Intensive TEFL courses - bad for the health?
I read a couple of blog posts this week by people just finishing studying intensively for a CELTA course. Both of them, it seems, came down with a bad cold a day or two after finishing the course. This is nothing new, I know - 4 weeks of intense pressure followed by a big come-down, sickness is almost inevitable.
So, do we need this pressure to prepare us for life as TEFL teachers, or should more course providers offer less intensive courses, giving trainees more time to reflect on and assimilate what they’ve learnt? Post a comment below…
More
December 6th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
I studied a CELTA over 10 weeks, two days a week and that was quite intensive enough. I was working a part time job as well, but I spent pretty much every spare minute doing assignments and preparing lessons. I was pretty much a wreck at theend of 10 weeks, but I think I had kind of mentally prepared myself for that, having heard from people who’d done it, so I was expecting it.
Having said that, I can’t imagine what it would have been like over 4 weeks - I guess I would have had to compromise on the time I spend writing assignments and planning lessons.
December 6th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
Students are always amazed whenever I tell them that I only studied for 4 weeks to become an English teacher. I think they expect us to have studied for 3 years. I think some feel a little cheated. Of course if the quality of the teaching we provide is good, this shouldn’t concern us - ESL teaching is a “learn-on-the-job” kind of job, that’s just the way it is. If everyone had to study a 3 year degree to become an ESL teacher, there’d be a severe shortage around the world, I think.
December 6th, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Having just completed a Celta, I fared better than some others on my course in that in the eves, I went straight back to the digs I had to book for the duration of the course. So,I had nothing better to do except plod along with the assignments & following day’s lesson prep.
Those who went home had the distractions of TV, social life etc, & found it difficult by the end of the dreaded 3rd week when all the assignments were due in.
They say that you should put your social life on hold for the 4 weeks of the course & they’re absolutely correct, if only to save yourself from a kind of nervous breakdown when the workload hits you. Friday night was pub/letting hair down night so it wasn’t all work……;-))
December 7th, 2006 at 10:37 am
I am twelve weeks into a thirteen week course and the cold is just kicking in! I’ve been doing a CELTA in addition to working full-time and it’s been hard work. On the whole, it’s been an enjoyable experience although at times it’s seemed 100 mph. I don’t know how so much could be crammed into 4 weeks.
Those of you who have started looking for TEFL jobs, how are finding it ?
December 9th, 2006 at 4:15 pm
I ran an intensive CELTA course in Spain and a girl nearly had a nervous breakdown! At my centre in THESSALONIKI WE DO IT PART TIME it takes 14 weeks but its a lot more humane www.studyspace.gr
December 10th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
I did completed my CELTA course in 4 weeks, was exhausted, but was also thankful towards the end that it was over. It’s an intensive course, but you do have the option of doing it part-time if you feel like 4 weeks would be too much for you to handle.
I think the CELTA should continue its program as a 4 week course. If it were much longer, even fewer ESL teachers would be certified.
Of course, the CELTA is not enough. If teachers are truly interested in teaching, then they can go on to do a MA or PhD in TESOL… which of course is longer, but probably even more stressful! I know, I’m a 1/3 of the way done with my MA
March 27th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Yeah, but Jim, your courses suck big time. Better 1 week on a proper course than 14 on yours. I should know: I wasted a couple a years round your place.
STUDYSPACE SUCKS! GO TO BULGARIA INSTEAD!