Job Discussion Forums

[M.K.]

I'm about to start a CELTA teacher training course, and I'm feeling a bit nervous. Can anyone tell me, is it really as tough as "they" make it out to be? What tips would those of you who have taken the course give to a newbie?
I earned my BA 3 years ago, so my brain is not completely rusty. I just want to get a good idea of what I'm in for. The website of the school where I'm taking the CELTA has these stern warnings about 100% attendance and does not recommend attempting the course if one is not able to be completely focused, without any emotional or physical issues. I have no problems along those lines, but I will be taking the course outside my home country (the US of A), so I'm at least expecting a bit of culture shock.
By the way, I'm not interested in any responses along the lines of, "The CELTA is worthless, don't waste your time". I've already paid for the course and bought my plane ticket, so it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of preparation.
I would greatly appreciate any insider tips you are willing to share!

[dorum]

I did a Trinity TESOL - equivalent of what you're giong to do (sort of - but with teaching kids). I can assure you this kind of warning should be put on the intensive courses - you spend a lot of time at school (taking/giving classes, lesson plans, feedback etc.), and some people go a bit strange after a while (speaking from personal experience..).
Mind you, these people are not ususaly all that stable to begin with..
Any reasonably adjusted person can get through it without serious scars, so don't worry!!

Best of luck!

[M.K.]

I'm stable, and "reasonably adjusted" is a pretty relative term, but from what I hear (and read on Dave's) I just might be more balanced than some teachers out there!

What I've done so far to prepare is to do a CELTA pre-task that the school sent me. It was basically a review of grammar and such. I'm also in the process of photo-documenting my life - taking pictures of my friends, my house, my family, etc. to show to my students. I understand the CELTA has you practice teaching during your first week of the course! Anyway, what I mostly want to know is if anyone has tips for retaining sanity during the course? I really want to do well (the school offers decent contracts to all teachers with B-Pass or above), but don't want to drive myself over the edge doing it

[lajzar]

Id be cynical about any school that claims to offer contract to its graduates. The celta course I took claimed to, but didnt. What they offerred was an interview, but I could have got that by reading the newspaper anyway.

Anyhow, the best preparation is to make sure you have no outside disturbances. celta is a tough programme, but not especially difficult. As long as you have no distractions, any reasonably intelligent person should be able to pass. It isnt a course designed to weed out passers and failures. Instead, it is focused as a training course.

[voodoochild]

I done a 1 month intensive with International House London and It was like paramilitary training (ok i exaggerate) anyway it was the best thing I ever did , It really puts one through the shredder and sharpens you up.

[dduck]

When I did the CELTA last year I found that most people can pass however some of the trainees had problems with:

1. Anger management. Some Trainers and better at giving feedback than others, and some trainee's egos are the size of planets to begin with. If your reasonably well adjusted you'll get through it. Take it on the chin and move on.

2. Breaking the workload up into manageable chunks. Most of the trainees felt happier when they realised they didn't need to know everything about English grammar - only the parts they needed to teach.

3. Watching your friends receiving "Not up to Standard" remarks. I worked in a team of six. I think it's really important to support your team, emotionally, and with the practical stuff too. Normally, I don't like to complain but I found it very supportive to sit with my friends and complain about the course. It's a good way of releaving the stress.

Also, I found out that the final grade you receive depends more on your classroom performance then the assignments - though they are still important-ish. In hindsightn, I also wasted a lot of time adapting my own materials. To me it now seems it not so much the materials that matter but how you use them to get across your point.

Iain

[khmerhit]

You'll be all right. I'm a rather neurotic person (with a drinking problem)and I made it through to a pass, and i didnt do it in Timbuctoo either! Just hold out till the second week and you're home free. Remember to assert yourself in the group while staying part of the team, because you will be placed in deliberately awkward situations by the moderators. It's a total head-spin.

[PanamaTeacher]

hey MK congrats on escaping your cubicle, good luch
where are you going?

[M.K.]

I'm escaping the confines of a soul-less marketing job go to Costa Rica, teach, and make no money doing it I'm also doing my CELTA there. Seemed to make sense to do the course in my intended teaching destination. I'm really very much looking forward to all of this, just having those last-minute butterflies, you know?

Khmerhit...neurotic and a drinking problem? Sounds all too familiar! I personally like to think the two factors cancel each other out.

[PanamaTeacher]

pura vida!

[Sandgropers]

I agree with all the advice already given but would just like to add a few extra points:

NEVER allow yourself to get behind in the assignments or other obligatory (after hours) course work, otherwise you will create a really stressful situation for yourself in your effort to catch up!
I had to teach for 20 minutes on the FIRST DAY of the course and, while daunting, it did manage to break the ice for the remainder of the practical teaching side of the CELTA course.
You'll need to develop good TIME-MANAGEMENT skills to complete all the necessary tasks AND HOPEFULLY get a LITTLE sleep!

Remember.......it IS ONLY four weeks out of your life and will open up a whole new world for you.

Enjoy and good luck.
Cheers

[jadg]

MK - just finished the CELTA 10 days ago - first study of any description I have done since completing a B.Comm 6 years prior and first ever experience of teaching whatsoever . Fantastic course all up, challenging but cast aside too many nerves by remembering it's very hard to fail! Don't let this make you complacent, keep on top of your grammar if it's not a strong point, and most importantly be very vigilant about responding to tutors' assessments and criticisms of your teaching methods, addressing theses issues directly as they arise.
If you've passed a BA, apathy is your only concern here -good luck!

[M.K.]

Just want to say thanks to all for the advice. You wise and helpful posters have helped calm my fears, so now I can focus on the really important question...what the $*&@! to bring with me!
Wish me luck!

[khmerhit]

Yeah, good luck and all that. Try not to imbibe too much-- or at all. I didnt take a drink till the last day of the second week. not easy. Also, i dont know if youre the rebellious sort or not, but if you LISTEN TO THE INSTRUCTORS AND DO WHAT THEY SAY, youll be alll right on the nite.

[Kereru]

You are probably better off in a CELTA course if you have never taught as the school teachers on my course found it especially hard to break out of the TTT (teacher-talking-time) mode. We did our practice teaching with Somalii refugees and the best tip I was given was to prepare more than you expect to use but expect to only get through half of what you've planned. Some simple exercise that you think will take 10 minutes can take your class 20 but better still is the exercise that you'd planned to take 15 but the class get so enthusiastic you run with it for 30 min. Good Luck