Last-minute advice on Celta Course (urgent)

[tinyteachinthemaking]

Hello everyone.
I'm about to attend the celta semi intensive course at International House in Rome (starting on October 8th and ending on December 17th).
I'm really excited but also very nervous.
I was wondering if any former celta trainees could answer some questions that I forgot to ask the interviewer.

1. What reading material did you use during your course?
Based on what I've seen on Other Celta Forums, Swan's practical English Grammar and Harmer's How To Teach English crop up a lot. Would you recommend them? I've been given a huge reference list but don't know what to chose from.

2. Does teaching practice begin the first day of the course?
Any tips on beating those pre-teaching nerves?

3. Are there any samples of assignments completed by celta students available on the net so I can look through them? Do said assignments have to be hand-written? When must they be handed in?

Thanks a million.

[juchoo]

Originally Posted by tinyteachinthemaking

1. What reading material did you use during your course?
Based on what I've seen on Other Celta Forums, Swan's practical English Grammar and Harmer's How To Teach English crop up a lot. Would you recommend them? I've been given a huge reference list but don't know what to chose from.

Vital: Practical English Usage (Michael Swan).
Very useful: How to Teach Tenses (Rosemary Aitken).

2. Does teaching practice begin the first day of the course?
Any tips on beating those pre-teaching nerves?

No, it begins on the 2nd day of the course, but there's a schedule of who teaches on what day. Depends on the number of trainees in the course. You may be lucky and only have to teach on Day 3, like me. :)
Nerves will always be there ... it was with me throughout the course! But it helps to be fully prepared, and to know your lesson inside out. Cue cards helped me tremendously!

3. Are there any samples of assignments completed by celta students available on the net so I can look through them? Do said assignments have to be hand-written? When must they be handed in?

I think it would be faster for you to use a word processor. You'll be given a full schedule on your first day, with all the relevant deadlines, so don't worry about that.

Good luck! They said it would be a life-changing experience, and they were right. It will be stressful, but it will be worth it! :)

[Taiseer]

Dear tinyteachinthemaking,

A very useful book which was given to us during CELTA (June - July 2009) was 'The Practice of English Language Teaching - Jeremy Harmer'.

I wish you all the best during your course!

Best regards,

Taiseer

[shefzka]

@ Taiseer,

I tried to send you a private message but it seems I'm not allowed to send you one! Not even an email!! Now i'm afraid I might not be allowed this post either!!!

I noticed that you are residing in Saudi Arabia.

I am in Riyadh myself and for some time now have been enquiring the possibilities of obtaining a part-time job teaching English.

I have a little bit of experience in voice, accent and soft-skills training during my call-center days back in India.

I am hoping to develop these skills to land a job.

Any guidance you can offer is highly appreciated.

Regards