Job Discussion Forums

[sager]

vabeckele

My grammar was good even before I started my TEFL course. I'm of a certain age where I actually learnt to parse sentences while at school.
I didn't always know the different parts of speech, etc. but it's something you learn on your course.

I encourage you to go for it!

I'm not an EU citizen so count myself very lucky to be living in Germany where I have a job with a full-time contract.

sager

[scot47]

Wigan ? Read what Eric Blair/George Orwell had to say about the place in "Road to Wigan Pier"

[Archie Rice]

I don't understand why you are terrified of CELTA? It's quite tough, but that provides a learning curve and by doing it you will improve. I hadn't done any further education for nearly 15 years when I did mine. I am not a very academic person, but I got through it.

As far as negative reports from people, remember there are a lot if whingers out there. Meet the trainers, see if you click, if not then go elsewhere.

[vabeckele]

[fluffyhamster]

@Vabeckele: If you want terrifying grammar, take a look at the CGEL (Cambridge Grammar of the English Language), or indeed, any one of Rodney Huddleston's (=literally "a limpet clinging on for grim death" in Chinese) rather dry tomes. The discussions here on Dave's are straightforward immensely enjoyable breezes in comparison!

[vabeckele]

[fat_chris]

[Augustus]

hello,

This is an old thread I started which I've only just realised is still being added too. I am now around week 5/6 into the CELTA course and am enjoying it very much. However, please note that its not a course in studying language analysis etc - it really just focuses on teaching us how to teach using language as a mechanism to support that.........

I've heard though that the Times newspaper is offering a course for around �60 which mainly focuses on grammar and language methodology. I dont know if its true as I simply dont have time to undertake it at the moment but I am considering undertaking it once the course is completed.

[fluffyhamster]

[Xie Lin]

[vabeckele]

[fluffyhamster]

@Xie Lin: Sorry for the unclear post. What I was trying to say was that if trainees feel they are only really learning about the language as they're encountering it practically (two meanings LOL) in the classroom, no wonder they might have problems with whatever formal~functional analysis and start stressing out about possibly being in error (they are certainly handed a fair bit of rope with which to hang themselves (note, themselves, after having done all the heavy lifting unassisted)). Anyway, from the sounds of it Augustus/Jenny is relieved that the CELTA is more of a "hands on" course once underway, so she could be forgiven for wondering what the point of half of the stuff she had to cram in pre-course tasks was. (My answer would be that that wasn't really even the half of it, but never mind!). Which is all a roundabout way of saying that IMHO, grammar should be formally taught (lectured about, even) and assessed for at least a week or so. I doubt if many trainers (or trainees, even?) would have the time or inclination, though. At the minimum I would like to see a reasonably thorough grammar coursebook set and checked through prior to the "course proper" starting, but I appreciate there may be different strokes for different folks. (Everybody is or remains or can still get insecure about their grammar though. Strange, that! How nice it would be to hear loud and clear that certs were really delivering on the grammar side of things. And I don't buy into any "It's only an induction" excuses. The cert-holders are then "certified" teachers, and get let loose on enough unsuspecting classes "LOL").

[Denim-Maniac]

^^^ I still think the 'method' is more valuable. And the pre-course work exists only to introduce trainees to the world of language awareness. To make them 'aware' I guess.

Most people tend to think teaching English is just about talking at students. Or when you say 'I teach English in XXX country', the standard question is 'do you speak XXX language?' My feeling is a 30 day course does a lot to dispell all pre-conceived ideas of English teaching, open the door to a well-managed EFL classroom, and give some basic tools allowing a trainee to move in the right direction. Hopefully one day arriving in their own well-managed and resourceful classroom.

I see / have seen lots of people without CELTA and its painful to see TBH. I have seen lots of people with wonderful knowledge of language, but no knowledge of teaching and thats also painful to see. If people really take on board CELTA type courses and use it as a foundation to build upon, I think the course serves its purpose well.

[fluffyhamster]

(@D-M) The pre-course work certainly helps put trainees on notice, and even a bit back on their heels, but IMHO the course itself unfortunately doesn't quite get and keep them on their toes and reaching further upwards. Or putting it another way, one doesn't completely sink because one is kept in nice shallow water and not made to swim that far. ("Yes, but it's only a 5-meter pool!" ).

[Denim-Maniac]

LOL, Ive also seen people with CELTA and its painful ... but if I said that straight away it would weaken my standpoint too much

I recently swapped PM's with someone in China who said they felt CELTA methods and lesson plans sucked, as this tended to take material to class and just react to the students needs based on what he saw / heard. Whilst I can see value in that freeform approach ... I sometimes wonder where the learning is.

Anyway ... I am one who likes method. CD's filed alphabetically? Check. Clothing hung up in a particular order? Check.

Teach me Chinese with a schema setting warmer. Pre teach and present language, a controlled drill and then free practice? Check (if only!)