TEFL UK

TEFL - Interview with Paul Lindsay

We were delighted to speak to Paul Lindsay, one of the most respected people in the ELT industry. Founder of St Giles Colleges & St Giles Educational Trust, Paul Lindsay remains the driving force behind St Giles Teacher Training - which trains for the Cambridge CELTA & the Trinity CertTESOL, and has centres in London, Brighton in the UK and San Francisco

Many people we speak to at Teachers are contemplating giving up the stability of a salaried job and an established career and taking the course to start a new life abroad. Do you have any words of wisdom to pass on to anyone in this situation?

Those with secure, salaried jobs who want to take a training course for a new life abroad, should consider carefully the following:
- Teaching English overseas is exciting and satisfying but it's not usually well paid nor very secure.
- Be prepared to manage on the salaries offered which means living without luxuries. Bear in mind that in some countries e.g. Eastern Europe, the cost of living is low and you will be able to live reasonably on your salary.

There are so many courses around when you look on the internet - some last a few days, some a week and others at least 4 weeks. What are the pros and cons of taking a shorter or a longer course?

Any course shorter than 4 weeks is inadequate for minimum training. Remember that the CELTA or TESOL courses have been carefully worked out to provide the absolute minimum that a pre-service trainee needs.

The Cambridge and Trinity examining bodies monitor the courses and the schools who provide the courses. You can rely on a course authorised by Cambridge or Trinity; you cannot be sure that other course providers are professional and the teacher trainers are properly qualified.

Apart from the age and qualification requirements, do you think anyone can learn to teach English? What do you think are the most important qualities of an English Language Teacher?

Evidently, not everyone is a suitable person to be trained for ELT. The purpose of the pre-course interviews and preliminary tasks is to find out whether the applicant is likely to benefit from the course and to gain the Certificate. The CELTA/TESOL course providers will not accept an enrolment unless the minimum requirements are met.

English language teachers need to become aware of the English language and interested in learning more about its special features. Teaching is a practical business involving class management skills and understanding of individual learning problems. (My book 'Teaching English Worldwide' has introductory sections on what makes a good teacher.)

How do you feel the nature of English Language Teaching has evolved since the founding of St Giles Colleges in 1955? Do you think that teachers need to be better qualified than before?

ELT in the bad/good old days (pre 60s) was provided mainly by amateurs, some of whom were gifted teachers and did a good job. It was much more a hit-or-miss business because there was no professional training available. The other main problem was the lack of good textbooks and learning materials. Of course, English language teachers must be properly trained and qualified to meet minimum professional standards.

Yes, of course teachers need to be better qualified but no qualification can provide a teacher with a suitable personality for teaching and the desire to help learners to learn.

We are frequently asked to explain the difference between taking the Cambridge CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL. How do you perceive the difference between the two, and do you think one is more highly valued than the other when it comes to looking for work?

The two courses are very similar. The differences are minor e.g. greater emphasis on the learning of an unknown foreign language as part of the TESOL course.

Although the courses are equally good, there is no doubt that the Cambridge CELTA is better known worldwide and therefore valued a little more because the overseas employer has heard of it. The TESOL is not, however, a 'second-best' course and should be recognised as equal in value to the CELTA.

Are there employment opportunities within St Giles for those taking a Certificate course with you? If not, what help do you offer to people looking for work elsewhere?

There are jobs available within the St. Giles group for those taking either CELTA or Trinity. Although such vacancies mainly occur in the summer months (July-September) there are vacancies all the year in our schools in Brazil and China.

We also offer practical help and placement to those who complete the courses successfully. Our graduates receive regular emails with the latest jobs, sample materials and recommended resources. For those in the London area, we offer teacher development programmes specially designed for CELTA graduates.

There are many CELTA & CertTESOL course providers in London - What are the specific benefits of taking the course at St Giles?

The St. Giles courses are of the highest standard and reputation because our teacher trainers are very experienced and well qualified. St. Giles schools offer excellent resources for trainees in self-access centres and ELT libraries. The teaching practice classes are well attended by various nationalities at different levels of English language learning.

Given that you still have to look for work on successful completion of the course, what should newly qualified teachers be aware of when looking for and securing their first job abroad?

Newly-qualified teachers should make sure that the overseas school will provide accommodation initially or help the teacher to find suitable, affordable lodging near the school. Make sure you are well informed of the pay and conditions of work before you travel. Ask for a contract and read it carefully. I would, however, advise newly-qualified teachers to be prepared to work in any country overseas that is reasonably safe and secure.

Can you tell us something about your book, Teaching English Worldwide?

I would be pleased to tell you about my book, Teaching English Worldwide. It was published in the USA (in 2000) by ALTA Books who are the largest providers of ELT books and materials in California and the West Coast of USA. It is being widely used by TEFL and CELTA courses in the USA and in South and Central America. Although it was originally designed for the US market, it is very suitable for British and other native speakers of English. Click here for more information. The book is also available in the UK from KELTIC Bookshop, 154 Southampton Row, London WC1B 5JX.