how to pass the celta course: interview with david of passthecelta.com
Show Notes
In this episode, we're talking with David, founder of passthecelta.com. After completing his own CELTA back in 2012 with the coveted PASS-A grade, David realized he wanted to help other prospective teachers succeed on the CELTA course. Since then, he has helped thousands of people pass the CELTA by providing guidance on the course and creating an incredibly comprehensive CELTA learning library full of useful resources online. In this interview, we go into more depth than ever before about how to succeed on the CELTA course. We're talking all about TEFL methodology, professional development, and of course, how to pass CELTA with flying colors. If you’ve ever thought about doing a CELTA certification, this episode is for you! We’re breaking down exactly what gives the course its legendary intensity and how you can get through the course with your sanity intact. And if you’ve got a CELTA already, this episode should bring back some memories!
In this Episode
On the CELTA course in general
Why David decided to take the CELTA course in the first place
What made him want to help others pass the CELTA course
Why he considers starting on this path one of the best decisions he’s ever made
How CELTA challenged him in ways he didn’t expect
The real skills CELTA gave him that he feels he still uses today
Why the “intensive” version of CELTA is called intensive for a reason!
What prospective employers see when you have a CELTA certificate
What his CELTA experience was really like- why he calls it “a game of two halves”
Why his first teaching experience was “an unmitigated disaster”
Why candidates usually feel frazzled after the first or second week of the course
How giving professional presentations is both similar to and different from teaching a room full of students
The type of CELTA candidate that tends to have trouble adjusting to the style of teaching on the course
The difference between teacher-student interactions and student-students interactions
Why sensitivity to the learners’ needs matters more than sticking to the lesson plan
Why the “sage on the stage” lecture style of teaching doesn’t work on CELTA
Why you don’t need to be chained to your lesson plan
The different “grades” on the CELTA course and what implications they have
When you should deviate from your lesson plan… and when you shouldn’t
Why it’s essential to keep your lesson main aim in mind as you teach
How to handle off-topic learner questions mid-lesson so you don’t derail your timing
Why planning matters- how it separates the successful candidates from the really successful candidates
The CELTA self-evaluation and how it impacts your course performance
How peer observation works and how to make the most of it
Why attitude is everything on the CELTA course- how to put yourself in the mindset of maximizing your professional development
Why you need to leave your ego at the door
How “the CELTA course, in essence, is essentially breaking you down and building you back up again”
How to take on constructive feedback
The criteria you’re graded against on the course
What separates a PASS-B candidate from a PASS-A candidate
How CELTA is like boot camp for teachers
On founding passthecelta.com
What inspired David to start Pass the CELTA and how he realized he was in a unique position to help others
What he learned from his CELTA peers who dropped out of the course
The guidance that passthecelta.com offers prospective and current candidates
Free resources on passthecelta.com, including a comprehensive comparison of different CELTA centers and costs
Common reasons why people fail the CELTA
Why he’s passionate about educating prospective candidates about their training options and the TEFL industry in general
The CELTA Learning Library
“There’s that famous quote, that, as a teacher, your job is to facilitate the learning experience and then get yourself out of the way.”
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“For me, I’m just teaching English. But for the learners, they’re learning English for a very specific reason and it’s very personal for each of them.”
Advice for those who want to teach abroad
How CELTA is a passport to the world of TEFL
Why you need to look at teaching opportunities with common sense and a critical eye
Why your professional development doesn’t end with CELTA
Options for your teaching career- after you get a little experience, where do you want to go?
Essential resources for new teachers
Free Resource! Verb Tense Cheatsheet
David has created a quick and easy reference guide to help you identify any of the 12 grammatical tenses in English. It's a totally free offer for our Expand Your Horizons listeners.
Download it here:
https://passthecelta.com/teflhorizons/
It includes a full color version, a black and white printer-friendly version, and instructions with examples. Print it out and keep it in your course folder for a handy cheatsheet whenever you need it.
“It boils down to this: you’re going to get out of the CELTA exactly what you put in. ”
If you want to greatly increase your chances of passing your CELTA, and avoid wasting time and money by failing, be sure to read how the CELTA Learning Library can help you best prepare.
With the CELTA Learning Library, you get instant access to over 50 helpful topics, so you will…
Make your CELTA easier and less stressful by learning the assessment criteria, what to expect on your first day and week, how to manage your workload and time, and much more.
Use your preparation time as effectively as possible so you're more productive and confident on the course.
Push your grade higher. Discover how to achieve a Pass A or B grade using the advice from a Pass A graduate.
Download and study a real, top-graded lesson plan. You'll learn which extras can save you time and reduce stress, and which common mistakes to avoid.
Discover the skills needed to achieve top marks in your lesson plans, teaching and written assignments.