TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, what?!?
Hey guys! I’m still around but since life has been all over the place for the last few weeks it’s honestly been hard to find motivation to work on my languages or to write here. But don’t worry, I’ve been getting some good ideas and should be ready for a “big comeback” sooner rather than later!
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I am a native English speaker who lives abroad, it is almost written in stone that I should be working at least part time as an English teacher. I did this a bit last year in Madrid at a really bad language school who didn’t end up giving me my last paycheck, so that kind of put me off of the idea of teaching for awhile, but now that I’m looking for a part time job, English teaching seems to be the best option. I’ve already got the most amazing part time job ever (I will write about this soon!) but unfortunately they don’t have much for me to do at the moment. Also, I probably will not be able to begin studying this semester (more on this is yet another post…) and so this has left me with a lot of free time! I would like to start working part time as an English teacher, but my question is, should I get certified first?
There are an overwhelming amount of options to get certified as an English as a Foreign Language teacher, and while it is possible to get work without one, it seems that you can get much better opportunities with one. I’m currently trying to figure out what the difference between TEFL, TESOL, and CELTA are, which one is best (if they are even different things at all!), if doing an online course is viewed equally as an in-class course, and if it is worth it at all to get one? Since I will most likely be spending the next few years here completing my degree, English teaching will probably be my best bet for a job, and since I have way too much free time now, it would be the ideal time to do a certification course.
Is it worth it? I’m looking for those out there who may have experience with this stuff. If you do, please leave a comment!
Welcome back!!! Just wanted to say Im looking forward to your posts, and wanted to ask you how much time did you spend learning Spanish before you felt confident to speak? Hope you get the right job or pick out the right language program. Good Luck!
Thanks Linda! It’s good to be back!
That’s a hard question. I started learning Spanish in High School and only spoke it in class (you know, the awkward practice conversations) for three years. the next time I spoke it was when I was “forced” to when I moved to Spain. Unfortunately right now I am still struggling with my speaking confidence because I haven’t practice Spanish for awhile, so I’m not the best person to answer this question!
Jessica, definitely go with CELTA. I had the same trouble deciding which program to take last year. CELTA is internationally recognized certification, and TESOL and TEFL are unregulated (and often sketchy online programs). Here’s the link: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/teaching-awards/celta.html. I’m sure you’ll be able to find a center in Austria.
Jak
What happened? I hate to see someone start out strong on a blog, only to let it die. Come back to us!
Thanks Linda! It’s good to be back! That’s a hard question. I started learning Spanish in High School and only spoke it in class (you know, the awkward practice conversations) for three years. the next time I spoke it was when I was “forced” to when I moved to Spain. Unfortunately right now I am still struggling with my speaking confidence because I haven’t practice Spanish for awhile, so I’m not the best person to answer this question!
+1