Job Discussion Forums

Matt_ · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Ireland

I was just wondering if anyone had good experiences with intensive month long CELTA courses, as opposed to the six month long part time courses. It seems that much information might be a little overwhelming crammed into such a short period of time. Essentially I need to know if useful techniques and training can be taught in that time period.

Thanks.

joricho · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 7

I found my CELTA (4 weeks) pretty intense, but I think it is probably preferable to dragging it out over 6 months. I suppose it depends largely on your personality but I liked that you'd learn something in the morning in your CELTA and be expected to use it later that day. The intensity made me use things that I might not have if I'd had more time to think about it. That said, someone I worked with last year did a part time CELTA for 12 weeks - I think maybe this is a good balance as you've got some time to reflect but you're not dragging it too long.

If you do any part time course you need to make sure this includes hands on teaching to make you employable.

Good luck!

isanity · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 179

There's not really that much information to deal with. Typically the informational 'input sessions' will be about three hours each day, probably with a coffee break, and a lot of that time will be spent learning about practice activities you can do on a topic with your students. There's far more observation and imitation involved than actual learning of knowledge.

joricho · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 7

I agree, the fact that it is so intensive makes the imitation etc. easier in my opinion.

Matt_ · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Ireland

Thanks for the input. I might end up plumping for a longer course anyway though, due to certain financial circumstances.

richs23 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Cornwall, England

The intense celta was prefect for me. I took it in may and got a top summer job after. If you have any previous teaching experience this will take away a lot of the intensity too. If you want to get a pass a or b you will have to work hard though. It seems they give a pass just for a bum on seat though from what i saw!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:57 am Post subject:

Hi all,
I'm currently teaching on a four week teacher training course, similar to the CELTA- also took one, quite a few years ago.
It's designed as an intensive course, and is, in fact, intense. But the progress I've seen in our trainees in 3 weeks so far (it's my first course) is nothing short of astounding. I really do feel like they'll be ready to start work in another week.
But, how good they'll be as teachers depends on how hard they work then, as well as now. We're helping them aquire the tools to go on learning to teach- I hope they apply them to their jobs in the future. If not, they'll only ever be as good as they are now.
A four week course can be a good start- but it's only a start.

Best,
Justin