‘It is remarkable that so much can be learnt in such a short space of time. To be able to take a person with zero teaching experience and turn them into a person capable of delivering a reasonable lesson in fifteen days is amazing by any standards.

Although it looks like a part-time course, this really isn’t the case. I’d advise anyone who’s thinking of undertaking CELTA to clear their diary as much as possible for the duration. As well as lesson preparation, there are four assignments and six lesson observations to complete. Travelling in this country can also be stressful and so, unless you live on the doorstep of the British Council, plan your life carefully for those eight weeks.

Apart from the tutors, I learnt a great deal from the other students, which I think is one of the great strengths of the course’
Course participant - May/June 2005 course

‘It was a very stressful eight weeks.  All trainees wore two hats, as teachers and learners. It was good to be a ‘learner’ myself, see how frightening it can be to stand in front of the class and be exposed to others’ scrutiny. This stress cannot be continuous, but it should be repeated from time to time to at least attempt teaching ‘old monkeys’ some new tricks.

The discovery of the CELTA course is a very important element I would definitely like to explore further.’
Doreen Fong - May/June 2005 course

‘Over the past eight weeks I have learnt that my family can manage without me cooking, cleaning, shopping and generally being around!  I’ve also learnt the basics of how to teach English grammar and classroom management, which will hopefully be useful.  I’ve learnt to work as part of a team, made some fantastic friends from all around the world and, after a few good nights’ sleep, I’m looking forward to putting all the lessons into practice. It’s been a hard, stressful, time and life-consuming, sleep-depriving – but worth it!  Thanks to all the course tutors, the BC teachers, the support staff and the canteen man!’
Debra Hindle - May/June 2005 course

‘The last eight weeks have been the busiest and most stressful weeks I’ve had.  Every moment has been either planning a lesson, writing an assignment, gaining teaching practice or taking in information.  The tutors were very helpful during the course and all were extremely approachable. Apart from there being a lot of work to do, the course is very enjoyable and I have made plenty of new friends and will try to keep in touch with everyone.  If you are planning to teach English as a Foreign Language I would definitely recommend this course.’
Helen Sutton - May/June 2005 course

‘While doing the course I often wondered if I had taken on more than I could chew.  But all the stress, hard work, sleepless nights, taxing of the brain to the maximum was well worthwhile because it is an excellent course, methodically teaching you to be a good teacher.  The tutors were excellent and made our classes very interesting.  To begin with teaching with tutors observing was traumatic but you get used to it.’
Shanthi Alles - May/June 2005 course

‘If you want to soak up learning through the pores of your skin, or break your back carrying 2.5 million handouts home, then this is the course for you.  'Uncle' CELTA will guide you through TTT, PPP, CCQ's...don't worry, you'll understand what I mean after your first day!  Even if you don't decide to become a ESL teacher, the skills you learn are transferable to any occupation.  Well worth two months of too much caffeine and nicotine in your bloodstream, and a lack of real spice in your life!’
Gunilla Hanson - May/June 2005 course