Job Discussion Forums

[wayne1523]

I'm in the middle of my third week at CELTA and I've decided that I can no longer last in the course. The pacing and workload is just too incredibly heavy for me to pick up on and I'm very behind in incorporating all of their theories and strategies in my teaching practice lessons, not to mention the assignments that go on top of it. For the past three weeks I have gone to school as if there was a gun being pointed at my head ready to trigger at any minute, I did everything with the high possibility of failing in the back of my head. I also had to commute a total of more than 3 hours everyday to get there. I feel so disappointed with myself because this was something that I really looked forward to getting but I guess in hindsight, I was making decisions too quickly? I was the youngest one in my class with 0 teaching experience. Perhaps I should have tried teaching with just a BA first before deciding on bigger things such as the CELTA. Right now, the CELTA has sort of intimidated me of the teaching profession, although I would also admit that there were alot of moments where I had alot of fun with my trainers, peers, and the students that I taught. But overall, just a great disappointment, but perhaps now I should just focus on continuing searching for jobs in Asia that only require a BA. Then, maybe some time down the road when I mature a little and decide to take teaching more seriously and think it's what I want to do in the long run, perhaps try the CELTA again?

[fluffyhamster]

Has it occurred to you that you may be taking the CELTA (i.e. the CELTA itself - the training etc) a bit too seriously?

Anyway, don't whatever you do jack it all in quite just yet - you never know, you may still pass! ("It ain't over until the fat-headed trainers have 100% failed you i.e. until you definitely haven't received a glossy certificate stamped 'Pass'" ).

And from what I recall of doing the CELTA, around the 3-week mark is when the trainers really do give you plenty of subtle and not-so-subtle suggestions as to what you have to do (or rather, not continue doing!) in order to make sure you get that pass/avoid any possible fail, so simply take note and don't take any of it too much the wrong way.

But assuming you do fail (which as I say is likely a very BIG but still!), I'd then advise you to eventually take an MA rather than waste more time pursuing a possibly too-relentlessly "practical" qualification again.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

I notice that you're from Toronto. Me too! And that made me wonder WHY you are doing a CELTA. It's not a bad initial qualification, but there are a huge number of people with TESOL certificates from UofT (and other universities), Humber (and other colleges) as well as Carleton and Algonquin- people who do their training out to Ottawa routinely go to Toronto to try to find a job.

A CELTA would be useful in Europe. Do you have dual citizenship in an EU country? If not, then that would be a massive issue.

I agree with fluffy to not bag it in, but keep at it- otherwise it was all for nothing, right? That said, when I did my university TESL certificate, there was more than one person with a CELTA (they weren't overly thrilled with their CELTA).

[jimi1999uk]

Have you quit already or just weighing it up?

If you haven't stick at it. What's one more week? I'm due to take a Cert Tesol within the next 6 months and i'm the same type of character as yourself, ie. prone to beat myself up needlessly. At least speak to the tutors or fellow classmates before making a decision.

Also, someone correct me if i'm wrong but aren't you able to submit assignments after the course is finished? Only then the max you can be awarded is a pass rather than a pass with distinction. Don't feel you need to be an amazing teacher in a month either? When I start my course i'm going to be horrible in all aspects of teaching more than likely and after only a month I might be v. marginally better and that's cool. Don't burden yourself by being too much of a perfectionist imo. How good would any of us be at anything after a month?

Also I almost forgot. I've been in your situation and I actually dropped out of a part-time CertTESOL course in 2004 after a few months. It's the worst decision I ever made. I was 23/24, I was surrounded by go getter types, loads of people with degrees (I'm degreeless), loud confident adults (i'm neither apart from the adult part, lol) and I just felt I didn't belong. I thought I was going to fail anyway so why draw it out (WRONG as you are imo) . I just completely sabotaged myself. Please rethink, don't be like me. If you've quit phone up and try to get back on. Seriously dude. Goodluck and keep us posted.

[arthad]

I just finished my CELTA a week and a half ago, and the third week was the absolute lowest point of the whole course. You feel like there's too much to do, too much to learn, like you'll never be able to live up to your tutors' expectations, etc. But I agree with the other posters: stick it out! Don't let the temporary frustration of the third week get to you. You're over halfway done, the fourth week is definitely easier (at least it was where I took it), and if you back out, all the work you've put in goes for nothing. Don't quit now. It's downhill after the third week.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

Hm, I don't remember my CELTA course being so terrible. I feel for you, man.
I would take the advice of the rest of the posters and finish the course. At the worse you could fail (which, judging by the teachers I've met who have CELTAs, would take quite a doing), at best you get your certificate, which can really open doors for you. And it is only a week, after all!
Best of luck!!

[Guy Courchesne]

Don't quit! Only one week left to go and like they say, you never know.

You could always try bribing the trainer if worse comes to worst.

[wayne1523]

Thanks everyone

[powerrose]

I called my husband in tears at the three week mark INSISTING that the instructors were too mean and that I was going to quit.

And I made it fine.

Why don't you post some of the things you're having trouble with. We'll help you out!

[Elicit]

Hi Wayne,

Having just completed my CELTA, I concur with fluffyhamster's advice. Try taking a step back and look at the overall scheme of things.

Assuming you are completing the course with an experienced and fair provider, you will be made aware if you are in any danger of failing the course.

Stick with it. Good luck.

[scot47]

CELTA is not the only road into TEFLing.

[Sashadroogie]

Quitting is the only true failure. Stick it out.

[Mrs McClusky]

I thought only rehab was for quitters. WOW I guess I was wrong. Stick it out. My first week was easy, second tough, 3rd really tough and in the 4th I cruised to a distinction. Seems so easy these days but I DO understand where you are coming from. How old are you? 22. IMO you ARE too young to teach anyway.
Man up, fight............. ASK OTHERS FOR HELP. Go to a trainer and cry in his (if you are a women) /her (if you are a man... and work out the gay match ups yourself) office. This kind of sympathy might just get you help. Tell them what you don't get. I struggled with grammar and the grammar guru met me at 6am everyday to get me more or less the best in the whole group (including a few long term tefl'ers). He was a gay guy, I am a handsome muscular man, I did use this to make him more likely to help me (I wore a training vest which showed my muscles) I didn't even have to kiss him and he bought me champers at the end of the course.
Try that.

[brittania898]

[powerrose]

I had an 18 year old in my class. And I started teaching when I was 21 years old. Just sayin'!