CELTA or A Month Away from the World (i)

I began the CELTA TEFL course at the English Academy on 23 July.

Week One

I got up sometime before 0700.  I dressed and I had a hasty breakfast.  I was a little nervous as I always am when I am starting something new, exciting & different; meeting new people and learning a trade (TEFL).  My little sister drives up to Dublin after every weekend and offered to give me a lift.  We set off about 0720.  We sped on toward Dublin. 

I was pretty worried about getting there on time.  I would really rather not create a bad impression with my poor punctual skills but as luck would have it (luck and a brisk jog from Talbot street to Upper O'Connell street) I made it to the Academy. Better to keep my character flaws hidden; I give the impression of being adequately punctual. My deception remains intact.  Reception directed me to the Teacher Trainee room, 403.  A collection of  eager, unsure and nervous faces gather around the round(ish) table.

I ask the question that sets the mood for every future relationship-'Do you guys like stuff..?'

We are escorted to a room in the floor below.  We play a few hours of ice-breaking and get-to-know-you games.  We learned an interesting fact about each new trainee.

After a short break we had lesson preparation and after lunch we had a class on teaching. We lost a trainee to 'migraines'.  The remaining 11 were divided into two groups.

Day one was not nearly as bad as I thought.

I walked back to Baggot street feeling a little unnerved that I didn't have homework to do but eager to start my lesson planning for Wednesday.

On day two some trainees were immediately tossed into the deep end and assumed their teaching roles.  It was an informative day.  I paid close attention making notes keen to avoid any unsightly habits - I hoped I could learn from them.

As it happened starting on Day 3 was marginally useful. My own Teaching Practice was worrisome.  I don't understand why; I had worked as a TA in Vienna for  3 months and sometimes those classes were less than perfect.  I wonder, when you hit rock bottom surely you can only bounce!

I hoped to bounce through the CELTA TP practice.

I had asked one of the tutors to look at my lesson plan and he agreed that it looked 'fine' and I have to admit I was relieved but not totally reassured.

I started with a 30 minute listening lesson. It was a radio extract that discussed the exploits of a family of multi-talented gymnists that whiled away their time learning such pointless skills as juggling and other daft acrobatics. I felt as though it were a disaster bordering on local apocalypse but as it happened I did receive some positive feedback. I had another lesson to prepare for the following day I hoped to take on board all criticisms and apply them to my future lesson. My next lesson was a reading/receptive skills exercise discussing mobile phones. It went sufficiently well and I received yet another 's' confirming that I had yet again conformed to the lowest acceptable standard. I was delighted. I rewarded myself with a trip to the cinema. I gingerly approached the Savoy and crept toward the booth. I noticed a sign suggesting patrons pre-book tickets for the 'Dark Knight Rises' and I was instantly worried. I had already failed to see this movie once that week owing to a cranky sister. As luck would have it the notice didn't apply. I asked if there were tickets available. She smiled. 'How many would you like?' 'Just one, please.' I smile back weakly and sort of bow my head. Shamed at the prospect of going to the cinema alone. I quickly snare my change and ticket and retreat to the dark sanctuary of the screening room. The movie was fantastic. The kids in front of me flipping annoying. I went to sleep fully satisfied with the almost 3 hours of comic book action. An evening well spent. We ended the week of intensive study slipping into the pub next door, 'The Living Room' and enjoying a few early Friday beverages before I hitched a ride back to the Motherland of Monaghan.