TEFL/CELTA/CELT answers...

spudz21

Dionysus wrote: »

You might as well just do the ACELS Celt qualification. It is tough and intensive and darn right annoying. But it is recognised everywhere, including in secondary schools in Ireland (which pay €43 per hour). It's only a month and you have it forever.

I agree, its an investment, if you put in the money and effort now you'll have it forever!:DInstead of paying 200/300 euro for an online or weekend course just pay the extra and get a valid qualification!!It's definitely worthwhile (although tough!)

Morzadec

Was interested in doing a TEFL course. Just read the whole thread and it was really useful and insightful. Thanks for all the info, especially from SeeYe.

My main concern is the intensity and workload of the course. I've just completed a 4 year degree and will probably get a first in it. However it was a 12 hour a week course, and I cut a lot of corners (strategically). Obviously had to work hard to a certain degree, but I have a feeling the CELTA course will be a completely different experience.

It really sounds like something you have to fully commit to, and obviously considering its 1500e to do you would want to make sure you can commit to it fully. So I have to decide if my I'll be able to turn around my laziness and general student-bum attitude to do this course.

Out of interest SeeYe, are there many 'drop-outs' or people that find the course too hard? What happens if you miss a day or two? Would hate to spend all that money and then find I can't hack all the work. I suppose only I can decide if it will be too much or not, I will give it some serious thought. Thanks again all who have posted info

Morzadec

Also I am only 21, what age are most people doing the course?

See Ye

Morzadec wrote: »

Also I am only 21, what age are most people doing the course?

It's almost a 'how long is a piece of string question'. You'll be among the youngest no question, (there is a guideline lower age limit of 20 for CELTA) but it's hard to say if you'd be in a minority. The majority of trainees fall between 25 & 35 I'd say altho' with the current economic situation we're getting more, for lack of a better word, older candidates.

In Jan. I worked on a course of 12 trainees - 4 in their 40s the rest under 30.
March was the reverse - we had 13 candidates aged from 20 (turned 21 during the course) to mid-fifties (with one candidate omitting to say). It was the first course I've worked on where most of the trainees were over 35.

At a guess I'd say the weekend courses have more younger folk.

See Ye

Morzadec wrote: »

Out of interest SeeYe, are there many 'drop-outs' or people that find the course too hard?

Some people stress and cry and believe it's the most stressful thing they've ever done - others say you just have to be organised. Hopefully the interview procedure will weed out any "'drop-outs' or people that find the course too hard" - the tutor's job is to help candidates pass not steal people's money and if we don't think you can make it we should warn you and give you suggestions how to prepare in order to hit the ground running. You can withdraw from the course - it is rare but I know people who have done so because of ill-health (exacerbated by age at times) or (once) because they found they had mis-interpreted the course content.

Morzadec wrote: »

What happens if you miss a day or two?

Again I'm only talking about CELTA. Basically you can't. If you miss part of the course there is a section in your file/portfolio/record to be filled in stating what you missed in terms of content and what has been organised to ensure the work is made up. Many centres will expect a doctor's certificate. If you miss teaching practice it has to be rescheduled as you have to be observed teaching for a total of 6 hours. In very exceptional circumstances you may be granted an extention for written assignments (which should obvioulsy be finished before the end of the course under normal circumstances). Essentially select your dates carefully you will have a very limited social life for the duration.

Morzadec wrote: »

Would hate to spend all that money and then find I can't hack all the work.

It's only four weeks !!! You can do pretty much anything for four weeks. What was your workload like preparing for your finals ? This will be much the same. But - you know what ? It's fun ! Some people never notice the stress and just enjoy the whole experience ... you're doing something new and getting to know the other folk and it can be just one of those times in your life.

Neuro

I have a few quick TEFL related questions. I'd appreciate any help you can provide:

1) Are there any good CELT/CELTA course providers in Galway?

2) When is peak hiring season for TEFL teachers abroad - if I completed the course over the summer, would I be able to find work in the autumn in SE Asia or Spain?

3) Japan is a country I've visited before, and I'd like to return there to teach. What's the job situation like in Japan? In fact, given the world-wide recession, what's the TEFL job situation like across the world?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Dionysus

Neuro wrote: »

I have a few quick TEFL related questions. I'd appreciate any help you can provide:

1) Are there any good CELT/CELTA course providers in Galway?

2) When is peak hiring season for TEFL teachers abroad - if I completed the course over the summer, would I be able to find work in the autumn in SE Asia or Spain?

3) Japan is a country I've visited before, and I'd like to return there to teach. What's the job situation like in Japan? In fact, given the world-wide recession, what's the TEFL job situation like across the world?

Thanks in advance for your help!

All ACELS (CELT) approved courses in Ireland can be found here:

http://www.acels.ie/acelsschools.htm

spudz21

Morzadec wrote: »

Also I am only 21, what age are most people doing the course?

Hey,

Im 22 and I'm the youngest on my course:D A good number are late 20s and then the rest in their late 30s/40s!!

I think you asked about attendance as well??we have to have 90% attendance so can only miss one weekend (lucky for me cos I'm heading to oxygen:p:p)

madziuda

Neuro wrote: »

2) When is peak hiring season for TEFL teachers abroad - if I completed the course over the summer, would I be able to find work in the autumn in SE Asia or Spain?

Can't tell you anything about Asia, but in Spain and in Europe as a whole the high season begins in September/October with the start of the academic year and finishes around May/June when students go on holidays. This means most schools will be looking for new teachers in late August and early September. I've got to warn you about Spain though, they've been pretty badly affected by the crisis so it might prove slightly more difficult to find a job as a language teacher there

Neuro wrote: »

what's the TEFL job situation like across the world?

Differs from country to country. In most schools in Ireland and the UK bookings for summer TEFL courses are down by about 20-25%. Some blame it on swine flu, most think it's the global recession's fault. Elsewhere in Europe people react to the threat of being made redundant in 2 ways: a) by saving and cutting expenses wherever they can, which means they're likely to decide against taking up ESL classes. b) by trying to make themselves as re-employable as possible or, failing that, by preparing for emigration. For this, of course, they need English, so in such countries schools are experiencing booms of sorts.

In short, if you do your research before setting off and choose your country wisely TEFL qualifications will get you a job no prob

Good luck

Neuro

Dionysus wrote: »

All ACELS (CELT) approved courses in Ireland can be found here:

http://www.acels.ie/acelsschools.htm

Yes, and there are a few in Galway alright. But as a previous poster queried, is it better to go for the cheaper, but less internationally recognised ACELS CELT, or the more expensive and more widely known Cambridge ESOL CELTA.

My gut instinct is that it would take alot of effort to explain to potential employers, particularly those based abroad, that the CELT is equivalent to a CELTA. Perhaps it's better to shell out a little extra?

Who are the main providers of CELTA courses in Ireland?

madziuda

Neuro wrote: »

Yes, and there are a few in Galway alright. But as a previous poster queried, is it better to go for the cheaper, but less internationally recognised ACELS CELT, or the more expensive and more widely known Cambridge ESOL CELTA.

My gut instinct is that it would take alot of effort to explain to potential employers, particularly those based abroad, that the CELT is equivalent to a CELTA. Perhaps it's better to shell out a little extra?

DEFINITELY go for CELTA. Yes, you're paying extra for the name on your diploma and the prestige that goes with it. But as the TEFL industry becomes more competitive, prestige DOES matter

Neuro wrote: »

Who are the main providers of CELTA courses in Ireland?

International House www.ihdublin.com

livinginkorea

If you are planning to teach in Korea then you really don't need a CELTA. I have seen many here get jobs without any teaching qualifications.

If you really want to make teaching your career as I have, then you need to take some crap job first and then use that experience to move into the universities, companies, international schools etc sector for an easier life and better pay. Be careful of the private schools, they can be a shot in the dark sometimes.

Where ever you go check demand to talk to a current teacher at that school.

Neuro

madziuda wrote: »

DEFINITELY go for CELTA. Yes, you're paying extra for the name on your diploma and the prestige that goes with it. But as the TEFL industry becomes more competitive, prestige DOES matter

International House www.ihdublin.com

Yes, I saw that one, and I also believe there's a CELTA language course in UCC English Language School. Anyone have any experience with either? Are there any others available?

I think the UCC "brand" would be an added advantage on a CELTA cert.

Neuro

livinginkorea wrote: »

If you are planning to teach in Korea then you really don't need a CELTA. I have seen many here get jobs without any teaching qualifications.

If you really want to make teaching your career as I have, then you need to take some crap job first and then use that experience to move into the universities, companies, international schools etc sector for an easier life and better pay. Be careful of the private schools, they can be a shot in the dark sometimes.

Where ever you go check demand to talk to a current teacher at that school.

Would a CELTA not help one skip those particularly poor initial jobs? And as someone working and living there, how would you describe your expereince - what are pay and living conditions like? And do you primarily socialise with fellow English speakers, or do you try to integrate?

livinginkorea

Neuro wrote: »

Would a CELTA not help one skip those particularly poor initial jobs? And as someone working and living there, how would you describe your expereince - what are pay and living conditions like? And do you primarily socialise with fellow English speakers, or do you try to integrate?

Not necessarily. Bad schools still want qualified teachers to apply. They can't make much money unless they can advertise that John Doe has this and that teaching certificate. The private industry here is very competitive and they spend loads on advertising. Some would use your face to advertise that they have a 'whitey' there.

Bottom line, just because you are "qualified" doesn't mean you can't still get a terrible school.

My experience has been mostly very postive. I love my job (work in a university, teaching 15 hours a week) but I had to work hard to get here. I had to take some crappy jobs, worked many hours teaching students who were not interested, fought with bosses who tried to cut my pay because I am not an American (although I don't have a strong Irish accent, they were just looking for an excuse to pay me less), pushed to teach around 50 hours a week (with crappy overtime) and had to steal my degree scroll back before leaving the country in 2005 but all of those experiences have taught me a lot and you learn from your mistakes. You have to have some crappy jobs so that you can learn about yourself more and to make you strong. I made those mistakes and haven't looked back since. While others might have quit and left the country I tried again but took my time to get a job. That's very important that you don't seem desperate. If you are then they (bosses, managers, agencies) will use that.

I find that the majority of Korean people are very nice and I don't usually hang around with too many non-koreans because 1) I am married and most of them are single and 2) the non-Korean places are just like any other bar in Dublin...people get drunk, people fight, people do this and that...who wants to experience that after college in another country? If you teach adults then you could easily become friends with them, which would be more enjoyable as they will show you the tourists spots and such around where ever you go. Sometimes it's nice to be a tourist!

Neuro

Just a quick query - what are the best/most trustworthy websites for finding foreign TEFL jobs?

Irish Heidi

www.tefl.com is a really good website for teaching and management jobs in TEFL / ELT

scarface22

Does anyone know anywhere in Galway where you can do the CELTA?

I have found plenty of places that do the CELT but I presume the CELTA would be a better cert to have if I went off to Korea/Taiwan yeah?

book_worm

Hi

I will complete my degree in May next year and I'm hoping to do the CELTA fulltime course over 4 weeks next August. The reason I decided on this was because I am hoping it will enable me to Teach English as a second language in irish IT's and Universities.

My plan upon finishing the CELTA would be to work abroad to get a few years experience and when I finally move home have this CELTA plus experience when making an application to do lecturing. Do you think this will be possible or is there a further qualification i will need?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Tif

I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to read through this whole post but what course is best to do to teach both in Ireland and abroad? I know the i-to-i is not the cousre to do but what course would cover me for both? Thanks

JFKgerrycasey

i am a secondary school student
after hopefully completing an arts degree in french and possibly another subject i would like to go tefl
my question is: is it a career?
could i go about teaching in schools in europe changing country every 5 years or so? could i teach in india one year mexico the next and still be able to save up money etc? or is it just a temporary thing people do as a means of seeing the world?
thanks in advance

See Ye

Yes - altho' the saving up money bit really depends on where you teach and you may not get a whole lot of respect in the early years ("When are you going to get a real job ?").

From colleagues I had 13-15 years ago in Poland I know of at least two who are still in EFL - one is a CELTA tutor in the UK who also works on materials, the other Director of Studies in Germany. The one in the UK worked in Poland, Italy, Argentina, Australia before settling back in the UK. I've done short stints in Kuwait, Estonia, Spain, Germany, the UK; longer ones in Italy and here in France.

Current colleagues include a lad who trained in Costa Rica then worked in Argentina before coming here; someone recently back from Japan and someone has just left for Latin America (can't recall where).

Some folk seem to do a couple of years in one place before moving on - others fall in love with the local culture (or a local) and stay until they fall out of love (a point which may never be reached).

The other thing to know is that the teaching itself can be quite varied in terms of what you do. I've taught / still teach young learner summer schools; general English; Cambridge & TOIEC exam preparation classes; Business English; specialist Business skills seminars; "coaching"; one-to-one, groups, phone lessons; secretaries, politicians, spoilt/poor little rich kids, policemen, airport staff, retired people, job seekers, bright young tewnty-somethings, disillusioned middle managers, actors, marketing, HR, image consultants ... you name it I've taught it. In English speaking countries you may also find yourself working with asylum seekers where teaching English may go hand in hand with basic literacy skills.

Once you've got a couple of years under your belt you can branch out from teaching into other areas of EFL - materials development, examining for Cambridge, Sales, Management etc. I say go for it JFKgerrycasey.

However, I should warn you given your age that projections for English Language proficiency in Europe suggest that kids will be leaving school with a much higher level and that the number of adult learners will start to fall off from the middle of the next decade so you really will be looking towards Asia and Latin America.

JFKgerrycasey

See Ye wrote: »

.....

However, I should warn you given your age that projections for English Language proficiency in Europe suggest that kids will be leaving school with a much higher level and that the number of adult learners will start to fall off from the middle of the next decade so you really will be looking towards Asia and Latin America.

thanks for all your help
i wouldnt mind teaching in asia or latin america i'd love it
(im doing the leaving this year btw)
have you ever taught in a school in france?
like a regular school not a language school and if you have what kind of qualifications did you have when you did

scarface22

scarface22 wrote: »

Does anyone know anywhere in Galway where you can do the CELTA?

I have found plenty of places that do the CELT but I presume the CELTA would be a better cert to have if I went off to Korea/Taiwan yeah?

i'd also like if anyone could shed some light on this.. in a full time job so a part time course in dublin would still be next to impossible.


anyone?

Reginald P. DuM

Hello,

I am giving serious thought to taking up TEFL training also and am wondering if anyone maybe able to advise me. Italy is my country of preference and after all the research I have done the crowd below are the leading candidates. I am hoping someone has direct or indirect experience of them and can tell me what they are like. I don't live near any training school in Ireland so I would have accomodation costs here anyway so why not get over and get stuck into the Italian culture from the off is my logic. The 4 weeks plus roof comes in at 1700 euro, saucy but I can afford it. The time in Nov-Dec can also be arranged. Anyone heard of them?

Thanks in advance,


http://www.teflcorp.com/tefl-florence-italy.htm

spudz21

Finished up my CELT course good few months ago and have finally received my approved cert, ACELS take ages!!!!:)

Just have to say to anyone considering doing a part time CELT on top of a full time job, really really know what you are getting into! I was pulling my hair out for the full ten weeks, was really stressed trying to do lesson plans, teacing practices, and assignments on top of my own work and had no weekends!!:(

But you can get through it, if ya are really organised, stay on top of the assignments, be able to motivate yourself and be sure ya can get time off from work for all the teaching practices during the day!:) You will end up meeting great people!

If it was all worth it for me, remains to be seen.....:p

Just thought I'd share my experience for anyone thinking of it!

See Ye

Thank you for posting that spudz21, people just don't always hear the warnings we give them as tutors when they apply for the course. Oh, and Cogratulations ! You made it, I hope EFL takes you the places and finds you amazing people to meet.

snowleapord

Hi all I am starting a full time CELTA course in Nov. Can anyone advise me if I have to buy all new books or is it possible to buy second hand ones?

Thanks

Ponster

snowleapord wrote: »

Hi all I am starting a full time CELTA course in Nov. Can anyone advise me if I have to buy all new books or is it possible to buy second hand ones?

Thanks

Hi snowleapord and welcome to Boards.ie !

I can't really answer your question but as soon as my wife gets in (from teaching CELTA!) I'll get her to reply.

jacintha

Can I just say that this forum makes great reading for me as I have just signed up to do a CELT course in the near future. While I understand that I am at a distinct disadvantage (as I do not hold a degree in any shape or form) and am seriously nervous, I am going to give it my all.

In reply to "Weepie", what really scared me is that you have 2 degrees and you were so nervous, I for personal reasons have to go "full steam ahead" slog my guts out to try get this certificate as I am moving abroad in the future. Can you let me know if you did the course and is it as hard as everyone has said?

I am going to borrow some of (KEVIN from DUBLIN'S) advice, encouragement and positive thinking and do my utmost to gain this qualification. Yes, I am beyond scared but as I have two children and am investing in an au pair to live in my house for 12 weeks while I throw myself into this course (3 nights a week), and study every day for as many hours as I need to during the week, I just cannot afford, on any level to fail as I was made redundant from my job.

I am forty years old, with a lively toddler and have not studied in 20 years but please, let it be possible with an eager heart and mind and a lot of slogging to achieve this qualification, even for a Mum just like me??

Is there anyone else out there who is not a teacher and does not have a degree or any teaching skills who did this course and passed?

Please reply as I need some encouragement!!

I am dreading the "standing up in front of everyone and trying my hand at teaching", but I am more scared of the other prospect of not being able to make ends meet and letting my children down and failing before I even begin if I throw the towel in now.

Sorry about the long drawn out post but I have to bounce the idea off someone and just wait for some feedback

Worried girl!!!!