Hi,

I've had great experiences with all the esl courses I've sat.

I did my CELTA in 2002 at St.Giles College in Brighton, and the course was excellent. It was hard work - I don't think I've met anyone who has done the intensive course who has said otherwise - and among the 12 of us there were even tears at time. The course was really intensive and by no means a walk through. Assessment and feedback were carefully considered and expectations were high.

The instructors were excellent. They put what they were teaching us in to practice and the way our own training was conducted reflected the principles they were teaching. They were fair in their comments, but did not lead us on about what we needed to demonstrate in our observed teaching. 3 of the trainees did not pass the first round. Funnily enough I got to observe one of my celta trainers 5 years later when i was sitting the diploma and was impressed again by his teaching.

There is no 'exam' in the celta. Assessment of teaching practice is continuous and formative. The written assignments are a part of the overall assessment but we were well prepared for this in the morning theory sessions.

When I went into the celta I was looking for a qualification that would let me earn money while I experienced life in another country. When I left I was really considering teaching as a career.

The course I did definitely lived up to expectations. I would be mindful that not every centre delivers the same quality and over the years I've met many 'teachers' whose courses (celta, trinity among others) have seemed decidedly mickey mouse, and who have not had the same foundation I got.

I can also recommend the Trinity diploma offered as a distance course by St.George international. Another really good learning experience, mostly because of the fantastic tutors there. 

Tom