As of October, 2011, I have finished my CELTA training at the Hamburg School of English in Germany. During my course I taught students of English from all over the world, helping them to improve their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Of course, grammar and vocabulary are a part of any lesson, but I have found that imbedding the more technical (and boring) aspects of the English language in interesting contexts like literature, film or even music lends itself to more dynamic, more effective learning.
I have been a language learner myself in Latin, Spanish and Italian classrooms. I understand the frustration that comes with the territory. I also know the self-satisfaction that comes from even small victories, new phrases, new tenses, new depths of communication.
My academic background is in creative writing and Latin. I set off to acquire my CELTA because friends and strangers alike encouraged me to try teaching, suspected that I might have a knack for it. As it turns out,I am glad I took their advice. My areas of expertise have helped me in learning to teach and teaching gives me a vehicle to share what skills and knowledge I have acquired in my academic career. I look with high expectations of myself down this new career path.
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