I’ve been teaching in kid’s eikaiwas for about 4 years. I have a CELTA but have never really done anything with it (People don’t really seem to care about it in Japan in my experience).
Lately I’ve been thinking about international schools.
It seems that they are really big on having a teaching license.
I was looking at the Moreland’s. It’s one heck of a commitment both in money and time. Not that I have an issue giving those if it’s worth it.
I was wondering if anyone has any experience with it?
How was it? Did it land you a job? I think my worry is that I’ll do it and at the end of it schools will turn me away because it’s an online license.
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I started Moreland in May last year and finished this month. I’m now in the process of applying for my DC license.
I’m only working as an ALT so don’t have any firsthand experience with international schools over here. However, the general idea that I get from reading others’ comments is that to land a role at a genuine international school in Japan that offers good pay, perks, and progression, you need teaching experience and/or connections.
Go for it if it’s genuinely what you want to do, but be aware that you may be facing an uphill battle to land a good role if you want to remain in Japan. Again, this is all what I’ve read rather than my personal experience.
I did Moreland last year. I finished in December and just recently got my license, just in time for the job hunt. I got a decent job because of it.
The good news is that there’s no such thing as an “online license”. A teaching license is a teaching license. There’s no mention of how you got it anywhere on the license.
I had the same worries as you before I started, but it turns out it’s a non-issue really.
I just started the program last month. I have 2 friends who completed the program and recommended it to me. One currently works as a science teacher at international school in Tokyo and the other, who was already working at an international school as an assistant, will be transitioning into a homeroom teacher role when a spot opens up.
I like the job that I have now and would do it indefinitely if possible, but there is always a risk that the course I teach will stop be offered. The annual ‘will I or won’t I have a job’ stress is real. I’m hoping that getting a license will open up possibilities for more stable and long-term teaching opportunities.
I’d check [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/Internationalteachers/comments/111mwrz/you_can_no_longer_use_distance_learning_programs/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) very recent post out if I were you. Moreland is becoming obsolete.
You 100% sure spending 6.5 grand in that program is what is going to give you the biggest financial return?
Yeah, Japanese do not know what a CELTA is. I mentioned in several interviews that I hold a CELTA, and they kind of look at each other and you can tell from their facial expressions that they are not sure what it is. But in Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam they knew what it was and asked for it. Some schools in Japan will ask for a CELTA. But overall, CELTA and DELTA are not known by the Japanese English teachers.
I did Moreland back when it was called Teach-Now. I was able to get my license in ESL and Japanese world language through DC public schools. Ultimately, I was able to parley the experience along with a CELTA into getting a job at a private high school here. The classes can be hit or miss. Some sections are not as applicable for teaching in Japan. I did my clinical classes while in Japan on the JET program.
The biggest benefit it gave me is being able to potentially step into a teaching role in the states if I decide to leave Japan. Based on my experience if you have the time and money it is a great way to add to your credentials. If you are set on teaching ESL starting the process of getting your DELTA might be a better use of your resources. Anyway, I hope that helps you decide.