Lisa is a CELTA tutor with IH Palermo in Italy
How long were you an EFL teacher, and how long have you been a teacher trainer?
I’ve been working in EFL for more than 10 years, and as a teacher trainer for over 5 years.
Did you have a different career before EFL?
I used to work as a Careers Advisor and an Advice and Guidance worker with teenagers.
What are your hopes/aspirations for your trainees?
I hope that all my trainees will go on to become motivated, independent teachers with an ongoing interest in developing and sharing best practice. I want them to be confident that, while nobody can know everything, they know they have the tools to continue to grow and make progress in their teaching beyond the course.
When you were an EFL teacher what did you like most, and how do you bring that into the classroom for your trainees?
I’m still an EFL teacher now, and I believe it’s very important for trainers to stay in contact with teaching and learning in the classroom so that they can offer relevant and up-to-date insights. As a teacher, the thing I enjoy most is seeing my students grow in confidence and moving towards their own goals, and I strive to make sure my trainees feel that way on their courses too.
What advice would you give your trainees for successfully completing the course?
Throw yourself into it! CELTA is a big commitment and an intense experience, but it can also be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. Clear your schedule and make sure that you can really commit to the course so that you get the most out of your time on it. Do as much preparation before as you can too – request a reading list from your centre and, if possible, see if you can observe some lessons before you start. Even if you can’t go into a school, there are some great resources online that you could look at.
What advice would you give your trainees for an interesting and rewarding career?
Never stop learning and developing. EFL is an exciting industry with lots of new ideas and developments happening all the time, and the more you put in to your own growth and development, the more you and your students will get out of your new career choice.