How much grammar do you need to know for CELTA?
by celtaconfessions
I’ve just been reviewing Week 2 Day 3, our first 60-min TPs, and I felt compelled to write a post to answer the question “How much grammar do you need to know for CELTA?”. It seems especially apt after the previous review of the input session Grammar (Introduction to Language Awareness).
You see, there was this trainee who’s a wonderful teacher – I’d recommend her without reservation – but grammar wasn’t her strong point. Her pride was such that she refused my offers of help, and consequently, I had to watch her suffer on at least two occasions, one worse than the other, or perhaps it was me who suffered more because I could feel her insecurity and noticed the errors she kept making.
Do you know your tenses? Copyright 2013 Chiew Pang
If you’re a native speaker, unless you’ve done courses, you may not be very familiar with grammar. For your Celta course, you will probably have to do at least two DI lessons plus the fact that your students are adults means that they will at some point or other ask you grammatical questions.
CELTA courses DO NOT teach you grammar; in fact, they assume you have more-than-basic knowledge of it. So, if you ask, “Do I need to know grammar?” the answer from me will be a definite “yes”.
“How much grammar do I need to know?” A rudimentary knowledge is essential. You must at least know the name of the tenses! You can’t afford to confuse the past perfect with the present perfect, for example. You can’t have the students know more than you in this aspect because they will know the names and form of the tenses even if they don’t use them properly.
In this lesson I was reviewing, her main aim was “for, since and ago”, but she had spent the whole night preparing an analysis on the past simple, the present perfect and the present perfect continuous, probably more for herself than for the students. Subsequently, she spent too much time on this part, which ought to have been a cursory revision, and not enough time on her main aim. It could be that she was following the coursebook, which would be yet another lesson for future Celta trainees – use only what’s necessary! Know what your main aims are – don’t try to do too much because you won’t have the time to cover all of them.
You won’t have enough time in the course to devote to learning grammar points from scratch; it’s all right to have to study them in greater detail in preparation for your lesson, but you can’t be burning the candle at both ends because you’ll be messed up in the morning, and end up with an under-par lesson.
So, if your grammar knowledge is lacking, or even rusty, I’d suggest doing a course before Celta. I don’t get paid for saying this, but I can recommend Cambridge English Teacher; they offer a 5-hour grammar for teacher language awareness course for free – you’d only need to register.
Recommended books
[Learning Teaching: 3rd Edition Student’s Book Pack] [by: Jim Scrivener]
Teaching English Grammar: What to Teach and How to Teach it by Jim Scrivener ( 2010 ) Paperback
Post-CELTA Confessions 
Hi Chiew, thanks for sharing. Ever since I decided to pursue CELTA, my biggest worry is always about how much I need to improve on my (technical) Grammar. Although I read, speak and write English everyday – I’m sure there are so much that I have taken for granted and probably misuse all along. You are right about not spending too much time on grammar concurrently while taking CELTA. I am planning to take CELTA in Sep 2017 but I’ve started revising my grammar and hope to tighten it more by then.
I am currently reading “Collins Improve Your Grammar” by Graham King. I love it! It’s easy to read, understand and follow. So much of examples and I am progressing chapter by chapter every night.
Apart from grammar, pls do advise what else I should do since I have 1 year to prepare 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Eileen,
I think I’ve written about this somewhere. Improving grammar, naturally, is important. Swan’s Practical Usage is a bible to which you will refer throughout your teaching career. Try to pre-familiarise yourself with the possible writing tasks so if you read any of the recommended books such as Harmer’s, note down useful phrases and where exactly you found them. These will be useful because they want you to quote some references – to show that you’ve done some reading ;). You won’t want to waste time trying to find something you recall reading once upon a time…
Try to watch some teaching videos too, especially CELTA-type. CELTA has their view on what good teaching is so they’ll expect you to follow that model. What you do after is your business.
I don’t know what you’re doing now but if you’re not teaching, see if you can get some work, maybe even some voluntary work. I think some experience is useful, if only to give you that much more confidence. Without any experience at all, getting thrown into a pack of wolves can be quite unnerving – and that happens almost immediately!
Good luck!
Hi Chiew,
Thanks for your lighting-fast advice! It is really encouraging and thanks for the tips on the books and reference. In fact, the first book I bought was Swan’s Practical Usage. Am glad I got the right stuff!
Noted on your suggestion to watch more videos on CELTA. Definitely will be YouTube-ing over the weekends.
I’m actually still working and plan to resign maybe in July before I take the course in September. I hear from many that it will be a super hectic month once the course begin – so I wouldn’t want to let my job affect it. I work for a Bank and am in HR. I have been in L&D (Learning & Development) for several years and have trained bankers and graduates (in soft skills) for approx 4-6 years now. I enjoy motivating my participants and seeing them grow gives me the energy and satisfaction to my effort. Hence, I wish to translate the same to my future students.
So I believe my next step is to strengthen my English (technical) skills and hope to learn from you and all other successful CELTA trainees.
As I read thru the thread of comments, I realise many shares the same concern with me. My plan is to teach in either Japan or South Korea but I hear that they might favour native English speakers. While I try not to let this affect my motivation, I guess what I need to do now is to focus on passing CELTA?! 🙂
Thanks for your well wishes too. Cheers.
Unfortunately, that is the case. NESTS are always favoured above NNESTS but acceptance is growing so don’t give up. Instead of giving up your job, wouldn’t it be possible to take annual leave, or unpaid leave, citing personal reasons?
The full time course is hectic but if you’re organised and have done enough pre-course preparations, you’ll survive it well. The part-time course is also available in some places. Consider that too.
The other advice I’d give is to familiarise yourself with acronyms, learn some phonetics (Underhill is a hero), and also get to know the different methodologies CELTA follows.
Thanks for your encouragements and good to know the acceptance is growing. Definitely not easy to change perspectives.
I will do CELTA via British Council. Their part-time is a 3-month course, twice a week, full time from 9am-6pm. I can’t possibly take 2 days leave every week, so let’s see if the unpaid leave is allowable 🙂
Great tips about the acronyms and phonetics. The latter is something I’ve always wanted to master – I’m still very alien with the symbols.
Noted on the methodologies you mentioned. I shall Google around for articles and videos.
Thanks lot, Chiew. You’ve been great help. I will continue to follow your blog 🙂
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Salutations…chew…i found this thread….when i was scraming my mobile.I am an Engineering graduate in a quest for a job ,but still not interested in my core .I found myself fervently attested with English language.After getting to know about CELTA I have a fuss for teacing around the globe.But a news came to my ears that,Non-native speakers like me find ordeal to find a job for teaching English in Non-native English speaking countries.Since,I am from a poor background i have to apply loan and via that i will be ablele to pay the fees of CELTA certification.My doubt is that,will i be recognized after completing the course and get a job in other countries,since my competents are native English Speakers.And finally what kind of Score basis do you acknowledge for getting a CELTA.Reply me ,ASAP…..Raring for a good answer..
Hello Sukash,
I understand your predicament; we’re not always able to work in a profession we love. Let me be honest about this. Native speakers are always favoured over non-native, unfortunately. Language schools are, after all, a business; and businesses have to satisfy their clients. If the clients are ignorant enough to think a non-qualified native teacher is better than a qualified non-native, they are still “right”. Some “progressive” schools try to have a healthy mix. I also know of non-natives working in places such as England and China…
In short, it is difficult but possible. Rather than focusing on your non-nativeness, I’d focus on improving myself in all aspects of the profession. Put yourself in the shoes of the prospective employer. Why should I chose this non-native teacher when I have other qualified native teachers waiting in line?
Talk to others in the same boat. Join my Facebook forum.
Hi chiew.
I am looking forward to getting the CELTA, i applied for it but unfortunately i could not be selected for this course. They suggested me to work on my writing skills, for this i have started attending classes at British council. I request you to guide me how should i make myself ready to get selected for doing the CELTA.
To teach a language at CELTA level, you must first know the language well enough. For non-natives, this means a C1 or IELTS 7. If you’re not at this level, I suggest doing courses to help you get to this level. Besides that, I’d recommend lots of exposure to the language. Read a lot – books, magazines, newspapers… watch original English language films (if you put on subtitles, have them in English), listen to music, watch videos, whatever. The more exposure you get the more familiar you’ll become to the sounds of the language.
Good luck.
I’m a non native speaker and I’ve just passed CELTA. My colleagues told me I was the Queen of the grammar.Fine.I am happy and I should improve.But how a native speaker could a good teacher if he can’t distinguish adjective and adverb or present perfect and present perfect continuous. I’ve seen them at the CELTA course and the tutor encouraged them and praised them as they had quite nice manner in the classroom and were artistic???I’m really confused!
First, congratulations!
Second, yes, not surprising what you’re saying; I’ve touched on this, and not only are they encouraged and praised verbally, but they’re often motivated by their grades, too. Whereas others may do well but are not equally rewarded. That’s the difference between humans and robots. So, just forget about the bad parts, if there any, and stay with the good memories.
Don’t take CELTA’s methods as commandments, but as a foundation which you can build on. And if you find a brick you consider weak, don’t be afraid to replace it.
Good luck, Nayda!
dear nadya i read your post while i was searching for a non native who has done CELTA. they hav called me for an interview but i am really scared ,,,,could you guide me please as i have heard that it will be quite challenging
I’m from the UK but living in South Africa. Moving to Bangkok in August and doing the CELTA in September. So glad I read this thread, so much good advice and will check out your blog for sure Chiew. Thank you
Good luck, Daniel!
“Fully agree, Chiew. Language analysis is the make or break for low and high end grades on the CELTA, too, and rightly so.”
Would anyone then care to explain how it was possible for a fellow trainee to come out of our CELTA course with a Pass B after having to resubmit the LA assignment and barely passing after resubmission with the help of another trainee who, eventually, ended up getting the same grade? Let’s be honest: you can (and many people actually do) pass the CELTA without having the slightest awareness about grammar.
Thanks for the comment, Amin. Would it surprise you if I were to tell you that I’m not surprised? I keep referring to the passing grades statistics, but, really, one quick look at them is enough to tell anyone sensible that something is odd. Unfortunately, as long as Cambridge persists in the grading system, there will be those who think more lowly of those with only a pass.
And talking about grammar, a trainer who crosses out an emphatic do doesn’t inspire much confidence in me. As far as grading is concerned anyway.
Hello Chiew!
I came back to your blog for two reasons:
a) I was expecting a new post! Honestly, reading your blog is very informative and it helped me when I was doing my CELTA course!
b)a quick question: I think you’ve been teaching online, haven’t you? I’d like to start.teaching online. Do you have any tip that you could give e?
Hello Ale!
Yes, I know. I’ve been busy so I haven’t been writing much at all. The only writing I’ve done so far is my language feeds on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aula10/188555837909008 If you’re there, do take a look!
Let’s see if I can get something together this weekend.
I do more phone classes than ‘online’ as such, but I do offer online ‘services’ with my normal classes. The Facebook page is an example of how I use social media to encourage students to learn on their own.
Whether you use the phone, Skype or any other means, the one thing I’d make sure is to use an online document. Google Docs is extremely useful in that it can be used as a board – what you write is visible for the other people connected and vice versa. Wikispaces – which is what I’m using right now – has the advantage that it’s much neater and allows for better organisation, although some of the features are still rather primitive.
The other concern is, of course, payment. Using Paypal is handy. If you can get payment in advance, better still because one of the major problems of private teaching is students not turning up or late cancellation.
Good luck!
Chiew
Hi Chiew,
Most of my classmates were from abroad. There were 4 from Brazil, 2 from the USA, 1 from the UK, 1 from Bolivia and 3 Argentineans. It was quite an interesting experience. I’d do the CELTA again just to meet people from all over the world 😛
That’s fantastic! I hope you all keep in touch. Apart from a handful, my fellow trainees don’t seem so keen (or don’t have the time) to do so.
Hi Ale, i read this whole conversation with alot of interest ,how I found it is actually during the search for completion of my celta tasks the final ones .I’m from Pakistan there isn’t any kind of help or support that i can take,
kindly tell me is it worth doing I am an art teacher by profession for the past one decade but i need a change now and seriously looking forward to do celta.
Please tell me is it worth doing and is extremely difficult for even those who had been taught and teaching in an english school??
I wanted some information about the stages for a CELTA grammar lesson. What should be in the lesson plan if you are teaching it for 1 hour and also what should the next trainee teacher teach? Can you give any advice please?
Hi Julie,
I think much depends on what your centre expects. First, I would think that the next trainee teacher shouldn’t be teaching the same thing as you; for example, if you’re teaching grammar, it would be better for the next trainee to be doing skills or whatever so that the students wouldn’t be bombarded by grammar for 2 hours.
The stages of a grammar lesson varies, Julie. What approach are you following? The traditional discreet item approach will follow the Present-Practice-Produce stages but TBL would concentrate more on the task itself.
The guided discovery method can work well. See an example here. The stages would be like this: lead-in, present language, guided discovery, check form & pronunciation, controlled & less controlled practice, PACS, free practice, PACS
But, really, isn’t your tutor guiding you? Hope my answer has been of some help.
Hi Chiew, I hope you are fine I need to know alot about Celta ,Its not done anywhere in Pakistan,I s it very difficult and extensive
Hi Fiona,
It’s more extensive than difficult. Much depends on your level. I’ve written a fair bit about the course. Unfortunately, I sort of stopped because of work and now find it hard to resume. It seems a long time ago. You can read about it in the official site: http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/celta/ Also, look up on IH (International House). If you’re on Facebook, join the forum: https://www.facebook.com/groups/573762709386523/
Best of luck,
Chiew
Hello!I find this information very useful because I am considering taking the exam this year. I am a translator from Argentina. I have taught this last year to children but that was my only experience. Do you have any piece of advice ?
Hello ELiza,
That’s no problem; your experience in teaching children will come in handy. My advice is to read through the blog and jot down the advice I’ve given here and there on a document on your computer so it’s easier to modify as you go along. Be aware that centres vary in their training syllabus, methods, etc, although they follow a strict guideline laid down by Cambridge. The assignments, for example, may not be in the same order as I’ve written, but my advice of reading the books I’ve mentioned and jotting down notes or at least page numbers still stand. Brush up on your grammar. I’ve been somewhat busy lately so I haven’t had time to update the blog, but if you have any queries, feel free to ask.
Hello Chiew!
I finished my CELTA course last Friday!
As you said a couple of posts below, the first two weeks were the hardest. But after those first ten days, I felt much more comfortable. Although there were many input sessions that, honestly, were very very disappointing, and although at times the workload was overwhelming, on the whole, I really enojyed the course.
I understand that this teaching course is intended for the completeley uninitiated, and that’s why I found some of the input sessions not that useful… but well, having teaching experience helped quite a lot. And being a non-native speaker also helped, as I’ve been studying English grammar for almost all my life…
There were lots of positive feedback in the course and ‘m not used to that kind of feedback. Public University here in Argentina is full of negative and destructive feedback and, honestly, it was quite a shock to have positive and helpful tutors.
And now it’s time for my post-CELTA confession: I don’t know what to do after the course. Maybe I can stay here in Argentina and continue teaching/translating (I’m a translator), or maybe I could travel and teach. One of my classmates was from Brazil, and she offered me a Job there…
I think that for the time being I’ll be staying here. But at least now I’ve got more options that I wouldn’t have had without CELTA.
Congratulations, Ale! I hope the blog has been of some use to you! Were most of the trainees from Argentina or were there some from abroad, too?
Fully agree, Chiew. Language analysis is the make or break for low and high end grades on the CELTA, too, and rightly so.
But the problem is not what happens during the course; it’s convincing teachers or would-be teachers BEFORE a course who have very weak language awareness or lack of accuracy or both that they do need to study lots or take a course.
We had a recent discussion on this on #ELTchat and here is the link to the post.
http://eltchat.org/wordpress/summary/the-grammar-teachers-ought-to-know-and-often-dont-eltchat-summary-25072012/
There are very good suggestions and links to very good books suitable for people teaching or preparing for teaching.
Exactly, Marisa. I saw it happened too many times – trainees resorting to the “escape clause”: If you care to stay behind, we’ll take a look at it, or That is not part of our aim today; we’ll take a look at it at some other time (knowing that some other time will never happen!).
Perhaps part of the problem stems from trainees falsely believing that they would be taught some grammar in the course. Whatever the reason, any future trainees reading us will know now 🙂
Thanks for the comment, and for the link.