BEFORE YOU DO THE CELTA!!!

0 I decied to start a career in English and heard about the CELTA after doing alot of research I decided it would be a great chance for me. 02br
00I took the CELTA in Vienna, Austria . I was very excited and in the beginning it was alot of work. But right away I and ALL my colleagues noticed many things that were not fair. 02br
00 A couple of our colleagues who didnt take the course seriously, would come in late or wouldnt come in at all (two weeks absent). One of the colleagues I would see on more than one occassion writing his lesson plan minutes before the class, while I stayed up late into the night preparing mine.Yes his lesson was horrible and during our input session we would get the same grade "a pass". Which would infuriate me. But I knew better to say anything. Then I might get a lower grade under "getting along with other teachers". 02br
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00So I would just sit, smile and take it. There were a few times he would actually come in smelling like beer. I worked hard and thought my hard work would pay off in the end. I watched during the four months as my beer drinking colleague sailed through the course without a care and thought he would surely fail. 02br
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00Finally came the day, for our reports which we received in the mail one week after our course was done. I eagerly opened it. What was written: PASS 02br
00PASS!! I couldnt believe it!! Under the comment section they (our Tutors) didnt even write anything personal it was a standard template issued with a Pass grade something along the lines of: bla bla will need furthur guidance to become a succesful teacher. 02br
00Which lets face it once you start teaching in the classroom you are on your own. 02br
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00I spoke with my colleagues including my beer drinking one and found out that only one of us received a PASS B. No one received a PASS A. During our observations I wouldnt even give my tutors a PASS A. But anyway the point is that the grading system is a very strict, unfair whatever word you want to use. I am very upset that I would be put into the same grade category as my beer drinking teaching friend who also somehow managed to pass!!02br
00I worked really hard!! Juggling family, work, and traveling to this CELTA center (three hours) for four months.02br
00Luckily I can get over it. But I have to add that many of my colleagues are very discouraged and many arent pursuing English positions as they should be. 02br
00So let this be a warning to all who are considering in taking the CELTA course. I was told in the END that only about 5% of people receive a PASS B, and 5% Fail. The way the fail is by being absent, I dont know how many times they have to be absent since one of our colleagues missed about two weeks.02br
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00NEVERTHELESS...I have to say I learned wonderful teaching methods!! I met wonderful people! At this point I cant stay I regret taking the course, but I wish someone would have told me in the beginning. 02br
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00Maybe I could have saved myself some heartache.02br
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00Let me know what you think.02br
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00Sincerly,02br
00A disappointed CELTA Graduate02br
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00The good thing is you do learn great teaching methods from CELTA. ALso alot of teaching institutes only want CELTA teachers.02br
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00 So good luck to you.0-