The CELTA course has been keeping me very occupied.

Got a “Standard” pass for my teaching today. It’s not “Above Standard” but I’m happy because I know I still have plenty of room for improvement. Things like pairing/grouping students or “chesting instructions” seemed easy to execute while observing classes, but they turned out really awkward and unnatural when I actually did them.

Despite planning my lesson, scripting my instructions, ICQs and CCQs (Instruction Checking Questions and Concept Checking Questions), anxiety got the better of me and I didn’t carry out some of the stuff I intended to do. I am glad the class wasn’t a complete failure even though I did my gist task and introduced one vocabulary after my detailed reading task (because I completely left them out).

My tutor, John, was surprisingly very encouraging and positive; quite different from all the nightmare stories I read online about CELTA trainers. My group mates, Aaron, Brian and Laura were also very supportive, especially Laura. Oh, and of course my roomie, Jinhan, too.

Even though it’s been barely a week, I feel that I have learned and benefited greatly from my trainers. Like what you’ll Google from ex-CELTA trainees, this course is truly helpful for anybody who wants to teach English as a career. The pedagogy is excellent for teaching any language in fact, and I noticed some similarities to the PBL (Problem Based Learning) pedagogy I practised while teaching Republic Polytechnic.

Workload is gradually building up and I can see now, why they say the CELTA course is very intensive.

Some tips on what to bring

• Big A4 ring folder with dividers and clear pockets
• Stationery (pens, pencils, eraser; hole punchers, staplers, glue and scissors are available in the school)
• A notebook or writing pad
• Color pencils (to add color to the black and white printouts used for your lessons)
• Jacket (as warm and humid as Bangkok is, classrooms can get pretty cold at times)

Everything is conveniently and cheaply available at the supermarket in Big C where ECC is located if you don’t want to bring your own.

I reaaally should be preparing for Friday’s lesson or sleeping right now instead of blogging but I’m afraid I’d forget all these by the time weekend comes. Besides, my weekend’s probably burnt too with a 750 – 1,000 words assignment due on Monday. Heck, I’m gonna treat myself to a beer and get a cheap bikini so I can chill by the pool after Friday’s class!