[Ladybex]

I'm from the Vallies myself and have a very thick accent and 90% of the time it's been fine. The students quickly learn to understand though my co-teachers occasionally have trouble. Leaving the Valleys has made my accent a little milder, which has helped, though this hasn't been deliberate. Once, I was asked to put on a more American accent and I told them exactly where they could sling their hook. They knew I wasn't American from my passport and the interviews. If a school wants you to change something fundamental about yourself, like your accent, then in my opinion, it's not someone you want to work for anyway. Love me, love my accent!
Ha, besides, you'll find 99& of Asians won't have even heard of Wales in any case...

(Original post by Sun!)
Thanks for the advice guys, and good to see three people who have done CELTA courses. Glad to see also you hold CELTA in high regard. My CELTA course would be over 1 hour on the train each way, so it would be long days on top of the 9-5.

I am quite open where to teach really, I would just like to spend a few years exploring places. Ive looked at S. Korea, Japan, China, Russia and similar (The furthest ive ever been from the UK is Spain :P). I would probably move to a different country after each contract, maybe doing a final year in the Middle East where money seems to be quite a bit better to save for coming back to the UK (Though from what people say its hard to get a job unless you have loads of experience).

What would be your advice about getting the first job? Also is it easy to make friends in these countries who speak English, i'd be going on my own? (It seems so, but what was your experience?)

The one thing putting me off though is my accent. I have a moderate strength South Wales Valleys accent (Think Nessa from Gavin and Stacey lol) and think this might put off prospective employers. What do you think?


@makaveli33 That is just another online course but a bit longer. The more I look into TEFL the less worth these seem.

(Original post by abbyheat)
Well I'm from Swansea! The school where I worked had teachers from Liverpool, Nottingham, Glasgow, Cork, Jo-burg, Croydon and Rhyl to name but a few so I don't think your accent will be a problem. You'll find that you end up toning it down quite a bit but as long as you can be understood, you'll be fine.

Depending on the size of the school, you should have at least some native speaker colleagues but I really would encourage you to make local friends too, it makes for a much better experience. While I did know some teaching couples, most people go on their own so you'll be ok there. You've just got to put yourself out there, you'll be fine!

[abbyheat]

(Original post by Ladybex)
I'm from the Vallies myself and have a very thick accent and 90% of the time it's been fine. The students quickly learn to understand though my co-teachers occasionally have trouble. Leaving the Valleys has made my accent a little milder, which has helped, though this hasn't been deliberate. Once, I was asked to put on a more American accent and I told them exactly where they could sling their hook. They knew I wasn't American from my passport and the interviews. If a school wants you to change something fundamental about yourself, like your accent, then in my opinion, it's not someone you want to work for anyway. Love me, love my accent!
Ha, besides, you'll find 99& of Asians won't have even heard of Wales in any case...

They've all heard of Ryan Giggs though so just tell them that you're from the same place as him.

[abbyheat]

(Original post by greentea123)
Thats good to hear, do you know people who've gone there and found work or found it before they went? I was planning on going on a working holiday visa anyway, the only problem is everywhere i've emailed said they won't know about student numbers and vacancies for when I want to go till the time and are only willing to interview me once i'm there. So I'll probably have to take the risk!

Most people find work once they are in country, as you say, it's difficult to sort things before hand.

[welshwaynejack]

I'm considering teaching abroad and yes I also have a welsh accent, though mine is more jack/Neath and therefore a little easier to understand . My question is has anyone done a CELTA? Is it worthwhile as I'm considering either doing a CELTA and then applying for the TEFL Internships with I-I or just doing the i-to-i TEFL Internship. Would my dyslexia be an issue when applying? I may be going with my long time girlfriend woud they place us together or close enough? Da iawn, diolch!

[abbyheat]

(Original post by welshwaynejack)
I'm considering teaching abroad and yes I also have a welsh accent, though mine is more jack/Neath and therefore a little easier to understand . My question is has anyone done a CELTA? Is it worthwhile as I'm considering either doing a CELTA and then applying for the TEFL Internships with I-I or just doing the i-to-i TEFL Internship. Would my dyslexia be an issue when applying? I may be going with my long time girlfriend woud they place us together or close enough? Da iawn, diolch!

I've worked with a couple of teachers with dyslexia so as long as you're ok with it, I don't see any reason why anyone else shouldn't be. If you are doing the CELTA, you could probably look a little bit beyond I-to-i but if you'd prefer something all in then it's good enough. I know people who applied as couples and were placed in the same schools - some schools prefer this, others steer clear of it as it has the potential to get messy.




This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[welshwaynejack]

(Original post by abbyheat)
I've worked with a couple of teachers with dyslexia so as long as you're ok with it, I don't see any reason why anyone else shouldn't be. If you are doing the CELTA, you could probably look a little bit beyond I-to-i but if you'd prefer something all in then it's good enough. I know people who applied as couples and were placed in the same schools - some schools prefer this, others steer clear of it as it has the potential to get messy.




This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Thanks for the advice and quick response!

[Sun!]

Hi Ladybex, good to here from someone else from the valleys. My accent is exceptionally strong to be fair.
Where do you teach btw?

Hi Jack also! I (along with a few others) am doing the CELTA. Its the most recognised course, and is endorsed by Cambridge Uni and the British Council.

The i-to-i internship has lots of costs, that make it far more expensive than the £1k that they say it costs. Plus in China they pay you less than half the going rate, plus you can't choose where you go. IMO it appears to be a bit of a con, but the decision really can only be yours.

[Arteta]

Hello people.
I've decided that I want to teach English for a couple of years to get out of the country and reside elsewhere. I'm currently very interested in Taiwan and so far I've looked around on Dave's ESL and they've been asking for a degree and TESOL/TEFL, but I've seen no demands for CELTA. Basically I'd like to experience being a teacher for a while, but it's not an end-game for me, so is it essential to get CELTA? I've seen plenty of people saying that any non-CELTA/TESOL courses aren't worth anything.
I would do it, but it's going to be about £1,100 - £1,300 and it would have to be doubled to account for my girlfriend who would also like to do this with me. We just don't have that money now and would have to work for quite a few months (whilst paying for UK rent & food, assuming we can get jobs soon).
So basically it would be much cheaper to do some online TEFL, but will I get rejected from everywhere?

I'm not interested in teaching in Europe.

[Sarang_assa]

If where you want to go doesn't requite a CELTA, and you can get a job without one then don't bother! It is an amazing experience but not essential if they'll hire you without

[Kolya]

(Original post by Sun!)
The i-to-i internship has lots of costs, that make it far more expensive than the £1k that they say it costs. Plus in China they pay you less than half the going rate, plus you can't choose where you go. IMO it appears to be a bit of a con, but the decision really can only be yours.

The pay is low because it's a legal internship. Internships are for people who need experience before applying for standard jobs. They can get your foot in the door. If you don't need that then obviously don't apply for an internship.

[Sun!]

(Original post by Kolya)
The pay is low because it's a legal internship. Internships are for people who need experience before applying for standard jobs. They can get your foot in the door. If you don't need that then obviously don't apply for an internship.

To do TEFL in China you don't need any experience.
You will be on around 1/3rd of the normal salary for little reason. On a standard contract you will normally also get a flight allowance and all visa costs paid, which you don't get on the internship. Also their is no evidence that i-to-i give any massive amount of support in whatever city they send you to.

That is the main reason I say it may be a bit of a con.

Many people do however enjoy the internship, so it can be an option.

[FormerlyHistoryStudent]

I'm almost at the point of applying to do the CELTA online course, but I noticed on the application form it asks if you have previous experience of teaching, and if you already know any foreign languages. I did German at AS Level ten years ago and got an E, and have GCSE B grades in German and Latin. Do you think the E would be counted against me, and the fact that I have no experience of teaching?

[Sun!]

(Original post by xJessx)
Thanks @ Sun! I had the interview yesterday and got accepted onto the course starting the 2nd July!!

Hey Jess, you must be a few weeks into your course, hows it going?

(Original post by FormerlyHistoryStudent)
I'm almost at the point of applying to do the CELTA online course, but I noticed on the application form it asks if you have previous experience of teaching, and if you already know any foreign languages. I did German at AS Level ten years ago and got an E, and have GCSE B grades in German and Latin. Do you think the E would be counted against me, and the fact that I have no experience of teaching?

Hi, I've already been accepted onto a CELTA course and will be starting soon.

I have no prior teaching or real language learning experience and the centre didn't seem to mind that.
I would be tempted to put the GCSE grades in and to just ignore the A-Level result. But that’s just my opinion, others may have different opinions
.

[xJessx]

(Original post by Sun!)
Hey Jess, you must be a few weeks into your course, hows it going?

Hey Sun!

Yeah, I'm halfway through the CELTA now and I can say it is definitely intense and you have to be very organised! I've passed all my lessons so far and I've had to resubmit my first assignment but so did most of the class and I passed on resubmission.

Apparently this is the most difficult stage of the CELTA now, I'm just about to go into week 3 and I have 2 assignments to write and 4 lessons to plan, one of which is my first hour-lesson on Monday.

The CELTA is hard work but the standard of teaching is very high and I don't regret it for a moment. Good luck with yours and to everyone else who will be starting one soon! If you have any more questions, don's hesitate to ask me

[FormerlyHistoryStudent]

(Original post by xJessx)
Hey Sun!

Yeah, I'm halfway through the CELTA now and I can say it is definitely intense and you have to be very organised! I've passed all my lessons so far and I've had to resubmit my first assignment but so did most of the class and I passed on resubmission.

Apparently this is the most difficult stage of the CELTA now, I'm just about to go into week 3 and I have 2 assignments to write and 4 lessons to plan, one of which is my first hour-lesson on Monday.

The CELTA is hard work but the standard of teaching is very high and I don't regret it for a moment. Good luck with yours and to everyone else who will be starting one soon! If you have any more questions, don's hesitate to ask me

Are you doing the CELTA Online course, or the normal one? You're making me worried I might not be able to keep up with the workload what with working 3 to 4 days of the week as well. I heard that with the online course it's more flexible, that the minimum amount of time you can do it in is 10 weeks but you can take longer if you want.

[Sun!]

(Original post by xJessx)
Hey Sun!

Yeah, I'm halfway through the CELTA now and I can say it is definitely intense and you have to be very organised! I've passed all my lessons so far and I've had to resubmit my first assignment but so did most of the class and I passed on resubmission.

Hi Jess, glad to hear the lessons are going well!

My questions would be on like everything, so i'll try to limit myself :P Do you have any hints and tips on the course? Also, I've seen online lots of people have to resubmit their essays, how do you ensure that you write the essays to a good enough standard?

Thanks and good luck with the rest of your course!


@FormerlyHistoryStudent
Working 3-4 days and doing the CELTA seems very tough, though doable as you are doing the part time CELTA.
Where are you planning on doing the course?

[FormerlyHistoryStudent]

(Original post by Sun!)
@FormerlyHistoryStudent
Working 3-4 days and doing the CELTA seems very tough, though doable as you are doing the part time CELTA.
Where are you planning on doing the course?

I was thinking International House in Covent Garden (though I saw a comment here once saying that they've stopped offering that course, on this website and their own website they do still seem to be offering it...) http://cambridgeesol-centres.org/cen...ching/index.do

I'm hoping to be able to drop one of my contracted days at work, so that I don't have to do any more than 3 days a week.

I just need to get the courage to actually fill in the application form and send it! I'm pretty sure I could do the written work, (I've always been good at writing essays), but I can't help but worry that I won't turn out to be very good at actually teaching.

[La Esmerelda]

(Original post by Sun!)
Hi Ladybex, good to here from someone else from the valleys. My accent is exceptionally strong to be fair.
Where do you teach btw?

Hi Jack also! I (along with a few others) am doing the CELTA. Its the most recognised course, and is endorsed by Cambridge Uni and the British Council.

The i-to-i internship has lots of costs, that make it far more expensive than the £1k that they say it costs. Plus in China they pay you less than half the going rate, plus you can't choose where you go. IMO it appears to be a bit of a con, but the decision really can only be yours.

(Original post by xJessx)
Hey Sun!

Yeah, I'm halfway through the CELTA now and I can say it is definitely intense and you have to be very organised! I've passed all my lessons so far and I've had to resubmit my first assignment but so did most of the class and I passed on resubmission.

Apparently this is the most difficult stage of the CELTA now, I'm just about to go into week 3 and I have 2 assignments to write and 4 lessons to plan, one of which is my first hour-lesson on Monday.

The CELTA is hard work but the standard of teaching is very high and I don't regret it for a moment. Good luck with yours and to everyone else who will be starting one soon! If you have any more questions, don's hesitate to ask me

Where are you guys planning on teaching afterwards? I've just done day 1 of the CELTA!

[xJessx]

(Original post by Sun!)
Hey Jess, you must be a few weeks into your course, hows it going?

Hey Sun! I've just finished the 'dreaded week three' and can say now I know why they call it that! I had to hand in the second assignment, which I'm resubmitting again, and I had four lessons this week, plus my graduation and a job interview. I spent the night before the assignment was due in planning stuff til 2am lol but I think the hardest part is over now. I'm still enjoying it, which is the main thing

(Original post by FormerlyHistoryStudent)
Are you doing the CELTA Online course, or the normal one? You're making me worried I might not be able to keep up with the workload what with working 3 to 4 days of the week as well. I heard that with the online course it's more flexible, that the minimum amount of time you can do it in is 10 weeks but you can take longer if you want.

Hi! I'm doing the normal, full time 4 week CELTA so I'm afraid I don't know anything about part time or online CELTAs. I would say its definitely not possible to work and do the full time one but I'm not sure about the other options you mentioned, sorry! Good luck

(Original post by Sun!)
Hi Jess, glad to hear the lessons are going well!

My questions would be on like everything, so i'll try to limit myself :P Do you have any hints and tips on the course? Also, I've seen online lots of people have to resubmit their essays, how do you ensure that you write the essays to a good enough standard?

Thanks and good luck with the rest of your course!

Hmm, in terms of hints and tips, just be organised, spend the time doing really good lesson plans because you have to hand them in before you teach and even if you forget to do something, if it was on your lesson plan, they take into consideration the fact that the intent was there. Try to sit next to someone you get on with or who is really good on the first day because they give you a teaching partner, who you have to plan the majority of lessons with until the end of the course. Unfortunately, I can't give you any advice about the assignments because I've had to resubmit the first two!

Try not to worry too much about it, only 3 or 4 people from the class have passed each assignment so there's no shame in resubmitting, and they take a holistic view of your progress when giving you your final grade so if you get off to a bad start, as long as they can see progress, you'll be fine

(Original post by La Esmerelda)
Where are you guys planning on teaching afterwards? I've just done day 1 of the CELTA!

I did have part time work in Paris but struggled to find other part time work so I've had a job interview with a school in South Korea, which was successful The day after I accepted, one of the other places I'd applied to when I was looking for part time work contacted me for a second interview!! Lol

[Sun!]

(Original post by FormerlyHistoryStudent)
I was thinking International House in Covent Garden

I'm sorry I know very little about the distance course. Though I do know International House London has an excellent reputation. Perhaps one of the best places to do the course.

(Original post by La Esmerelda)
Where are you guys planning on teaching afterwards? I've just done day 1 of the CELTA!

I've been looking at jobs everywhere. In Europe (Spain, France and Poland) and Asia (China and South Korea).
I'm really torn about where to go. I've had three interviews already and been offered a job in China, but i've decided against it due to lower pay than I really want and the city isn't my preferred location.

(Original post by xJessx)
Hey Sun! I've just finished the 'dreaded week three' and can say now I know why they call it that! I had to hand in the second assignment, which I'm resubmitting again, and I had four lessons this week, plus my graduation and a job interview. I spent the night before the assignment was due in planning stuff til 2am lol but I think the hardest part is over now. I'm still enjoying it, which is the main thing

It's good to hear everything is going well for you, despite the high workload. I've been practising my grammar over the last fortnight to ensure that its good enough for the course, but it isn’t amazing :P. Can't believe its just over a week until my course starts.

When are you planning on going to S. Korea?