My first CELTA evening class went very well last night. An enthusiastic, if slightly overwhelmed group of ten students, we were expertly corralled by our tutors, Emma and Stef, through the course introduction, grand tour and Receptive Skills overview. Roughly five hours of paperwork, listening, learning and above all, fun.
Being immersed into a classroom environment, learning new skills, preparing for a completely new career, is really rather exciting. New terms, new ideas, new jargon an mnemonics, it’s like learning a new language. Ironic in a way, as teaching a new language is what we are being taught to do.
I just love learning now. Why did I never feel this way back in school? Was it me, was it the teachers, was it simply because I had to sit there and suffer in silence? I imagine it was a bit of all three put together. There were certainly teachers I liked, some I hated, and a very few I absolutely loved, Mrs Winfield being maybe the most memorable.
I am really enjoying the part-time teaching I am doing. I think the students enjoy the classes. I really try to mix it up each lesson, so they are engaged and not bored by the same style each time. CELTA is a tough course, but if I get half way to being as good a teacher as Mrs Winfield, I’ll be chuffed to bits.
The Search For Enlightenment 
Jan 30, 2014 @ 21:42:28
It’s nice to hear you’re enjoying the course. I’m doing it now too and it’s a fantastic experience. I’m particularly excited being together with people from all over the world. Hope it won’t be as tough as it looks like. I wish you good luck!
Jan 31, 2014 @ 08:30:57
Having done TEFL too, CELTA is way more in-depth and much more focussed on the practical side. Last night I was teaching 12 foreign students from all over the world, real hands on practice, and very good for confidence.
There is a lot to study, but then it is a complex subject. At least it is continuously assessed, I never did like the final exam method myself.
Good luck to you too, though I am sure we are in safe hands, and luck will have little to do with us passing.
Namaste ~ Anupadin