Sinead 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 have been an EFL teacher for 17 years and a teacher trainer for 12 years. Before that I worked briefly for a pharmaceutical company.
What are your hopes/aspirations for your trainees?
My hope is that my trainees will take away a lot more than teaching skills from the course – new friendships, confidence in public speaking, an awareness of others that they may not have had before. We aim to coach every trainee to achieve their best on the course and to encourage development on an individual level, everyone working on their own strengths and weaknesses whilst celebrating each others' differences.
When you were an EFL teacher what did you like most, and how do you bring that into the classroom for your trainees?
I still teach as I think it's really important to keep up-to-date with current teaching practices. What I like most about teaching is bringing people together and generating a positive, safe learning environment where people feel free to express themselves without judgement - exactly the same thing I hope to achieve with trainees.
What advice would you give your trainees for successfully completing the course?
Do as much preparation as you can before starting the course (reading, watching online tutorials, etc). Dedicate this month only to CELTA. Sacrifices will have to be made, but the month will go very quickly and there's a lot to pack in. And most importantly, find time to eat well and to get adequate sleep.
What advice would you give your trainees for an interesting and rewarding career?
To consider teaching as a lifelong learning experience. It's important not to stagnate. Keep trying new things and look for new ideas to bring into the classroom. It's also important to look for a supportive employer and colleagues to help enrich your career.