tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post8312902310029193056..comments2024-03-26T06:07:35.453+01:00Comments on Kalinago English: Marisa Constantinides on How to Become an ELT Teacher EducatorKALINAGO ENGLISHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15202016406865561740noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-23651150959311840322013-07-21T01:23:08.969+02:002013-07-21T01:23:08.969+02:00Hi Marisa,
Thank you very much for the very infor...Hi Marisa,<br /><br />Thank you very much for the very informative piece. I have recently completed my Trinity Diploma and there is a position open for a CELTA trainer in my institution. I decided to put myself forward for consideration. I feel it might be too soon and I have a lot more experience to gain, but an opportunity like this might not come up again for a long time. <br />Your post has been most helpful, even if I don't get chosen for this opportunity, it's great to know what I need to do and work towards should another opportunity come my way in the future.<br /><br />Many thanks, <br />LouiseAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115617422907813003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-2023631037776307812009-11-15T13:37:42.923+01:002009-11-15T13:37:42.923+01:00Dear Barbara,
As you say, there is no single qua...Dear Barbara, <br /><br />As you say, there is no single qualification or piece of paper that can turn you into a (good) teacher educator. <br /><br />Come to think of it, in my country, teacher education is a non-job! So I guess I am not properly qualified to be one, let alone describe one! <br /><br />And I do know absolutely fabulous professionals who do not have degrees and certifications or even M.A.s and yet they are role models in my book. <br /><br />But they do have the human/ personal qualities and the enquiry focused minds which led them to becoming what others can only reach through studying and qualifying. <br /><br />There are all sorts of pathways that may lead to the same end. <br /><br />What I was trying to express was that perhaps that end is not about having a glamorous job (!) but about long hours of learning, reflecting, studying, observing, analysing, and sometimes even doubting the pronouncements of the so-called gurus of our small (but not narrow-minded) world.Marisa Constantinideshttp://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-63243093851758650552009-11-14T14:21:59.944+01:002009-11-14T14:21:59.944+01:00Wow!
Eye opening and very inspiring, indeed.
Thank...Wow!<br />Eye opening and very inspiring, indeed.<br />Thanks for sharing,<br />HalaHalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00546607689660411763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-6887861664404664412009-11-14T02:04:44.440+01:002009-11-14T02:04:44.440+01:00I SO wish I could sit in on one of your training s...I SO wish I could sit in on one of your training sessions, Marisa. They sound wonderful!<br /><br />I'm a big fan of any standards that make our profession better, and over the years I've collected a various pieces of paper that say I can teach certain things--English as a first language to secondary students, ESL/EFL to students from kindergarten through community college, etc. <br /><br />While I guess it's possible to get a piece of paper saying one is qualified to train teachers in a specific methodology or technique (I'm thinking Silent Way, or Suggestopedia, and similar) there isn't really a certificate that says "I can educate teachers." Maybe there can't be. Since most teacher educators I know (including you) are constantly learning and evolving themselves, what would a certificate show? That our learning was already out of date before the ink was dry?<br /><br />Perhaps our certification process is ongoing....as long as teachers believe we provide value in our workshops, they return. If we don't, we find ourselves talking to empty rooms :)<br /><br />I love the standards you've set out, my favorite being:<br /><br />"There is one major (in my own view always) attribute which is absolutely necessary, the ability to analyse the teaching process and classroom practices for the benefit of one's trainees."<br /><br />Good ideals to aim for! Thanks!Barbara Sakamotohttp://www.teachingvillage.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-74365684456149304552009-11-12T21:51:56.712+01:002009-11-12T21:51:56.712+01:00Hi Hall and thanks for adding my article link to y...Hi Hall and thanks for adding my article link to your blog - noticed that book...hmm... would love a copy as I am veeeery interested in this topic myself!<br /><br />MarisaMarisa Constantinideshttp://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-50487989070968792482009-11-12T05:46:37.115+01:002009-11-12T05:46:37.115+01:00That's a brilliant article on creativity. I be...That's a brilliant article on creativity. I believe teachers need to develop creative skills just as much as students. I've added your article to my new webpage about creativity and brainstorming, which you can see here:<br /><br />http://eslbrainstorming.webs.comHall Houstonhttp://www.hallhouston.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-36433740824386657932009-11-10T18:11:39.980+01:002009-11-10T18:11:39.980+01:00I would just like to add my voice to those thankin...I would just like to add my voice to those thanking you for such an interesting and informative post.Sputniknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-67622586649227300542009-11-09T19:02:32.206+01:002009-11-09T19:02:32.206+01:00Heike,
On re-reading my post, I noticed that it ...Heike, <br /><br />On re-reading my post, I noticed that it reads as though I am this super-duper teacher-educator-guru subjecting all and sundry to these strict rules... Aaargh! Not at all my intention. <br /><br />I try to use it on myself first! Then I look at others, always with a lot more tolerance and sympathy than I have for my own shortcomings. <br /><br />Thanks for comments on article on creativity. It's what I hope to be presenting at Harrogate - if of course my talk is accepted. <br /><br />Has anyone read Ms Woodward's post yet? I wasn't aware it was up when I posted this but it would be interesting to hear comments about how are expectations are similar or different!Marisa Constantinideshttp://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-42773270202149706562009-11-09T11:43:58.882+01:002009-11-09T11:43:58.882+01:00Hi Marisa and a big THANK YOU for posting your rep...Hi Marisa and a big THANK YOU for posting your reply and this great blog on how to be creative.<br /><br />You sound honest, dedicated and the self-reflection on your background/ weakness of coming from a long tradition of teacher centered methdology shows that you use this weakness as a strength learning from it.<br /><br />You sound as if you practise what you teach. <br /><br />Kudos to you and your team in Greece. <br /><br />Looking forward to hearing more from you.<br /><br />Rgds HeikeHeike Philphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770570734418141999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-45565963208739184642009-11-08T20:21:20.728+01:002009-11-08T20:21:20.728+01:00Hi Neal and thanks for commenting.
I will agree w...Hi Neal and thanks for commenting.<br /><br />I will agree with you that a well taught CELTA course can be a pretty wonderful thing to have done, despite the fact that various friends in our PLN keep knocking it. <br /><br />Perhaps you might want to follow a couple of comments made by Alex Case, myself and Emma Harrod on my "Yes,and..." post just today: <br /><br />http://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/2009/11/02/yes-and/comment-page-1/<br /><br /><br />To all who have been following this discussion, do please read a very interesting post by Tessa Woodward with the title "How to be a trainer" - link below: <br /><br />http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/think/articles/how-be-a-trainerMarisa Constantinideshttp://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-80150339450543940422009-11-08T15:07:02.758+01:002009-11-08T15:07:02.758+01:00Great information Marisa!
I think the CELTA and D...Great information Marisa!<br /><br />I think the CELTA and DELTA are very valuable certifications. I went through the CELTA two years in Spain and it was well worth the time and effort. The first week was pretty rough, but afterwords I felt like I could handle any teaching job.<br /><br />Here in Japan, a CELTA is something that separates you from the pack and might be the difference between getting a job or not. <br /><br />Thanks again for the information!Neal Chambershttp://www.englishspark.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-68314705009556012862009-11-07T15:17:32.565+01:002009-11-07T15:17:32.565+01:00;-) maybe the dissenting voices are in Paris! Or ...;-) maybe the dissenting voices are in Paris! Or they're afraid of your standards, LOL - just dashing off again however, here's the link to the link Marisa posted above<br /><br /><a href="http://www.celt.edu.gr/creative_teachers.htm" rel="nofollow">Creative Teachers</a>KALINAGO ENGLISHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15202016406865561740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-6873144780514342002009-11-07T15:07:13.337+01:002009-11-07T15:07:13.337+01:00I wrote this post before Heike's comment and s...I wrote this post before Heike's comment and something went funny and it didn't upload - so I am leaving it as is...<br />___________________________________<br /><br />Dear Karenne, <br /><br />To have you on one of my DELTA courses is a tutor's dream come true, with the learning going both ways - as it always does and should do - but in your case, you would have more than a thing or two to teach this tutor!!! <br /><br />Thank you so much for inviting me to write this guest post and thank you for your special interest in quality teacher education. I am thrilled to bits to have written for your blog! <br /><br />I am not, of course, familiar with what happens all over the world and how people qualify for teacher-ed jobs, but in my local context it’s a bit erratic, so establishing some sort of code of best practices cannot be a bad thing and even if not everyone agrees with my standards, at least we can open up this subject to public inspection and discussion. <br /><br />So, where are the dissenting voices? <br /><br />So far, none have come forward. <br /><br />I can’t believe that everyone agrees with me! <br /><br />MarisaMarisa Constantinideshttp://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-39388663713694762232009-11-07T15:00:33.137+01:002009-11-07T15:00:33.137+01:00Hi Heike,
I have no information as to the conten...Hi Heike, <br /><br />I have no information as to the content of the courses you mention, but critical reflection and self/peer assessment is certainly part and parcel of even a CELTA course, let alone a DELTA, worldwide – this is not the exclusive domain of IH or BC any longer, to set the standards of the profession – a small centre in Greece like mine can do that too, Heike, since we run these courses with the same professional high quality standards. <br /><br />However, critical reflection and self or peer assessment are intended to help the teacher with their ongoing professional development which goes well beyond the end of a course. <br /><br />My point, perhaps not expressed very clearly or very well, intends to describe a tutor’s ability to analyse the components of the teaching process, the teacher’s toolkit, as it were, in a way that trainee teachers can understand what is available, how it can be done and what is the underlying thinking behind it. <br /><br />Some of the teachers who come out of such courses may develop into good teacher educators, but there is a whole lot of other things they have to go through first in my rather long and fussy checklist – classroom teaching experience being one of them. <br /><br />I am sorry if I gave the impression that this is a sufficient quality to turn a good teacher into a good teacher educator. <br /><br />I like the point of "practice what you preach" and I entirely agree with you on that one. The design of a course or a session has to follow the principles and practices that you are trying to teach. <br /><br />Tessa Woodward got a wonderful handle on that with her Loop Input, but one can overdo loop input if that is the only thing they do. <br /><br />It's always good to vary and play with a variety of methods. Despite the serious tone of this piece here, I tend to be a rather playful tutor and student-centred activities are at the heart of my design. <br /><br />I have to do this. Not only because I believe it is the right thing to do, but also because I come from a strong tradition of teacher-centred classrooms, so my own natural tendency is to be centre-stage and to do what is called "performance teaching". And I can do it quite well, which can be a heady thing and it can entrap you into a lecturing type of input, because learners and teacher audiences tend to like a “lively” teacher… <br /><br />But it is most often the quiet, laid back type that does the best job! Believe me! <br /><br />Still I am fully aware of this. I guess some people are not aware of their own teaching or training style. <br /><br />That's partly what I meant by the ability to analyse the teaching and learning process. If you cannot criticise yourself, how can you help other teachers? <br /><br />Can I point you in the direction of an article I wrote, oh, quite a while ago, which perhaps may give you an idea of some of the things I do incorporate into my trainer’s toolkit. This is a small sampling and it is connected to a larger theme, that of helping teachers become more creative, but it might give you an idea. <br /><br />I don’t know if I can include a link to my article with the title “The Art of Being Creative” but if I can’t, perhaps Karenne can help and insert this link for me.<br /><br />http://www.celt.edu.gr/creative_teachers.htm<br /><br />Thanks for continuing this discussion. <br /><br />MarisaMarisa Constantinideshttp://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-49590062208541516402009-11-07T12:27:57.489+01:002009-11-07T12:27:57.489+01:00Hi Marisa,
Thank you for pointing out that 't...Hi Marisa,<br /><br />Thank you for pointing out that 'the ability to analyse teaching process & classroom practise' is what makes a distinction between a good teacher trainer and a 'good teacher'.<br /><br />May I ask though, and this is looking beyond the IH/ BC practise of CELTA/ DELTA and beyond, whether this is not the 'normal qualification' in a graduate course at a University, a pedagogcial teacher training course which qualifies school teachers?<br /><br />They certainly analyse the teaching process left, right and center and still, I wouldn't classify many at University to be formidable teacher trainers.<br /><br />In fact, I have experienced teacher trainers myself, where I felt the biggest thing lacking was that 'they don't practise what they t(pr)each'.<br /><br />I highly resent being lectured to when the subject is: student centered teacher.<br /><br />What do you think, Marisa?<br /><br />Rgds HeikeHeike Philphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770570734418141999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-1510785364742210532009-11-07T08:03:09.978+01:002009-11-07T08:03:09.978+01:00Thanks so much for this incredibly informative pie...Thanks so much for this incredibly informative piece, Marisa, distinguishing the difference and inspiring other teachers to follow this route. <br /><br />If there's one thing all of us teachers and teacher trainers need, it's great role models for our professional development.<br /><br />I can't wait to one day get the chance to come see you in action... and get trained by you.<br /><br />Thanks very much for doing this piece for us!<br /><br />KarenneKALINAGO ENGLISHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15202016406865561740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-16807223652106326202009-11-06T14:42:48.928+01:002009-11-06T14:42:48.928+01:00Hi Alex and thanks for feedback. You also made a v...Hi Alex and thanks for feedback. You also made a very important comment about online courses. I don't have direct experience myself but I guess you hear a lot about them in your own website. I would, generally, agree based on the assumption that there is no live observation and feedback work on such courses. Although new technologies may change this too!Marisa Constantinideshttp://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-41204431530038835632009-11-06T13:46:18.521+01:002009-11-06T13:46:18.521+01:00"The idea of one day doing an MA in TEFL (rat..."The idea of one day doing an MA in TEFL (rather than the other options) does sound appealing"<br /><br />I think someone else's fingers have slipped, surely the last word should be without an "e"??<br /><br />Joking aside, great post. It might also be worth pointing out that unlike MAs, the qualifications to become a teacher trainer offered by some online TEFL course providers are almost entirely worthless.Alex Casehttp://www.tefl.net/alexcasenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-67587700159545876632009-11-06T13:17:16.395+01:002009-11-06T13:17:16.395+01:00Thank you Marisa for clarifying so promptly! The s...Thank you Marisa for clarifying so promptly! The sign of a committed educator :)<br /><br />The idea of one day doing an MA in TEFL (rather than the other options) does sound appealing. However, for the moment, I will content myself by learning as much as I can about my chosen life-long profession from the excellent group of people who surround me.Janet Bianchinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11091873251779290222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-75618144961902165272009-11-06T13:06:47.990+01:002009-11-06T13:06:47.990+01:00Thanks for pointing out typo, Janet, it should not...Thanks for pointing out typo, Janet, it should not be equivalent of CELTA but of DELTA!<br /><br />My fingers sometimes have a life of their own! <br /><br />And thanks for your lovely comment. An MA in Linguistics may not be the best option. Applied Linguistics, TEFL or TESOL MA's may be a more appropriate choice. And with current developments in ICT, perhaps a combined MA that has TESOL, ESOL and ICT may be the way to go! <br /><br />On re-reading my post, I have been thinking that most of the stuff I mention as standards may work for teacher educators in other disciplines - subsitute anything related to English with relevant content knowledge and anything related to our subject specific MA's to related postgraduate work in Pedagody and I think this could apply to teacher educators in other disciplines as well.Marisa Constantinideshttp://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-11567547713026202922009-11-06T13:01:12.373+01:002009-11-06T13:01:12.373+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Marisa Constantinideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05025362358277156998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-26698585136403328912009-11-06T12:41:02.285+01:002009-11-06T12:41:02.285+01:00I'd like to congratulate you Marisa for this i...I'd like to congratulate you Marisa for this inspiring and very informative post. I learned a lot from reading this, especially the fine distinction you point out between teacher trainer and teacher educator.<br /><br />This is a very thorough and insightful examination into what constitutes an effective teacher trainer/educator. The standards you require and listed, are exceptionally high and this is as it should be.<br /><br />I obtained my PGCE in TEFL in 1982. After a period of teaching I decided to further refresh my knowledge by doing the RSA DTEFLA (Diploma in the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language to Adults) in 1989. I assume this is the equivalent of today's Cambridge DELTA Diploma and yet you mention this is the equivalent of today's Cambridge CELTA, which has got me slightly confused. <br /><br />The MA in Linguistics you mention sounds like a wonderful course and one to aspire to one day.<br /><br />Many thanks Marisa for this great post which has really got me thinking and reassessing what or who I am as a teacher.Janet Bianchinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11091873251779290222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-40297096581437034712009-11-06T12:16:47.472+01:002009-11-06T12:16:47.472+01:00Hi Anita, best of luck with YOUR Oscar (the DELTA)...Hi Anita, best of luck with YOUR Oscar (the DELTA). <br /><br />You are certainly taking the right steps towards your goal!!!!Marisa Constantinideshttp://marisaconstantinides.edublogs.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-70429589833639407222009-11-06T11:14:46.234+01:002009-11-06T11:14:46.234+01:00Wow.
Seems like I have a long way to go :)
Hopef...Wow.<br /><br />Seems like I have a long way to go :)<br /><br />Hopefully it's going to happen by the time you get your Oscar :)<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Anitalittle_miss_bossyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09423142937875532976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8572501698854836939.post-63893400928383382202009-11-06T00:31:18.927+01:002009-11-06T00:31:18.927+01:00I really enjoyed reading this post. Some very usef...I really enjoyed reading this post. Some very useful information about the world of teacher training.Hall Houstonhttp://www.hallhouston.comnoreply@blogger.com