CELTA – WHAT OUR TRAINEES SAY

SERGIO

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello, my name is Sergio. After studying English for almost twenty years, I decided to become an English teacher.

Why did you decide to get a CELTA qualification?

I was advised to take the CELTA course by my English friends, and wanted to have a go.

Did you do any research to help you decide that CELTA is the right qualification to get?

I read blogs and watched videos about the CELTA. I found this website: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/celta/, which is very useful.

Did you have any teaching experience before doing the course?

No, I had no teaching experience before doing the course.

Why did you decide to do the CELTA at Anderson House Bergamo?

I live and work in Bergamo. When I saw there was the CELTA course in my town, I applied immediately.

Did you do a face to face or an online course?

I did a face to face course.

How did you prepare for the course?

Before taking the course, I took the CAE exam (at Anderson House) and read blogs, surfed the internet and collected helpful information.

What does a typical day on a CELTA course look like?

I did the part-time course. In the morning, my peers and I were taught teaching strategies and classroom management (Input session). We covered topics like language analysis, presenting language, receptive and productive skills, teaching functional language, etc. In the afternoon, my peers and I taught different lessons to real students who volunteered. In the first half of the course, we taught pre-intermediate students and then upper-intermediate students in the second half of the course. The students were very friendly and eager to learn. We had the opportunity to teach students from different countries as well.

What were your tutors like?

The tutors were prepared and supportive throughout the course. They encouraged independence all the time but were always available for support. After every lesson, they gave us precious feedback on positive aspects and areas to work on.

What was the most challenging thing of the CELTA course for you?

As I did the course while working, time management was the most challenging issue to cope with. Even though I took the part-time course, it was quite demanding and I needed to work hard every evening to submit materials in due time. Preparing lessons is time-consuming, as well as writing assignments (and especially if you have to resubmit them :).

What did you learn?

I learnt how to organise and develop lessons and analyse and teach English effectively to different students. The critical aspect I learnt on the course is that students are the most valuable resource.

Did the course meet your expectations?

Yes, absolutely. The course met my expectations. I knew it was going to be demanding and rewarding.

What advice would you give someone thinking about doing a face-to-face CELTA course?

Be prepared to spend your time with authors like Ridell, Scrivener, Thornbury, (to mention just a few) and always be concentrated. The tutors will guide you along the course but remember to work with your peers. Giving and asking each other for feedback is crucial. Eat well, rest, and go for a walk in your spare time.

Is there anything else you think future CELTA students should know?

Do not overthink and over analyze things, especially if you need to resubmit some assignments. Your tutors will help you identify the areas to work on. The crucial aspect is: show improvement.

What are your plans now?

I want to teach English in schools and organise courses for companies. CELTA is the first step into the world of teaching English.

Are you interested in the CELTA and meet the requirements?

Send us the application form below.

For Application Form, click here

For Candidate Agreement Form, click here

Send both filled in forms to celta@andersonhouse.it.

Anderson House è scuola associata e certificata AISLi, Ente inserito nell’elenco definitivo degli Enti Accreditati per la formazione del Personale Docente della Scuola dal MIUR (Decreto 177/2000 e Direttiva 90/2003), incluso nell’ultimo elenco degli Enti Accreditati e Qualificati per la Formazione del Personale Docente della Scuola (D.M. 170/2016 del 23/11/2016), nonchè Centro Esame Autorizzato Cambridge English, Ente Certificatore riconosciuto dal MIUR per la scuola e per l’università (DPR n. 323/98 e DM n. 509/99). Anderson House è quindi accreditata per svolgere le attività di aggiornamento e qualificazione professionale di cui alla legge 107/2015 (La Buona Scuola) ed è presente tra gli enti elencati nell’ambito Formazione e Aggiornamento sia sul sito Carta del Docente che sulla piattaforma SOFIA, che registrerà tutte le iniziative di formazione alle quali partecipano i docenti.