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*** Discrimination ***
Today I got a very interesting comment from one of my readers. I felt like I had to write something about it so here it goes…
Dear Hastaoglu,
How good is it for a non-native speaker of English? Despite the fact that we have a good experience and a college degree, I don’t think when it comes to teaching English, this CELTA can save us from getting discriminated on the ground of birth origin. What do you think? In fact, doing CELTA was a long-targeted thing for me and my friend, but we could not see a promising outcome for teaching in other countries. So, we consider it a waste of time and money. We might still get a good job in teaching without it in Nepal.
Dear ******
Having lived in the Middle East for over 15 years as a Turkish & Canadian, I can completely understand what you are talking about. In some places of the world, they wish for you to come straight out of
Secret Guide Number 1:
If you feel that you will be discriminated, then you will probably end up being discriminated, because every job out there looks for confidence. When you carry negative feelings, they often take away your strength. I look at many people out there and see that they come from very poor countries that have bad reputation. But when they walk with their head up and confident of every step they take, that is when they get respect. Once you have that respect, then the rest is a piece of cake.
Conclusion: Be Confident!
Secret Guide Number 2:
Certificates like the CELTA bring prestige to your CV. Don’t forget, quality comes from qualification. These two words are highly related…. so related that they both start with “qua” hehe. So when you have quality on your CV, then it won’t matter whether you are Indian, Chinese, Arab or whatever.
Conclusion: Quality brings Qualification. Prestige is somewhat important.
Secret Guide Number 3:
If you are not a native speaker of English, then you WILL need a certificate like the CELTA. Not to add qualification or prestige to who you are, but to add information into your head. What is inside the CELTA, helps you a lot. It gives you ideas, tactics, methods and everything else you need to become a good teacher. Without the CELTA you can still be a good teacher, but you will have to learn by your self; by educating your self with psychology books, teaching method books, culture books, student approach books etc. Let’s not forget that courses like the CELTA offer you this education and then have you practice until you can do it on your own.
Example: Just like how mother birds help their baby birds fly, the CELTA educates you and then trains you so you can fly on your own when you are out there. Not to forget that the CELTA offers you a flying pit; classrooms with real students!
This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 at 1:46 am and is filed under nationality, non native speaker, non native, native, race, countries, celta, discrimination, qualification, racist, Uncategorized. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
8 Responses to “*** Discrimination ***”
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ESL resources for teachers - TEFL course diaries - Hilal Hastaoglu, CELTA, International Training Institute, Istanbul, Turkey
August 8th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Dear Hastaoglu,
How good is it for a non-native speaker of English?. Despite the fact that we have a good experience and a college degree, I dont think when come to teaching English, this CELTA can save us from getting descriminated on the ground of birth origin.
What do you think? In fact, doing CELTA was a long-targeted thing for me and my friend, but we could not see a promising outcome for teaching in other countries. So, we consider it a waste of time and money. We might still get a good job in teaching without it in Nepal.
Thank you.
samir
Reply: Hi Samir. This entry was for you
August 8th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Hi Hilal,
I did my CELTA in January this year and have been following your posts keenly.
So far I have been enjoying your posts from the fringes, but this particular post has compelled me to write to you.
You have answered a very pertinent question beautifully! Thank you for sharing it with us and keep it coming.
Usha
Reply: Thank you very much Usha. Your supportive comment means so much to me )
August 8th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Hello Hilal,
I got in a little late on finding your blog, is there a way for me to access archives so that I may read your blogs from when you were taking the CELTA course? Thanks for your help!
Reply: I guess this is because you are signed up to my blog via email. Anyway I will email you my blogs link so you can take a look at my archives.
August 8th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Dear Hilal Hastaoglu
Hope you are in the best of your health.I wanted to know my chances of becoming an EFL teacher in Canada because I am planning to shift there. At the present moment I have an experience of 4 years in teaching English as a foreign language, besides I have also been teaching Masters and Business Communication classes.
As far as my qualifications are concerned I hold a Masters degree in English Literature and Linguistics from National University of Modern Languages, Pakistan. I got an 8 in IELTS.
Do I need to go for CELTA also? And what about my chances of becoming a teacher of English Literature. I am very apprehensive about my future in Canada. Can you help me out please.
Thanking you in anticipation
Ayesha Mushtaq
Reply: Hi Ayesha. You can become an English teacher anywhere in the world as long as you want to! However, like I said in my entry… qualification comes with quality.
If I was in your place I would take the DELTA right away, instead of the CELTA. When you have experience in teaching your start should be the DELTA.
As for teaching English literature.. if you are planning to teach in a university, you might need to speak with your employer first because they may request a masters degree or at least bachelors degree in English literature. In conclusion: go for the DELTA.
Whatever you go for, good luck 
August 8th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Thanks. This is really enlightening!!!
Tara Vagas
Reply: You are all a source of motivation for me
The more I am motivated, the more I can enlight you all 
Thank you very much for your comment.
August 9th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Dear Hilal,
Thank you for your quick and effective response.
Those are good words. Is there any possibility we can do CELTA in Nepal ? That would be the best for us due to the price factor and convenience. Going to India is not much a good idea to me, nor is it in China. If job prospective can be counted on, doing this in Thailand can attract us. Pls, specify or refer us to a good place to get this teaching degree.
Thank you
Samir
Reply:
Dear Samir,
Unfortunately I have no idea of institutes that offer the CELTA in Nepal. What you can do is perhaps contact the British Embassy in India or China or even Thailand and ask to speak to their Education section. Most British Embassies have an Education section, if I am not mistaken.
Another thing you can do is to take the CELTA in Dubai/Al Ain or Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates or in Istanbul. In Dubai, I believe the Higher Colleges of Technology offer the CELTA and DELTA. In Istanbul, you can take it where I took it at, International Training Institute. Wherever you take it, it will cost you.
Try to go to a place with cheap living standards, yet a place where you won’t go crazy due to culture differences! This will help you can survive and in the same time take the with a sane mind CELTA.
Here is something that might help you a bit regards to where you can take the CELTA in UAE http://www.hct.ac.ae just email them and ask the price and where the course is offered.
Same goes for Istanbul/Turkey; http://www.geocities.com/iti_ist/
If you are similar with other countries, then dont hesitate to email places and ask around. It took me many emails before I decided to take the CELTA in Istanbul.
I hope this helps. Wherever you decided to take, I hope it brings you best of luck
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:56 pm
as always a very good answer from the pro Hilal. Good job girliieee
December 8th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
P.S. To take the CELTA in Thailand, you can check out the sponsors of this competition