An internationally-recognised teaching course at City of Bath College could be the motivation needed to pack your bags and see the world.
The English Language School is offering taster sessions in a bid to raise the profile of the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (CELTA).
The College is spreading the word on how the qualification that gives you the skills to teach English to foreign students is highly regarded throughout the world.
Teaching English as a foreign language is a growing industry and students are full of praise for the qualification that opens up opportunities to earn funds while living overseas.
Those interested in finding out more can get a feel for the University of Cambridge qualification with the taster sessions on Saturday, October 11.
Eleanor Ward, 25, chose to do the CELTA course at City of Bath College even though she lives more than 200 miles away in Ipswich.
She was on an archaeology dig in France as part of her anthropology degree at the University of Durham when she did some voluntary work at a language centre.
Eleanor, who stayed with relatives in Weston while doing the course, said: “When you teach English you get to go travelling and see the world.
“I’d quite like to work in French-speaking Canada or maybe South East Asia, and that’s the beauty of the course, it helps you get wherever you want to go.
“I’m really looking forward to walking into a real classroom to put into practice what I have learnt.”
Eleanor said she had really enjoyed not only learning the theory behind teaching, but also classroom management and grammar rules and terminology.
Matthew Laszlo von Pokorny, 22, took the CELTA course as he’s been a linguist “on the side” for many years. He’s fluent in German and enrolled at City of Bath College after graduating in physics from the University of Bath.
Matthew said: “It’s nice to get the official qualification as I travel a lot and would like to work abroad.
“It’s a highly-regarded course and it’s nice to know I can now help others with their English.
“There’s always a need for English-language teachers and I’d love to work in a German-speaking country.”
A CELTA is recognised by the British Curriculum Authority as a Level 5 qualification. The mix of theory and practical work can be studied at City of Bath College in the day or evenings.
The course runs throughout the year and prides itself on giving those aged from their 20s to their 70s the confidence to become a teacher.
CELTA Tutor Christina Appleton said teaching English was very rewarding and helping students to find overseas employment was part of the course.
She said: “The course is open to anyone who wants to teach English to foreign students. You can complete the course with little or no teaching experience.
“It’s an English language qualification that’s recognised around the world.
“It opens so many doors for so many people who want to travel, I’d encourage people to come along to the taster sessions and give it a go.
“I’ve taught English in Greece, Argentina and Spain and it’s so much fun. You get to see a country’s culture in a different way as you are living in the community.”
The taster sessions are £25 but this fee will be refunded to those who enrol on a CELTA course at City of Bath College.
For more information on CELTA courses call 01225 312191 ext 715 or visit www.citybathcoll.ac.uk.