TEFL/CELTA/CELT answers...

Morzadec · 23-11-2012 4:53pm

SeantheMan wrote: »

You passed it ok then I take it ?
Anything people should really focus on ?

Yeah passed it with merit. The only way you could fail is if you didn't put in any effort or were too busy to attend classes and complete assignments, or were if you had some sort of social interaction problems - like extreme shyness, problems interacting with people etc...

Everyone is nervous when doing their first teaching practice but you get over it eventually.

In my opinion good people skills is the number one thing you need to be a good TEFL teacher (again perhaps I'm talking from a teaching-in-Spain perspective).

Don't stress about it anyway, for me one of the main positives of this job is that it's usually very stress-free

Stayfrosty2 · 26-11-2012 12:02pm

Did mine in the Centre for English Studies in Dame Street Dublin. Have to say the course was excellent if very intense!! I'm currently doing a HDIP for secondary teaching and I have to say that i learned so much more from the CELT Course than the HDIP. Plus the teaching experience you get from it is fantastic. Wasnt too expensive either, 1000euros.
I'd definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to do a CELT course.

Just make sure you dont have much else on your plate at the time, its seriously time consuming!!!
And I wouldnt worry about the grammar, out teachers said you wont gain a serious understanding of it until you actually head out and have to teach it to students.

ViveLaVie · 27-11-2012 8:36pm

I am in the middle of applying to the CELTA at the moment. I rang the office in college to see was it ok to apply now for the January course and enquire about hours etc and the woman I spoke to intimidated me a lot. She basically said I wouldn't get in as there have been so many applications already.

I am really interested in it and have a background in languages but she said all of that is irrelevant - suitability is the main thing. I asked what kind of criteria they base suitability on but she wouldn't say.

Is it really this difficult to get into the course? $:\$ I want to be as well prepared as possible for the application process.

Denerick · 27-11-2012 8:45pm

Once you apply and are initially accepted, do you need to do an interview and all that BS? My problem is that I will need to apply months in advance as I will have to give notice on my current job. (Will be doing CELTA abroad by the way)

Crann na Beatha · 28-11-2012 12:38pm

This post has been deleted.

Charisteas · 28-11-2012 9:57pm

Anyone with any experiences doing a i-to-i 120 hour online TEFL course?

Seems like a good course to get my foot in the door so to speak, I really don't think i'm ready for CELTA yet.

SeantheMan · 29-11-2012 6:16am

Stayfrosty2 wrote: »

Did mine in the Centre for English Studies in Dame Street Dublin. Have to say the course was excellent if very intense!! I'm currently doing a HDIP for secondary teaching and I have to say that i learned so much more from the CELT Course than the HDIP. Plus the teaching experience you get from it is fantastic. Wasnt too expensive either, 1000euros.
I'd definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to do a CELT course.

Do you have a Link Frosty ?

ViveLaVie wrote: »

I am in the middle of applying to the CELTA at the moment. I rang the office in college to see was it ok to apply now for the January course and enquire about hours etc and the woman I spoke to intimidated me a lot. She basically said I wouldn't get in as there have been so many applications already.

I am too Vive, Already sent a few emails to TheEnglishAcademy, no reply or response..which I find very unprofessional. I'll give them a ring to see what they say.

I will also try the IH Dublin, and the link to wherever Frosty posts.

Where did you apply for and when ? I was thinking March-May 2013

playedalive · 31-12-2012 12:50am

Hi guys,
Thanks for the wealth of information. I am actually in my final year of College (B.A. in Languages) and am looking at doing a CELT course. The thing is I would like to do a part-time one (12 weeks) for personal reasons. I have heard that Anna Livia School in Dublin does one that is part-time during the summer. If anyone has done this course, I would really appreciate a review.

I am mostly interested in doing a TEFL course during the summer after my final year. I have applied for the English Language Assistant program in a couple of Spanish secondary schools for October 2013. So the CELT would be great for developing teaching skills that are geared towards Children. But also, I would like to give private class to Adults after school hours.

Any insight would be great!

Huckster · 01-01-2013 8:34pm

Charisteas wrote: »

Anyone with any experiences doing a i-to-i 120 hour online TEFL course?

Seems like a good course to get my foot in the door so to speak, I really don't think i'm ready for CELTA yet.

I did it and am regretting it already- a waste of money. I'm finding it impossible to find any summer work with it, as I don't want to go to Asia.

Charisteas · 02-01-2013 4:51pm

Huckster wrote: »

I did it and am regretting it already- a waste of money. I'm finding it impossible to find any summer work with it, as I don't want to go to Asia.

What countries are you looking for summer work in?

Huckster · 02-01-2013 4:56pm

Charisteas wrote: »

What countries are you looking for summer work in?

Anywhere in Europe except Spain, basically

Charisteas · 12-01-2013 1:03pm

Huckster wrote: »

I did it and am regretting it already- a waste of money. I'm finding it impossible to find any summer work with it, as I don't want to go to Asia.

But did you find the actual course itself well structured and informative? Is it a good first step into teaching English?

innominat · 12-01-2013 1:51pm

Charisteas wrote: »

But did you find the actual course itself well structured and informative? Is it a good first step into teaching English?

If you want to work in europe you need a CELTA or similar level. EU places wont take online certs, iv done same course and id agree its waste of money if you want to work in EU.

Huckster · 13-01-2013 5:28pm

Charisteas wrote: »

But did you find the actual course itself well structured and informative? Is it a good first step into teaching English?

No. The weekend course is the only time anyone gets any hands on 'teaching practice' and it was only when I looked around at the kinds of people doing the course and passing it that I realised how much of a waste it really was. Most people attending had zero interest in teaching (one guy came in drunk and fell asleep in class) but saw TEFL as a cheap way to travel. One woman couldn't hack it at all and totally lost the plot when she had to stand in front of everyone, later admitting that she was having some kind of midlife crisis and saw this as an easy way to get out of the country. We all passed regardless. Literally all you need to do is show up. Then the online part was boring, repetitive and not helpful at all imo. The answers are basically all waffling, bullshítting and regurgitating the handbook.

Charisteas · 14-01-2013 2:58am

Yes I've read on other forums that the online part was boring and repetitive.

I'm just looking for something to give me some basic teaching training for private tutoring (ideally children/teenagers) in South America and the i-to-i looked handy for that, but I'll look elsewhere.

JayC5 · 15-01-2013 10:51pm

Hi,

I'm currently making my way through a 140 hour TEFL course and planning on going to Thailand in March/April to teach English. I had intensions of doing a CELTA course over there before looking for a job also, but now I'm having second thoughts.

It's dawning on me how much work will be involved in completing the CELTA, especially when I have no teaching experience to date. So, do you guys think it's worth getting a year of teaching experience under my belt first, based on my TEFL qualificaion and then doing the CELTA? With no previous experience to call upon the idea of being thrown in at the deep end and having to teach on the spot during the CELTA course is freaking me out. For some reason I don't mind the idea of having to teach with only the TEFL behind me, it seems likes there's more opportunity to adapt in a proper classroom if you know what I mean. I feel overwhelmed with the idea of the CELTA course as the teaching practice is broken into specific time slots which I'll be graded on. Does this sound ridiculous or is there method to my madness? Thoughts please

J

SeantheMan · 15-01-2013 11:30pm

I left my job this month specifically to travel later in the year.
I have no previous teaching experience, but am determined to do the CELT.

I applied and have already got a response from http://www.ces-schools.com/dublin/08018/celt-tefl-course, for the course in March-April.

I'd rather get the best qualification I can before venturing out.
I've also bought some of the recommended books so I can get an idea before starting (as my English grammar may be lacking due to attending an all-Irish primary and secondary)

But if you are intent on travelling, and really are committed to it, then you should do a CELT course for yourself.

I know how you feel about being nervous, I haven't had to do any academic work since leaving college 5 years ago.
But , I know I am capable of 4 weeks of hard work, especially if this is something I REALLY want

Denerick · 15-01-2013 11:35pm

Is it important to know the local language when actually going for a teaching post?

Huckster · 16-01-2013 12:08am

Denerick wrote: »

Is it important to know the local language when actually going for a teaching post?

Nope, but it can be a major help- especially when working with younger kids and beginners

Emma240 · 16-01-2013 12:28am

Does anyone know if the 120 hour tefl course, ( i to i ), will it suffice to teach in Dubai or other countries?

Patsy fyre · 16-01-2013 9:16am

Has anyone got real world experience of actually teaching in a middle east country, China, Korea, Thailand?

pauldla · 16-01-2013 9:28am

Patsy fyre wrote: »

Has anyone got real world experience of actually teaching in a middle east country, China, Korea, Thailand?

Sure. You can ask your questions here, or PM me if you like.

Huckster · 16-01-2013 10:42am

Patsy fyre wrote: »

Has anyone got real world experience of actually teaching in a middle east country, China, Korea, Thailand?

I worked in the Middle East- feel free to PM

Crann na Beatha · 16-01-2013 10:47am

This post has been deleted.

Charisteas · 18-01-2013 4:04am

JayC5 wrote: »

It's dawning on me how much work will be involved in completing the CELTA, especially when I have no teaching experience to date. So, do you guys think it's worth getting a year of teaching experience under my belt first, based on my TEFL qualificaion and then doing the CELTA? With no previous experience to call upon the idea of being thrown in at the deep end and having to teach on the spot during the CELTA course is freaking me out. For some reason I don't mind the idea of having to teach with only the TEFL behind me, it seems likes there's more opportunity to adapt in a proper classroom if you know what I mean. I feel overwhelmed with the idea of the CELTA course as the teaching practice is broken into specific time slots which I'll be graded on. Does this sound ridiculous or is there method to my madness?

The International House state on their website -

The CELTA course is aimed at a range of candidates including:
- candidates who are entirely new to teaching
- candidates who have taught languages but with little or no previous training
- candidates who have taught other subjects and wish to take up language teaching
- candidates who have received previous training in language teaching but feel the need for a refresher course, for a more practical qualification or for a more internationally recognised qualification

So if you fit into one of these categories, and if you have the confidence and motivation, then I think you shouldn't be afraid of the hard work and just go for it.

What's holding me back is a personal lack of confidence and if I'm being honest with myself, a possible lack of motivation.

I would love to give the CELTA course a try, and if I feel like I'm wasting my time and that of others, then gracefully bow out. But the fact that International House and The English Academy both insist on full payment before the commencement of course, which is non-refundable even if you resign after the first day, is not only off-putting but also has a hint of a scam about it.

Which is why I may pursue the 120 hour i-to-i online course first.

SeantheMan · 18-01-2013 4:12am

Charisteas wrote: »

The International House state on their website -

So if you fit into one of these categories, and if you have the confidence and motivation, then I think you shouldn't be afraid of the hard work and just go for it.

What's holding me back is a personal lack of confidence and if I'm being honest with myself, a possible lack of motivation.

I would love to give the CELTA course a try, and if I feel like I'm wasting my time and that of others, then gracefully bow out. But the fact that International House and The English Academy both insist on full payment before the commencement of course, which is non-refundable even if you resign after the first day, is not only off-putting but also has a hint of a scam about it.

Which is why I may pursue the 120 hour i-to-i online course first.

120hours online, its 100 hours of reading at your own pace.

I am in the same boat as you, no teaching experience. But I am going for the CELT. Even if you DO happen to fail / not pass , at least you will have 4 weeks of REAL teaching experience and training behind you.

You can then always do it again.

I read someone elses quote somewhere on here that brought it home for me.

Would you rather 100 hours reading on how to drive a car, and 20 hours with an instructor.
Or would you rather 4 weeks with an instructor and some actual training ?
Which do you think will stand to you better ?

Denerick · 18-01-2013 8:36pm

Emm... how many people fail the Celta? Thats a rather dreadful prospect I hadn't even considered!

Mr.Nice Guy · 19-01-2013 12:03am

Charisteas wrote: »

I would love to give the CELTA course a try, and if I feel like I'm wasting my time and that of others, then gracefully bow out. But the fact that International House and The English Academy both insist on full payment before the commencement of course, which is non-refundable even if you resign after the first day, is not only off-putting but also has a hint of a scam about it.

Which is why I may pursue the 120 hour i-to-i online course first.

There's definitely no scam about those two CELTA places. In fact, I believe they are government approved courses. That's a good thing about this country in that many of the course operators are state approved and have to meet certain conditions. No more than 15 in a class, be of at least a 4 week duration etc.

I know people who have done CELTAs at both those places and they said good things about the instruction. CELTA is Cambridge approved which is why employers around the world like seeing it. A person from Cambridge will visit during the course and have a Q&A with candidates about what the course is like and whether it's been helpful, have the right materials been available etc. They also keep the written projects that get sent to them as part of the course evaluation.

As far as I know the i-to-i is only helpful for getting into places associated with it, usually in Asia. In other words, it's worthless to most language employers and wouldn't be given much respect in Europe where they would rather a CELTA or some other 4 week qualification. I know a girl who did the i-to-i and it was no use to her and she ended up doing the CELTA afterwards.

My advice would be to research whether ELT is for you by checking out a few videos of classes and perhaps even enquire to one of the places whether they would let you sit in and observe one of the classes. I would steer well clear of i-to-i though. Go for either a CELTA or a CELT. You won't be able to work in Ireland without one of these if you'd like that option.

Huckster · 19-01-2013 1:35am

^ I second the comments regarding i-to-i. I befriended a dozen people in my class and nobody has managed to secure a job from it. I felt it was a complete waste of money and 400 euros is a hell of a lot for a student.

Charisteas · 22-01-2013 4:34am

Thanks Mr Nice Guy, Huckster, and SeantheMan. Some good advise here that I wouldn't have got in the real world as I don't know anyone who is even remotely involved in TEFL.

When I said 'scam' about The English Academy and International House, I didn't mean the courses themselves (they look absolutely top notch) I was more suspicious as to why they are desperate for strictly full payment in advance with no refund if things don't work out.

Like you said, I will do more research, find videos on YouTube etc. I'm not petrified about speaking in front of an audience, but I need to be true to myself, figure out if this road is for me, as it looks like nobody passes the course without true dedication.

I was interested in the IH part-time course, and the start date seems to have changed from February to March, which buys me an extra month to research.

JayC5 · 28-01-2013 6:57pm

Hey folks,

Anyone have any info on doing an MA in TESOL or something similar by distance learning? I'll be heading to S.E. Asia to teach soon but I'm trying to find some info to get an MA that'll improve my job opportunities / income over the next few years.

So far I've been looking at this course, looks pretty good and from a reputable institution:

MA TESOL

Any other insights or ideas? Also, any movement on getting the TEFL/ELT sub forum setup???

Cheers

seandooleyking · 02-02-2013 3:49am

Hi guys, I'm 18 year old student and in the middle of doing my TEFL course.
Basically I plan to have it done by March, and I want to move to China in the Summer to teach English. I study Chinese in college.
I was wondering if anyone could help me and tell me what I must do to get a job or direct me to some recruitment agencies they've found helpful.
Also, if anyone had any tips it would be great. Thanks so much.

SeantheMan · 02-02-2013 4:29am

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/ for China dude

Charisteas · 02-02-2013 6:20am

seandooleyking wrote: »

Hi guys, I'm 18 year old student and in the middle of doing my TEFL course.

Which course in particular?

The Gibzilla · 12-02-2013 1:48pm

I'm seriously considering doing a CELTA course and I am looking at the International House and The English Academy. I'm more swayed by the latter at the moment and was wondering if anyone has completed a CELTA course there? If so, would you recommend it?
Also would anyone be able to tell me if I completed the CELTA course at either college could I apply for English teaching jobs here?
Thanks.

playedalive · 17-02-2013 11:10am

Hi! I have just booked my CELT course in the Dublin School of English for July. Has anybody done it there?

penzo · 18-02-2013 2:15am

wondering if anyone can help us, i'm looking to do a part time celta course hoping to start in the summer.

18-02-2013 12:21pm

JayC5 wrote: »

Hey folks,

Anyone have any info on doing an MA in TESOL or something similar by distance learning? I'll be heading to S.E. Asia to teach soon but I'm trying to find some info to get an MA that'll improve my job opportunities / income over the next few years.

So far I've been looking at this course, looks pretty good and from a reputable institution:

MA TESOL

Any other insights or ideas? Also, any movement on getting the TEFL/ELT sub forum setup???

Cheers

How many years have you been teaching English and where abouts? I really think an MA TESOL would only be useful in the Middle-East.

As for the sub-forum, I requested it a year ago and even with alot of support, it got denied. Really stupid.. It would be a great place to share ideas and tips. You can't really start a thread in "Teaching and Lecturing" asking the best way to teach 2nd Conditional to an English Learner.. Most people are just subbed to a couple of these TEFL threads and don't even see new ones.

JayC5 · 19-02-2013 1:10pm

Deleted User wrote: »

How many years have you been teaching English and where abouts? I really think an MA TESOL would only be useful in the Middle-East.

As for the sub-forum, I requested it a year ago and even with alot of support, it got denied. Really stupid.. It would be a great place to share ideas and tips. You can't really start a thread in "Teaching and Lecturing" asking the best way to teach 2nd Conditional to an English Learner.. Most people are just subbed to a couple of these TEFL threads and don't even see new ones.

Zero years teaching english at this point, just secured my first position and starting in Thailand in May. Wrapping up an i to i 140 hour TEFL course at the moment which was very useful to me; I finally know what a lesson-plan is!!

I read in other forums that an MA in education or a PGCE(i) is very useful for getting into the higher-paying mid-tier schools in Thailand. Also, I heard if you are studying for an MA in Education you get an exemption from having to do those mandatory TCT teaching tests that they have in Thailand...

A shame about the sub-forum, it's hardly that controversial a request?! The powers-that-be consider a 'Christmas Gift ideas' sub-forum to be of merit but not ESL/TEFL... hmm :rolleyes:

Bicycle · 19-02-2013 2:26pm

Would somebody be kind enough, please, to give me your views on this:
http://megadeals.pigsback.com/offer/65988/59-instead-of-489-for-140-hour-scholar-level-5-tefl-course-with-tefl-cambridge

I've checked on the ACELS site and they appear to say the Cambridge Level 5 is valid.

I have a Level 9 qualification already.

Thanks in advance.

Charisteas · 20-02-2013 8:59am

Bicycle wrote: »

Would somebody be kind enough, please, to give me your views on this:
http://megadeals.pigsback.com/offer/65988/59-instead-of-489-for-140-hour-scholar-level-5-tefl-course-with-tefl-cambridge

Really interested in this course myself, but the description is a bit vague.

Is the full 140 hours all online? Is there no classroom teacher to student training?

Also can't seem to find any details on the TKT test, ie when, where, and how much. The website says that International House and English Academy both host the test but couldn't find anything on their websites.

20-02-2013 9:17am

Bicycle wrote: »

Would somebody be kind enough, please, to give me your views on this:
http://megadeals.pigsback.com/offer/65988/59-instead-of-489-for-140-hour-scholar-level-5-tefl-course-with-tefl-cambridge

I've checked on the ACELS site and they appear to say the Cambridge Level 5 is valid.

I have a Level 9 qualification already.

Thanks in advance.

Worth doing for the sake of it I suppose.. I'd nearly do it to brush up on things I've forgotten. Where would you intend to use it? It never would have helped me get a job in Vietnam cause a school that pays more for a cert won't consider an online course to be worth anything really.

Edit: Having looked at the list of modules, I might do it just for the grammar stuff without any real intention of actually finishing it.. Already have a 4 week classroom cert. I keep meaning to brush up on the more complex grammar and spending $100 would just about motivate me to actually study.

Bicycle · 20-02-2013 11:23am

Charisteas wrote: »

Really interested in this course myself, but the description is a bit vague.

Is the full 140 hours all online? Is there no classroom teacher to student training?

Also can't seem to find any details on the TKT test, ie when, where, and how much. The website says that International House and English Academy both host the test but couldn't find anything on their websites.

Yes, I think the 140 hours is all on-line. No classroom training. I saw that there were places in Galway and Dublin that do the TKT exam.

88 were sold last night when I checked. I'm assuming that Cambridge will need to have something in place to maintain their reputation.

I have quite a few years experience teaching in the private sector, in another field. I'm just hoping this would add another string to my bow. Maybe help me pick up a few extra hours here and there.

I've used Piggypoints to pay for it so its not the end of the world!!

Marie212 · 20-02-2013 2:27pm

Hey guys, would this course on pigsback be better/ more recognized than the 140 hour combined course with i to i?

Charisteas · 20-02-2013 2:45pm

Bicycle wrote: »

I saw that there were places in Galway and Dublin that do the TKT exam.

I live in Dublin so my options are either the Applied Language Centre, County Dublin Vocational Education Committee, or Education First International Language School.

None of their websites have any info on dates or prices of the TKT, so I've dropped them all an e-mail and will post back here the replies.

Charisteas · 20-02-2013 2:51pm

penzo wrote: »

wondering if anyone can help us, i'm looking to do a part time celta course hoping to start in the summer.

This may come too soon for you but the next International House part-time CELTA course is 4th March - 23rd May 2013 and their next online/face-to-face blended course is on 17th March - 29th June 2013.

penzo · 21-02-2013 8:32am

Charisteas wrote: »

This may come too soon for you but the next International House part-time CELTA course is 4th March - 23rd May 2013 and their next online/face-to-face blended course is on 17th March - 29th June 2013.

do they really only have one part-time a year or has the other one not been put up yet do you know?

Charisteas · 21-02-2013 2:23pm

penzo wrote: »

do they really only have one part-time a year or has the other one not been put up yet do you know?

I'm not sure. The 4th March - 23rd May 2013 course was originally scheduled for 4th February - 25th April, so perhaps they pushed it back four weeks because of a lack of demand, which would also explain why they possibly only run one or two per year.

clicla · 21-02-2013 10:58pm

Hey everyone,

I did an online TEFL course but am looking to get a better qualification with practical experience, thinking of choosing the CELT over CELTA as it's cheaper and have looked into the Swan Training Institute, the English Academy and the Dublin school of English but just wondering if anyone know which school is bets or even know of other institutions?

Any help at all would be much appreciated,thanks!

clicla · 21-02-2013 11:08pm

Hey Kevin

I did an online TEFL course but am looking to get a better qualification with practical experience, thinking of choosing the CELT over CELTA as it's cheaper and have looked into the Swan Training Institute, the English Academy and the Dublin school of English but just wondering if you know which school is best or even know of other institutions?

Any help at all would be much appreciated,thanks!

TEFL/CELTA/CELT answers...

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