CELTA courses in Europe?

[katherine]

I am from the UK and I would like to take a celta course in Europe. Does anybody know of any reliable and prefferably cheap courses?

[Briona]

Europe's a big place! Care to narrow the field a little bit?!

FWIW I did my CELTA in Spain. I looked at schools in the Barcelona area and, having narrowed it down to just two, I opted for the five-week course rather than the four-week one (and I'm very glad I did!). Was it cheap? Well, to be honest, once you take into account the course cost, the flight and associated costs, the accommodation and the cost of living for the duration of the course, it probably wasn't any cheaper than doing it in the UK! It gave me a taste of what life working abroad might be like though!

[teachme]

Hi Briona

i wonder if you could tell me which course you took, in Barcelona

I'm currently thinking of bridgetefl CELTA, but maybe a 5-week course would work out better for me

any help would be much appreciated

thanks

elliot

[Briona]

Hi Elliot,

I took the CELTA with Cambridge School in Granollers (a 40 min train journey from Barcelona Sants). For further info see http://www.cambridgeschool.com/ and click on 'Teacher training CELTA/DELTA on the far right.

The CELTA is THE most intensive thing I have ever done, and mine was a five week course! I have no idea how people survive the four week one. It was worth it though, as I came out with a Pass A.

So, what can I say about the course? Firstly, despite the pressure, I really enjoyed it. The tutors were approachable and supportive, as were the other teachers in the school, many of whom had taken the CELTA there themselves. The input sessions were, for the most part, interesting, and the feedback from teaching practice was developmental rather than judgemental.

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Briona

[teachme]

Thanks for your reply

I have been looking into the idea of taking it as a 5-week course (interesting, you still sound the pressure to be high). I think i would do much better with the extra time

Since posting this question to you, i have sent a preliminary application to the 'Lewis school' in Barcelona. I had also considered the 'Cambridge school', but i have only just moved into a new flat in Barcelona and don't relish the thought of moving just for the course. The daily commute would also totally negate the benefits of having the extra week, and would be unmanageable.

From the initial communication with 'Lewis school', i sense a good vibe. The CELTA, being standardised, should translate well to any location and i'm guessing that trainer experience would vary within any school. So, unless i hear any specific negative feedback, i think i will progress with this school

I do really appreciate the response, and I'm sure I'll end up with more questions as i go along

You got a great result, have you found it easy to find work ??

thanks again :)

[Briona]

Hi,

Re. the Lewis School, I discounted them simply because they weren't International House (a big name school!) and, at the time I was researching schools, they weren't offering a five week course. I have never heard anything negative about them though.

The difference between the four- and five-week courses is that on the five-week course the work is spread a little more thinly. That's all. It was still extremely intensive! I'm glad I chose the five-week course though, because I think with one less week, I would have REALLY struggled.

A CELTA (or Trinity CertTESOL) will always make it easier to find work but how easy it is depends very much on where you want to work. In popular locations (Barcelona being one of these), it's experience that opens doors, rather than certificates, although most employers will still expect and ask for a certificate.

My original intention was to work in Barcelona, and later, anywhere in Spain, but despite applying for several summer jobs there, I heard absolutely nothing back. On a whim I applied for a summer job in Vietnam and got it! This gave me some much-needed experience which helped me to land a job in Portugal. I am currently applying for jobs in Spain for the forthcoming academic year.

Briona

[teachme]

Great !!

I guess there is a little risk in not going with a 'big name', but I will have to wait till i see the place to get a better feeling/vibe

Glad to hear that things have worked out well for you, regarding employment.

With regard to the course, did you get ANY time to do anything else. I'm not talking partying or sightseeing, just a little worried that every waking hour would be hijacked by tefl :o)

[Briona]

How much free time you get depends on how well you manage your time. I'm not great at time management and tend to panic when faced with having too many things to do at the same time. Consequently, I spent most of my time planning lessons, making resources and/or doing assignments. That said, I did allow myself one weekend off.

Truth be told, it probably wasn't necessary to put in the amount work I did, although my final grade made it all seem worthwhile. It's worth noting that others on the course put in far less work and did far more socialising and they still passed. I guess what I'm trying to say (albeit rather badly!) is that it's important to try and find a work/life balance that suits you.

[teachme]

Yup !! never been very good with time management and the discipline that comes with it. At least i have the next two months to put in some practice :)

I really am not so concerned about the socialising aspect, just would like enough time that i'm not having to rely on microwave meals and never having time to go for a walk or have a little workout (both are helpful to reduce stress and boost energy). I also don't want to get in the situation where I have to cut sleep just to keep up. I am sure this wouldn't be the case, as the fail rate would be much higher

Do you feel the 'A' grade has given you an advantage in securing jobs ??

many thanks, again :)

[Briona]

I'm afraid that losing out on sleep is pretty much part and parcel of the course! The first week's not too bad, but once you start juggling 3-4 lessons a week and some fairly intensive written assignments, something's got to give... and it's usually sleep!

A Pass 'A' means that my applications get considered rather than passed over. Getting the job is another matter though, as I'm competing against people with the grades AND the experience. That said, you may find that what you did in a 'past life' helps tip the balance in your favour. I've recently discovered that it wasn't so much my Pass 'A' or my three months' experience that landed me my current job; it was the fact I had been a graphic designer for 10 years! The school needed someone to design their bi-annual newsletters... Still, it means I've now got almost a year's experience.

[teachme]

:)

It's not that i'm lazy, just that i know how much a lack of sleep can effect things...It's really self-defeating

Of course, there are many factors involved in securing employment. I just have a feeling that many employers are very fond of papers and grades, especially in the countries that won't even consider a teacher without a degree of some sort (despite the likelihood of missing out on some great teachers)

[michele]

Hi Teachme,

Did you go to the Lewis School eventually? I am considering the Lewis School and would like to know if this is a good choice. Is it a disadvantage that this school is not 'a big name' school like International House? Tell me about your experiences :)

greetings,

Michele