Should I do an M.A. TEFL, or similar course, instead of a CELTA?
A. That may depend on your circumstances and personal career objectives. Bear in mind that the vast majority of M.A. courses have little or no practicum component. Depending on the university, an M.A. course may require extensive reading, writing and talking about students, but you may not actually get near any! Successful teaching requires training in highly practical skills under the guidance of highly-trained and experienced trainers. That’s what the CELTA provides. And that’s why not a few people who have completed an ELT-related M.A. also take the CELTA for the practical skills they need for classroom work with real students. Many employers are aware of all this and place emphasis on teachers with proven practical teaching skills and credentials. Depending on their long-term career objectives, we at LR recommend ELT teachers to take both the CELTA and then either the higher level Cambridge DELTA (Diploma) or an M.A.
