Job Discussion Forums

[Aussie Chick]

Today, 18 hours after being told I was accepted for the course, and given details on how to pay for the deposit, I was sent this via email:

[Gordon]

[fluffyhamster]

I can imagine the POWER that the trainers feel in dishing out that sort of warning...I'd advise caution (first time I've ever heard of a FORMAL, WRITTEN WARNING!)...who knows, they could be just itching to fail you already, unless you can change your surname to Chomsky or Pinker and become able to balance a stonking great grammar on your nose in only a matter of weeks (all the while clapping for fish).

Anyway, I find it a little amusing actually that they think that there is no contradiction between developing the necessary language awareness in a matters of WEEKS (not years) whilst being shackled to a rather rigid/inflexible methodology and mindset.

Unless this were something they do with at least half the potential trainees, I myself would be tempted to tell them where to stick it; then again, I suppose it could be an indication of rigorous standards and ultra-professionalism, them not mentioning failure as only a very remote possibility before cackling and taking your money at an earlier meeting.

[Aussie Chick]

[fluffyhamster]

I'm guessing that they weren't happy with the stuff in bold: 'we would like to remind you that one of the key criteria for passing the course is to be able to analyse and explain new language clearly for students. This is an area you found difficult both in the application task'.

So, just think, with the CELTA you'll learn how to patronize the hell out of students, all from hasty notes scrawled on the back of a beer mat (forget GENUINE/real language, truly exhaustive and comprehensive research, a desire to make a real difference for the average student etc etc).

Take a look at englishdroid's 'Celta Without Tears' page online (if it's still available).

[denise]

[spiral78]

The courses are tough. There were 13 (unlucky, maybe) on mine - which I should hasten to clarify was NOT CELTA, but a generic course. Only 6 of us passed, and, quite honestly, those who failed should have failed. I have no quibble with the decisions.

My point is that I remember there were long-term repercussions for the course provided, lots of legal hassles to go through, from candidates who didn't put in the time/energy, or quite simply weren't cut out for teaching to begin with.

It may not be so much you, Aussiechick, as those who've gone before.

It's too bad if a course provider has to cover themselves like this...if it were me in your shoes, I'd feel quite nervous. But you've approached the issue in a proactive manner and I hope it will all go well for you in the end.

Thanks for keeping us in the loop!

[Old_Liz]

Hi Aussiechick

Don't be too despondent.

I was interviewed (in person) last week with three others for a CELTA course starting next week, on which there were two vacancies remaining due to late withdrawals.

One young lass - clearly a very intelligent, personable, well-spoken young woman - was tactfully knocked back at an early stage in the interviewing process as her awareness of punctuation and basic grammatical terms was just NOT THERE. However, she opted to continue with the rest of the interview process and tasks as she was offered a place on the next course on condition that she successfully completed an introductory grammar course - NOT held, I hasten to say, at the training centre so no profit that I know of in it for them.

There was also a young man who was not offered a place at all, as his spelling was patchy to say the least, and he seemed unable to grasp some of the simple logic used to explain the corrections. His initial application must have been acceptable, though, for him to be offered an interview. I wonder who helped him with it?

I, being in my late 50's, learnt grammar as a seven year old and actually enjoyed the spelling tests every Monday morning at primary school. So no problem with that part of the interview! The remaining candidate, although admitting he had little knowledge of grammar, applied reasoning and logic to his tasks during the interview and did well after some explanations.

I, too, think that your training centre is just covering its back. Telephone interviews by their nature cannot be as thorough as live ones, and tasks send from a distance might have been worked on with the aid of reference books of all sorts.

It could perhaps have been done a wee bit more professionally and tactfully, but I doubt if those responsible for the interview are the same people as those responsible for sending out the paperwork. I think they just want to keep you on your toes and remind you that it is not a holiday course and to do some preparatory work.

I'm just taking a break from my 15 hour total pre-course task ... back to work now.

Liz

[HarryG]

Hi-I just finished working for an insurance company (dry) to save up for my own CELTA. We had to send dozens of threatening letters out like that everyday in ANTICIPATION of future disputes etc (I'm not proud).

The point is, the letters were designed by the legal team and then duplicated so everyone gets the same harsh wording etc. That's probably what has happened here-especially as they have the document readily drawn up for you to sign. It might be very common or, if they're really cautious they might send it to everyone. If anyone ever kicked off after failing it would become standard proceedure.

If you have confidence in your own grasp of English I wouldn't worry. Either way, there's a lot of courses out there.

Hope that helps

[fluffyhamster]

Talking of linguistic unawareness, did anyone else find that opening strangely repetitive?

[Gordon]

If someone finds the above letter offensive, than I advise you to not take the CELTA. You better develop a thick skin or you'll be driven to tears or want to break someone's nose. Your feelings are not important to the trainers.

[spiral78]

Good point, Gordon. In the aforementioned somewhat disfunctional group on my course, two gentlemen bashed their fists into doors and walls on several occasions.

The courses are tough. I was a 'good' student all the way through, but I flaked out on my first team-teach (my partner covered for me fantastically) and I slept about three hours the final four days of the course...

I know that all courses (and groups of trainees) are not nearly as extreme as mine was, but it was a nice case study of how people can crack when they're being observed and critiqued continually for a solid month.

Anyway, I still think Aussie Chich did a good job to address her specific situation in a pro-active way, and I hope she'll let us know how it all goes in the end.

[Aussie Chick]

I didn't post this thread because my widdle feelings were hurt (although they were, but I can take constructive criticism) but because:

1) I thought it was rather unprofessional of them to send an email 2 hours after the interview to say I'm accepted for the course, complete with instructions on how to pay the deposit, and then 18 hours later (during which time I've told my friends and family of the good news, and could have paid the deposit if I was willing to part with my money so soon)

2) I'm told that I might be accepted if I sign a waiver form which isn't legally binding anyway (as from what I've learnt, including from the interviewer who specifically told me that the CELTA was handed out based on the discretion of the trainers).

Having worked in corporate offices, I suppose I am used to a higher level of professionalism, and expect such from an organisation I would be paying $2500 to be trained for a certificate.

I haven't heard from them yet, but considering my reply email would have reached their office mid-afternoon on Friday, I wasn't expecting anything this early.

Meanwhile, I have been reading up on English grammar, as well as considering equivalent certificates in other European countries.

[eslstudies]

[Aussie Chick]