Mental preparation for an intensive Celta course

Nowadays, CELTA course is of paramount importance for modern teachers to stay competitive in the teaching world which is developing at a blistering pace. More and more teachers strive to obtain CELTA qualification as a proof of their proficiency and expertise in ESLT. 

Regardless of the importance of this course for a teaching career and enhancing professional skills, a significant number of teachers are intimidated to enroll in the course as passing this course (even without flying colours) is considered to be highly pressurising, tough and nerve-wracking. 

I was contemplating a lot what recommendations I could give to future trainees to help them go through the CELTA marathon. As I am a strong believer that the more you are mentally prepared for some hardships , the better results you can get. 

So, let’s have a look at some strategies of mental preparation for CELTA to maintain balance and avoid burnout.

I don’t intend to trot out trite phrases how it is significant to have motivation for doing everything in our life but it is undeniably true that to pass this intensive course, you need to cultivate strong “drives” that can push you when you feel down in the dumps (trust me, you will face these moments). 

These stimuli may be intrinsic or extrinsic ones. For intrinsic incentives, you can take into consideration such options:

Referring to extrinsic motivations, they could be:

Having said that, the key takeaway is to identify your inner drives that ease you to push yourself to the limits and not to quit.

Frankly speaking, for me, the notion of “balance” is closely aligned with the ability to allocate our time. If you are not used to planning your schedule, you need to develop that skill as you are going to face a lot of deadlines.

Otherwise, you risk being overwhelmed by a snowball effect of mounting tasks and backlogs, which you won’t be able to catch up with. Bear in mind that, apart from your everyday duties at work and home, you will get a considerable workload from the course. 

By the way, don’t ignore the necessity of adequate hours for rest. 

Needless to say, that healthy eight-hour night sleep can restore you physically and mentally. Additionally, my sincere advice is to reserve time when you can switch off and take a breather. 

You need to find the way that recharges your battery most effectively. For me, the best option to unwind and regain mental strength is several hours of solo strolling in the park, totally alone, just me and nature. 

Some of my colleagues mentioned that for them it was listening to music, meditation, yoga, baking, dancing or even a simple hot bath. You won’t be able to afford much of this time, but once/twice a week is enough for functioning stably and normally. 

It is sometimes hard to go through the rough patch to get intangible benefits. 

It may happen to you when you are worn out  and fatigued (especially in the end of the course), so that you have lost all motivation, the perfect future with well-paid job somewhere abroad seems not so crucial for you and you merely crave for sleeping, carefree evenings and happy-go-lucky weekends with your family and friends. 

In this situation I promised myself something that I can feel right now or almost right now.

For instance, for finishing a writing part earlier than I planned, I pampered myself by going to the cinema.

For some achievements during my teaching practice, I presented myself with a favourite snack or small present. 

It worked like a trick for my mind as if I got something visible and tangible, not so elusive as career perspectives.

It goes without saying that you must gear yourself up for intensive time with a lack of entertainment and relaxation. You need to put yourself in the frame of mind that you put your nose to the grindstone for a month (if it’s offline course) or three months (if it’s online) but then you can reap the benefits of your efforts. 

Nevertheless, it may be your family that is not ready to overcome this challenge with you. Your nearest and dearest might be shocked that you drop out of your mutual routine activity or what’s worse, even go off the grid. They could get angry with you if you don’t devote the time which you used to spend together. 

All such misunderstandings can have a negative impact on you as you feel guilty and spread yourself too thin. You may dedicate the whole evening to your family and then write your lesson plan for the whole night. This is a wrong path. It will only drain you more.

All these steps assist you to keep healthy relationships and not to get worried about extra issues. 

When you start your CELTA course, you will be placed in a group of teachers who you will collaborate closely with. These people are not simple strangers, they are the same trainee as you are. 

They have the same fears, the same concerns, the same dilemmas. Step by step, day by day, you get closer, (like partners in crime).

 I would recommend you to be open and make friends with the trainees from your CELTA course. 

These teachers feel on the same wavelength with you right now, to put it more precisely, in the same boat. You face the same challenges, but having different teaching experience, age and even cultural background, it may be beneficial to cooperate to solve some issues (as you know, two heads are better than one).
 

Probably, you know a prominent saying that “success isn’t just about the destination, enjoy the journey”. 

I mean, if you view the course as a disgusting soup with onion and garlic, which you need to swallow and digest, so I have bad news for you. 

It would be extremely hard to avoid burnout. 

Everything is the same with CELTA, but rocky roads mean TTT. 

Rain and nasty wind are your endless lesson plan and language analysis. But scenery is your incredibly supportive trainers and encouraging groupmates. 

And you feel the same sense of achievement in the end as if you were on the summit of Everest. 

Taking everything into consideration, I need to admit that CELTA course is undeniably onerous, taxing and demanding. You push yourself to limits and must pull all your mental skills to be resistant, endurable and vigorous.

It will be your milestone which you reach, of course, putting all your heart and soul but without mental collapse.