqualified but someone with a full CELTA/CELT would be taken ahead of you - especially for dealing with adults or business English.

PS I'm personally jealous of your breadth of experience btw, it's just that in non-English speaking countries here isn't much EAL and places aiming at the business market may see experience with kids as a disadvantage in my experience.

Mossanova

Geansai Rua wrote: »

Thanks squeakyduck.

Im currently undecided between the CELTA course in International House and the CELT course in DSE.

There is a considerable difference in price, wondering if the extra 700euro would be worth it with the CELTA. In terms of getting a job in Ireland for a while and then abroad.

Both are held in August so that is good for me!

2 friends of mine did the CELT course and are now teaching abroad, I'm pretty sure they did the course in Bray, if that's any use? here is there link, http://www.languagecollegeireland.com/tefl-training.html
best of luck with the degree, hope this helps

rentboy

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the late notice but have an interview coming up for International House Dublin, CELTA course. That really cheap and affordable one Was just wondering can anybody give me some last minute tips, anything whatsoever. The receptionist stated that it would last for approximately an hour.

Many Thanks,
rb.

roisin24

Can anyone tell me if you can get the Back To Education Allowance while doing a full-time 4 week CELT course?

ESL Forum Request.. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056303255

Seamo87

Has anyone done the CELT course in the Cork Language Centre http://www.corklanguagecentre.ie/ ?

If so, could you just tell me if it's any good/worthwhile? Are they a good provider of the CELT course.

Thanks in advance...

rentboy

Hey,

Does anybody know if Social Welfare recognize/acknowledge the CELTA course in International House? Not 'do they fund it', rather, can one still be in receipt of the dole whilst doing the course? Grateful if anybody could shed a little light on this concern.

Thanks a million,
RB.

Einhard

Hey all,

Am thinking of doing A TEFL course, both for travelling, and because it will put some meat on my CV, but am undecided between the CELT and the CELTA options. There's a cost difference of almost €800 between them, which is a fair amount, but I'd pay it no problem if I thought there was any extra prestige/recognition inherent in the latter. I don't intend TEFL as a career; rather as something I can turn to now and then, but I don't want a situation where I lose out to other applicants because they have CELTA qualifications. So is there really a qualitative difference between the two, and is it worth stumping up almost a grand extra?

Also, have people taught in Europe, particularly France, and if so, what was it like?

Thanks.

dapto1

A CELTA will give you more options, and usually better pay. If you can afford the extra, I'd say go for it.

simonsez

cloneslad wrote: »

A lot of people replied to that post in the korea thread, but for those who don't go into that thread, let me give you a brief synopsis.

People like to whinge.

People like to blog.

Join them together and you get a whinging blog by someone who never should have left their hometown.

i agree. however south korea can be much tougher than japan or china. speaking from experience.
with south korea it is best to contact previous teachers and take note of tangible issues like living arrangements, contract hours and payment. anything else is whinge. ignore things like 'oh my students were noisy , my room was not a certain shade of blue, sometimes the weather was cold and sometimes it was hot blah blah etc etc.

ss

scoogie

Are CELTA Courses ACELS accredited?

nutshell84

KevinDublin
thankyou for that information but i have one further question, i cant find anyone else to answer it
i am about to pay & start a CELT course here in Dublin BUT ive read that without a Degree i must sign a "waiver" it does not state exactly what this is but from my reading it seems it STOPS me being able to look for work in ireland!!!
so, if this is the case then i might as well pay less for the i-to-i TEFL course because i cant teach in ireland anyway, or am i incorrect? i hope i am wrong as this seriously narrows my chances...

Mr.Saturn

nutshell84 wrote: »

KevinDublin
thankyou for that information but i have one further question, i cant find anyone else to answer it
i am about to pay & start a CELT course here in Dublin BUT ive read that without a Degree i must sign a "waiver" it does not state exactly what this is but from my reading it seems it STOPS me being able to look for work in ireland!!!
so, if this is the case then i might as well pay less for the i-to-i TEFL course because i cant teach in ireland anyway, or am i incorrect? i hope i am wrong as this seriously narrows my chances...

I'm curious about this also, if anyone's got any ideas.

Patricide

nutshell84 wrote: »

KevinDublin
thankyou for that information but i have one further question, i cant find anyone else to answer it
i am about to pay & start a CELT course here in Dublin BUT ive read that without a Degree i must sign a "waiver" it does not state exactly what this is but from my reading it seems it STOPS me being able to look for work in ireland!!!
so, if this is the case then i might as well pay less for the i-to-i TEFL course because i cant teach in ireland anyway, or am i incorrect? i hope i am wrong as this seriously narrows my chances...

The I to I wont be recognised in a lot places abroad, plus it will cut your chances if your going up against anyone with a celta-celt.

projectvv

Hi, does anyone know is it better to do a CELT or CELTA for the middle east. As people have noted, there is about 700 in the difference in price? obviously UK is better recognised than Ireland in these places so is this the price we pay for our independence??
also anyone know about the english academy in O Connell st who do the CELTA is it
good?? thanks.

Euro_Kraut

Just to chime in hear as someone who did a CELT course and is now teaching successful abroad (Switzerland)..

The CELT is a very good qualification and equal in quality to the CELTA. Any school worth working for should be able to recognise this. Most schools will ask for 'CELTA or equivalent'. The extra you pay for the CELTA course is, from what I gather, due to the fees Cambridge impose on institute that offer the course. Like many things in life price does not equal quality. A glance thorough the syllabi for the two course will so you how similar they are.

Furthermore, as CELT and CELTA sounds so similar, it often doesn't even register with schools that there is a difference. Don't bother highlighting the difference on your CV. If they do query it with you, simply tell them it's the Irish version of the CELTA as award by the Irish Dept of Education.

Good luck with the job applications!

kateling

Hi all,

I'm thinking about doing either the CELT or CELTA course early this summer (the latter if I can afford it - from what I gather here, it seems to be the best option) in order to teach abroad later on in the summer, most likely in Germany.

What I want to know is how much time I need to dedicate to preparation before the course starts - I have a full-time job until mid-April and would ideally like to get the course done as soon as possible after that so that I could travel fairly early on in the summer, for example as soon as June. There were a few references to pre-course preparation, tasks etc in this thread and I'd just like to know if I finished my job, for example, in mid-April and then started the course at the end of April or start of May, would that be enough time to get myself ready? Also, how early do interviews tend to be conducted?

Hope someone can help me with this, the thread has been very informative so far!

Patricia_

Hi

You don't need any preparation, in fairness. You will learn everything on the course. The only concern is: it may take quite a while before you will receive your certificate. I finished my CELT at the end of April, graduated in May (mine course was a one year part-time CELT course) and got my cert in post in September. ACELS take their time ;-)

Interviews for Summer TEFL jobs in Ireland take place between April and late June. Demand for summer teachers is huge. As for jobs abroad it all depends on the school. Hopes it helps.

P.

Patricia_

Mr.Saturn wrote: »

I'm curious about this also, if anyone's got any ideas.

A bit late: but it is 100% correct. No one can teach English in Ireland without a degree.

See Ye

Patricia's right, the course is there to give you the tools you need. If you are accepted onto a course someone somewhere thinks you have the makings of an EFL teacher.

OTOH you may feel more confident yourself going into this if you are up to speed on some of the grammatical terms so you don't feel panicked when folk start talking about participles and auxiliaries etc.

Perhaps invest in a grammar book (second hand) like this and a methodology book by Harmer that you could dip into as the course approaches ?

ETA : schools etc. are well aware of the delay between the end of the course and certificates arriving, just as they are aware that the final grade recommended by the course tutors remains unchanged in well over 90% of cases so your end of course report is usually enough to get you your first job (altho' they may put in a clause about continued employment relying on the pass grade being confirmed).

lecker Hendl

Having put some thought into changing career, I am considering taking up either the CELT or CELTA. There is some great information in this thread, but on a side note, is it actually possible to create a career out of it?

I imagine starting off salary will be low and will also vary depending on whether you are teaching children or business adults. Does anyone have a rough guideline of what can be earned? Personally, I wouldn't be going further than mainland Europe.

MrMiyagi

Hello,

I have a full time job and a CELT qualification.

I wouldn't mind doing a bit of English teaching on the side.

Any way of getting a few hours teaching in the evenings in the Cork city region?

I have one months teaching experience from a summer school in England.

Regards,
Mr. Miyagi.