CELTA v. Online Courses

[Laurie Stanford]

It seems like there are a lot of online courses out there these days like TEFL Express and i-to-i. Does anybody know if these courses measure up to the rigorous standards of CELTA?

[Tdol]

In short, no. There are a few providers trying to offer decent courses, and there may be some hope with blended courses and videos of lessons, but those courses that do not have a practical teaching element will always be regarded as lesser qualifications, or no qualification at all in the eyes of some.

[DannyIreland]

Just did a CELTA through TEFL Express, and very, very much agree with Tdol. CELTA is just a cut above other certs. They wouldn't have even considered me here in Beijing for the jobs that I have taken weren't it not for my CELTA. It's worth the month for sure.

Laurie, don't make the mistake that some guys here have by getting a lesser cert. Way too restrictive, invest in the CELTA, it pays for itself in no time, believe me

[Tripitaka]

I agree, I made the mistake of thinking only of price and at the time couldn't afford the Celta. I took a 180 hour course with an online provider I spent a long time researching.
The course I took was informative, interesting and challenging and in the end I got a TESOL certificate, accredited by a reasonable company......
This has been a good introduction and got me several jobs (to back up my UK first degree and experience) in several foreign counties.

NOW I am back home in the UK and wishing to stay here and work, I have applied for many jobs but all want a Celta.

The money I earned in the Middle East with my TESOL will now pay for the Celta, but I do wish on reflection I had done it to begin with.

[lipofootoo]

CELTA is better

[5jj]

Though less well known, Trinity College’s CertTESOL is as valid a qualification as CELTA.

Both qualifications are now accredited at level 5 by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulator. This is a British government department that oversees and regulates qualifications in England.

Level 5 is the level of diplomas of higher education and further education, foundation degrees and higher national diplomas.