Getting certified to teach English as a foreign language in Munich
If you would like to teach English but have no experience or training, you might consider enrolling at the Munich Volkshochschule (MVHS) next summer. From July 3 to August 4, the MVHS will once again run a five-week, full-time course leading to the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), an internationally recognized initial teaching qualification endorsed by the University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate. Although there is no official closing date for applicants, potential candidates should apply as soon as possible, as the 12 available places are filled on a first come, first served basis. The selection procedure includes a written essay and an interview, to be held in March or May. You don’t need to be a native speaker to apply, but you should demonstrate a good standard of written and spoken English, with a basic knowledge of the grammar and structure of the language. Although such a certificate is not absolutely necessary to find a teaching position, it can be a gateway to better paid and more interesting jobs. It is “a vital first stop if you seek a career in teaching English,” says Briony Beaven of the MVHS. Briony first ran the course in 1998, responding to the lack of initial teacher training courses in southern Germany. At DM 2,600, the course is not cheap. However, many schools, including the MVHS, will start CELTA graduates at a higher rate than other new teachers. For further information and an application pack, please contact Briony Beaven, Münchner VHS, Fachgebiet Englisch, Postfach 80 11 64, 81611 Munich, tel. 48006 –165, fax -253. <<<