Job Discussion Forums

[Elkie]

Hello!

I am intending to do a part time CELTA or Trinity TESOL in the new year and keep changing my mind about whether to do it part time or ask for time off from work to do it full time (not that I know whether they'll give me the time off or not!). I would like to know if anyone has done the part time course (over about 12-14 weeks), how it went, what I should expect and so on.

If anyone could help I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[sojourner]

Elkie,

You would probably get far more replies if your query had been posted to Dave's "Teacher Training Forum".There are a couple of regular posters to that forum who are CELTA trainers, themselves; eg Jeff Mohammad.

Personally, I think that it would be a good idea to do a p/t CELTA course, rather than a f/t one. I did my CELTA training a little over four years ago. It was a f/t programme - even though I passed it (only just !), I found it v.stressful - I felt that far too much was covered in such a short period of time. Doing it over three months (or whatever) would have been much more manageable for me. If you decide to do a f/t course, you'll have to put everything else "on hold" ! Also, whether you do a f/t or p/t programme, don't leave your written assignments to the last moment ! Always ask a trainer, after classes, if you are not sure about any aspect of the course.

It might be a good idea to do some pre-course reading. Many CELTA trainers recommend the books by Jeremy Harmer. You might also find the books by Jim Scrivener to be quite useful. Also, get hold of a good book on English grammar - during the programme, your trainers will sometimes use terms such as "past perfect continuous', "present simple", etc - you should make yourself familiar with such terms before commencing your training, otherwise you'll become confused and, thus, unable to comprehend the gist of the segment dealing with verb tenses !

Good luck.

Peter

[sheeba]

I got sacked from my job whilst doing the part time course. I still found it really intensive and was doing my lesson plans for the CELTA at work . I found a full time job and the course were too much for me but I guess you have different circumstances . The work (I think)suspected I was not serious about their Accounts position and would be buggering off soon. I then got a part time job whilst I endured the last 2 months of CELTA . This was more bearable and my TP's showed.

I would do it full time - Just get it out the way . I found after a few months I just wanted to finish the damm thing but I still had those horrible teaching practice sessions.

I plan to do the DELTA . No way am I doing that part time - I'm not going through that again.

[Gordon]

I did the CELTA p/t and that was over 5 years ago, maybe more, the experience is still weighing heavily on my mind. Seriously, I would recommend it p/t, as you have a little more time ingesting and applying what you are learning. Still, you will be very busy doing it p/t and working. I am not sure if you could work f/t at the same time. See about working reduced hours at the same time as the CELTA.

[culfy]

[sickbag]

Hi

I completed mine P/T last year whilst working F/T. One 3 hour class a week and most Saturdays for 3 months - I had to take a few random days of work for observations etc. If I could've done I would've done it F/T - it's a drag to have it hanging over you for 3 months. But I do have a tendency to leave things til the last minute so if you're good at staying on top of things it shouldn't be too much trouble.

[Elkie]

Thanks for all your replies. I'm still not sure what to do. I like the idea of doing 1 night a week over 7 months but haven't been able to find a course that works like that in London. They all seem to operate two nights a week over a 12-14 week period and alternate Saturdays.

One more thought is that I do not intend to go overseas to teach until much later in 2006. Does everyone think that I would be better off waiting until closer to the time. The reason I was doing it early in the year was that various organisations tend to advise you to apply about 5 months in advance but I have seen quite a few that were advertising for starting dates within a month so maybe it's not so important to apply so far in advance. Any suggestions from anyone?

Thanks again!

[Elkie]

One more thing while I think about it....beyond the class time, how much time was required for preparation etc?
Thanks!

[sheeba]

I spent stupid amounts of time on prep and assignments .Some nights with no sleep. That's why I think the full time course is a better option . If you are a perfectionist ,and believe me they will push you towards this when planning ,you'll probably spend too much time worrying about your plans - if you are anything like me anyway .
Do it in a month and you won't have the time to fanny about with your plans . It drove me mad.

I guess it depends on personality and where you do the course . I have met people who thought the CELTA was a stroll in the park . No one on my course had the opportunity to relax and not everyone passed. I think this has made me a better teacher . I had very high standards regarding my own teaching from day 1 and I still do to this day .

Gordan makes a good point regarding ingesting information but overall I think the actual job is where you can really start to learn about yourself as a teacher . Surely the actual experience is the making of your teaching ability.

[Gordon]

Remember, CELTA is an introduction to teaching. Tutors do not expect you to be a great teacher by the end of the course. They want and expect you to try hard, learn from your mistakes and be able to see when and where you've gone wrong in a lesson. When a student makes the same mistake twice is when they come down hard. If you don't take their advice and argue with the tutors is when you will fail.

They really do their best to get everyone to pass (I've found), but some people are not cut out to be teachers. Any place that guarantees everyone a pass and a job is not really a teacher training program and is doing everyone a disservice in this field.