:: TEFL Spain

TEFL course and TEFL Jobs in Spain

Are you thinking of taking your TEFL course abroad? What are the advantages of doing so? Many of our course participants are aiming to go and teach in Spain after they qualify. So maybe there is some logic in taking your CELTA, CertTESOL or similar out there.

We interviewed Roger Hunt, world renowned teacher trainer and ELT author who is currently working as Director of Education at International House Barcelona to find out.

How would you say worldwide recognition of the CELTA compares with that of the TESOL and other qualifications?

The Cambridge CELTA is certainly the best known of the qualifications. Its assessment scheme, in which each course is externally moderated by an assessor appointed by Cambridge has ensured standardisation of grading of candidates; consequently employers can be quite confident in the abilities of new teachers they employ. The Cambridge scheme is also rather bigger in terms of numbers of candidates than other schemes.

Is the CELTA available on-line? Would you recommend any of the distance learning courses in CELTA? If so, which ones?

CELTA is not available on line. The assessment of practical teaching under supervised conditions makes this impossible at present.

Where do the CELTA trainees studying in Barcelona come from?

About 35% come from the USA and Canada. A very few (although this number is increasing) are non-native English speakers from around the world. The majority are still from the UK though my current course is 60% north American.

What are the main advantages of studying in Spain as opposed to staying in the UK to do the course?

Working with monolingual groups. Most CELTA graduates teach monolingual classes in their first jobs abroad. The experience of encouraging English in a classroom where it is not really needed can be very useful. Also, Barcelona is quite a city!

To what extent does the quality of a CELTA vary from centre to centre?

It shouldn't. This is because of the external assessment scheme. However, clearly one tutor may be more gifted than another, facilities in one centre better than another etc. Cambridge ensures very high minimum standards by constant moderation and standardisation of centres and courses.

What are the main things to look out for when choosing a CELTA?

It´s a good idea to see what else the centre offers eg: help with finding work, other courses such as teaching younger learners or the Cambridge DELTA (if your tutor is also a DELTA tutor he/she is likely to be rather good!)

Is the 4-week intensive course really that tough?

A realistic number of hours involvement per day for candidates is 12 to 15. Most candidates find the course tough (standards are high) but most also thoroughly enjoy it. It has to be noted that doing anything for the first time can be difficult, and stressful.

Do trainees have time to learn some Spanish or meet Spanish people during the course?

I would forget trying to learn a language during the course - there is far too much else to do. However, candidates do learn just by being here. They certainly meet lots of Spanish people - they have to teach them!

What are the host families like? Are they close to the school?

Host families are carefully selected and monitored by the school. Most have been with IH for a very long time. The norm is very helpful, friendly, caring people who speak good English (particularly important for candidates who do not speak Spanish). Most of the hosts are near enough for candidates to walk to the school.

Do trainees who have taken the CELTA in Spain have a better chance of finding work in Spain after the course?

I think so, yes. They can walk into schools and introduce themselves. School directors usually prefer to meet a new teacher if they can before employing them. You can tell a certain amount from a CV but it´s not the same as a face to face interview.