Alex Tilbury is a CELTA tutor at IH Wroclaw in Poland
How long were you an EFL teacher, and how long have you been a teacher trainer?
I've been an English language teacher for 22 years and a trainer for 18 years.
Did you have a different career before EFL?
No, I have always worked in EFL.
What are your hopes/aspirations for your trainees?
I hope for my trainees to be knowledgeable – about the English language, language acquisition and teaching techniques; empathetic – placing learners' needs, reactions and contributions at the heart of their planning and teaching; and principled – able to express clear rationales for each lesson and lesson stage.
When you were an EFL teacher what did you like most, and how do you bring that into the classroom for your trainees?
I think many of the basic principles of effective language teaching carry over into training as well: provide a good level of challenge, try to instil confidence, give honest feedback, set clear goals, encourage autonomy.
What advice would you give your trainees for successfully completing the course?
Look at everything from your learners' point of view – the language, your procedures, your activities, your materials, your management of timing, the way you do feedback on tasks.
What advice would you give your trainees for an interesting and rewarding career?
Never stop asking "Why?"