CELTA phone interview

[chris h]

Hi everyone,

I just recently applied for a place on a CELTA course in Spain and have been offered a telephone interview. I'm slightly daunted at the prospect having never done a phone interview before, and was just wondering if anyone had any sage advice? What sort of questins to expect, what preparation to do, that sort of thing...

many thanks

[gfell]

The CELTA School in Spain will conduct the phone interview? Not an employer?

Phone interviews are quite straight forward. Nothing to be scared about.
Basically the other party wants to get to know you a bit further, and will guide the interview. All you have to do is be polite and answer the questions.

Typical interview questions may be asked, or they may want to describe their course/school to you over the phone and see if you have any comments to offer. Be sure to have 2 or 3 good questions to ask.

Talk clearly and refined, and try not to interrupt the other party when they are speaking.

[chris h]

Yes, the school in Spain where I've applied for a course is conducting the interview. I had them recommended to me by an employer in the city which has offered my girlfriend a job. Apparently they have good links with employers in the area.

Thanks very much for the feedback

[rohan]

Hi there,

My younger brother did the CELTA course in Seville, he went fine with the phone interview, although also nervous. Without wanitng to be too cynical don't foget:

1. they are a business and WANT you to study through them so they're not going to grill you too hard.
2. If you were already brilliant at Teaching English you wouldn't have to do the course. They expect people to make mistakes, that's why they teach you
3. Some pretty ordinary candidates did my brother's course.

However the course is gruelling! Its 4 very gruelling weeks (if you're dong the same course). Eat your wheeties and get lotsof sleep. Be prepared for very long hours (i've been told that by many CELTA graduates). In a nutshell all seem to agree the course is not difficult, just a lot of work.

Good luck, you'll have a ball though Im sure.

Rohan

[Lindylou]

Hi everyone. This is my first visit and first post to this site, which looks really interesting. I have scoured lots of sites looking for posts about CELTA, Seville and finally found one! I have lived in Málaga for just over two years, previously I lived in England, UK.

I am in the process of applying for the CELTA course with Clic (IH) Seville, Spain. I am warned at every turn how intense this course is, which doesn't concern me too much Monday to Friday. However, if I do attend I was hoping to go home (about 2 hours drive) on Friday evenings and return to the Seville on Sunday evenings.

Has anyone who has attended this course (Rohan maybe your brother can help?) give me their views on the feasibility of this? Would I be causing myself extra problems? Or, is it possible to have the weekends free? (Sounds like I'll need it!).

I would appreciate any information anyone may have about Clic IH, Seville and the CELTA course delivered there. I hope to do the course some time between January and March 2007. Good luck to you all.

[david wright]

I did a phone interview to get my first paid teaching job in Korea. Just pretend your at a bar trying to chat up a girl and you'll be fine.

[ichini]

It's possible to keep the weekends free and travel back home. BUT remember you need to then keep on top of your studies and not fall behind. Work hard during the week, do all your assignments and homework during the week, and then you can relax on the weekends.

Many tend to take it easy during the week and study hard during the weekends. Don't get caught going to the pubs and socialising during the week. You are there to learn, not to make friends.

Choice is yours!

[Lindylou]

Thanks for the replies. I'll make sure I do my homework in the week if I get onto the course!

[KieronT]

Hello. I also have a Cactus CELTA telephone interview to prepare for. I can handle the personality questions no problemo, but I am somewhat concerned with handling questions on grammar. Whilst I have been reading a number of books, I don't have the subject 'nailed'.

I suppose the coward that I am, I'm reaching out for reassurance that these questions aren't too horrific? Or are they? Any examples or areas I should focus on prior to the interview would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, Kieron.

[gfell]

I don't know why they would want to have a phone interview and discuss grammar. Isn't that their job to teach you English grammar to an extent?

Perhaps the phone interview is merely just to check that you can converse like a native English speaker. They don't want low level English speakers to enrol in their course. Makes sense to me.

Don't stress too much about the grammar. Most ESL teachers don't know grammar complexities. ESL teachers are for the most part, English communication teachers, NOT linguists.