#celta certificate

[languagestudymaterials]

CELTA certificate - was it worth it?

"If you are looking for an internationally recognized teaching qualification, we have the course that is right for you," reads the first sentence on British Council’s website for the CELTA course. Internationally recognized?!?! I repeated the words out loud in amazement. I felt like I had just found the passage to a thrilling lifestyle and promising career. 

“Travel and teach wherever you want. CELTA makes that possible!” someone wrote on a teaching forum. 99% of the reviews drew such beautiful pictures of what life after CELTA is that I couldn’t help but buy into that exciting narrative.

In 2018, I signed up for the course, and after four weeks of intensive studying, I received my certificate - the pass that was supposed to open doors to international classrooms.

CELTA’s reputation does open doors to international classrooms - the reviews have proven that many times - yet not everyone can cross the threshold. Wait, what?! But why? I asked one of my fellow CELTA trainees in disbelief when she broke that news to me with an apologetic look on her face. Because you’re a non-native English teacher, she said.

Many countries don't want to hire non-native English speakers as English teachers anymore. That was already true when I was taking the course. If they do want to give a chance to a non-native English teacher, the requirements, in many cases, are impossible to meet; 5 years of proven (very often continuous) stay in an English-speaking country or a university diploma - very often both of them are required. I have none of that. I lived in England for a year and studied in Poland. 

But why didn’t tell us about it beforehand?! I kept pressing the matter. The disappointment raging in my didn’t let me come to terms with the harsh reality. Well, isn’t that obvious? It’s a business like any other. Your money is their salary, Kate said matter-of-factly. I felt betrayed.

Eventually, I came to terms with the fact that as a non-native English teacher, I won’t be on equal footing with native English teachers. No hard feelings, not anymore.

The ESL industry prioritizes teaching “real English” above anything else. “Real” refers to words, phrases, and grammar used in everyday life - language elements that fill up my personal non-native dictionary by, maybe, 30 up to 40%. I might know loads of words and understand grammar rules better than anyone else, but in many cases, I can only make “educated guesses” as to what sounds natural. I rarely find myself saying, “no one speaks like that.” I can’t be the judge in such cases.

Was it a waste of money in the end? Not necessarily.

If CELTA has anything to offer to non-native English teachers, it is credibility in the domestic market. In 9 out of 10 cases, recruiters get back to me. 

On a personal level, I no longer feel intimidated by the coursebooks or the amount of material I have to teach. I can swiftly apply the tricks and techniques learned during the course. I also learned a few things about myself and changed my perception of the profession itself. 

The confidence I gained! Truly, an amazing feeling!

The doors to many international classrooms may be closed for me. Nevertheless, the skills I learned will surely benefit students in my homeland.

[languagebraindump]

CELTA certifacate. Is it worth the time, money and effort?

To all my fellow English teachers and those who are considering becoming English teachers! I’m not going to explain what CELTA is. If you’re considering taking this course, you already know what it is, but you’re probably wondering what CELTA looks like in reality.

Before I jump into a long rant, let’s make some things clear. 

Would I take it again? No.

Was it fun? No.

Was it educational/enlightening? Yes.

Did I question my teaching career during the course? YES!

Did I enjoy it? Yes (it was immensely educational).

Was it expensive? AF.

Did I learn anything?Yes. I learned a few things about myself as well. 

Do I regret taking it? Yes and No. Yes, because as a non-native speaker I’ll have a hard time landing a good job outside of Poland. No, because it helped me become a better teacher (a student-oriented teacher).  

Was it tough? Yes and No. No, because I love the fast-paced environment. I work fast and expect others to match my pace. During these 4 weeks, I wasn’t feeling tired or overwhelmed, but when the course finished, I felt it. Yes, because I consider myself lazy; I like taking breaks, stare into the distance, and all that. There was no time for any of that. Monday to Friday was scheduled top-to-bottom (classes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then homework, lesson plans, etc.).

CELTA made me feel a lot of emotions. I did enjoy it, but it wasn’t fun. I learned a lot, but it made me question the idea of pursuing a teaching career (even 2 years after taking this course). I enjoyed preparing lessons, but the number of things I had to remember about (problem anticipation, handouts, solutions, lexis grids, grammar grids) frustrated me beyond belief (they do even today). I know, I’m no longer a CELTA trainee, so I can ignore some of the grids and rules, but truth to be told, you have to keep them in mind if you want to plan a good and effective lesson. Preparing such a lesson takes a lot of time (time outside of your teaching hours; you basically work overtime). If you don’t want to burn out too fast, you need to look for new materials. You can’t be using the same ones over and over again. New materials = new lesson plans (and whatever comes with a new lesson plan). 

Before the course, I was extremely stressed out. Mostly because:

1. I’m not a native. One of our tutors was a native speaker and I felt nervous around him, especially when it came to explaining grammar and telling my students what was right and what was wrong in English. I felt judged (He probably didn’t want me to feel that way, but I couldn’t help it.). I felt like I needed to know everything. Besides, who wants to study with a teacher who makes mistakes. He said “no one,” and added “but people want to study with a teacher who can admit to his own mistakes and then look for the correct answers. This way, you level yourself with your students and you make a connection with them. If you’re unsure of something, check it even in the classroom (if that’s a pressing issue, of course)” GOOD LIFE TIP. 

2. Workload. I like working, but even I have my own limits. You get up at 6 am, you get ready, you go to the center to prepare your handouts and classroom, then you practice your lesson out loud in the empty classroom; it’s just you and chairs, but you need to practice your lesson out loud! It helps a lot. My host lady gave me that tip. She was a university teacher for 30 years, and for 30 years, every day, she kept practicing her lessons out loud in an empty lecture hall. It helped her adjust her lesson plans (you know, add/remove/better some things). I did it in the evening and, again, in the empty classroom in the morning. You also get homework. It wasn’t challenging (look at Academia.eu for example CELTA assignments). And after a whole day of teaching practice (TP) and input sessions (IS), you go home (it’s 7 pm), and you start preparing lesson plans, thinking about fun exercises, good exercises, exercises that will force your students to practice the target language you want them to practice, etc. Lots of stuff to think about. 

3. People. (I’m quite anti-social. Social distancing is my thing! I do like my students tho. Mostly because they don’t want to hang out with me, haha) People want to socialize. If you struggle with the course, don’t do it. It’s only four weeks, and you won’t be seeing them again (probably ever). If you feel like socializing, then go out on the weekend, but remember they can kick you out and you won’t be getting any money back. If you choose a good center, they will help you pass the course; however, in some places, they don’t care. I was lucky to be in a place where tutors cared a lot. Also, it’s good to help each other. I helped others with their lessons and whatnot. It’s not a race! Share your materials and knowledge; share your labor, and the course will become less challenging.

4. Time-management. You need to be organized. I had people in my group who kept preparing classes till 4 a.m.! 4 a.m.! Can you imagine? They were snowed under sheets of paper, couldn’t find the right handouts, forgot things, and then cried. Yeah, it’s tough. I signed up for the course as a teacher with 3 years’ worth of professional experience, so I knew stuff. I knew how to organize my work. But the newbies; oh, man! If you haven’t worked as a teacher before, don't do it. 

Useful links here and here. If you’re interested in how to teach CELTA style.

Conclusion

When you’re a native, it’s worth it. When you’re a non-native, I’d reconsider taking it. If I could turn back time, I would have reconsidered taking the course. I did learn a lot, but it's an international certificate and I can't use it as they promised I would be able to use it. "Travel and teach wherever you want (my ass!)" Especially when you’re thinking about working in Korea or Japan. They don’t hire non-natives anymore. China does, but they will change their laws soon. Europe and Latin America are fairly OK in that regard, I guess. 

[company-allows-consumers-oo]

The Easiest Way as things go You To Begin A Vocation In ESL

What requirements are called for against secure that ESL career access the country relating to your dreams? Famously in liberal instances, no formal qualifications are expected at all! However, the hours you're anticipated to work, the pay you receive and also the legitimacy of your remain in the country might hold open to question and almost undoubtedly will not be in existence bonny. Many ESL teachers, particularly in the greater paying\better untwisting conditions posts choosing in everyone probability euchre a string of qualifications lesser their creek. How to start? Just how do you decide which requirements you need, and once for all which skills iron will allow you to headed for keep from harm the greatest job? The standard classes for entry in in transit to ESL lecture are TEFL cd programs which are offered by means of many program providers around the world. Often these programs free choice undoubtedly prevail based in a state where the client desires to put away and they often substances a "guaranteed job" at the end of the training. If you do not thin ice the scoot, your "warranteed matter" and course fees will likely be extant a commerce in reference to the past. This rate of course will most likely run for 30 days and offer principle as well as class room practice. However, some classes will provide you with a document adapted to a weekend or 1 or 2 week mode of procedure. There are no formal qualifications necessary to just take the lessons and after completion, you'll practically likely have your first ESL ana career! That's the positive situation, the pessimistic is that you'll be on the bottom step of the ESL ladder through turned-off pay and full of substance hours. Newfashioned package deal, it's unlikely that the certificate you receive for completing the trajectory will be endorsed in keeping with among the main ESL criteria - Cambridge or Trinity on account of example. If you're in the market for this form of qualification, do your research. Discover if the lay is considered good or not. The web is packed with discussion boards which will help you make your choice, only Google the name of your brood caterer and see what information is out there. Next up would be the certified TEFL courses. Cambridge offer the CELTA (Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults), whilst Trinity provide the TESOL (Certificate into Homework English to Speakers on Other Languages ). If you're moving about planning to make good ESL here, they are the courses you should breathe considering doing. Education companies have to happen to be confirmed by the document providers and requirements are checked frequently. You may also endure sure your patriarch may firm up at least the conditioning that the centre may meet the requirements for teaching and lore laid down by Cambridge or Tercet and that they may be training. These classes tend as far as be intensive four week programs emphasizing lesson organizing, conquer practice in the phonology, class room and teaching actually. To turn up the certificate desire all things considered involve 120+ hours of training and classroom teaching apprenticeship with at the least 6 hours of training assessed through an examiner. If yours truly are considering getting that first indention towards becoming an ESL schoolteacher, choose your course properly. There are plenty of programs way out there, unspotted concoct sure you flush your ESL career on the right path and special the right one!<\p>

[aradansiradan]

Özetle Celta Course

Genel bir tanım yaptıktan sonra haftalara bölerek anlatıyorum. Celta öğleden önce “input session” denilen teorik kısımla öğleden sonra “teaching practice” denilen uygulamalı kısımlardan oluşan, yer yer sabrınızın sınırlarını zorlarken arkadaş meğer ne çok şey varmış bilmediğim dedirten Cambridge onaylı İngilizce öğretmenliği sertifika programıdır.

1. Hafta

“Tam olarak n’oluyo? Benim burada ne işim var? Niye geldim ki? Bu kağıtlar da ne?” dediğiniz hafta ilk hafta oluyor. Eğer bu soruları kendinize soruyorsanız sakin olun, her şey daha yeni başlıyor. Korkutmak gibi olmasın ama yoğun süreçlerden geçmeyenler için tam olarak bu böyle oluyor. İlk hafta sonraki haftalarda da olacağı gibi haftada iki kez teaching practice deneyiminiz oluyor ancak sizden beklenenler ilk hafta çok üst düzeyde değil, rahatlayabilirsiniz. İlk derste öncesinde İngilizce öğrenmek için başvuran gönüllü öğrencilerinizle tanışıyorsunuz. Sonrasında o sınıf için belirlenmiş olan kitaptan planınızı hazırlayarak derslerinizi yürütüyorsunuz. İlk hafta olduğu için öncesinde size yapacağınız ders konusunda yardımcı olacak detaylı notlar içeren bir kağıt veriliyor. İşte efendim x kitabının y sayfasıdaki dinleme ve yazma kısmını yaptır. Dinleme kısmını yaptırırken şunları yap, bunlara dikkat et gibi. Yani size yapacağınız pastanın tarifi malzemeleriyle birlikte her detayıyla veriliyor ve size o tarifi izleyerek verilen malzemeleri kullanmak kalıyor. En rahat haftanız olacak ilk hafta, keyfini sürün. Siz dersinizi yaparken pek sevgili Tutor’larınız sizi sınıfın ücra bi’ köşesinden izliyor ve sizinle ilgili notlar alıyor olacak.  Derslerin bitiminde Feedback Session dedikleri yorum kısmına geçiyorsunuz ve grup arkadaşlarınız da dahil olmak üzere sizin performansınız hakkında detaylı yorum yapılıyor. Sözlü olan bu feedbacklere ertesi gün üzerinde notunuzu da görecek olduğunuz yazılı feedback ekleniyor Notlar “Above Standard, To Standard ve Not to Standard” olmak üzere 3′e ayrılıyor. Not to Standard almışsanız hemen karamsarlığa kapılmayın daha ilk haftadasınız ve sizin için belirleyici olacak writing assignmentlara henüz başlamadınız. Yapmanız gereken şey size yapılması söylendiği gibi dersleri yürütmek ve verilecek ödevlerdeki Rubric kısmını harfiyen uygulamak.

2. Hafta

Eveet, Writing Assignment 1 ödevinizi aldığınıza göre stres yapmaya çoktan başlamışsınızdır. Ama durun. Sonradan fark edeceksiniz ki bu ödevler aslında ilerleyen günlerde sizden beklenenler için birer hazırlık. Writing Assignment konusuna biraz değinecek olursak 750-1000 kelime aralığında yazmış olduğunuz ve her birinin kendine göre kriterlerinin olduğu ödevler işte bunlar. Bu ödevlerden toplamda 4 tane var ve her birinde 1 kez Resubmission alma hakkınız var. Bu Resubmission’larda sizin eksik görülen taraflarınız belirtiliyor ve bir sonraki ödev tesliminde bu belirtilen kısımların düzeltilmesi bekleniyor. Bu ödevi hazırladığınız hafta yine aynı şekilde Teaching Practice’leriniz oluyor ve size yine uygulamanız üzere çeşitli yönlendirmeleri içeren bir kağıt veriliyor ancak her geçen hafta verilen detay azalıyor. Hemen panik olmayın hala rahat sayılabilecek bir haftadasınız. Malzemeleriniz ve tarifiniz az da olsa sizden bir şeyler katılmasını gerektirecek şekilde önünüzde. Sakın ola Teaching Practice’lere dalıp ödevi ihmal etmeyin onlar altın değerinde. Haftanın iki günü Teaching Practice’iniz olduğundan kalan günler ödeve hazırlanmak için yeterli olacaktır. Hiç bahsetmesem de Input Session’lar ilk haftadan itibaren son hızıyla devam etmekte. Keyifli ilerliyor bu Input Session’lar çünkü müthiş metotlarla verilen bu teorik bilgiler hem eğlenceli hem kalıcı oluyor. Bolca grup çalışmalarını içeren bu sessionlar ekibinizle kaynaşmanıza olanak sağlarken kendi derslerinizde yapmanız ve yapmamanız gereken şeyleri görmenize olanak sağlıyor.  Not: Yanlış hatırlamıyorsam Writing Assignment 2 ödevinizi de bu hafta alıyorsunuz ve üçüncü haftanın ortasında teslim ederken Writing Assignment 3′e merhaba diyorsunuz.

3. Hafta

Taching Practice’ler son hız devam ederken biraz boğulmuş hissedebilirsiniz eğer Resubmissionlar alıyorsanız ve bir sonraki ödeve henüz başlamadıysanız. Size tavsiyem bu ödevlere çok dikkat edin ve son günlere bırakmadan tamamlayın yoksa Resubmissionlar eklenince fena halde sıkışabiliyorsunuz. (Çok korkunç gelebilir ama bunları bilmenizde fayda var. Kendinizi her türlü strese hazırlamalısınız bu kurstan önce ama inanın ne yaşarsanız yaşayın buna değiyor.) Bu hafta artık yavaş yavaş azalan detayları içeren ders hakkındaki ipuçları sizi kafa yormaya mecbur bırakıyor. Hiç bahsetmedim ama bu ders planlarınızı buradan yapıyorsunuz. Hazır bu siteden bahsetmişken söyleyeyim, kendiniz bomboş bir sayfadan plan yapmaya çalışmayın, taslaklardan faydalanın. Siteyi incelerseniz neyden bahsettiğimi göreceksiniz. Muhtemelen Assignment 3′ü teslim etme zamanınız yaklaşıyor dişinizi sıkın son 1 ödev kaldı ve en kolayı o. Geçmiş haftalarla kıyasladığımda benim için en yoğun hafta bu hafta oldu. Neden mi? Çünkü Resubmissionlar ve yeni ödevler üst üste gelirken artık neredeyse tüm detayıyla hazırlamanız gereken ders planlarınız oluyor. Zamanınız artık yetmiyor gibi geliyor ama sakin olun. Çok büyük bir sorumluluk altındasınız ama size kattıkları paha biçilemez. Bu haftayı atlatın, sonrasında rahat bi’ nefes alabileceksiniz. Bu haftanın sonunda eski ve yeni ödevlerinizi teslim etmiş olacağınızdan bir sonraki haftaya yani SON haftaya omuzlarınızdaki yük hafiflemiş olarak giriyorsunuz. 

4. Hafta

Evet işte o hafta geldi. Gerçekten rahat bir nefes alabilirsiniz çünkü yüzdünüz ve kuyruğuna vardınız. Son kez sıkacaksınız dişinizi. Bu hafta konusunda siz nasıl düşünürsünüz bilmem ama bence rahattı. Neden mi? Çünkü bu hafta artık size derste hangi sayfada neyi yapacağınıza dair bir bilgi verilmiyor. Grup arkadaşlarınızla konuya, Main aim ve Subaim’inize siz karar veriyorsunuz. Başka bir deyişle siz kendi tarifinizi kendi malzemelerinizle uyguluyorsunuz. En detaylı ders planının hazırlandığı bu haftada ortaya çıkacak ürün sizin bağımsız olarak ders planı hazırlayıp bunu uygulayıp uygulamayacağınızın bir göstergesi olacak. O yüzden ne yapın edin Masterpiece’inizi ortaya koyun. Feedback sessionlarda olsun input sessionlarda olsun sizden yapmanız beklenen her şeyi atlamadan uygulayın. Aynı zamanda Writing Assignment 4′ü ihmal etmeyin. Zaten mevcut olan bilgilerinizle yazabileceğiniz bu ödev ekstra araştırma gerektirmediğinden sizi bunaltmadan tamamlanıverecek. 

Veee işte bitti. İlk başta bittiğine inanamıyor insan. Nasıl yani artık yetiştirmem gereken plan ya da ödev yok mu? gibi sorulara dalarken normal hayatınızda neler yaptığınız hatırlamaya çalışırken buluyorsunuz kendinizi. Bize Tutor’ımız Türkiye’de öğrencilerin kendilerini parçaladığını ve normal hayatlarına bu kurs münasebetiyle ara verdiklerini ancak diğer ülkelerdeki kursiyerlerin normal hayatlarını sürdürürken bu kursu tamamlayabildiklerini söylemişti. Biz gerçekten kendimizi parçaladık fakat pişman değilim :D 

Özetle sevgili okur, Ben Celta’ ya gitmeden kafamda bin bir soruyla araştırma yaparken hiç birine cevap bulamadığımdan bitirdikten sonra böyle bir yazı yazmaya karar vermiştim. Umarım faydalı olmuştur. Sorularınız varsa seve seve yanıtlarım. Eğer bu kurs için yola çıktıysanız devam edin, doğru yoldasınız ve kendiniz için müthiş bir şey yapıyorsunuz. 

[aradansiradan]

Pre Course Process

Let’s start with the very beginning. I applied about 7 months ago via that address. I filled an application form consisting of personal information, education, current position and English teaching experience. They sent an interview task on the following days. It involves grammatical terminology, naming tenses and a writing task. It was an easy task. Afterwards they sent a new e-mail saying that confirm phone interview. Phone interview was the most intimidating part of this process for me because I had never had phone call with a foreigner before. Fortunately it went well. I talked to Nikue Gardner and he asked 4 questions. First one was “How would you teach scissors”? The second one was “How would you teach peace”? The third one was “What is the difference between following sentences? I have gone Istanbul. I have been Istanbul.” And the last question was “What is the difference between the following sentences? I’m living in Canada. I live in Canada.” It was a short phone call and shortly after they sent an e-mail saying that your interview is completed. After about half an hour they sent an e-mail saying you are accepted and later they sent Celta disclaimer and payment instruction. When you confirmed and paid the deposit, they sent pre-course task this time.  These were the last section of the application and then you start waiting for the course date, excitedly

[aradansiradan]

Hey there,

I've taken a new decision and I'll share my experiences on CELTA. These experiences will involve pre-course process, course process and post-course process.

Coming soon!