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How to Prepare for Your CELTA Course

From recommended readings to preparation courses, we look at the best ways to prepare for the CELTA course (and maybe even come out with a better result at the end!)

Let’s prepare for the CELTA

Ok, so you’ve decided where to take the CELTA and even applied. You may even have successfully completed the interview and demonstrated a good level of language awareness and that you can deal with the demands of the course. You feel prepared to work closely and collaboratively with the other trainees in an intense but fun atmosphere…

  • You’ve blocked out your calendar for that four or five week period. If you are doing the intensive option, you ‘ll only have time for the CELTA course! For the part-time CELTA course you will need to manage your time well too!
  • You’ve booked your flights (if you are doing the face-to-face course)
  • Checked your laptop health and cables
  • Been in touch with the training centre about accommodation (if you are doing the face-to-face course)
  • Checked out the options for late night photocopying outlets nearby! (if you are doing the face-to-face course)

Check. Check. Check.

Now. What is the best way to prepare for the CELTA course?

1. Pre-CELTA Course Preparation Task

Once accepted onto a CELTA course, your tutor will send you pre-CELTA preparation tasks that focus on language. These are really important to do. The tasks will come with an answer key (it’s not a test). The objective is to start orientating your thinking.

Among other things you’ll be asked to get thinking about:

  • What makes a good language teacher
  • Motivations behind people learning English
  • Characteristics of an adult learner
  • Grammar review
  • Using dictionaries
  • Ways to explain concepts and differentiating between meanings
  • Pronunciation

There’ll be things like this to start to become familiar with: