My CELTA Interview Experience (CELTA 面試經驗談)

Yesterday (5/2) I had my CELTA interview at 2:00 p.m. It lasted about 35 minutes. It went pretty well. When the interviewer said "I'm looking forward to seeing you in July", I was so relieved and I knew I just got myself a spot to enter the CELTA program. Just a few hours after the interview, I received a confirmation email from IH.  How efficient! I painted the town red last night with some friends. But it's not time for me to be gloating. From now on, I guess, to get a head start, I have to study those recommended books before the program kicks off.

If you are at the stage of preparing for your CELTA interview, or you are just interested in how I prepared for this interview and how the interview was conducted, here it is.



Just one day after sending the application with the pre-interview task to IH, I got a reply from them with a link to set up an interview. I chose to have a Skype interview in the following week. After the interview time was confirmed in a follow-up email, I decided to do some research, collect some commonly asked questions and see how people prepare for a CELTA interview. Besides that, to make no mistake, I also emailed IH and confirmed that this Skype interview would be "audio-only" and there would be no need to set up a webcam. That's a relief. Why? Because that means I can still have some information at hand to refer to during the future interview, which can definitely help me build more confidence and feel at ease.

From the info that I gathered, this is what usually happens in a CELTA interview. I also listed the questions in my interview for your reference below:

1. As an applicant, we should take the initiative and contact the interviewer either by phone or by Skype directly instead of waiting for the interviewer to call you. 

=> In my case, it's true. My interview was at 2:00 p.m. However, when it's 2:01 p.m. , I still didn't hear anything from the interviewer on Skype. So, I decided to make a voice call to IH directly on Skype. And the one who picked up the phone was the interviewer who was scheduled to interview me. Good thing I made the call first without just sitting there and waiting for the interviewer to call me.

2. Most questions during a CELTA interview are about what an applicant previously wrote in the pre-interview task as follows:

(1) Part 2 (Personal Statement)
(2) Part 3 (Language Awareness): In this part, it includes questions about "Grammar", "Vocabulary", "Pronunciation", and "Teaching and Learning". 

A lot of people mentioned that an interviewer would check with you again on the parts that he/she is interested in or that needs to be further clarified. Also, if there are some mistakes in Part 3, you will be asked to clarify and confirm your answers again. However, an interviewer doesn't just listen to you, he/she would also point out your mistakes and give some suggestions.

Actually, in the interview request email, IH also suggested that I have my pre-task info at hand during the interview. So, I took their advice and had more extra handouts about "grammar" with me just in case some of them might be brought up.

=> In my case, the interviewer asked me the following questions. Actually, I can't remember every single word the interviewer said. So, I'll just share the questions that I remember in terms of the meanings.

Q1: From your personal statement,  I can see that you have a lot of teaching experience. However, you mentioned "you find it hard to bring more fun to your class". Do you think it's always important to have fun in an English class?

Q2: As you are an experienced teacher, what do you think of some feedback to you from your inexperienced fellow trainees in the CELTA program?

Q3: In the pre-interview task, you told us "You tend to explain grammatical rules in your native language to your students in a low level class". Why is that? Have you ever tried to teach grammar in English?

Q4: In our CELTA program, we have students from different background and they don't necessarily speak your mother tongue. If you are going to teach grammar to elementary level students in your teaching practice and the language you can only use is English, what can you do to help low level students and make sure you are understood?

Q5: In the Grammar part, you told us "The Simple Past Tense is used to describe an action which happened in the past". However, the "Present Perfect Tense" can also be used to talk about what happened in the past. For example, I have been to Japan. Can you tell me how to use the Simple Past Tense more specifically? What is the difference between the Simple Past Tense and the Present Perfect Tense?

Q6: In the "Vocabulary" part, you told us the differences between "overweight" and "fat". Can you tell me about their differences again and how different they are when you use them?

Q7: In the "Teaching and Learning" part, you shared your ideas with us about how to teach adjectives of appearance to a pre-intermediate class. When you use a lesson plan like this, what problems do you anticipate in class?

Q8: Can you come up with another activity that is more communicative and have a more obvious result or output to help students use the adjectives of vocabulary in the handout?




3. The interview might also ask some questions about "Classroom management" or others.
   (1) How do you handle a misbehaving child in class?
   (2) How do you handle a conflict with a coworker?
   (3) How do you keep a lesson balanced with high level and low level students. 

=> In my case, none of the questions was asked during my interview.

4. The interviewer usually would ask you some questions about how much you know about the CELTA program. There is a lot of information on CELTA online. I'm sure each applicant can get the info easily. 

=> In my case, the interviewer asked me "How much do you know about the CELTA program?" I was well-prepared for this and he seemed to be satisfied with my answer. Then he added more info on the CELTA program, such as the statistics of getting "PASS A", "PASS B", "PASS" and "Fail".

5. The interviewer would ask you "Do you have any questions?"

=> In my case, the interview did ask me this question. So, I asked several questions in mind and the interviewer was so patient and answered each of my questions in detail. That really helped me clear the air.

Q1: Do we have to buy any textbooks during the training? Is there a reading list that you recommend before the training?

Q2: In the CELTA program, there is an option called "Extra Package". Besides the course fee, accommodations, and meals, it also includes weekend trips or activities. If we decide not to participate in those weekend activities, do we get a discount on the package or a partial refund?

Q3: As a non-native speaker, after we get a CELTA certificate, what do you think of the chances to land an overseas teaching job? Does your center offer any references for your graduates when they are looking for a job?

It's always better to know what to expect in an interview and get well-prepared. What you just read is what I know and what I have been through in a CELTA interview. Hopefully my experience can help you feel more confident and reduce your anxiety a bit.

All in all, the CELTA interview is not that difficult.  I'm glad to have a friendly and nice interviewer during this interview.  I believe you will also have a good one, too.

If you have any questions about the CELTA interview, just feel free to drop a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Most of all, good luck to you on the interview if you are preparing for it.

台灣常見的語言測驗考試

姑且不論是否語言測驗真能檢測出一個人真正的英文實力，台灣人對英文的狂熱及重視，其實可從大家對於各項英文能力測驗的重視窺之一二。此外，再加上日前馬總統指示考試院，慎重考慮在國家公務員高普考中將英文納入考試科目，以增加國人的國際觀(姑且不論英語能力是否與增進國際觀有必然的關係)，我相信這個消息，將使國人對英文學習的重視程度更上一層樓，而各項英語測驗勢將又成為大多數台灣人認為能展現自己實力的重要依據(工具)。

在台灣大家熟知的語言測驗考試有TOEFL(托福), TOEIC(多益), GEPT(全民英檢)，其中 GEPT是近年來由台灣自己發展出的語言測驗考試，主要是考日常生活美語，含聽說讀寫，分為「初級」、「中級」、「中高級」、「高級」、「優級」，為許多人所重視，從各大補習班招生廣告及DM就可知台灣人現在重視GEPT的程度，從學生的入學甄試、公務人員升遷加分、求職面試，這個考試都扮演了即加分的角色。

而TOEFL在台灣幾乎是大家另一個最常聽到的考試，因為台灣留美的學生很多，要申請大學或研究所，這個考試是一個評估申請者英語能力是否符合在美國求學，了解在學校生活及課堂上英語運用能力是否足夠的重要的指標，因此如果此項考試成績如果表現不佳，要申請到好的學校是非常不容易的，而TOEFL已由以往的紙筆測驗、電腦化測驗形式，只考聽力、閱讀及寫作能力，改良成現行的「網路型態測驗」(即為大家現在常聽到的 iBT- Internet Based Test)，並且加入了口說能力測驗，題目型態也更靈活，將聽說讀寫整合在一起，因此難度也比以前紙筆及電腦化的測驗方式高了些。

而 TOEIC 和 TOEFL都是由 ETS這個機構所發展出來的語言能力測驗，自從2008年3月台灣也開始採用新的題型，即現在大家常稱的 New TOEIC，這個測驗的目的是在了解考生是否具備在職場上運用英語的能力，考試範圍極廣，如開會、簡報、辦公室英語、電話接聽英語、旅遊英語、商用書信等等，與強調校園生活、模擬上課情境為主的 TOEFL有明顯的區別。因此 TOEIC在國內也成為各大求職者最想拿到高分的一個英語測驗，尤其對於想到外商公司工作的求職者更是如此。值得一提的是，以往 TOEIC只考聽力及閱讀各100題，因為根據他們的研究，聽力閱讀的分數也可反映出寫作及口說的實力，故以前是沒有考「寫作」及「口說」的。然現在新的多益考試，也發展出這二項測驗，但並非為必考，而是由考生選擇性的加考，讓有此需求的人可事先登記報名，再統一於一個地點時間舉辦「寫作」及「口說」考試。

和上述的語言測驗相比，IELTS (雅思) 應該是國人們較少聽到的語言測驗考試，也許只有有心要到英、澳、紐等地留學的人，才會比較留意這個語言測驗。其實它是除了托福外，第二個最多人考的留學考試。然也愈來愈多美國、加拿大等地的學校也開始承認此測驗的分數。值得一提的是，許多有意以技術移民到加拿大的朋友們，要如何證明自己的英語能力足以勝任在加拿大的生活所需呢？就是考這項考試（移民的題型)，以成績來證明。和托福相同的是，這項留學考試也考聽說讀寫，唯一不同的是，這個考試有分兩種題型：一種是給要留學考的，一種是要給移民的人考。此外，雅思的口說能力測驗，是真人面試，而不像托福是對著電腦錄音，我個人覺得雅思的口試比較有真實感，但對於面試經驗較少的朋友們，也許會覺得有更大的壓力。

雖然語言測驗考試能一定程度地檢測出考生的英語能力，但我覺得學英文不應只是以考試、題型技巧解析為目的，仍應以溝通、實用為依歸，不然縱使考試考得很好，碰到外國人英語卻不敢開口或說得「二二六六」，不是更令人沮喪及難堪呢！我就曾聽過許多有關英語補習名師在外國人面前出糗的經驗。

今天剛好在奇摩看到有關台灣人在雅思測驗的表現，特將該文刊登於下，給大家參考。

IELTS留學英測 台輸日韓險墊底

更新日期:2008/09/07 09:41 【中國時報　陳至中／台北報導】

二○○七年英語留學考試IELTS成績統計揭曉，台灣在考生最多的二十國中，排名第十六，落後香港、日本、南韓，僅微幅領先中國。聽、說、讀、寫四種測驗中，又以「寫」的能力最弱；語言學習機構認為，IELTS的作文重觀念表達，台灣學生只會背例句，很難拿到高分。

　IELTS是一種國際英語測驗，由英國文化協會及劍橋大學考試委員會主辦，普遍被英語系國家採用。在台灣，每年約有八千人次報考，大多是準備留學英國、澳洲的學生，規模僅次於托福。近年來，越來越多美國大學也採用IELTS，包含常春藤聯盟各校。

　IELTS網站日前公布二○○七年各項成績統計，學術組中，台灣排名第十六，雖比去年小幅前進一名，但仍落後香港、南韓、菲律賓、馬來西亞等國，甚至連日本的排名也領先台灣，在二十個報考人數最多的國家中，僅贏過孟加拉、中國、沙烏地阿拉伯及阿拉伯聯合大公國。

　IELTS滿分為九分，九分為英語語言學者程度，七分為高等教育水準，五分則代表能在日常生活中使用英語，申請英國的大學或研究所，至少要六‧五分以上。去年全球平均成績，男性為五‧七四分，女性為五‧九四，台灣考生則是五‧五九分。

　英國文化協會試務經理周文婷表示，IELTS的特點是生活化，與台灣的升學考試不同，部分試題還有填充題，只靠語感、猜題絕對拿不到高分。而台灣學生一般都怕「說」的部分，實際成績卻是「寫」的表現最差，平均只有五‧一八分。

　周文婷說，IELTS的作文有兩題，第一題是類似學測國文的引導寫作，題目通常是圖表，考生必須以英語描述圖表中的資訊。第二題則是論述題，由考生自由發揮，必須融入生活經歷、觀念，這兩種題型台灣學生的訓練，仍嫌不足，許多人都只會背例句、名句，亂套進作文中，反而詞不達意，通篇不連貫，或者明明沒到那個程度，卻引用高深的文字，閱卷老師一眼就能看出。

　周文婷表示，IELTS考的是實力，近年來也逐漸受到國際重視，報考人數持續上升，近年來全球已達到二十一萬人左右。

Speaking, Writing Tests Added to TOEIC Next Year (2008)

The TOEIC test is one of the key international English proficiency tests to examine one's English level in the business setting. Most people regard a TOEIC certificate with the equivalence of the intermediate or even high-intermediate level of the GEPT test (General English Proficiency Test, a local English proficiency test in Taiwan) as the concrete proof of one's English ability when it comes to job hunting. Even since the TOEIC test was introduced to the market, there has been the listening and reading comprehension tests. However, due to the greater demand of speaking and writing skills at work, some changes will be made to the TOEIC test.

According to the press release by ETS' representative in Taiwan, the speaking and writing tests are slated to be launched in the TOEIC test next year. But they are optional and separated from the "reading and listening" modules. For those who want to proof their proficiency in those two abilitilies, please note that the two modules will be held on the Internet, just like the TOEFL tests. What's more, starting from January, 2008, the two tests will only accept applications on the group basis. In other words, only institutions or schools can apply for the two tests. Individuals can't sign up for the two modules until next September.

The TOEIC test is adopted by most companies in Taiwan as a threshold for evaluating the English abilities of potential employees. I took the exam almost two years ago and I was lucky enough to get a total score of 945. However, as a teacher, I might have to retake the test again after the two modules come out so that I can be more au fait with the test and share more experiences with my students. Most people may think of the changes as a hard work. However, from my point of view, this can change or correct the way people study English.

For more information, you can click on the following website hyperlinks. If you have any questions about the TOEIC test, just feel free to make your comments here.

http://www.toeic.com.tw/campaign/sw/press_release.html

http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/071212/1/pt5r.html

Speaking Strategies for Discussion (討論題、申論題)

在TOEFL, IELTS及 GEPT中高級的口說考試中，都會有討論的題型，也就是你會聽到或看到一個問題，考生也會有一些時間準備，可以擬草稿，接下來要有將近1-2分鐘的時間內闡述你的意見、評論、想法、立場，或敘述一個故事。這類型的題目除了需要許多領域的字彙片語有一定的涉獵之外(語言能力)，另外也必須要具有將自己所會的東西整合，有條理地表達出來(表達能力)，對一般平常比較缺乏critical thinking(批判性思考)訓練的台灣學生而言，是一個蠻大的挑戰。有的人常會問是否有一種比較制式化的格式，以方便學生們快速構思內容呢？因此今天咱們撇開與內容本身相關的字彙片語，分享一下我覺得一個還不錯的口說構思格式，看對大家有沒有幫助。

通常這類的題目以論述居多，因此開場白(opening)可用一些常用的片語，如from my perspective, in my opinion等等來開頭，接下來就要講出自己的論點或想法，我們稱之為topic statement，讓聽的人一下子就知道你對這個問題的中心思想是什麼，接下來，再針對你的topic statement，陳述「為什麼」你的論點是對的「理由」(reasons)、「證據」(arguments)、「步驟」(steps, plans)、「故事」(stories, anecdote)等等。而在陳述「理由」、「證據」、「步驟」、「故事」時，最好是能條理化，分點說明，這樣子聆聽者會比較能抓到你的重點。而在陳述故事時，大多使用過去式，所以要特別注意時態的一致性，切忌現在式、未來式、過去式、現在完成式全部都混在一起，想到什麼就說什麼，而造成重大的文法錯誤。在陳述完理由時，必須下個結論(make a conclusion)，做一個完整的結尾(ending)。基本上這就是面對這類題型的應考方式，再詳述如下。

1. Opening
2. Topic Statement: (concrete, not necessarily a truth)
   Supporting Arguments (or Reasons): (itemize or list your points in order)
   First,
   Second,
   Third,
   Next,
   And then,
   Finally (Last but not least)
   Examples (stories, anecdotes, personal experiences) – watch out for tense coherence
   (past tense most of the time
   when you tell a story)
3. Making a Conclusion

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• 在Opening有一些常看到的片語如下:
  1. From my perspective 4. As far as I know
  2. From my point of view 5. To my eye,
  3. In my opinion

• Before Stating Your Reasons or Arguments (Prepositions)-在陳述理由、論點前可運用的句子
  1. The following are the reasons /causes
  2. There are several (possible, probable) reasons /causes
  3. The reasons why S + V are as follows:
  4. When it comes to N (V-ing), there are several causes behind the phenomenon.

• Giving Examples (要舉例時可用到的片語)
  1. For instance 2. For example 3. Take N (以..為例)

• Marking a conclusion(作結論前可用到的句子)
  (1) On the whole (all in all),
  (2) In summary,
  (3) To sum up,
  (4) In brief,
  (5) To summarize,
  (6) In short,
  (7) To conclude,
  (8) In a word,
  (9)To wind up,
  (10) At the end of the day (, when all is said and done)
  (11) In a nutshell
  (12)By and large

• Transitional words(在敘述時，也可適時加入一些轉折語氣詞，使語氣更順暢)
  (1) However,
  (2) In addition/besides/besides that/ Moreover/furthermore/What’s more
  (3) On (the) one hand, ........on the other hand.....
  (4) Therefore/ Consequently/thus/ as a result
  (5) In contrast,
  (6) On the contrary/ Conversely,
  (7) On top of that/ Plus,

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接下來就給大家舉個例子吧！

Question: Where would you like to be professionally in ten years?

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草擬及重點如下：

TOPIC STATEMENT: I would like to own my own business
SUPPORT: How I will work toward owing my business
(concrete plans)
● will get master’s in business administration
● will work in a company while planning my business
● will start my own business when I am ready
CONCLUSION: Stick to my plans with perseverance, patience and passion

=================================================

講出來的內容經過修飾、加入轉折語氣詞後如下:

In ten years, I would like to own an important business of my own. In order to make this dream come true, I make the following plans. First (of all), I will apply for a master’s program in business administration next year so that I can take some courses about how to manage and market a company. Next, after graduation, that will be three years from now, I will work in a company for a few years to make more money and to get as more hands-on (pragmatic) experience as possible while planning my business. Finally, when time is ripe and I’m ready, I will start my own business.

In conclusion, easier said than done. In order to achieve the goal within ten years, I will try my best to stick to those tentative plans. I know there will be a lot of obstacles (hurdles, difficulties, challenges) up ahead waiting for me. However, I believe, with perseverance, patience and passion, I can make it happen.

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希望上面的 tips多多少少對大家準備這類的題型時有幫助，有什麼問題或建議可別忘了告訴我哦!

The 2006 Tour Guide Oral Exam

今年很幸運，通過了國家舉辦的領隊考試，及導遊初試(筆試)，而6月2日即是上台北國家考場參加導遊口試的日子，因為我報名的是英語組，所以全程是以英文口試。考前有在奇摩知識網找相關資料，但似乎相關資料並不多，因此在此提供整個流程及他們所問的問題供有興趣的人參考。
考試當天到了國家考場後，依據准考證上的號碼，到8樓找到自己的休息室，等報到時間到了時，會有試務人員到該教室點名，並且一一核對身分。開始考試時，該服務人員會引導你到口試委員(有2位)所在的教室，在途中他會告訴你一進去後，先對著攝影機以中文報自己的准考證號碼及自己的中文姓名，接下來就是約3分鐘的自我介紹，含當初報考的動機及將來對這個工作的理想抱負。
這次的整個口試時間每人約8-10分鐘，除了自我介紹外，口試委員問了我下列英文問題，提供大家參考。也許是我講英文速度太快了，以致於他們問了好多問題，在此奉勸大家回答時速度可以放慢，沉穩應答，以免像我一樣一直被問問題，畢竟多答會有多答不好的機率
Q1: You said you had travelled abroad several times. Have you ever joined any tour groups?
Q2: As you always went alone, like a backpacker, any incidents or accidents happened during those trips?
Q3: If I were a foreigner and i wanted to travel in Taiwan, what advice would you give me in general?
Q4: What do you think of the accommodation in Taiwan?
Q5: What do you know about Taiwanese culture?
Q6: What makes you think you are more qualified than other participants in today's exam?
Q7: The incident happening in Nan-tou involving a Japanese couple obiviously has much to do with cross-cultural misunderstandings, what's your opinion on this?　（中村夫婦在埔里的新聞）
You don't have to wear too formally. I think a shirt and dress pants will be appropriate. Remember to have eye contact with the interviewers. They are very friendly and kind. Just have fun and enjoy it.