Jim

I recieved a PM back from Wapentake, very nice chap, and has been very helpful.

I have sent you an update via a PM.

Thanks

Colin.  

Colin:

Great, keep the forum informed, re your plans to get some further training in this area of education. It is all ways a good idea to keep on learning something new.

Jim B.  

Jim

An Update;

Well so far, in fact today i found the International House Belfast office website;

www.ihbelfast.com

It transpires IH Belfast is an authorised centre for the University of Cambridge ESOL examinations.

I can do the certificate in english language teaching to adults (CELTA) qualification there, it runs for around 4 weeks and costs just over one thousand pounds.

This price includes the Cambridge registration fee.

CELTA requires no formal entry qualifications.

I also will be looking to do a degree, which Wapentake said would be a requirement of most schools over there in Canada.

To this end, i will speak with a student i know personally who is almost finished his masters degree in english language teaching.

He is due to return home in February 2010 with the aim of teaching english to non speakers.

I will keep the forum updated accordingly.

Finally, i must pay special thanks to you Jim & Wapentake, without you both none of the progress i have made in the last few days would have happened.

Thanks

Colin  

Last edited by pinkthinkingcat on Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:53 am; edited 1 time in total

Hello Colin,
Your post, "teaching English" caught my eye here, I have been teaching English here in Japan for the past 17 years ! Kids and adults alike. I was thinking of continuing this when we get to Canada ! Like you mentioned though I wasn't really sure how much of a demand there is for it, but it seems there is from what Jim said.
I'm definitely keeping my options open for employment so this could be one way to get started !

We are still waiting to hear about the visa so I haven't begun any employment searches in earnest just yet !

Where are you thinking of going to in Canada ? Have you found any schools that hire these ESL teachers ?

If I can help you out with anything re: teaching non native speakers of English, ask away, I'll help you if I can .

Regards,
Mel.  

Hello Mel

I would imagine with your experience of 17 years you would stand a better chance in Canada than me, i am only starting out now and have to get qualified.

Certainly from what Jim has said in terms of numbers it would seem that there is a market there.

You should also read what Wapentake said.

Certainly from what Jim and Wapentake have told me i am more informed and certainly more committed to taking up this as a career.

I really have no idea what province i would go to in Canada, i think i would need to ask that myself as a new question here in the Canada forum.

In regards to schools hiring ESL teachers, i do not know any unfortunately, again it would be worth asking that here on the forum.


Thanks for you offer of help.


Colin  

Last edited by pinkthinkingcat on Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:01 pm; edited 1 time in total

UP-DATE

I got good advice from a university career service, so i am going to follow up the the leads i have been given.

In relation to the advice about english teaching abroad to non speakers;

Instead of me saying what i think, i would suggest that anyone interested in this career should visit a careers adviser, because individual circumstances can be so different.

What i can say is that i shall do the CELTA qualification in the future, but firstly an English degree.

Regards,

Colin  

Last edited by pinkthinkingcat on Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:29 pm; edited 3 times in total

UP-DATE

Following on from the advice given by careers service staff i have decided if go ahead with this career i will do an english language degree and probably the PGCE.

The PGCE gives "eligibility to teach" and is a must to be able to teach in the UK.

This is not needed in Canada as far as i am aware, but the point being it gives more skills and competance to be an effective teacher.

All this will take 4 years.

Importantly i am going to do an employability interview with a careers adviser next week.

It is going to take up to four years at least to get my qualifications and i do not want to do all this and it to be a waste of time, effort and money-up to £10`000.

In regards to the CELTA this takes 4 weeks and can be taken any time-please see previous posts about this.

So for anyone who has read or been keeping up to speed on this question think about the important point of employability.

Colin