CELTA

After spending the better part of the last two days looking up the best way to get my certification to teach English overseas, I have settled on the CELTA which is offered by Cambridge University here in San Francisco. It's a 4-week intensive course (M-F 9-5 for 4 weeks, plus 6+ hours expected prep time each weekend) and it costs $2500, but the CELTA is one of two certifications that are considered the best. With a CELTA, I can literally get a job anywhere in the world.

The other option, a Trinity Cert.TESOL, is no longer offered in the United States. I could, theoretically, travel to the UK to pursue my certification but I'd prefer to get all of my ducks in a row before jumping the country.

That being said, I have discovered a single scholarship for the CELTA. I realize that this means the competition will be fierce, but it's worth a shot. They released details of the scholarship today, but it won't be open for application until August of this year. The thing is, the prize is a full scholarship for a CELTA course in Brighton, UK in the year 2013. The essay topic is "Six Weeks in Brighton" and the winner will be expected to speak to media, write a blog during their course, and a post-scholarship-experience piece.

I think I can handle those responsibilities, should I win. And I'm definitely going to try my hardest.

In the mean time, I'll continue saving for the course and my visa cushion.