CELT Athens Review by Pano Malamas, January 20, 2011

I consciously left a good few weeks between the end of my CELTA course and this “assessment”, in order to give an honest and well-considered opinion.

I am happy to say that the enthusiasm and high regard I held for the course, its director and staff, has not diminished since then. The course itself exceeded my expectations and I was fortunate to have two extraoridnarily inspirational educationalists as tutors, who have motivated me to try become as inspirational a teacher as they were to me.

CELT Athens Review by Shelly Terrell, January 23, 2011

I completed my CELTA in the summer of 2010 and enjoyed being in Athens to complete it. The sunny setting, beaches, fresh fruit, and culture were a refreshing break from the intensity of the CELTA. I felt I learned so much, I had the rare opportunity to put my lessons into practice with refugees which was inspirational. This institute has been volunteer teaching refugees for years. I especially enjoyed the library which I believe has to be one of the best English language teaching libraries worldwide. I learned a lot in pedagogy, the effective use of technology in English language teaching, and great instructional practices. I felt challenged and that I became a better teacher due to my experiences.

CELT Athens Review by Dina Dobrou, January 23, 2011

Regardless of how experienced an EFL teacher you may be, attending a CELTA course will definitely turn your whole world upside down!

You suddenly realise that there’s a wealth of approaches to teaching you haven’t even thought about and putting everything you learnt during the input sessions into practice, while at the same struggling with assignments and trying to figure out a way of not succumbing to insomnia (especially during the 4-week intensive course) can be quite a challenge. In other words, the intensity and demands of the course overwhelm you on ‘day one’, but attending this course at CELT was not as intimidating as it initially sounds.

The tutors were supportive and inspiring throughout the whole course making the input sessions fly by and then, when time came for assisted lesson planning, they were always there to help bring the best out of you. The meticulous feedback and guidelines on Do’s and Don’ts for your next Teaching Practice were among the most valuable things I got from the course. Their voices still echo in my head when I teach or prepare for my classes.

What is more, the director, Marisa Constantinides, is committed to familiarising you with what the future of ELT is, and I’m referring to online teaching, PLNs (personal learning networks) and what you can do beyond that. The minute you enrol you are invited to the CELT wiki where you can get information about the course and download useful materials for study. It is only a matter of time before you start creating your own online learning platforms for your students.

Even after you have completed the course you are still in touch through social networks and PLNs specially made for trainees, so the professional development does not stop when you get the certificate. At CELT, it is ongoing.

My only regret?
Not having done it earlier!

CELT Athens Review by Sophia Constantinou, January 24, 2011

I completed my DELTA course, 2008, at CELT Athens. Now, that time passed and I valued the experience, I consider myself really privileged. I was tutored and instructed by a very exceptional and well-informed teacher, Marisa Constantinides, who navigated me successfully through the difficulties, and pitfalls of the course. I acquired a global view of what is EFL, delved into techniques and practices, and started implementing new ideas to my teaching. The experience deserved the labour, and the outcome is indeed rewarding. At CELT, I got acquainted with the new technology, and learned how to incorparate some of it to the teaching procedure. It is my personal belief that EFL teaching will progress into a new platform, which CELT institution is in command of, so completing a course there will be a wise thing to do. No matter how experienced teacher you are, there is always something new to discover.

CELT Athens Review by Sharon Noseley, January 26, 2011

I am currently attending CELT, in order to obtain a DELTA. What can i say that hasn’t already been said above! I will comment from a personal view, through the eyes of a native speaker who thought she could make money in Greece just because she can speak English. Since starting my course with Marissa Constantinides, I will always carry the burden of guilt that I had no idea what teaching was! I should seek out all my ex students and apologise! Due to my tutor’s valuable, critical but supportive advice I am now more confident in myself as a person and thus as a teacher. I am developing my skills, and becoming a better teacher. I reflect on what I do and why I do it. I can evaluate my situation and improve myself all the time!
I thank Marissa for her patience and encouragement to open my eyes and connect with the TEFL world outside the DELTA course. This point is a major plus for studying DELTA at CELT…it is not just the library and the incredible resources on the CELT Wiki it is, the continual practical techniques, ideas for classroom activities, insights into methods and sharing of ideas in the EFL world that connects all teachers and professionals in EFL to facilitate your own learning and personal strengths.
Plus!! To all of you who say you have no time.. there are students, like me, who have kids/housework/schoolwork and ironing piles like the Leaning Tower of Pisa…but do something for yourself….find a world of learning and teaching that once you start your course… you will feel you deserve to fit into it!

CELT Athens Review by Toula Sklavou, February 3, 2011

I am currently a Delta trainee at CELT and I have attended the methodology course there in the past. I have found the whole experience invaluable. The comprehensive library, plus the wiki offering not only the endless resources but also the live videos, the pod casts and the past assignments which have given me a real guidance throughout the course. Although I have done an MA in translation studies and have attended hundreds of seminars on teaching, these courses have made and are making a big difference in my everyday teaching. Marisa’s blog and PLN have inspired me and encouraged me to communicate with other teachers around the world and learned to be open to new challenges and move away from the traditional ways of teaching!