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Celta - Application Form


moonlight 6 | 103  
13 Apr 2009 /  #1
Can anyone give me some advice about completing the application form for celta course at International House. I seem to be getting myself all worked up about it and cant seem to think clearly. Are they very sticky about your answers?
Dazza 1 | 33  
13 Apr 2009 /  #2
Don't worry about the answers. They'll take anyone.... :)

They just want to make sure you are doing it for the right reasons as they want to maintain a high pass rate..

If you are that worried just pop into your nearest IH they'll happily explain everything:)
Seanus 15 | 19,674  
13 Apr 2009 /  #3
Another wide of the mark posting by Dazza. Moonlight, I'd be happy to help with any queries you may have. I had to do a pre-task which involved presenting an idea to laypeople. It was after my interview in Edinburgh for a place on the course. I taught them the rules of chess as I had beaten a top computer a few times.

Dazza was wide of the mark as they can be selective, they are looking for a sign that you stand out, as is the case in many application and selection procedures. That was the case with Basil Paterson College, quite a prestigious school in Edinburgh. Just be natural and stay within your expertise so far.

Dazza seems like another Polish know-all, full of ego and useless information. I'd relish a debate with this man. I've won awards as best teacher in Hiroshima and here in Gliwice. I've also got all 5's in my observations and have been a trainer. That's just fact, not this posing. I'd love to see you in class, Dazza.
nuncle 2 | 10  
21 Apr 2009 /  #4
I recently completed the application and was accepted, to which school are you applying?

I agree with Dazza, it seems like the application is a way to get you thinking about the language in a way you might not have had to before. If you make an effort (surely they don't expect you to be a master of teaching English before you've even done the course), then you'll be fine. Downloading a grammar book or too helps though.

They will be teasing out your answers in a phone interview, so be prepared for that.

You can PM me if you are still stuck and maybe I can nudge you in the right direction.
OP moonlight 6 | 103  
26 Apr 2009 /  #5
Hi nuncle

I have been accepted on the course :) so the fun and games are going to start now :)

Im doing the course in Dublin.
Shaykh - | 10  
18 Jun 2009 /  #6
Hi

I am new to the forum because of a google search I did about the CELTA application.

The questions I am having difficulties with are with the grammar questions. Can anybody help? It's fun, but also hard:'(

Here they are:

In each of the following sentences, underline the verbs and identify the form or tense used.

Eg. I was living in Italy in 1998. = past continuous

We never go to the cinema these days.
We’re saving up to buy our first home.
She’s already been to China.
They didn’t have enough money to continue the journey.
We had spent all of our money by the end of the summer.
He’d been camping for three weeks when the weather turned colder.
I’ve been awarded a travel scholarship.
We’re going to travel around Australia.
I’ll do it right away.
By the year 2006, I’ll have completed all of my research.
niejestemcapita 2 | 561  
18 Jun 2009 /  #7
We never go to the cinema these days.

present simple - (habits)

We’re saving up to buy our first home.

present continous (happening AROUND now)

She’s already been to China.

present perfect, experience or aspect (has a connection with present)

They didn’t have enough money to continue the journey.

past simple

We had spent all of our money by the end of the summer.

past perfect

He’d been camping for three weeks when the weather turned colder.

past perfect continous

I’ve been awarded a travel scholarship.

present perfect

We’re going to travel around Australia.

Going to future form, definite plans

I’ll do it right away.

"will" future form, promises, spontaneous plans, or vague plans

By the year 2006, I’ll have completed all of my research.

Future form sometimes described as "future perfect"
Shaykh - | 10  
18 Jun 2009 /  #8
amazing...thank you for the help. It seems like it was easy for you lol.
niejestemcapita 2 | 561  
18 Jun 2009 /  #9
no problem at all...you're welcome...it's only easy after more than 10 years in the salt mines of TEFL..:)..just be careful they might put you on the spot in the interview..do PM me for any clarifications...
Shaykh - | 10  
18 Jun 2009 /  #10
niejestemcapita
okay, will do
polishcanuck 7 | 462  
18 Jun 2009 /  #11
Applying for this CELTA course seems more difficult than applying to a university program!
Seanus 15 | 19,674  
19 Jun 2009 /  #12
It's not that hard, really. You just need to get an interview, competition is quite fierce in some places. Then, you have to demonstrate something, just to show how you explain a topic to an audience. It's not that bad really.
Shaykh - | 10  
19 Jun 2009 /  #13
Imagine that you are explaining the difference in meaning of the following sentences or vocabulary pairs to a student.
- identify the verb pattern or parts of speech
- write how you would explain or show the difference in meaning.

1. He stopped to listen to the music.

He stopped listening to the music.

2. If he asks me, I will say yes.

If he asked me, I would say yes.

If he had asked me, I would have said yes.

3. skinny vs. slim

4. hat vs. cap
Seanus 15 | 19,674  
19 Jun 2009 /  #14
I teach the first point a fair bit in my school. Quite easy for me but tricky for them.

The second point I can do in my sleep

The third one is often used as we see the words as the same but they are not.

The fourth one, a cap is a type of hat. For example, we don't say a Cossack cap.

I'd happily demonstrate them for you but I don't believe in online teaching that much. Easy stuff though.
Shaykh - | 10  
19 Jun 2009 /  #15
lol,

I am still filling out the form:S...these days in saudi are depressing, no internet at home:'( I am going to cry about that

It's only identify the verb pattern or parts of speech

that I want help for...
Seanus 15 | 19,674  
19 Jun 2009 /  #16
Canada is part of Saudi Arabia now? ;)

Skinny is a little pejorative, slim is positive.

He stopped to smoke means he was doing something else like driving a truck, then he needed a cigarette so he stopped. Why? To smoke a cigarette.

He stopped smoking, asides from quitting, means that he was doing this but his boss was in the area so he had to stub it out and move on. Hence, he stopped what he was doing.

I'm bored to death with the conditionals. I have to teach at 7 but I'll easily help you with them if you want.
Shaykh - | 10  
19 Jun 2009 /  #17
Canada is part of Saudi Arabia now? ;)

lol, I am only in Saudi to learn Arabic and anything else I can learn in the process...I still consider Canada to be my home no matter where I go...and I plan to take the course in Canada.

sure, if you can help me with verb pattens or the part of speech part, since it is easy for you:)
Seanus 15 | 19,674  
19 Jun 2009 /  #18
Fire away, lad. Like a Ferengi or Spock, I'm all ears.
ASIO 2 | 12  
19 Jun 2009 /  #19
I have seen some extremely inappropriate candidates get B on a CELTA, so I've not much faith in who they accept or how they deal out grades. However, no self respecting school will employ you without a CELTA or equivalent.
Seanus 15 | 19,674  
19 Jun 2009 /  #20
I got a bare pass but I was spent void of energy at that time. I was discussing this tonight with a high-level student. I scored really well at uni but for what?? It wouldn't have made one iota of difference if I'd've gotten an A in my CELTA. My markers were pretty critical too, it was one of the best schools in Europe.

Those Edinburgh snobs ;)
Shaykh - | 10  
19 Jun 2009 /  #21
I finished the CELTA by asking Sir google for the parts that I couldn't figure out.

Now it is just a matter of time...
Seanus 15 | 19,674  
19 Jun 2009 /  #22
Anything else not clear?
polishcanuck 7 | 462  
22 Jun 2009 /  #23
My markers were pretty critical too, it was one of the best schools in Europe.

For future reference, where are the easiest CELTA schools in europe?
Seanus 15 | 19,674  
22 Jun 2009 /  #24
I'm not too well up on those lists, pc. There are just some that mark harder to my knowledge.

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