Job Discussion Forums

[kclaib]

Well, I am now embarking on my "second" career as an ESL teacher!

I'm all booked in to my CELTA class (beginning June 27th). Since I really want to be a successful teacher, I view this class as indispensable instruction, and not just certification.

I'd like to spend the time remaining until the start of the class preparing myself to think like a teacher. Beyond the pre-class task, does anyone have suggestions for psychological preparation?

[Denizen]

There are many language schools scattered throughout New York. You might consider calling a couple and make an appointment to observe a class for a few days. This could give you a rudimentary idea of what ESL is all about, pick the brain of an experienced ESL teacher, and go from there.

The best of luck to you.

[naturegirl321]

[mozzar]

Look on the internet for example lesson plans and then try to copy the format and write your own. Design some taskss for teaching the present perfect, the conditional, some vocabulary. This will save you some time and worry when the course starts.

[Jbhughes]

Learn all the tenses inside out - I would do this by analysing examples first and trying to understand the grammar yourself first (and thus practising analysing language) before checking in a grammar reference book (although it needn't be something as in-depth as Swan).

Practice recognising what part of speech words are.

I think looking at lesson plans off the internet is fine and can give you an idea of how people teach - but my CELTA tutors were looking for quite specific ways of teaching different types of lesson. The candidates who followed the structures and techniques that the tutors laid out for us did the best, whereas others who couldn't grasp the information or used what they had previously learnt failed lessons and came close to failing the course.

Are you doing your course in NY or in a different country? If it's a different country, you could research what specific problems sts have from that country/region when learning English.

If you're in the city for any time prior to the course (or area of NY where the course is) I would locate as many different options for food and coffee etc near the centre where you are doing your course. Stationary shops would be useful too, as well as photocopy shops (if you can find one that is open 24 hours that could be good!).

Look at some questions from a coursebook (do you know what coursebooks you will be using on the course?) and practice giving the instructions to your family or friends or anyone who'll bear it (a pet?) in as clear a manner as possible.

Practice your acting! How many action verbs can you act out?

Finally, don't stress out too much - doing the CELTA was honestly one of the best experiences of my life one way or another and you're going to love it - sleepless nights, last minute essay submissions, crying coursemates and all!

p.s. I may have gone too far with the instructions/acting part!

[kclaib]

[nickpellatt]

Learn the English tense system. Google is your friend. Most trainees are clueless in this area (many teachers still are!) Having a general idea here will help you.

Learn the IPA. Less than 10% of teachers have any idea of this and it is used a lot in the course.

Having a handle on both will put you in a strong position.

And mentally practise leaving your ego at the door. You will be told you are wrong quite often. Accept it, and learn from it.

I agree though, I loved doing my course...and Im sure you will have great fun and love it too!

[kclaib]

Thanks everyone!