Monday, 04 December 2017 14:12

The Irish Academy: The Place In The Canary Islands To Do A Cambridge CELTA/TEFL Course

The Irish Academy is the only place in the Canary Islands that offers CELTA TEFL courses The Irish Academy is the only place in the Canary Islands that offers CELTA TEFL courses The Irish Academy

If there's a better spot than Las Palmas de Gran Canaria city to come and do a TEFL qualification, we can't think of it. And The Irish Academy, right in the centre of the city, is the place to do your Cambridge CELTA Qualification.

The Irish Academy: The leading English language institute in the Canary Islands

There are hundreds of places around the world that teach CELTA qualifications; the World's most recognised TEFL qualification. However, there's only one in the whole of the Canary Islands and it happens to be based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria city. 

The Irish Academy is a long-standing language school with an excellent local reputation. As the only place to offer the CELTA qualification, it is the leading English-language institute in the Canary Islands. For an idea of how much previous students have enjoyed the CELTA courses, see this long list of positive reviews.

The Irish Academy offers the intensive CELTA course six times per year and is right in the middle of the city.

It also offers in-company English classes (a teacher going to a company to teach employees), prepares students for all Cambridge Suite exams, offers Spanish lessons, and does kid's classes including exam preparation (both in the academy and in local schools). 

Who should do a CELTA Qualification in Las Palmas?

If you're serious about teaching English as a second language, you need a qualification that you can take with you anywhere in the world.

Everyone who wants to teach English as a second language

These days, you need a CELTA qualification to get even an entry level ESL job. Schools and academies know that if you have the CELTA, you have all the skills needed to succeed in a classroom. These days, 91% of the English language teaching jobs offered in the UK require a CELTA qualification. 

Travellers who want to earn as they go

Teaching English is the most effective way of paying for your travels and a CELTA qualification means that you'll be able to get jobs all over the world and earn more money per hour of teaching. 

People looking for Gran Canaria teaching work  

A CELTA qualification is essential if you want to work for an academy or school in Gran Canaria. Unqualified teachers on the island only get the worst paid jobs with the worst hours and conditions. Most schools and quality academies won't even consider taking on teachers who don't have a quality TEFL qualification.

What do you need to do a CELTA course

The month-long CELTA qualification is an intensive course so the first thing you need is time to dedicate to the classes and to the work. 

You need to be 18.

You also need to speak English as a native language or be proficient to C1 level if it is your second language. 

For the exact requirements, see The Irish Academy's course description

Why do a CELTA course in Las Palmas?

As one of the 10 biggest cities in Spain, Las Palmas has a lively atmosphere and it's a safe, European city with a serious Latin-vibe. It also has one of the world's great city beaches and plenty of places to stay while you're doing your course. 

Gran Canaria is just 4-5 hours flight away from anywhere in Europe and has decent links to most countries. It's warm throughout the year and has everything you need right at hand. Provided that you do the work, there are plenty of opportunities for fun in Las Palmas, from salsa clubs to rooftop bars. Once you've qualified, there's a good chance that you'll find a teaching position in Las Palmas itself as it has a thriving ESL scene. 

Get started

Contact The Irish Academy about booking your CELTA course

 

Published in Las Palmas

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  • How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer
    How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer

    Gran Canaria's hotels have to be licensed and offer a quality level of service as well as having insurance and complying with fire regulations. The same goes for the boats that take people out to watch dolphins, the companies offering jeep safaris, and even the holiday let apartments. 

    However, not everybody in Gran Canaria follows the rules. For example, there is a significant industry running illegal and uninsured transfers between Gran Canaria airport and the island's resorts. These cars, driven by locals and foreign-residents, are just private vehicles and the drivers are unregulated and uninsured. They don't pay tax and there is no way to hold them responsible if something goes wrong. 

     At Gran Canaria Info we believe that all people and all companies offering services to tourists should legal and above board.

    So, how do you know that your airport transfer service is legal and registered with the Gran Canaria authorities?

     Using legal Gran Canaria airport transfers

    It is quite easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following...

     A blue license plate: Taxis and other public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.

    A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.

    An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public. 

    Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park of the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your transfer driver therefore should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the aiport. 

    How to spot an unlicensed transfer service

    Unlicensed drivers get away with offerring their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign (just like any member of the public can).

    However, they also have to park their car in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter. A licensed transfer driver does not need to do this because they have their own parking zone right by arrivals.

    Some unlicensed drivers don't even wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognise them and get annoyed. Instead they have to stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks). 

    When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free. 

    An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car). 

    What's the problem with unlicensed airport transfers?

    Some people use unlicensed cars because they are the cheapest option and don't realise that they are unlicensed. 

    There are several problems with unlicensed services. The most obvious is that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they cut corners (hopefully not literally). You have no way of even knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.

    Another problem is that unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the island economy.

    We believe that everybody in Gran Canaria deserves better!

    Gran Canaria Airport Transfer Services

    To find out more about the Gran Canaria airport transfer, see our Gran Canaria airport transfer article which explains the three different models; man/woman from pub with car, online transfer websites, and local transfer services.

    Or you can book a legitimate Gran Canaria airport transfer at a great price right here. Our service uses local drivers and supprts the island economy because all the money you spend stays in Gran Canaria.

    Alex Says: Using our service also helps the Gran Canaria Info team to keep providing quality local information here and in our Facebook Group

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