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Test-teach-test: A framework for CELTA grammar and vocabulary lessons
Most grammar or vocabulary lessons on an English teaching course, be it an online CELTA course or a classroom CELTA, will start with some...

Connor O'Donoghue
Sep 5, 20232 min read


Giving feedback to students in CELTA teaching practice
On a CELTA course, you'll be encouraged to get students to do most tasks by themselves, maybe working alone or in pairs or groups, and...

Connor O'Donoghue
Aug 30, 20233 min read


Should I do my CELTA part-time or full-time?
All CELTA courses share many features in common. Every course has the same basic elements: At least 120 contact hours At least 80 hours...

Connor O'Donoghue
Aug 18, 20233 min read


Five games for vocabulary practice on CELTA
New teachers sometimes think that 'controlled practice' means 'boring practice'. It's true that controlled practice activities include...

Connor O'Donoghue
Aug 15, 20233 min read


Product writing: a simple approach to teaching writing
Some CELTA tutors will avoid giving trainees writing lessons to teach, even though it is part of the syllabus. It is true that it's...

Connor O'Donoghue
Aug 8, 20233 min read


Connor's CELTA experience - why I did it and what it did for me
When I was 21, I didn't really know what I was doing with my life. I'd finished a degree in law and I knew I wanted to go on an adventure...

Connor O'Donoghue
Aug 4, 20235 min read


Anticipating problems when planning your CELTA lesson
Some parts of writing a lesson plan are easier than others, and many CELTA trainees complain that they just don't know where to start...

Connor O'Donoghue
Aug 1, 20232 min read


How to drill pronunciation like a pro
Drilling simply means repeating things aloud. It's one of the simplest language teaching tools we have and it's one of the ones we've...

Connor O'Donoghue
Jul 25, 20233 min read


High demand for CELTA qualified English teachers in the UK
There has never been a better time to get CELTA qualified in the UK. Demand for teachers of English as a foreign language have been at...

Danny Wilkins
Jul 21, 20233 min read


What is guided discovery?
As you progress through a CELTA course, you will start to get comfortable with all the things you need to do when you're teaching new...

Connor O'Donoghue
Jul 18, 20232 min read


Do I need a degree to do CELTA or to teach English abroad?
Do I need a degree to do a CELTA? The short answer is ‘No’ – you don’t need a bachelor’s degree to be accepted onto a CELTA course and in...

Danny Wilkins
Jul 14, 20235 min read


Choosing the right methodology book for your CELTA course
One of the questions prospective CELTA trainees ask most often is which books they should buy. We've already written about which grammar...

Connor O'Donoghue
Jul 11, 20232 min read


CELTA jobs - peak hiring times for CELTA qualified English Teachers
There is no right or wrong time to qualify with a CELTA certificate. The qualification is life-long – it doesn’t expire and you won’t...

Danny Wilkins
Jul 7, 20236 min read


The 3 tools you need to master classroom management
Every lesson is essentially a sequence of activities. Activities come in all shapes and sizes, but ideally, they are student-centred, and...

Connor O'Donoghue
Jul 4, 20233 min read


How much do English teachers get paid after a CELTA course?
So, you’ve researched CELTA and you think you might like to teach your way around the world. You know you’ll have to brush up on your...

Danny Wilkins
Jun 30, 20238 min read


Why do students find listening so hard?
Students, even students who can speak, read and write well in English, often struggle with listening exercises in class, and there are...

Connor O'Donoghue
Jun 27, 20233 min read


Teaching Practice on CELTA – what is it?
A lot of people ask this question at some point while applying for a CELTA course. Some trainees think they will be teaching...

Danny Wilkins
Jun 23, 20233 min read


Vocabulary: conveying meaning to students
Learning new words is one of the most important parts of learning a new language. You may be able to get your meaning across with poor...

Connor O'Donoghue
Jun 20, 20233 min read


Danny’s CELTA experience – Why I did it and what it did for me!
I’ve interviewed many, many CELTA candidates over the last few years and a common question I get asked is ‘What was your experience after...

Danny Wilkins
Jun 16, 20239 min read


Is it possible to fail a CELTA?
The short answer to this is ‘yes’ – it is possible to fail a CELTA course. Thankfully, this is extremely rare. The overwhelming...

Danny Wilkins
Jun 9, 20233 min read
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