As a holder of a postgraduate diploma in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Trinity College London, when seriously asked by a co-worker about the rigors and requirements of taking a TEFL (Teaching English as foreign language) for teaching English, I recommended an upcoming CELTA (Certification in Teaching English Language) teacher training certification program at the British Council. After several conversations with him I thought,
“Why not give the would-be CELTA trainee some advice straight from a proven source?”
Having such a teaching certification opens doors internationally for English teaching positions, allowing certificate holders to work in dozens, if not hundreds, of countries around the world. But the most reputable and reputable 120+ hour programs are intensive, stressful, and difficult, regardless of the experience and amount of preparation students may have.
So, I contacted Nathan Jones, a CELTA graduate I knew, and asked him, “Look, can you do something for me? I’m instructing someone to get into the CELTA training course like the one you did. I’m looking at the requirements of the course, timetable, topics, difficulties, etc. You will be able to give this potential CELTA learner an idea of what to expect this summer if they take CELTA.”
Indeed, CELTA graduate Nathan offered some insights into what might be in store for a CELTA trainee during the intensive five-week regimen. With my perspective also included, this is what our advice consisted of:
We offer these tips to prepare you to take the CELTA or other TESOL certification program. Try to remember these valuable key points:
1. Carefully read everything you are given.
This includes brochures, outlines and course requirements etc.
2. Use your peers to help you in all aspects of your
training. Get to know your principals, teachers,
administrators and other staff in the course
calendar
3. Complete all course syllabus projects on time, or earlier, if
possible.
4. Be open to being mentally challenged and exasperated, take
copious notes and share them freely with other students.
5. Find another trainee or a small study group that you can freeze and
work well with
6. Look for the person(s) who have had friends or relatives
earlier in the course, because they will probably have a
begin completing course syllabus tasks.
7. Get plenty of sleep. You will need it. don’t fall asleep on
class or “burn out from stress and exhaustion. Take
some “relaxation” time every day.
8. Practice your teaching techniques regularly, either
assigned or not.
9. Try to learn from the students you will be teaching.
10. Explicitly follow required texts, books and materials –
ask questions if you have questions or don’t fully understand
anything. Make sure you understand the processes of what
you will be learning This is crucial to your success.
11. Do everything in organized steps or stages and be
constantly persist.
12. Some final key points:
o Ask questions, even the “stupid” ones.
o pay attention – everything is important
or follow instructions explicitly
Listen carefully at all times.
o study regularly, plan your time well – resist the temptation
“play the fool”
o prepare well daily for each class or input session
o practice what you learn – that’s what your partner / studies
the group is for
o Get help where and when you can – don’t allow yourself
stay behind
Make sure you enjoy the experience and have fun. These people will be your friends for life. Remember that a course alone, while preparing you to enter an EFL/ESL (English as a foreign language/English as a second language) teaching career, does not make you a teacher in and of itself. Continue to grow, develop and learn throughout your TEFL teaching career.
Good luck