Job Discussion Forums

[rosie1973]

Yeah, I'm slowly figuring out how difficult this is gonna be. Not too inspired knowing people drop out like flies, but I guess it's good to know beforehand so I can get myself prepared. I'm currently stressing over the pre-interview task as well. Realizing how little I actually know about my own language! But now's as good a time as any to buckle down and learn. Better get crackin'!!!!

What's most difficult about the course? Just the fact that they try and jam so much into such little time? Or is the content really that difficult? Do they expect you to know every single tiny detailed thing about English grammar and usage? The rules are endless! Not to mention all the teaching technique that must be learnt. Oh god, help me.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

In my opinion it's the feeling of drowning under the constant flow of information. I remember turning up on the first day to be told "ok, you're teaching a class tomorrow - 1st conditional!" - huh? what the hell is that & what the hell am I supposed to do?


T_P

[Ananda]

The CELTA course is INTENSIVE! What T_P said about the first day of the course is true. And every day after that is also exactly as T_P has described it (that feeling of drowning stays with you throughout the entire program). Don't expect to party down every night in Spain. In fact, don't even expect to see Spain until near the end of the program. Expect long days (usually 9-10 hours) of classes, and be prepared to work hard and stay focused for all those hours. There will be little, if any, free time during the weekdays, because after classes are finished you will spend another 3-5 hours each night preparing for the next day's teaching lessons, as well as doing homework (I rarely finished classes before 6 p.m. and rarely went to bed before 1 a.m). The weekends are also not so promising either, because often you will be bogged down with plenty of homework (one of the weekends during my teaching training in Italy was spent writing a 15-20 page paper which was due on Monday).
It is very stressful, and many of us came close to quitting. There was one person in my program (of 12) that did not pass the course. However, it is completely worth it, because you learn a lot.

[rosie1973]

So if I were to study up before this course in order to make it a wee bit more tolerable, what would you all suggest I study up on exactly? Any books to suggest? Drowning under a sea of information doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy. I like to learn and I enjoy an intellectual challenge. . . but being overwhelmed isn't good. I get suffocated and anxious and my learning actually slows down. And by the way, I hadn't planned on partying in Spain anyway.

[gtidey]

eep - yeah guys come on, hindsight's a wonderful thing!

what would we benefit from having a good understanding of before we go? what to read etc.

i didnt expect to be teaching on the second day!

[Boy Wonder]

I did my Tefl course in an alleyway off the Kho San Road...it lasted 4 minutes and cost me �20......best course I've ever taken!!!

[gtidey]

was it an oral lesson by any chance?

[Boy Wonder]

My dear you're getting your courses and lessons muddled up!.......Of course it was oral...how could we do business otherwise?
�20 was a bargain...I felt instantly de-stressed, unburdeoned and a level of satisfaction i have rarely had before!

A once in a lifetime experience and I have the Certificate to prove it!

[Ananda]

It is a good idea to review grammer, if you could use to improve your knowledge of this. Although the program will cover grammer at some point, this will be helpful when you have to teach it (on your second day-haha).
Aside from this, the only other thing I could recommend is to be as equiped as you can with the required materials (texts, teaching materials, file folders, etc). The school will send you a detailed list of the things you will need in advance. I had not been as prepared, so I found myself struggling to find the things I needed during my lunch break, or after classes (usually around 6 p.m.) IN ITALY where the stores close early, etc. (There are no 24 hr CVSes in Italy).
Unfortunately, everything else will be dished out to you in heaping sums when you begin the program. It will be overwhelming at first, but once you get used to the routine it will get easier. Keep up with your work daily and you will be fine. It is hectic, but it is also fun.