CELTA Quest, Part II

I have already had my first CELTA certification class. I just posted my first lesson plan because I teach on Friday morning.

I have been teaching for two years. Quick class notes for planning and of course a class diary to chart the student´s progress sufficed. Each EFL (English Foreign Language) teacher usually adopts their own approach sooner or later. If working for a language school, their methodology prevails, but sometimes you still need your now creativity and wits to survive.

This Friday I am team teaching with a great group of fellow CELTAs. There are five sections. The absent member of our group is heading up the first section, but we still do not know who it is. Lucky me, I have the second lesson. It involves food for fuel (energy) and food for pleasure (eating what makes us happy).

After absorbing chapters of theory from two recommended texts on teaching languages combined with my own personal approach honed through the years, I banged out a lesson plan to cover my allotted 20 minutes.

I enjoy word association games and thus I lead off with a Spider Diagram and see how many words the students can name for energy and pleasure foods. Then there is a matching exercise of responses to personal interviews with two ladies, one from the US and the other from France.

I am also a fan of pair work. It is a solid organizational approach to involving students in the lesson and to avoid the dominant student from taking over the class.

And added twist? I do not know this group of students and likewise them of me. So, it is like the first day of class!

I will let you know how it goes.
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If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please call Professor Winn at 6214-1511 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

CELTA Quest, Part I

 Dear Loyal Reader,

Yes, I have been away from the blogging on English and doing more teaching in the past month. My apologies!

I have embarked on one of my New Year resolutions - to get a CELTA certification for both personal and professional reasons.

As you may know, CELTA stands for Certificate in English Language Training for Adults, a world renown certification standard from the prestigious Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.

In the world of teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL), there are competing certifications like TEFL and intense debate over which is better.

While opinion is divided, I perused what future potential employers want in light of the prestige of the degree. Given Asia and Europe are more "credentialized," it actually was an easy choice - CELTA.

In Latin America, my experience has been a certification is not essential if you are college-educated and are a native speaker English speaker with previous teaching experience.

Beyond the professional prospects, obtaining the CELTA will mark a personal triumph given the intellectual rigor and grit needed to pass the course. Lifelong learning is the key to enjoying the bounty life offers. You must not stop growing, but pushing forward by setting and achieving goals.

You are invited to stay tuned for dispatches from my experience during the course and of course, more helpful hints to perfect your English. Naturally, your comments or suggestions are welcomed!
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If you are in São Paulo and need English lessons, or Elite English Services including translations (Spanish/French/Portuguese to English), please call Professor Winn at 6214-1511 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!