Classroom management tips for online classes
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18.07.2024
One day, you realize that your vocation is to become a teacher.
After obtaining higher education at university, you’ve started teaching, but you understand that knowledge is never enough. So, you attend many workshops and reflect on ways how to enhance your knowledge further.
Or perhaps you felt that your job was a waste of time, and what you really like is teaching, but you don't know how to start this path from scratch.
Does this resonate with you? How about taking a CELTA course? As a teacher who has already survived CELTA, I recommend getting CELTA certified, and in this article, I will tell you why it is worth it.
The CELTA, or Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, is a highly regarded qualification recognised worldwide.
This course is designed to develop practical teaching skills through extensive hands-on experience.
It aims to equip teachers with effective methodologies, enhance their confidence, and improve their overall teaching proficiency.
Make your first steps in teaching English
Join our courseThe CELTA course is intended for a diverse group of individuals. It is suitable for new teachers starting their careers, experienced educators looking to refine their skills, and those aspiring to teach English abroad.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess a proficient command of English, typically at a C1 level or higher.
Additionally, candidates should have an educational background equivalent to higher education entry requirements.
However, those without formal qualifications but who can demonstrate the ability to successfully complete the course may also be eligible.
The CELTA program encompasses a minimum of 120 hours of instruction, available in various formats.
Full-time courses span four to five weeks, while part-time options extend over three to four months, offered both online and in-person.
Each format includes tutorial support, consultation, supervised lesson planning, and assessed teaching practice, all overseen by a course tutor.
Trainees receive feedback on their teaching, engage in peer observations, and observe lessons conducted by experienced ELT professionals.
The CELTA curriculum covers a broad range of topics, ensuring comprehensive preparation for teaching English effectively.
There is a range of topics that the CELTA course covers:
Learners and teachers, and teaching and learning context
This topic aims to develop an understanding of your students’ diverse backgrounds, experiences, motivations, and expectations.
As a trainee, you learn to recognise how personal factors and learning preferences impact language acquisition and use this knowledge to plan and teach with sensitivity. You learn how to address the needs of learners, including those with difficulties or disabilities.
Language analysis and awareness
It is crucial for a teacher to understand key terminology used in ELT to talk about language and apply this terminology to planning and teaching.
This includes forming and using verb and noun phrases, understanding word formation and lexical meaning (e.g., meaning, pronunciation, spelling, affixation, compounding, synonymy, and hyponymy), and considering factors that affect word choice.
Language skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing
This topic is essential in terms of understanding basic concepts and terminology used for describing language skills and applying this to practical teaching.
You will find out that there are various lesson frameworks based on established theories and approaches in ELT, each of them contains suggested lesson stages, examples of appropriate stage aims, and various tips for teaching and developing learners’ receptive and productive skills.
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Read nowPlanning and resources for different teaching contexts
Effective teaching of learners involves understanding the principles and purposes of lesson planning.
It is essential for teachers to distinguish between different teaching methods and lesson types, and to be able to select those most suitable for their learners.
Trainees become professionals in planning logically sequenced lessons tailored to learners' needs, including aims, anticipated difficulties with solutions, descriptions of teacher-learner interactions, resource details, and staged procedures with timings, which helps to boost your professional time management skills.
Selecting and evaluating materials and resources, including digital tools, is crucial as well. CELTA tutors will teach you how to adapt resources to meet specific learners' needs while adhering to copyright provisions.
Developing teaching skills and professionalism
Continuous self-assessment, responding to feedback, and adhering to institutional policies are key for professional growth.
The course encourages you to think about ongoing professional development through various resources.
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You'll be assessed throughout the course, there is no final examination.
The assessment consists of two main types: teaching practices and written assignments.
During teaching practice, you will teach adult classes at a minimum of two levels of ability improving further lesson delivery by getting feedback from your tutor or peers.
You will have to complete four written assignments and if you are worried about not meeting the expected grade on your first submission, you will still have the resubmission which means another chance to fix your mistakes and aim for a passing grade.
One of the first things that really occurs to all of us it's the cost of CELTA.
Of course, the price it's not cheap, you're going to pay anywhere from about $1,200 to $2,000 and that just depends on the center and the location in the world where you taking it.
However, it is worth remembering that the most valuable investment is an investment in yourself.
Recognising all the benefits of CELTA, thousands of teachers are willing to spend this amount of money to invest in their professional development. They do not regret it, because the new knowledge and gained skills will pay off in the end.
Another important thing to consider is the fact that the course is intense.
Depending on whether you chose the full-time or part-time format, you must be ready to dedicate all your time to classes, realizing that in the evening you're going to have to be working on assignments or lesson plans, or just doing a little bit of extra reading.
For instance, my first lesson plan took more than eight hours to prepare.
I remember that I stopped typing when it was like four o'clock in the morning and, frankly speaking, it was hard but I eventually got the hang of it and I’m sure you will get the hang of it too.
So, during these one or four months, your life is really going to be focused on your own learning and development.
Giving proper instructions to English learners
Read moreBy the end of the CELTA course, you will find yourself not only more knowledgeable and rounded but definitely a better professional.
One of the most significant and beneficial things is the fact that CELTA is a very practical course as you will be teaching real students throughout the course and upon completion you will become a well-prepared professional ready for real-world teaching.
You'll feel much more comfortable in any classroom environment and you'll be much more prepared in terms of how to put together materials and set up a lesson so that you know you'll have an effective and successful outcome to your lesson.
As I’ve mentioned, after all trainees’ lesson delivery the tutor will gather you and your peers for the feedback time.
For some people, it may be stressful and uncomfortable to be observed by others but you should realize that you are not always aware of what you do in class, what you repeat to students, or the way you say things or deliver lessons so it's really useful to get feedback.
Moreover, neither tutors nor peers criticise you, vice versa they are supportive, so you never feel left alone with the work. You are guided each step of the way and you're all in workloads together wishing to succeed.
When it comes to planning my real-time lessons, I know what materials are relevant and where to find them.
Now I understand the difference between skills (receptive and productive) and systems (grammar, vocabulary, functional language) in teaching and learning.
I’ve developed the ability to anticipate problems that may occur in the classroom and effectively troubleshoot them.
Moreover, I can foresee possible student errors and understand why certain mistakes occur, and how to efficiently correct them, ensuring my students remain motivated in their English learning journey.
Another advantage that comes to my mind when I think about CELTA is its rigorous nature.
Being a course affiliated with Cambridge University, CELTA maintains very high standards to uphold its accreditation.
The syllabus is transparent and communicated to all trainees from the outset, so you know exactly what you are being assessed on.
One more argument in favour of taking CELTA is recognition.
CELTA certification has significant recognition worldwide and if you're looking for jobs, many schools around the globe would like a professional who holds a CELTA certificate.
Moreover, CELTA applies not just to English language teaching.
For example, if you're a non-native speaker and you wish to teach your own first language Ukrainian, Polish, or German whatever it may be, you can use the methods, approaches, and techniques of CELTA and apply those to teaching any other.
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If you're considering taking the course and can afford it, especially if you aspire to become a teacher without prior experience, I deeply recommend it. CELTA provides a comprehensive foundation that prepares you extensively for teaching English.
From learning essential skills like lesson planning and classroom management to gaining practical teaching experience with real students, the course equips you with invaluable knowledge and confidence.
Personally, I found the experience enriching and transformative. Looking back, I would undoubtedly choose to take the course again. If you're passionate about teaching and ready to embark on a new journey, CELTA is an investment that promises great rewards.
Myroslava Khmelenko
Author
CELTA certified teacher of General English
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