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MuscatGary · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:52 am Post subject:

Observations are only as usetful as the observer! I was observed recently for the first time since I arrived in Oman three years ago. The first part of the class involved interactively creating a Word document (projected on screen) with problems that students had encountered when doing presentations and possible solutions. This was then (in the class) placed on BlackBoard for the students to use. The observer commented on his feedback that it would have been better to hand the document out at the start of the class! When I responded by pointing out that this was impossible as it was created IN the class he looked confused even though he'd sat through the whole process.

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

mk87 · Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Posts: 61

Certainly if you are starting out I think the whole intensive observation over a month is really good for you in lots of ways, obviously you are getting feedback - which should be to a good standard, but you are also engaging with a self reflective approach to teaching, which can only be a good thing.

It also gets you into a good habit of kind of wanting to be observed. Its amazing to me when I'm at work, and I deal with teachers who come from Korea/ China etc and they talk about how they have never really had any real observations/ feedback (some of these teachers are 5+ year veterans) The place I work generally does 4-5 observations a year, and you also ha e to observe classes. Its just good professional development to have that in your mindset, and the CELTA gives you a good start on that.

However I can remember doing my CELTA and there was a guy who had taught ESL for a few years then decided he needed a CELTA, previously to that he had worked in a fishing village in scotland. He didn't do very well on the course, not down to his teaching/ knowledge - but simply down to his ability and desire to deal with feedback. I distinctly remember him telling another trainee that she didn't know what she was talking about. When a trainer interjected and suggested that with a few tweaks the idea was actually very useful he started going on about his old students and how they hadn't been able to learn English before him, and he just "got" teaching. He also used to clandestinely film lessons and lesson planning sessions...strange chap. He decided not to complete the course . Wink

JN · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 214

Thanks for the interesting comments. I did opt for a more practical side of my MA and I received valuable tips and information from this MA, which has helped to make me a better teacher.
Of course, I don't know how my MA would compare to a CELTA. I really have never looked at what exactly is covered in a CELTA course.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:54 pm Post subject:

I suppose I should've added that it might be useful if all MAs included an observed practicum, however short, especially MAs open to relatively inexperienced teachers. (Just going by your comments, JN!). But if the information imparted or gained had a practical slant then "putting it into practice" could seem a mere formality. A bit like saying, 'It states here that these fleshy bits are called lips, and they can go blub blub, now let me hear you make a blub blub sound yourself, oooh you really can make that sound, who'd've thought!'.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:09 pm Post subject:

There's a question that has been plaguing me for ages: do hamsters have lips?

fluffyhamster · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:10 pm Post subject:

That's actually a very good question Sasha, and one that will be keeping me also up for many many a night.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Fluffy! And when you do find the answer, please let me in on the secret. But don't worry - whether or not hamsters have them, my lips will be sealed.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:33 pm Post subject:

My very extensive research (well, OK, reflection) over oooh the past minute or two has led me to believe that hamsters have minute 'jowls'.

johnslat · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 3:57 pm Post subject:

Dear Sasha,

Indeed they do:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512aMhP4BvL._AA300_PIkin4,BottomRight,0,-21_AA300_SH20_OU15_.jpg

Regards,
John

JN · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 214

It would have been nice to have an actual observed practicum. We, as MA students, did observe each other a little. I did get to tutor some of the foreign students while I was there, so am grateful for that experience.

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

JN · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 214

I have an MATESOL.
Just from briefly looking at the Cambridge website, I'm not sure if it'd be worth forking out the money for a CELTA. I can't afford it now anyway.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:16 pm Post subject:

Why not have a read of the sort of book that gets set as pre-course reading and as thru-course accompaniment? Such as (in rough order of publication):

Lewis & Hill's Practical Techniques
Scrivener's Learning Teaching
Harmer's How to Teach English or The Practice of ELT
Thornbury & Watkins' The CELTA Course Trainee Book

JN · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 214

Thanks, Fluffy. I'll check with my colleagues to see if I can borrow these books.