Intensive courses

Question

Hi. I'm looking at doing an intensive 4 week celta course. I've read up on them online and everyone seems to say how stressful they are! I have done a degree etc, but i was just wondering are people making them out to be worse than they are? My friend has done one and says it was fine. I have a language A level so am ok on grammar and stuff. Is there anything you can do before hand to ease the pressure a bit? Does anyone regret doing theirs? I'm just a bit concerned!
Cheers.

Reefannie · Accepted Answer

BEFORE YOUR COURSE

1. Choose a center which has an experienced team of trainers. I would advise against taking a course in a new center or in one that only offers courses on an occasional basis using "imported" trainers.
Courses in new centers always have teething troubles, as do courses run by trainers who are not used to working with each other. For example, less experienced trainers tend to be overly critical and may not be adept at giving you the kind of specific advice which you need. Also, only established centers are likely to be able to provide enough in-course and post-course job placement help.

2. Do the course at the right time and in the right place.
You really need to be able to focus during your CELTA. So don't do the course when you are recovering from an illness, are in the middle of a divorce, etc. Also, avoid doing it in a location where you will have a long commute, will have language problems and/or may suffer from culture shock.

3. Do some pre-course study.
You will face a heavy learning load during your CELTA. You can reduce this load significantly by doing some pre-course studying. Read a good practical guide to TEFL methodology. (See our 'Some Key TEFL Sources' page.) Even more important, work on improving your language awareness, and particularly your understanding and knowledge of English grammar. (Our 'Publications' page has details of a suitable grammar development book for American teachers of EFL/ESL.)

4. Put your social life on hold for the duration of the course.
Class sessions, homework assignments, lesson planning and sleep will take up virtually all your time except for Friday evenings and one day each weekend. So warn your friends and family that you will not be seeing much of them until the course is over.

5. Organize the rest of your life.
You are expected to attend 100% of your CELTA and you will need to devote most of your time to the course. So arrange your life in such a way that you don't have any significant outside commitments, such as weddings, graduation ceremonies or part-time work.

THIS IS TAKEN FROM A WEBSITE FOR CELTA.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!! YOU'LL BE FINE AND
VERY PROUD WHEN YOU'RE DONE!

=^^=

Mike in Japan · Answer

That is very good advice Reefannie!
It's a minefield out there, especially for newcomers.

Ye_done_sib · Answer

Hello there, I have done my CELTA in Oct/Nov 2010, about all of the recommendations above I will say:"they are all true." But don't worry much, it is a piece of cake. I am a non-native English teacher and just like you I was too stressed about the CELTA and again just like you came here and asked the same question! So just relax! Don't worry, concentrate and have self-confidence! Have a look at "The Practice of English Language Teaching" by Jeremy Harmer. It has everything you might face during the CELTA!

Take it from me, please do read the notes or handouts they give you during the course. They are very very useful for lesson planning and assignments! Because you will be in short of time, you might ignore reading them and refer to the notes you take, but don't do that! Don't worry if you get a resubmission for your assignments as it is not a big deal! You will have 4 assignments and you should pass them to pass the course. It is possible if you fail one assignment and still pass the course. However, it is very rare! And at the end try to be cheerful and make others happy too! Btw if you have any problems for lesson planning I'd be glad to be of help.

We are some how in the same boat, I am about to start my DELTA course in 10 days! An intensive 2-months course for the first two Mods.

), wish me luck! It seems I am less stressed than you!

)

I'd appreciate if anyone has any advice about the DELTA!

All the best, Sib

P.S: In case of any question, you may find my Email in the profile.

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