CELTA versus TEFL Certification

What’s the Difference between a CELTA and a TEFL Cert?

It’s a bit of apples and oranges really, but not really. All quality TEFL training programs will contain components of teaching methodology, English grammar, observed teaching practice and demonstration classes in front of your peers.

Most programs will also include information on the problems and needs of the EFL students in the country where they are located and this is very helpful for you if you take the course in the country where you intend to teach.

Generally speaking these programs are quite intensive, there is a LOT to learn in only a few weeks. Don’t plan on partying or hanging out on the beach too much while you are in training. Hang on the beach, but take your study materials with you . . .

CELTA is more standardized as it is a franchised program (franchised like 7-11s or Kentucky Fried Chicken, as examples) and the schools that teach the CELTA TEFL program must pay a royalty for each course participant. Possibly for this reason you will notice that CELTA programs are generally the most expensive around the world.

CELTA also is a program oriented towards teaching adults, the “A” in CELTA. If you wish to teach children, you might wish to lean towards a TEFL Certification program that will give you some practice with them as well as adults. Most TEFL Cert programs will try to give you a variety of practice teaching experiences and will cover teaching children AND adults. Many new teachers, just starting out, will spend some time teaching children, so this is an important consideration.

There is an elitism about CELTA and you will find people who rabidly consider it to be the only real TEFL course. But, you will also find that people have great loyalty to the TEFL school they went to. It’s a bit like loyalty to your university or high school – people spend some money, put in some hard work, and therefore want to feel that their school is the ONLY school or at least it is the BEST!

It’s like the kinship solders get from going to boot camp together.

Now . . . if you wish to teach in Europe, know that CELTA is considered the standard and the only “valid” certification. But this is usually because the employer you are hoping to find a job with is a CELTA sales outlet. So, of course, they want you to buy their program before they will employ you.

How do you get past this idiocy if you are applying for a job there? Volunteer to do a demonstration lesson – are they interested in your SKILLS or only in the piece of paper that they want to sell you?

Generally, you won’t find TEFL Cert schools pulling this scamming tactic on you. When you apply they will be happy to accept your TEFL Certification, no matter where you got it – as long as it meets the internationally accepted standards.

TED’s Tips™ #1: If you are going to teach in Europe – give in, go for a CELTA – but in the rest of the world no one cares.

TED’s Tips™ #2: If you have the opportunity, interview the primary teacher-trainer at a TEFL school you are considering. Try to get a sense of if they LOVE teaching or not. If not, don’t go there. If they sound excited about teaching, THAT is the teacher-trainer you want!

What’s up in China? Learn what kind of jobs are on offer if would like to Teach English in China

How to Teach English Overseas and Secrets to Success Abroad
TEFL eBooks is offering a free download of their new publication Seven Secrets of Success Abroad - and along with it comes a bi-weekly installment and revision of their eBook called How to Teach English Overseas.

Great reviews for the Secrets of Success eBook – in spite of the hokey name – and the How to Teach English eBook is being updated and rewritten and sent out in installments as it is ready.

Here they are – click on the eBooks to get your FREE copies! Great information and the price is right, from our friends at TEFLeBooks.

Please let me know what you think of the ebooks – use the comments section below.

I confess both eBooks are written by yours truly – hoping to inspire others to head overseas and live life BIG out in the real world. I would value your feedback!