Category Archives: Teacher training

Cambridge CELTA and TEFL International – a comparison

Posted on 05/07/2012 by alexcase

Someone has written to me asking for my general opinion of TEFL International, and as there is so much information on this blog that it is hardly manageable I thought I had to repackage it in some way. This comparison … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge ESOL, CELTA, TEFL International | 129 Comments

An odd reaction by a TEFL course to bad publicity

Posted on 04/07/2012 by alexcase

Someone has been posting official (and therefore positive) TEFL International videos on YouTube with the keywords “scam” and “blacklist” all over the them, presumably with the aim of pushing posts which really claim that TEFL International is a scam or should be … Continue reading →

Posted in TEFL International | 8 Comments

What’s the definition of a dodgy TEFL course?

Posted on 27/06/2012 by alexcase

The new owner of a TEFL course that’s been mentioned here before has contacted me to object to things in the post as inaccurate or out of date. As the conversation has developed, a regular talking point has been around … Continue reading →

Posted in TEFL certificate | 12 Comments

British Council to fund 50% of 100 TEFL course places

Posted on 19/06/2012 by alexcase

Restricted to unemployed people (in the last three years, whatever that means) and UK-based CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL courses: English teaching graduate scheme My first reactions are: – Why? – If you are so skint you can’t afford a TEFL … Continue reading →

Posted in British Council, Teacher training | Leave a comment

Questions to ask a TEFL course provider you are considering

Posted on 25/04/2012 by alexcase

I’ve written articles on the topic (see links at the bottom), but when you are speaking to them an actual list of questions like this is probably more useful: Academic questions The trainers How long have the teacher trainers been teaching? … Continue reading →

Posted in TEFL qualifications | Leave a comment

CELTA plus PTLLS

Posted on 11/04/2012 by alexcase

Have only just come across this option, but sounds like a good one if you are British: CELTA plus an initial qualification in teaching in the further education sector in the UK, all for as little as 735 pounds. If … Continue reading →

Posted in CELTA | 3 Comments

The Association of CELTA-qualified Teachers

Posted on 08/04/2012 by alexcase

Scott Thornbury’s excellent recent post marking 50 years of the course that became the CELTA has prompted me to polish up an old idea of mine that hasn’t been seen since it was deleted off Dave’s ESL Café ten minutes … Continue reading →

Posted in CELTA, Teacher associations | 5 Comments

Over 99% CELTA pass rate at St Giles International schools

Posted on 24/02/2012 by alexcase

(2011 figures, here) That’ll be another nail in the coffin of the ridiculous “I failed the CELTA because they have to fail a certain number on each course” online moans then…

Posted in CELTA, St Giles | 4 Comments

Is a TEFL diploma worth more than a relevant MA?

Posted on 04/01/2012 by alexcase

EF in China and most British Council branches think so (though they are both involved in running diploma courses), whereas I don’t know of a single university which would agree (though they are all involved in peddling MAs). I have … Continue reading →

Posted in British Council, Cambridge Delta, Diploma in TESOL, EF, MA TESOL | 32 Comments

Should the CELTA have more about technology in it?

Posted on 07/12/2011 by alexcase

So Gavin Dudeney seems to be arguing in this recent piece of his in the Guardian: No place in class for digital illiterates I just can’t see how more technology in the CELTA could be practical or useful. It’s difficult enough to … Continue reading →

Posted in CELTA, Technology | 7 Comments