Job Discussion Forums

[nodolan]

Hi there,

I have a B.Sc. in Computer Science and have taught Outdoor Pursuits, Web Design and TEFL though many years ago.

I have an ATT TEFL cert from several years ago and have decided to do a Celta course because I feel under-qualified however from reading posts on this forum I'm starting to feel that I may be biting off more than I can chew.

I have two questions (statements):

Q. I'm having a bit of an existential crisis as to why I want to teach english at all - I thought that teaching english as a means to pay my way to travel was sufficient but now I'm starting to feel that maybe I'm irresponsible and that I haven't properly considered my future students and their needs and maybe I'm just a fake....help?

Q. What can I expect on the Celta course? Do any of you have any 'How to survive Celta' tips?

Noel in Ireland (aged 37).

[Buraimi]

Hi Noel - Re Q1, I honestly wouldn't worry about it. IMHO, the students won't know (or care) why you're teaching if you do a good job.

Re Q2, it's been a number of years since I did the CELTA. If I remember correctly, it was pretty grueling, with lots of late nights preparing lessons. Be prepared to work really hard. I also bought a copy of Scrivener's "Learning Teaching" at the onset of the course and found that *really* helpful. Also, if you aren't up on your grammar, make sure you have access to a good reference text and maybe do some reading before you start. There are plenty of books out there, but for the basics, Gucker's "Essential English Grammar" is small and calls itself "the most efficient system for adults with limited learning time." I'm not sure if it's still in print, but you might find a copy on ABE Books.

Good luck!

[nodolan]

Hi Buraimi,

Thanks for that.

Scrivener's "Learning Teaching" is on our reading list and I've got it in my Wish List on Amazon (waiting for my credit card to top up) and I've earmarked a few other Cambridge books also.

I heard that you're teaching almost from the second day on Celta which scares me since it's been a few years since I taught.

I hear what you say about the conscience thing - I suppose I'll just have to get over the guilt but I'd like to get inside the head of someone who's learning english to understand why they're doing it and what they hope to get from it and what they do or don't understand.

Noel.

[t_muraoka]

[nodolan]

[t_muraoka]