CELTA or extra modules?

abidabi 2 posts

Hi,

I'm hoping to start doing some part-time teaching in the UK before I go off to do this abroad, probably in France. I completed my TEFL training (a 20 hour i-i course in Brighton) in Aug 2008 and just before that I completed and passed a years' PGCE (in art and design) for further education. I'm wondering if I really need to do a CELTA (which someone has advised me to do) on top of the qualifications in teaching, which I already have. I was hoping I might be able to save some time and money and brush up my skills with the extra modules offered through i-i (the grammar, business and teaching children modules). Would this be enough?

If anyone can give me some pointers I'd be really grateful as I'm keen to start teaching as soon as possible.

Many thanks,

Abi

12:46PM

emmafoers 62 posts

Bonjour Abidabi!

The UK can be very difficult to get jobs in TEFL if you have no experience - however your PGCE will give you an advantage as more and more schools in the UK expect you to have more than just a TEFL qualification.

France also is extremely competitive and not many jobs are listed outside of the country. By all accounts you need to be in the country for them to even consider an interview. But it is possible (I'm just warning you it may take longer to get a job than in other countries).

As for doing a celta or a brush up course, I would say that given the fact you have a PGCE a celta isn't necessary (and it's also costly!). Your TEFL weekend course should be enough to get you a job - but if you feel you need more confidence on grammar or teaching children then go for the extra modules. Because you have a PGCE I would concider looing at international schools as the pay is higher and you get better conditions in general! (However, I'm not sure about the requirements in France).

Good luck!! Let me know if you have any more questions!

Emma x

11:01AM

robertclarke 37 posts

Unless you are considering making a career out of teaching English aborad you should be ok without CELTA, If you want to work in a language institute rather than course school then yes you would require the CELTA although having a PGCE may be enough depending on the school. I would certainly brush up on the grammar as when you have to explain a point it's useful to know the points obscurities as students have a knack of asking some weird but in depth questions about it. I know that alot of people will take the TEFL travel for a year or two teaching before making a desicion to take the CELTA as you don't want to spend $2000 and then find you don't like teaching! Good luck with the job search and if you have any questions let me know!

4:11PM

abidabi 2 posts

Thanks for getting back to me on this. I had a feeling it would be an extra expense that might not be necessary. Doing a PGCE would have already provided me with knowledge on methods, lesson planning, marking, what to expect the first time you teach etc, etc.

Have either of you taught in the UK?

Thanks!

4:36PM

robertclarke 37 posts

I have never taught formally in the UK but during my TEFL I did teach a few foreign friends some English, just one-on-one in a cafe after work. I would reccommend if you are unable to find vacancies online is to visit some schools that offer courses and ask if they require new teachers, maybe offer to do a volunteer lesson as an interview, or if the local library, community center or pub has a function room that is cheap/free then advertise to start your own course once or twice a week there, just wait until you have maybe 3-4 students to make it worthwhile if your paying for the room. Hope that helps

3:29PM

emmafoers 62 posts

No, I've always opted for warmer climates myself! But I have lots of friends who teach in London and enjoy it. I think it'd be interesting having such muticultured classes as u get in London! My friends all enjoy it :-) Good luck with the job search! Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with!

1:05AM

madlee 2 posts

I'm not sure about the methodologies taught in PGCE, but your TEFL experience will be different to mainstream education. This is especially so if you teach small classes in schools that use the communicative approach and PPP. I did the CELTA in 2007, where existing secondary school teachers found it challenging. This may have been down to them changing their methods to something new. TEFL is certainly not all about TTT. Of course things may have changed considerably in mainstream teaching methodologies.

All the best,

Lee.

The i-to-i Chalkboard online travel community - Meet. Share. Travel with Purpose

Welcome! Log in or Sign Up!

Contest Extended - Make Sure You Film/Write About a Day in Your Life to Win!

Rate this discussion topic

12:07PM abidabi 2 posts	Hi, I'm hoping to start doing some part-time teaching in the UK before I go off to do this abroad, probably in France. I completed my TEFL training (a 20 hour i-i course in Brighton) in Aug 2008 and just before that I completed and passed a years' PGCE (in art and design) for further education. I'm wondering if I really need to do a CELTA (which someone has advised me to do) on top of the qualifications in teaching, which I already have. I was hoping I might be able to save some time and money and brush up my skills with the extra modules offered through i-i (the grammar, business and teaching children modules). Would this be enough? If anyone can give me some pointers I'd be really grateful as I'm keen to start teaching as soon as possible. Many thanks, Abi

12:46PM emmafoers 62 posts	Bonjour Abidabi! The UK can be very difficult to get jobs in TEFL if you have no experience - however your PGCE will give you an advantage as more and more schools in the UK expect you to have more than just a TEFL qualification. France also is extremely competitive and not many jobs are listed outside of the country. By all accounts you need to be in the country for them to even consider an interview. But it is possible (I'm just warning you it may take longer to get a job than in other countries). As for doing a celta or a brush up course, I would say that given the fact you have a PGCE a celta isn't necessary (and it's also costly!). Your TEFL weekend course should be enough to get you a job - but if you feel you need more confidence on grammar or teaching children then go for the extra modules. Because you have a PGCE I would concider looing at international schools as the pay is higher and you get better conditions in general! (However, I'm not sure about the requirements in France). Good luck!! Let me know if you have any more questions! Emma x

11:01AM robertclarke 37 posts	Unless you are considering making a career out of teaching English aborad you should be ok without CELTA, If you want to work in a language institute rather than course school then yes you would require the CELTA although having a PGCE may be enough depending on the school. I would certainly brush up on the grammar as when you have to explain a point it's useful to know the points obscurities as students have a knack of asking some weird but in depth questions about it. I know that alot of people will take the TEFL travel for a year or two teaching before making a desicion to take the CELTA as you don't want to spend $2000 and then find you don't like teaching! Good luck with the job search and if you have any questions let me know!

4:11PM abidabi 2 posts	Thanks for getting back to me on this. I had a feeling it would be an extra expense that might not be necessary. Doing a PGCE would have already provided me with knowledge on methods, lesson planning, marking, what to expect the first time you teach etc, etc. Have either of you taught in the UK? Thanks!

4:36PM robertclarke 37 posts	I have never taught formally in the UK but during my TEFL I did teach a few foreign friends some English, just one-on-one in a cafe after work. I would reccommend if you are unable to find vacancies online is to visit some schools that offer courses and ask if they require new teachers, maybe offer to do a volunteer lesson as an interview, or if the local library, community center or pub has a function room that is cheap/free then advertise to start your own course once or twice a week there, just wait until you have maybe 3-4 students to make it worthwhile if your paying for the room. Hope that helps

3:29PM emmafoers 62 posts	No, I've always opted for warmer climates myself! But I have lots of friends who teach in London and enjoy it. I think it'd be interesting having such muticultured classes as u get in London! My friends all enjoy it :-) Good luck with the job search! Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with!

1:05AM madlee 2 posts	I'm not sure about the methodologies taught in PGCE, but your TEFL experience will be different to mainstream education. This is especially so if you teach small classes in schools that use the communicative approach and PPP. I did the CELTA in 2007, where existing secondary school teachers found it challenging. This may have been down to them changing their methods to something new. TEFL is certainly not all about TTT. Of course things may have changed considerably in mainstream teaching methodologies. All the best, Lee.