Studying in Malta
It's my CELTA and I Can Cry
If I Want To....
(For those of you less than 100, my title is paraphrased from an old song by Leslie Gore in the 60's.)
Last Friday around noon Malta time--It finally happened: I cried in front of my teacher--yes, that one--in class. At least, I wasn't the first student to do so.
I thought I had done a good job teaching a class of intermediates, and so did all my trainee peers. But the teacher--the one who gives you the grade-- apparently didn't think it was so good. I didn't fail it; it just was OK--just standard for this time of the course. Well, I can't wait for this time of the class to be over with.
The only good thing that came out of Friday was all the support of my fellow colleagues--mostly Maltese--who cheered me on and told me that they were going through the same thing.
The worst part about this course is that it makes you doubt whether or not you even want to teach ESL afterwards. Well, I may not know if teaching ESL is for me, but I do know one thing: Malta is for me. I love the people here. And if that's all I get out of this CELTA course, then it was worth it.
No, that's a lie. I better get the f_____ certificate out of this course, too.
Hang in there with me, would you?
It was Carnival this weekend in Valletta. This was fun and colorful and cheered me up for about 2 microseconds.
Hi there everyone--Michael, Alan (the nice Welsh one), Mary, Dee and Malta Girl--Writing this on Sunday. The class ended on Friday. I made it through. I was exhausted over the weekend--worse, truly, than giving birth. Get the grade on Wednesday. And I have been assured, as Michael says, that actual teaching is better than the course. Thanks for all your support, guys!
Posted by: Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name) | March 01, 2009 at 04:25 PM
A mere two milliseconds? Ah, come on, Karnival is good for at least seven and a half minutes of mindless entertainment! I like taking photos of the floats, it's like an overdose of neon.
Posted by: MaltaGirl | February 23, 2009 at 05:25 PM
Sounds like a bit of a grind to me! Hang in there Ilene. Sometimes the most painful things are the worthwhile ones...know you'll be an excellent teacher...have a few more chockies! And loving Malta and the people is a good thing.
Posted by: Dee Owen | February 23, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Sounds like a torture chamber. Maybe they could have given Cheney lessons to be used at Guantanamo. How ridiculous. I know that when all is said and done, you'll get your certificate. The teacher is on an ego trip. Take care and try to let it run off you like water off a duck's back. Be well.
Posted by: Mary Bartolotta | February 23, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Been doing some research and know MANY ESL teachers from UK who tell me here they expect too much and condense courses to severely. In the UK this cert would commonly be done over a year part time. Commercial pressure on schools here, encouraged by the Government are too severe for students. Malta has exceptionally high pass grades for students on ESL courses yet teachers in UK tell me off the record that Maltese trained ESL teachers are often not as skilled? Self promotion for business at expense of quality through a self monitoring industry methinks? Hell, what do I know I only spent 24 years in the UK government massaging statistics re employment and benefits:) One thing I have been told though is that teaching ELS is a lot easier and more rewarding than the training:) Persevere and it'll be worth every minute and every tear.
Chin up and take care, Alan (not him, the Welsh one:)
Posted by: Alan Austin | February 23, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Cheer up :) I'm sure you will manage.
Posted by: Michael | February 22, 2009 at 07:18 PM