Bangkok CELTA and that new school

**Drew345** · 3rd October 2005 20:22

Hello Bangkok CELTA experts,
My University in Seoul wants me to get CELTA certified this February. I said fine, I'll do it in Bangkok. I lived in Bangkok for 3 years and miss some things dearly. I never taught English before, my degree is in Engineering; so the CELTA sounds worthwhile for me in my new career.
As I look over the threads here, I see a lot about ECC and Elite CELTA degrees, with most votes going to ECC. But there is a prominent banner ad here for International House. Can anyone recommend / compare their CELTA program to ECC? I like the location better on Silom anyway; but Siam square's not bad either.
Actually my Korean boss wants me to get the CELTA at the British Council here in Seoul. Before I left Bangkok, I checked at the Siam Square British Council and they seemed pretty clueless about what a CELTA degree was. So, British Council Bangkok doesn't offer CELTA; is that right? Any comparison between ECC (or IH) and a British Council program? I need to 'sell' this Bangkok CELTA idea to my Korean boss.
Weather is turning chilly now in Seoul. It's jacket weather and the leaves are starting to change color. And no need to worry about the terrible winters because the schools here are out from Dec 15 to Feb 28 and Jun 15 to Aug 30. I'll spend that time in BKK!
Thanks,
Drew

**Bangkok Phil** · 3rd October 2005 20:33

This will be the first CELTA program that IH Bangkok has run.
Not fair to call it a 'new school' though. It's been in business in Bangkok at least four years that I know of

**LDMA** · 3rd October 2005 22:23

IH has branches worldwide, so it's fair to say they'll probably be as good as any on here...I pondered the IH CELTA in London when I was deciding where to do mine, but I ended up doing mine in Nottingham...with our local college

**Oswulf** · 3rd October 2005 23:03

IH started in London over 50 years ago - but the overseas operations are all franchises. The IH brand is supposed to mean quality, though: IH has taken away the franchise from a few overseas operations because they didn't meet its standards.

Similarly, Cambridge monitors the standards of CELTA courses very closely. Every CELTA course has external monitors who check that it's being run to standard.

In short: all CELTAs should be equal, but IH has a little extra prestige.

**haltest** · 4th October 2005 00:24

I did my CELTA at international house in London and it was excellent, the standard as Oswulf says should be the same, it's a reputable organisation and the instructors I had were all top notch as I am sure they will be in Bangkok as well.

**hodd** · 4th October 2005 01:44

Originally Posted by Adam

IH is a 'name' in the teacher training - everyone knows it, it spells quality

I'm sure IH schools that offer formal teacher training are quite good. To say, though, that IH means quality is wrong. Anyone can open a school and pay a few thousand pound a year to London HQ to get the IH badge. Then, it's an inspection every three years and, unless you're a pile of old pants, you'll remain an IH.

Some IH schools in continental Europe suck the big one, and anyone who's worked at one in KL will confirm what a bag of sh1te it is.

**Reg Young** · 4th October 2005 02:24

I've heard nothing but good things about their training programmes, as well.

There's a big difference between a training programme, usually run a few times a year for Westerners paying a fair bit of cash, and an EFL programme, usually run continually throughout the year for non-Westerners paying rather significantly less. It may not be right, but it's none too surprising.
- Reg

**Unwell** · 4th October 2005 07:45

Anyone can open a school and pay a few thousand pound a year to London HQ to get the IH badge.

true enough. i had a few meetings wih the head of i.h. in the west of england this year in the uk. even he admitted that i.h. wasn't strict enough when it came to granting licenses to foreign franchisees and evaluating ones with a license.

he knew nothing about the bangkok i.h. and admitted that once you paid the license money you were pretty much left alone to do what you wanted.

**Bangkok Phil** · 4th October 2005 09:08

he knew nothing about the bangkok i.h. and admitted that once you paid the license money you were pretty much left alone to do what you wanted.

I know Danny, the guy who runs/part owns the IH Bangkok franchise, very well. Keeping the international standards of IH is always very high on his agenda. He hates the thought of ever becoming 'just another Bangkok language school'
Whenever I chat to him, I never fail to leave feeling mighty impressed with his visions and his ways of doing things.

**Drew345** · 4th October 2005 09:58

Thanks everyone for the great feedback.
IH sounds like they can certainly handle a CELTA course. I wonder what their first CELTA course ever will be like though.
Do you think IH will bring in some experienced trainers from other IH operations for this first CELTA course? If it is all new trainers, all just starting on the learning curve, it could be less effective / organized. I know I teach a class much better the second time than the first. Do you think they will have some experienced guys?
Thanks,
Drew

**kenkannif** · 4th October 2005 10:03

You'd think they would mate, why not ask them???

**champagne charlie** · 4th October 2005 10:06

Can't be worse than ECC I'd image.

**Unwell** · 4th October 2005 10:06

I know Danny...

thats all good phil, i'm certainly not going to make any assumptions with my limited knowledge. seems then that i.h. u.k. should outreach a little more to their foreign franchises, unite their team a little more so everyone is connected.

**Bangkok Phil** · 4th October 2005 10:14

Do you think IH will bring in some experienced trainers from other IH operations for this first CELTA course? If it is all new trainers, all just starting on the learning curve, it could be less effective / organized

They are bringing in a trainer / trainers from abroad - at considerable expense I might add.

http://www.ihbangkok.com/the_trainers.html

It's all on the website mate. That's what websites are for.