January, 2007

Hello!
I am soooooooo tired I can hardly type. This is only the second day of the course and I felt so disillusioned that I wondered whether I had made a big mistake. The input sessions, though hard going, are informative and interesting. We learnt about Kolb and Bloom’s Taxonomy-makes you feel so-well clever, doesn’t it? Haha! This early in the course we’re still coming to terms with the course content and getting to know the tutors. (I hadn’t realised we would have so many different tutors-so far we’ve met and had sessions with 4!!)
The second half of the session today was a real problem for me:online researching for policy documents, which will eventually contribute to the dreaded presentation and ultmately to the first assignment. I wouldn’t mind were it not for the fact that we’re working in groups, and I feel so terrified that I’m going to let my group down. All the other groups were whizzing through, and sounded like they had theirs all sewn up. We, on the other hand, hadn’t even managed to locate the correct flippin webpage!!!! By the time we got to the last ten minutes I was desperate for the final feedback.
On a lighter note, I have started my reading – one of the main books on the recommended list-About Language-tasks for English teachers. It has some great chapters-my favourite is the one on Phonology. I can’t wait to learn more on that subject-I would love to do my final research assignment on that topic.
Anyway I am really too tired to write any more. This is such a boring blog. I had visions of being chirpy and humorous………………….some hope!!!!!

I couldn’t have chosen a worse time to start this course!!!! As you will know if you read my previous entry, I had to miss the first half of the first session to attend a funeral. This was a very sad day, so obviously not the best of starts. And, as I feared, I DID get lost AGAIN on the way to the college. However, I arrived in the middle of a group matching task and managed to contribute at least. Facts, figures, acronymns, FENTO standards, Skills for Life, Aim Higher, Success for All, Access for All……….well, ok-do you know what all these are?
Anyway, as with all courses, the first session centres around paperwork, enrolment, and far too much information being throw at you which you convince yourself you’ll NEVER remember. (Meanwhile, I had developed a splitting headache, had run out of paracetomols, and was unable to use the drinks machine because I had no change!!!!!!!!) Towards the end of the session, one of my classmates-can we call them that?- kindly gave me a tablet, so that by the end of the session the head felt better and I was fully placed to attempt the journey home armed with my important course booklets, and the terrifying scheme of work, listing what’s in store for us. Oh and as a nice little bonus-we have a group presentation to do in 3-4 weeks, which must include the use of Powerpoint……….HEEEEEELP!!!!!!!!
I think I need a couple of days holidays to read the booklets and take in the enormity of what I have let myself in for!
On a lighter note, I’m pleased to know that I already own two of the books on the suggested reading list, so I’m feeling dead smug, since I’ve done quite a bit of reading from them.
I’m off now to re read the course content. Bye for now

I don’t know what’s worse-being on the Celta course and fearing you’ll deliver a rubbish lesson on your TP slot OR delivering a lesson that you now KNOW is rubbish because, after all, you’ve done the course, you’re actually doing the job now and are well aware of making all those mistakes you were warned about.
As I count the days before I start this greatly-feared CELTA 2 course, I can just feel my confidence ebbing away. Every lesson I deliver at work now seems to be filled with the renowned pitfalls.
Note to self:Come on-you know you can do it!
Scary!

Well here I am, one week before the start of a course I know will wear me to a frazzle, and I find out I will be unable to attend the very first session. My very dear friend Claire passed away on Sunday morning after a fierce battle with cancer, and her funeral is on the first day of my CELTA 2 course. I am a stickler for punctuality and attendance and feel very bad about it, but these are extreme circumstances! Actually I’m a little concerned. My uncle passed away while I was doing my CELTA 1. Hmmmm!!!!!!
Anyway, as I am new to blogging I think I had better post this to see if it works first, before I go on to tell you all about my very exciting background. Ha Ha….that’s got you interested hasn’ t it? Speak soon , I hope!!