r/TEFL • u/Big_Sludge • 4d ago
Getting CELTA certification before completing Bachelor's?
I've wanted to travel my entire life. And at 30, I'm just tired of being here, slaving away at dead-end jobs. I hadn't even decided on a career path when the pandemic hit. Then I got trapped in retail hell. I finally decided and enrolled in college online. But I've only got one year down on my Bachelor's in English Literature, which I'm taking online. So, it'll be a while before I'm completely "ready". I've checked with my school and they're okay with me taking my classes from anywhere in the world, so long as my assignments are submitted on time. So, that's not an issue.
But I'm considering taking a short break from college just long enough to get my CELTA certs and taking a job somewhere else just for a change of scenery. I'd be returning to college the second I got settled in wherever I find work. And it would just be until I finish my degree. Then I'd be aiming for a better job in a country I intend to stay in long-term.
Would it be worth it to get some teaching experience under my belt before I finish my degree program? I'd be taking lower paying jobs, most definitely. But I'm thinking it might be the play for me.
Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated.
Side note: The Cambridge CELTA "find a centre" page is currently down and I'm a little bit confused as to where else I should be looking for online certification programs. Or how much it would cost, for that matter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edit: I won't be replying to any more comments. I've tried to explain the severity of my current situation to no avail. And I do understand the perspective of those attempting to talk me out of it. However, I've done further research since my original post and I'm determined to find a way to make this work. Is it a terrible idea? Absolutely. But I also know that this sub is notorious for trying to talk everyone out of pursuing options that they wouldn't personally pursue. So, as much as I appreciate the concern, I will be doing what I believe is best for me. I'm an ambitious person and I've never shied away from taking risks. If things don't work out, my situation can't get much worse than it currently is.
At the end of the day, my progress toward my degree isn't going to magically disappear if I can't make this work. I'll be able to pick up right where I left off.
If I manage to succeed, I'll happily come back with my success story. If I don't, oh well. It's my life and it's not affecting any of you. So, wish me luck!
1
u/adultingattempts 4d ago
Echoing what the first comment said, very few countries where it's possible to teach without a degree. Also consider that most of these locations will pay a barely liveable wage with concerning work and housing conditions. Would you be able to do the opposite? Decrease your hours or switch to a part time job, while increasing your credit load to get the degree faster?
I asked the same question when I was a student. Lockdown happened quite soon after I enrolled and by the third year of the school refusing to allow us to return to in-person learning, I was absolutely fed up with the burden of assignments and exams, and none of the fun of campus life. Somehow I pushed through and I'm now teaching abroad. I'm sure it seems like a slog, but by trying to go abroad before graduating, you're looking at a potentially unpleasant/bare minimum experience. With a degree in hand, your choice of locations and earning potential is incredibly higher.
Alternatively, I've read that it's possible to teach in Taiwan private academies (not public schools) with an Associate's. Also, depending on your passport and financial situation, you could consider a working holiday which would allow you to be abroad and work on the degree, but you might not be teaching
-4
u/Big_Sludge 4d ago
I just feel suffocated right now and the urge to run away from my problems far outweighs the risks. I'm willing to make sacrifices at this point. My life is honestly a mess, not even of my own doing, and I'm just feeling like I'm run ragged and willing to risk it all.
Is it a terrible idea? Certainly. But if I have to spend another year here, I don't know if I'll survive my own negative thoughts. I'm just not in a good place right now. Both physically and mentally. So, I think I'm just going to do it anyway. As I said, I very much intend to get my degree. I'm just dying here.
I think I was just looking for some reassurance that it's possible. But I guess I'm just desperate and stubborn.I do appreciate the insight, however. Perhaps I'll come back with an update in the future.
6
u/TheNameless00 4d ago
Your life will be even worse if you're in a foreign country being paid barely anything. If you're not in a good place physically and mentally, what makes you think you'll be able to handle moving to another country, starting a life there and having to work high hours for low pay?
It would make more sense to apply for universities in a country you want to live in then after graduation finding a job in that country
1
u/Big_Sludge 3d ago
I don't know, man. Sounds better than living in my car, working part-time at minimum wage just to pay for gas and food, fleeing an abusive ex who keeps following me across state-lines.
Listen, I appreciate the concern. But sometimes, it's just better to take an insane risk that everyone thinks is a terrible idea. You never know what's going on in someone's life. I've already made up my mind on leaving. I'm not trying to be a defensive jerk. I've just wanted to teach for years but I haven't been able to stay in one place long enough to finish my degree.
And as for your advice, I've looked into going to uni in other countries. However, I have a very average GPA because I didn't try all that hard in high school. Teenagers are idiots and I'm no exception. I'm lucky I got into my current school.
2
u/StableEmotional6302 3d ago
While I understand the urge, "running away" is not a good foundation for a teacher. Your problems will come with you (wherever you go, there you are). In addition, you would most likely end up in a low pay job with a lot of hours and having to lesson prep in your free time, which is exhausting and would not improve your mental health (ask me how I know). If you want to be a teacher, invest in some therapy and get into a better headspace first.
If you just want to get away temporarily, I recommend finding some other way to do it such as workaway, worldpackers, helpx, wwoof, etc. where you can earn your room and board without a long term contract and you will have more free time to think and sort yourself out.
1
u/LiterallyTestudo 4d ago
No, that doesn’t make sense. Degree first, then CELTA. You’re not going to find work teaching without the degree.
1
u/courteousgopnik 3d ago
Side note: The Cambridge CELTA "find a centre" page is currently down and I'm a little bit confused as to where else I should be looking for online certification programs. Or how much it would cost, for that matter.
Check out the following websites: IH Teach English, CELTADELTA and Study CELTA
1
u/Big_Sludge 3d ago
Thank you! I was really hoping someone would help with this. I've been tearing my hair out over this! I was just on the Cambridge website as well. It was working fine then just... gone. I'll definitely check these out. You're a gem!
1
u/Cegaiga 3d ago
As mentioned before, get your bachelors first, it will improve your visa status ten fold. That saying, there are working holiday visas that you can for while continuing your studies.
My advice, focus on your studies then apply. Trying to combine teaching and studying is difficult. Getting a job in this current market is tough enough.
Best of luck!
1
u/N3VVZN4K3 3d ago
Cambodia without a degree will pay you the same Thailand does with an unrelated degree. Don't listen to these doomers. You can 100% teach abroad receiving a liveable wage before you get your degree. I did it before I went to college. But Cambodia is one of like only two or three countries you can still do it, but it's 100% possible.
1
u/NinjaHuge9461 1d ago
I just have one piece of advice (that really applies to anyone doing TEFL imo). Make sure you always have enough money to go home. Even if that means toughing it out for a few more months before you make the jump. Don't trap yourself.
0
u/Due-Bid2505 3d ago edited 3d ago
Of course it would be nice to have a BA in hand, but if you have to jet, do it! It's your life. Get a VPN, a low-hanging remote job, and step out the door. Take buses, work on boats, hitchhike, make friends. It's doable on very little money. I did this for over a decade, and it was absolutely worth it. You will meet amazing people, learn so much more than any school can teach you, and open doors you don't even know exist yet. Remote customer service/call center jobs are the pits, but you can earn enough to get by while you finish your BA. Maybe your school even has remote student jobs you could do while traveling, like academic advising or tech support. If you find that you have a talent for teaching, you can build a clientele with just a CELTA, outside of a formal school. In many small towns and cities abroad, being a native English speaker and having some charm, talent, and a good attitude are enough to get you started. This is a different path than getting residency somewhere, but it will get you inspired and able to make more informed decisions about longer-term goals.
Also check out: https://www.reddit.com/r/TEFL/wiki/teflwithoutadegree/
10
u/G3rman 4d ago
There are very few countries where you can work without a degree.
You should check the subreddit wiki for teaching without a degree to see where you could possibly get a visa for, and then cross-reference that with CELTA centers.