| As a Trinity College of London post-graduate diploma | | | | courseprogram |
| holder in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of | | | | 3. Complete every course program project on time - |
| Other Languages) when a co-worker seriously queried | | | | or early, ifpossible. |
| me on the rigors and requirements of taking a TEFL | | | | 4. Be open to being challenged and mentally |
| (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification | | | | exasperated, takecopious notes, and share them |
| course for teaching English, I recommended an | | | | freely with other trainees. |
| upcoming CELTA (Certification in English Language | | | | 5. Find another trainee or a small study group you can |
| Teaching) teacher training certification program at the | | | | gel andwork well with. |
| British Council. After several conversations with him I | | | | 6. Seek out the person(s) who have had friends or |
| thought, | | | | familypreviously in the course, because they will likely |
| "Why not give the prospective CELTA trainee some | | | | have ahead start in completing course program tasks. |
| advice right from a proven source?" | | | | 7. Get lots of sleep. You'll need it. Don't fall asleep |
| Having such teaching certification opens doors | | | | inclass or get "burned out from stress and exhaustion. |
| internationally for English teaching positions, enabling | | | | Takesome "relax" time daily. |
| certificate holders to work in scores if not hundreds of | | | | 8. Practice your teaching techniques regularly, |
| countries worldwide. But the more reputable and | | | | whetherassigned or not. |
| highly-regarded 120+ hour programs are intensive, | | | | 9. Try to learn from the students you will be teaching. |
| stressful and difficult regardless of the experience and | | | | 10. Follow the required texts, books and materials |
| amount of preparation trainees may have. | | | | explicitly -ask questions if you doubt or don't fully |
| So, I contacted Nathan Jones, a CELTA graduate I | | | | understandanything. Make sure you understand the |
| knew and asked, "Look, can you do something for | | | | processes of whatyou will be learning. This is crucial to |
| me? I'm tutoring someone to enter the CELTA training | | | | your success. |
| course like the one you did. Would you please give him | | | | 11. Do everything in organized steps or stages and |
| some insight as to course requirements, the schedule, | | | | beconsistently persistent. |
| themes, difficulties, etc.? You'll be able to provide this | | | | 12. A few final Key Points:o Ask questions - even the |
| prospective CELTA trainee with some idea of what | | | | "stupid" oneso pay rapt attention - everything is |
| he's in for this summer if he takes the CELTA." | | | | importanto follow directions explicitlyo listen carefully at |
| Sure enough, Nathan, the CELTA grad, offered some | | | | all timeso study regularly, plan your time well - resist the |
| insights as to what might be in store for a CELTA | | | | urgeto "goof off"o prepare well daily for each class or |
| trainee during the five-week intensive regimen. With | | | | input sessiono practice what you learn - that's what |
| my insight also included, here's what our advice | | | | your partner / studygroup is foro get help wherever |
| consisted of: | | | | and whenever you can - don't allow yourselfto fall |
| We offer you these tips for preparing to take the | | | | behind |
| CELTA or other TESOL certification program. Try to | | | | Be sure to enjoy the experience and have fun. These |
| remember these valuable key points: | | | | people will be your friends for life. Remember that a |
| 1. Read everything you are given thoroughly. | | | | course alone, while preparing you to enter an EFL / |
| This includes handouts, course outlines and | | | | ESL (English as a Foreign Language / English as a |
| requirements, etc. | | | | Second Language) teaching career, does not in itself |
| 2. Use your peers to assist you in every aspect of | | | | make you a teacher. Continue to grow, develop and |
| yourtraining. Get to know your directors, | | | | learn throughout your TEFL teaching career. |
| teachers,administrators, and other personnel on the | | | | |