Hi, I'm completely new to the idea of TEFL but I'm considering taking a course this year. I've done a bit of research and it seems like most people rate CELTA as the best thing to do. International House run various CELTA courses around the world and I've been lookinig at doing one in a Spanish speaking country. My main issue is they do seem quite expensive, more so than a non-CELTA course. Is this to be expected? Can anyone recommend any IH courses? Sorry if I'm repeating other peoples' questions but the help is appreciated.
Dave.
International House CELTA - worth it?
Moderator: Joe
-
systematic
- Top Contributor
- Posts: 525
- Joined: 21 Apr 2008, 12:38
- Status: Other
Re: International House CELTA - worth it?
The CELTA is one of the most highly regarded of all TESOL teacher training courses and therefore comes at a price. International House is one of the major course providers and the quality is uniform wherever you chose to do it.
I offer any information or advice 'as is' and hope that it has been of help. I am not an admin of this board, and my postings do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the board management.
Re: International House CELTA - worth it?
Hi There,
You're right in thinking that the CELTA (from Cambridge) is a kind of gold standard (I'm proud to have my Cambridge CELTA and DELTA in any case) but there are other factors to take into account too when choosing your TEFL Cert course.
One is obviously the price, and in order for a training centre to offer they Cambridge CELTA they actually have to pay a hefty fee to Cambridge for each trainee, which is inevitably passed on to the trainee.
The second point is that, although the Cambridge standards are elevated and admirable (which is why I follow them closely, as the Course Director at Will Power English), many schools which have chosen not to adhere to this body are very able to provide TEFL / TESOL Certificate training courses of exactly the same standard. In addition, there are certain restrictions imposed by the best-known certificate programmes which actually penalise the trainees: in France, some language schools who take on our graduates tell us that 70% of their clients want one-to-one lessons. This is not covered in the Cambridge syllabus but is a major element of ours.
Another example would be the ability to adapt to the local market. People often choose courses in countries where they are subsequently hoping to find a job. A module on local market conditions will be useful to these people as well as anyone hoping to succeed in a TEFL job interview wherever you are in the world.
Hoping this has been useful,
Sab Will, Will Power English
http://www.willpowerenglish.com
You're right in thinking that the CELTA (from Cambridge) is a kind of gold standard (I'm proud to have my Cambridge CELTA and DELTA in any case) but there are other factors to take into account too when choosing your TEFL Cert course.
One is obviously the price, and in order for a training centre to offer they Cambridge CELTA they actually have to pay a hefty fee to Cambridge for each trainee, which is inevitably passed on to the trainee.
The second point is that, although the Cambridge standards are elevated and admirable (which is why I follow them closely, as the Course Director at Will Power English), many schools which have chosen not to adhere to this body are very able to provide TEFL / TESOL Certificate training courses of exactly the same standard. In addition, there are certain restrictions imposed by the best-known certificate programmes which actually penalise the trainees: in France, some language schools who take on our graduates tell us that 70% of their clients want one-to-one lessons. This is not covered in the Cambridge syllabus but is a major element of ours.
Another example would be the ability to adapt to the local market. People often choose courses in countries where they are subsequently hoping to find a job. A module on local market conditions will be useful to these people as well as anyone hoping to succeed in a TEFL job interview wherever you are in the world.
Hoping this has been useful,
Sab Will, Will Power English
http://www.willpowerenglish.com