TP6 to TP7: Not an easy transition!

(image from: http://ukedchat.com/2013/12/19/session-182/)

Now that all the assignments have been submitted and there is only TP8 left, I realised that the CELTA course is structured in a way that imitates biological development. Firstly, we begin preparing TPs receiving help and guidance by experienced tutors. As we proceed from TP to TP, though, assistance decreases. Isn't that similar to growing up? As a child, one is protected by his/her parents and as s/he grows older, protection decreases.

In my TP6, I did a good job. Some things have been internalised (presentation, MFP, elicitation, ICQs, etc.) while others need more work (LA sheet, anticipated difficulties, etc). The thing that I did not understand, though, is that TP6 was the last stage of 'innocence'. It is as if after this TP, the trainee becomes an adult who has the choice to either put in practice all the things that s/he learned as a child, or forget them once and for all. The latter could work in real life; not in the CELTA, though. The trainee at this stage should spend time going through his/her feedback and designing a lesson that will allow him/her show progress on areas that call for improvement. 

Tip of the day: Same performance on TP6 and TP7 does not mean same results; quite the opposite. In TP7 - I guess this is true for TP8, as well - the trainee must show awareness of all the steps s/he needs to take in order to deliver a successful lesson. At this stage, one must combine the three ingredients of a 'good' teacher: knowledge, skill/technique, and attitude.

It is Wednesday of Week 4. There is only one day and one TP left. Have I ever gone through such an intensive month? No! Will I miss every second of it? Yes!

Hopefully, next post will be full of good news! :)

Week 3: Level Changeover; Easier Done Than Said!

(image from: http://www.fossati.us/teaching.php)

The so-called tough week has already started; yet, it doesn't seem tough anymore. On Monday everyone was nervous as we were expecting to get two written assignments back and change levels. (For those of you that are not familiar with the CELTA process: Every trainee is required to teach two different levels of instruction. So, for my first four TPs, I was assigned to teach the intermediate+ level and, for the last four TPs, the elementary ones.)

First day of the week, we observed an experienced teacher and I was rather intimidated. Not that there was something wrong with the students. The group was great and supportive, willing to cooperate and ready to be exposed to various teaching techniques. However, that was the very first time in my career that I was in a classroom with elementary students.

I had to consider and take care of various issues: grading my language, producing activities and tasks that would be both simple and meaningful, make sure that sequencing is effective, and ensure that students would leave the classroom less confused. As expected, I was nervous - especially after the disastrous TP4.

Finally, TP5 went really well for one reason: I focused on my aims. I had prepared the lesson plan focusing on designing tasks that would gradually guide the students to the ultimate goal which was no other than the primary aim of the lesson. Following that, I reviewed the plan - I, even rehearsed instructions and CCQs. On the day of the TP, though, I left the plan aside. I was sure about the shape of the lesson and of the steps that I had to follow. The only thing that I did was to follow the students: I had them show me the way; I asked them questions to check previous knowledge, elicited the context, make them interested and from that point on, the lesson was transformed into a great walk in which students and I were walking together. I did not drug them here or there and they followed! 

Of course, there were various issues that I have to work on for next TP, such as better monitoring and less shouting. Now that I am thinking back on it, I understand that at times I shouted to ensure active participation from all students. Next time, I should do that more discretely; actually, the lesson should do it by itself!

Wow! 3 TPs to go... I am not sure that I want this experience to come to an end... I wish I could stay to this school with these students and fellow trainees for life! :-( 

CELTA Week Two: From Rise to Fall

Second week at CELT Athens is over - and, yes, I am still alive!

Before writing about my TP3 and TP4, I would like to make clear that the purpose of this blog is neither to teach nor to preach others on how to go through the CELTA course. This is just me sharing my experiences as a CELTA trainee in case someone finds it an interesting read. For potential candidates, it is always better to read information written from someone that is going through this process than an administrator.

TP3 was a success, a great one. My aims where achieved, both the learning and the personal ones, and I managed to improve almost every weakness that I had up to that moment. Thinking back on it, a successful TP requires three important things: a devoted tutor, supportive fellow trainees, and ones own willingness to follow suggestions, recommendations, and advice. It is for that reason that I want to thank my fellow trainees whose help has been invaluable and the universe for sending in my way my wonderful tutor, Bita Rezaei; she is a good reason for anyone to travel to another country to get trained by her.

As for the third ingredient of the success recipe, there is no guide that can teach anyone how to absorb, internalise, and put in practice the things that s/he has learned. All one needs is to fully devote him/herself on the entire process, which, in turn, means that s/he must love it. 

When I started planning my TP3, I knew that it was going to be a very good one because I had fun even at the planning stage. I completed the plan, did some studying, and a couple of hours later I revised it. Same thing with the material, same thing with the activities, etc. It is very important for anyone to be able to detach oneself from the thing s/he works on and then go back and review it, afresh. It is after close attention to the detail that sets the ground for a successful TP.

And right after this great experience, TP4 was a complete failure. I will not commend on that because every minute of this lesson was an example to avoid. The reason? No reason. I know the procedure, I know the steps, I know how to plan, and I definitely know how to stand before students. I just had a bad day, which... happens I think to us all. The only word of advice, though: It is ok to fail every once in a while, it is ok to have a bad day, and it is ok to show weakness. After all, we are teachers: what we teach is that making mistakes is the best way towards knowledge, improvement, and development. 

Teaching Practice 1, Revisited!

(Taken from: http://bigthink.com/in-their-own-words/how-teaching-is-a-noble-calling)

24 hours after the end of my first TP and I am still thinking about it. Which activity was (un)successful? What did work well with the students? How many issues had I foreseen, etc?

Being an experienced teacher can be both a positive and a negative asset one might have while doing a CELTA training. For me it has worked both ways, today: On the one hand, I was confident, in control, and responsive. On the other hand, though, attempting to live up to the expectations, set by no other but me, transformed my lesson into a theatrical performance in which, instead of directing, I was acting.

Thinking back on it, observed teaching is one of the best things ever happened to me. Now that I am working on my second TP, I can even see myself teaching the material I have been preparing for them; thus, my planning will - hopefully! - be far more realistic.

 Things that I learned from today's TP:

1. It is NOT all about the trainee.

The fact that one is a student and a teacher at the same time can be really confusing, at first. Yet, one must remember: It is about the students! We are getting trained to deliver better lessons so that STUDENTS's language-use abilities improve. The leading act belongs to the students, we are the directors. Our aim, even during a TP, is to make them shine.

2. Less is more.

TPs might be part of our assessment criteria but they are still students' lessons. Being able to teach many different things is not the purpose of any lesson. The purpose of the lesson should be focused on serving the aims set in the lesson plan. At the end of the day the students should leave the classroom having learnt a new thing.

3. Remember: You create the lesson plan; do not restrict nor enslave yourself.

Designing a challenging lesson plan is great; yet, following the students' needs is even greater. One needs to adjust and appropriate his/her plan to the particular class. However, if one has to deviate a lot from the original plan, s/he must work on better planning a lesson.

4. Moments of pauses and silence are needed, actually.

Yes, it is ok. The teacher has to pause and make sure that s/he is still on the right page, serving the aims of the lesson, and for the students to breathe (!), digest and reflect on new information.

5. Aims, aims, aims

Imagine the lesson as a series of snapshots. Does every snapshot serve as a justification to the aim(s) set in the lesson plan?

And few final comments:

I was so anxious the night before my TP that I created a lesson plan that was not realistic (and I knew it!) Luckily, it was not very unrealistic, however, any experienced teacher could understand that 45' are not enough for such a plan.

I am planning my next TP, at the moment; The feedback I received was so beneficial that my confidence level has increased: First, I do not feel judged. Second, I want to apply all the suggestions I have received. Third, I want to teach fewer things in greater detail. Last (and most important one), I want to do it again!

Last words of advice to the ones that will go through this in the future: Go to your TP1 unprepared. Do the things you think are correct and allow your tutors and fellow trainees give you feedback! If you have not decided on a training centre, join CELT Athens! You will not regret it!

Pre-CELTA thoughts

(Image Source: http://oecdeducationtoday.blogspot.gr/2012/03/teachers-summit-highlights-need-for.html)

Hello world!

My name is Angelos Bollas and I am about to start a CELTA course at CELT International Teacher Development Centre.

Even though I have been working for 8 years as an on and offline English Language Teacher in Greece and the UK, I realised that I was in need of formal teacher training. Not only have I faced difficulties in my job all these years, but also I have just come up with a very serious issue: when I decided to start a blog about language education, I had nothing to write about. or so I thought.

For the last two weeks, I have been preparing for my CELTA course. Other than grammar revisions and clarifications, I have started studying books and journals on methodology, classroom management, teacher development, and so many other issues the names of which I did not know even though I was "using" some of them.

At first, I thought really weird about it; yet, now, I believe that it is only natural that this would happen. Being too involved with something, does not allow room for reflection, not to mention evaluation. It is the same thing that native speakers face when they are asked to explain a language issue. Most of my native-speaker friends (who are not teachers) cannot define the term "Present Simple." The same happened with me when I asked my self to describe my way of teaching. "My way of teaching is my way of teaching and in order for anyone to find out more about it, s/he should attend one of my classes," this is what I believed.

However, reading through various ELT methodology books, I realised that my inability to describe/define my teaching practice was because it was nothing well thought or consistent for that matter. It is quite important for me to pause for a while and let other observe and comment on my job. After all, this is the only way to ensure that one improves in the field that s/he is passionate about. 

Needless to say that I am very pleased with my choice to go through teacher training after having spent some years in actual classroom teaching. I think that my professional experience will give me plenty food for thought and reflection. 

6 days are left.. I wish me good luck!