Author Topic: CELTA/DELTA Information (Read 19008 times)

bern · « **Reply #40 on:** May 24, 2011, 10:34:50 AM »

The CELTA is excellent. I took mine in Budapest, thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt a lot.

I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to teach adults although it's very useful for teachers of young learners too. You can take the YL extension if your focus is elementary education.

Jozigirl · « **Reply #41 on:** May 24, 2011, 10:37:00 AM »

Quote from: NMonk on May 24, 2011, 10:21:42 AM

Quote from: sasez on May 24, 2011, 09:30:58 AM
No x 3

CELTA is only a requirement when the company offers Cambridge exams. It's a good certificate to have if you're planning to remain an ESL/EFL teacher but otherwise it's an expensive course that doesn't offer much in return.

This is absolutely wrong on so many accounts. CELTA is not only a requirement for companies that offer Cambridge exams. If in the future you were to try and work in West Europe a CELTA is more sought after than an MA TESOL. It's practically impossible to get a real job there with out it. The course isn't that expensive, $1600 for 1 month intensive training. It sounds reasonable to me. Doesn't offer much in return? Making you a significantly better teacher sounds like a good return to me, what kind of return did you want. You will also get paid, on the SMOE pay scale, $200 a month more for having it, but that is also true for other TEFL's, even th waste of time over the web ones.

O.P in answer to your questions:
1) No, although an extremely beneficial course there are other 120 hour in person TESOL certificates which I have also read are good courses.
2)Read reviews, but CELTA is considered the most prestigious entry level qualification and is accepted every where in the world.
3) Go anywhere you like, it makes no difference.

CELTA is a good course and I would recommend it over a TESOL course. However, it is sought after because it means that you can supervise the Cambridge exams which are really popular in a lot of countries. It is worth doing if you plan to pursue ESL/EFL teaching as a career because, yes, it does give you more opportunities and better salaries. For people who are only doing this for a year or two, I personally think that it's not worth the costs. You cannot say that it is better than a MA TESOL because work experience and other qualifications also count for a lot.

As for the cost of the course, it depends on where you're doing it: In SA, the course was 2 000 pounds (nearly 3 months salary for me) and the course didn't offer me much in return. Considering that I already have a Masters and TESOL (separately), the CELTA course was just a necessary piece of paper since this is my career. As to whether or not it makes you a significantly better teacher...that's a matter of opinion. For me: No.

DisplayName001 · « **Reply #42 on:** May 24, 2011, 10:42:16 AM »

Thanks to everyone who replied! I had been tossing around the idea of getting CELTA certified mainly because I want to go to Saudi Arabia in the next few years. Although I'm not sure where my career will end up, I think that it would be beneficial to me to have this. Thanks for everyone's input!

Suza · « **Reply #43 on:** May 24, 2011, 10:48:14 AM »

If you intend on working anywhere outside of Asia I really see it as a valuable qualification to have! Most job postings I have seen for the Middle East all require a CELTA!

Saudi Arabia?? Hardcore! good luck!

daveb · « **Reply #44 on:** May 24, 2011, 10:57:53 AM »

If in the future you were to try and work in West Europe a CELTA is more sought after than an MA TESOL. It's practically impossible to get a real job there with out it. :

NMONK - Please justify how a 4 week CELTA qualification is more sought after than a MA in TESOL? I have both; whilst the CELTA is good ( i would recommend it for anyone wishing to teach - it is informative and practical) it is nothing on an MA in TESOL. I'm just wondering where you pulled this staggering statement from? Do you have some kind of information/statisitcs to share on this - or is it just your inflamed opinion? Thanks.

KadinG · « **Reply #45 on:** May 24, 2011, 11:06:18 AM »

Thanks for the replies thus far. Very helpful.

I think I maybe wasn't quite clear enough on some point I would love to get answered. Are there other courses that I can take that would make me confident in showing up to teach a class in Korea? I don't really care about the certificate at this point... all I really care about right now is being confident before stepping into a classroom and being an effective teacher.

As far as where to take the CELTA course if that is the best option for me... I imagine the best location would be where ever it is cheapest because all the the courses are equally good. Is this correct? Are some CELTA courses considered better than others?

Thanks again.

daveb · « **Reply #46 on:** May 24, 2011, 11:13:25 AM »

Honestly, if you look at what is covered in CELTA and the most reputable TEFL courses, the content is almost identical. It's just presented slightly differently. I think either will set you off in the right direction. CELTA is considered more prestigious in some institutions' eyes - but that's not to take anything away from the content of alternative courses. As expressed by an earlier poster, the point to consider is whether you wish to take the course in 4 (very intensive) weeks, or part-time spread out over several weeks. Do you need the qualification a.s.a.p. or can you take it leisurely?

bern · « **Reply #47 on:** May 24, 2011, 12:35:31 PM »

I guess the difference is that CELTA courses are moderated by and accredited by Cambridge which guarantees a very high standard, it also means that this is an internationally recognized qualification.

There are good TEFL courses out there but they aren't standardized so make sure you do your research, it depends how much you want to invest in ESL. The intensive TEFL course that I did in the UK before my CELTA is a complete waste of time and money in comparison.

Ectofuego · « **Reply #48 on:** May 24, 2011, 12:40:55 PM »

Here is a stupid question.

A person has a CELTA, and is pursuing a TEOSL Masters currently. Would it benefit them at all to obtain a TEFL or is it a waste of time and money?

bern · « **Reply #49 on:** May 24, 2011, 01:18:49 PM »

In my opinion, you've got your bases covered with the CELTA / TESOL Masters combo. I doubt TEFL is going to add anything to your CV or cover anything that you won't already have done.

suzettec · « **Reply #50 on:** May 24, 2011, 01:52:08 PM »

I have looked at different job postings in Europe, South America and Saudi. They all say CELTA or 120 hr TESOL. The 120 hr TESOL is NOT over the internet. It is a structured course that includes class work and teaching. If you are not yet teaching and have the time and money then take the CELTA. It is a very good course. If you are teaching in Korea now then you can take the 120 hr TESOL coures that is offered in different cities... Deagu and Seoul for sure. Once you do the classroom work you will have to submit lesson plans for approval before you teach them. This course... like the CELTA does have agreements with some universities that will allow you to get create toward a MA in ESL/TESOL.

NMonk · « **Reply #51 on:** May 24, 2011, 02:05:56 PM »

Quote from: daveb on May 24, 2011, 10:57:53 AM

If in the future you were to try and work in West Europe a CELTA is more sought after than an MA TESOL. It's practically impossible to get a real job there with out it. :

NMONK - Please justify how a 4 week CELTA qualification is more sought after than a MA in TESOL? I have both; whilst the CELTA is good ( i would recommend it for anyone wishing to teach - it is informative and practical) it is nothing on an MA in TESOL. I'm just wondering where you pulled this staggering statement from? Do you have some kind of information/statisitcs to share on this - or is it just your inflamed opinion? Thanks.

Dave I am doing my MA TESOL and I have a CELTA. If you have both then you will know they are completely different. A CELTA teachers you HOW to teach, specifically how to teach small groups of adults, an MA TESOL teachers you what to teach and when to teach it. I'm not going to do your homework for you, but I am telling you for a fact there are many jobs in Western Europe that would rather you have a CELTA than an M.A TESOL. The reason for this is that they give you the materials to teach, so you don't have to produce materials, but you do have to produce effective lessons from the materials they give you. On the other hand if you apply for jobs in the Middle East they will require you to have an M.A TESOL or Applied Linguistics as you have to produce the material and syllabus here, which is what an M.A TESOL if for.

Trust me, that statement really is not that staggering, please look at his quote from a post above "I have looked at different job postings in Europe, South America and Saudi. They all say CELTA or 120 hr TESOL. The 120 hr TESOL is NOT over the internet." This is just a fact of the industry.

NMonk · « **Reply #52 on:** May 24, 2011, 02:19:58 PM »

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying a CELTA is more valuable than an M.A TESOL, all training is valuable in itself, but for the type of jobs the O.P would be applying for in Western Europe a CELTA would be more valuable than an M.A TESOL, especially when you take into account the time and cost involved.

NMonk · « **Reply #53 on:** May 24, 2011, 02:29:43 PM »

Quote from: sasez on May 24, 2011, 10:37:00 AM

Quote from: NMonk on May 24, 2011, 10:21:42 AM
Quote from: sasez on May 24, 2011, 09:30:58 AM
No x 3

CELTA is only a requirement when the company offers Cambridge exams. It's a good certificate to have if you're planning to remain an ESL/EFL teacher but otherwise it's an expensive course that doesn't offer much in return.

This is absolutely wrong on so many accounts. CELTA is not only a requirement for companies that offer Cambridge exams. If in the future you were to try and work in West Europe a CELTA is more sought after than an MA TESOL. It's practically impossible to get a real job there with out it. The course isn't that expensive, $1600 for 1 month intensive training. It sounds reasonable to me. Doesn't offer much in return? Making you a significantly better teacher sounds like a good return to me, what kind of return did you want. You will also get paid, on the SMOE pay scale, $200 a month more for having it, but that is also true for other TEFL's, even th waste of time over the web ones.

O.P in answer to your questions:
1) No, although an extremely beneficial course there are other 120 hour in person TESOL certificates which I have also read are good courses.
2)Read reviews, but CELTA is considered the most prestigious entry level qualification and is accepted every where in the world.
3) Go anywhere you like, it makes no difference.
You cannot say that it is better than a MA TESOL because work experience and other qualifications also count for a lot.

I didn't say it was better, I said it was more sought after for the types of jobs the O.P would be applying for if he ever wanted to work somewhere like Western Europe.

sonz · « **Reply #54 on:** May 24, 2011, 02:34:26 PM »

If this is your first time teaching then I would suggest a less expensive course. I took a weekend and an online TEFL course before coming to Korea. I have been here for 2 years now and have never been asked for my certificates. However, it wasn't a waste of time for me as I was nervous about my first time in a classroom. The TEFL gave me an idea of what to do/what problems I may face/how to make a lesson plan etc. Also the grammar module helped to refresh my grammar.

I obtained my course through i-to-i. There are lots of TEFL companies out there. The weekend was good fun and you can choose different online course to go with it. I did the 120 hour online course. The total cost was approx. 350 pounds (my friend paid over 500pounds for the same course but they always have special offers).

My husband has a celta but in 3 years has never received more money for it in Korea. However, we are moving to Europe next year and most of the jobs we have looked at require a CELTA qualification.

Hope this helps.

mmaurer2004 · « **Reply #55 on:** May 24, 2011, 02:38:47 PM »

Quote from: KadinG on May 24, 2011, 11:06:18 AM

I think I maybe wasn't quite clear enough on some point I would love to get answered. Are there other courses that I can take that would make me confident in showing up to teach a class in Korea? I don't really care about the certificate at this point... all I really care about right now is being confident before stepping into a classroom and being an effective teacher.

It sounds like you have not come to Korea yet. But most teachers have to go through a training/orientation period when they first arrive. A TEFL is helpful, but a lot can be learned during orientation, and it will give you the confidence you are looking for.

Vincent · « **Reply #56 on:** May 24, 2011, 03:05:01 PM »

I think it's well worth doing if you're serious about teaching esl as a profession, I've done it and the extension for young learners too. I'm on my last module of the Delta now 2 years into teaching which is more sought after for the middle east as a minimum requirement than a cela/tefl, an Ma in tesol a lot of the time is useful but as said a Celta in Europe is more useful for a starting point. All the same I'm looking at an MA in TESOL + linguistics - after than I'll be over qualified for most jobs here at least.

With CELTA or DELTA you're paying for the regularization/ standardization which is often missing from TEFL qualifications. Many of my friends have a tefl completed online in its entirety which while cheaper is not up to scratch in terms of teacher practice/ as intense/rewarding as a Celta certificate.

People who say they are a waste of money most likely haven't done them (incidentally I've done some TEFL certification too) - and as said it depends on how seriously you're taking your teaching as a career and where you intend to go.

With the Celta you're teaching from day 1 and you do everything yourself, it's hugely intense and I don't think there is a better preparation out there for teaching English without experience.

mintsy · « **Reply #57 on:** May 24, 2011, 06:59:56 PM »

If you are just looking for some pointers you might try this workshop in Seoul, I've never been but I've heard good things:

"Yonsei University in Seoul runs a workshop every 5 weeks for 5 weeks. Its run by Dain Leathem and Katrina Nicol. They started it as a program for helping Korean public school teachers who teach English (they are not affiliated with EPIK).They teach you for free,each grade level at a time. Anything that you can think of, from classroom management to making a 50 minute lesson from a picture of a cow.
It is free and they will let you know on what specific day there is a workshop that applies to the level or age group that you are teaching. What they teach you applies to private and public schools alike so even if you are at a Hagwon you will profit from the experience none the less.

Their contact details are as follows.

Dain Leathem
YES for teachers
Tel: 02 2123 6275
Fax: 02 2123 8657
Email: dainleathem@gmail.com
Mobile: 010 8663 3246

Katrina Nicol
YES for teachers
Tel: 02 2123 6275
Fax: 02 2123 8657
Email: teacherkj@hotmail.com
Mobile: 010 4550 1909
"

KadinG · « **Reply #58 on:** May 28, 2011, 11:08:19 AM »

Thank you all so much, you all are amazing. Once i get more into this I will definitely be coming back here to help in any way I can.

At this point I have NOT made a career decision because I have never even tried teaching before. I am yet to decide which certification to do but I am leaning towards starting with a TEFL and then moving onto a CELTA if I like teaching. It is very good to hear that there is an orientation/training period before beginning to teach... this relieves a little tension.

Thanks again!
KadinG

jarena2 · « **Reply #59 on:** December 07, 2011, 12:01:16 PM »

I don't know if this has been mentioned elsewhere but word just came down from on high that IEPIC staff (not just SEPIC!) will all need certifications before new hires/contract renewal.

If this isn't the way other provinces are already, I bet they'll follow suit soon.

Author Topic: CELTA/DELTA Information (Read 19008 times)

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