Languages International CELTA trainee, Angel, from China, tells about her experience doing the Cambridge CELTA here in Auckland, New Zealand. Find out what the CELTA course is like and how it has changed Angel’s teaching style, why Angel chose Languages International, and why you should come to New Zealand for CELTA.
The video has subtitles you can turn on and there is a transcript below.
Transcript:
First things to know about Angel’s CELTA experience
My name’s Angel. I come from China. I’ve been teaching English for almost six years. I’ve been teaching General English as well as IELTS. I think it’s a good idea to study in an English-speaking country to acquire knowledge about how to teach English, especially to adults, and I think Languages international is the place to go. With experienced teachers the tutors and our trainees are coming from different countries some of them are experienced and some of them don’t have English teaching experience, but we come together and we make progress together.
Why did you choose Languages International for your CELTA?
My friend recommended it to me. I think it’s quite important for someone who has experience and he speaks highly of the school. I think…so I didn’t hesitate.
What is the CELTA course like?
Generally I think the course is very intensive. It lasts for four weeks. You are assessed by two parts the first one is teaching practice and the second one, there are two… There are four written assignments. So you are continuously assessed during the process. I think it’s quite intensive. We have to do the input session in the morning and then in the afternoon, we have to do the teaching practice, which is quite terrifying for some of us. You know, I have experience of teaching English, but it was totally different from my previous experience. I remember my first time I was so nervous and I didn’t think I did a good job so but gradually, I learned from my mistakes and I learned from other Trainees, so The teachers also gave us some positive feedback, so we have learned a lot during in the process.
How has doing the CELTA changed your teaching?
I used to “teach” so much. I talked a lot and gave students instructions. I told them what to do, but now after the course, I think the important thing is to put students in the centre of the study and ask them questions and encourage students to talk, to share their opinions and in this way, they they may have a better understanding of the knowledge I think a good school consists of two parts, first of all: staff, second: environment. I think the teachers are quite experienced and they are very… They’re very supportive for the students. And in terms of the surroundings They are located near the park, and it’s very beautiful to study on a campus like this.
Is it worth coming to New Zealand to do the CELTA if CELTA is available in your country?
To learn a language you should be exposed to the real situation. That’s why I came here. I’ve been learning English since like primary school in China, but I haven’t been to a foreign country, like an English-speaking country That’s why I came here to experience a different teaching style and to get myself exposed to the English-speaking environment. I think that is quite important. I could do it at home in China but I’m not sure what the trainers would be like, but I think learning here and a living here is a rich experience for me.
Do you recommend doing the CELTA at Languages International to others?
Yes, definitely I really recommend Languages International because of its reputation, as well as its teachers. They are quite experienced and supportive.
