CELTA certificates
 

Hi,

I'm a student studying languages who'll be graduating in July, and I'll be looking to move to Italy soon after. I've decided that I'd like to teach English out there, and after much research, I've noticed that CELTA courses are the ones that I need to look out for. I know that there are numerous posts on the forum about teaching in Italy etc. but I couldn't really find the answers to the questions that I'd like answered.

For a start, would you recommend doing the course here in the UK or once I've moved to Italy? My uni offers the 4 week intensive course, but I can't help but think that it might be a better idea to do it in Italy.. for contacts, getting to know people, getting to know the place etc.

Also, if I were to do the course in Italy.. would there be much of a difference in price?

Any general advice on teaching in Italy etc. would also be very welcome!!

Thanks in advance.

Re: CELTA certificates
 

there are pros and cons. I did mine in London and it certainly helped with the teaching of multilingual classes. If you are only ever going to teach in Italy then do the course in ITaly - and you will be half way there after your teaching practise. If you are thinking of using your CELTA to teach all over the world, I would recommend doing it in a place where tehre will be multilingual students.
I also chose London just because I assumed the teaching would be better - could have been hopelessly wrong and prejudiced - but I felt it was the right thing to do and wasnt disappointed.

Re: CELTA certificates
 

Hi - I did my TEFL certificate (the 20th century equivalent of CELTA, I presume) in Rome at International House, and I see they still run courses.
http://www.ihromamz.it/teacher-training-courses.html

I did it there because I was already living in Italy and it was cheaper to spend a month in Rome rather than go back to UK. I've no idea how it would work out cost-wise now.

International House then was like being in a little piece of England, like walking into an embassy. The tutors were all Brits, as were those who took the course. Standards were excellent and they taught me all I know. I don't think there were any advantages as far as getting a job locally were concerned, although I already had one lined up in Bologna so I didn't take much interest.
I imagine any local centre in Italy would have connections with (private language) schools in their particular area .. as usual it's not what you know it's who you know.

If you are still in the UK you may find it easier to do it there, as in coming to Italy you will be faced with all the usual residency issues, bureaucracy etc.

If you're going into TEFL in Italy just bear in mind you will probably get crap conditions and pay, unless you are very very lucky and get a decent contract. As a qualified madrelingua you may get revered but not necessarily paid accordingly. May I suggest you get some experience in the UK first?

Good luck.
:thumbup:

Re: CELTA certificates
 

My wife did hers in the UK and has found work here, It took a year or so but now she has a mix of school and private clients and earning are adequate. There is plenty of work here and as amother tounge you have an advantage the school she works for were more interested in the way she spoke than an qualifications, and her surrey acent was a plus