Job Discussion Forums

anospi · Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 2:49 am Post subject: I'm about to start my CELTA...

Hi there,

I'm starting my CELTA on the 10th of January, and was wondering if anyone had any tips they might like to give me to help prepare. Apart from completing the pre-course task I was sent, and reading through the texts, I'm not sure what else I can do. This is the my first TEFL course, and I really only know what it's like to be a student in a foreign language class, as I have been studying spanish for the last two years.

Thanks heaps,
Will

Phil_b · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Back in London

Make sure any unrelated personal stuff is 'sorted out' you don't get much time for anything that isn't CELTA on teh course

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

'Learning Teaching' by Scrivener is definitely worth reading. Maybe also 'The Practice of English Language Teaching' (I think that is the title) by Harmen or Harman

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Harmer also has a book called "How to Teach English" too.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Actually.. I do have one piece of practical advice:
Find out in detail what the tutors want you to do and then do it. Nothing more, nothing less. You will pass.

Try to be too innovative or creative and they will shoot you down in flames. Been there done that.

It's all about jumping through hoops and working within their constraints. While this seems totally unreasonable, what is actually happening is that you are learning to work within constraints that will always apply in real life teaching and are becoming a more adaptable and productive teacher as a result. It can feel very defeating though...

AJC · Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 9

My most important piece of advice would be to not make any plans for the month that you take the course. You will get some time on the weekends, but the people that went through hell to complete the course I was in were those that were trying to maintain a regular life outside the course, and keep others happy as well (family, boyfriend). You won't have a problem with the course if you commit yourself to it.

Also, I wouldn't recommend actually reading Practical English Usage by Harman (pretty sure that's the title), but you will definitely need it. Sign it out from the library before you go or buy it.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Phil_b · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Back in London

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

anospi · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:15 am Post subject:

Thanks for the tips guys, I really appreciate it. Now is the ideal time for me to be completing my CELTA. I finish work 2 weeks before I start the course, and I'm single at the moment, so I shouldn't have any distractions for the 4 weeks!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I agree with all the advice given. I did the CELTA p/t (didn't feel p/t though) over 3 months and my trainers said they usually have more porblems in the p/t course than the f/t one because unexpected events in one's life is more prone to come up (death in the family, sickness...).

Really have nothing else go on in your life during that one month. Another thing, is go in with an open mind that you are there to learn.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

I have one week left in my full-time CELTA, and I must say I found the pre-course task rather useless. Actually, completely useless. Just do the work they ask you to do, and don't sit around worrying about it.

kamlesh · Joined: 25 Jun 2004 Posts: 13 Location: South Africa

I just finished my Celta yesterday (Friday) and am still in recovery. It is intense, so basically just follow the advice from everyone else & u'll be fine
Kamlesh, South Africa

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

It's a difficult thing to practice beforehand but make sure you're comfortable standing up in front of people, then you won't spend the first week getting over this and fall behind.