There's hardly a shortage of reviews and posts about the CELTA experience and what it was like for different individuals. So, I thought I'd add my own spicy opinion into the mix.
Now, for those who don't know, I have had some previous experience teaching in camps - I also completed a 130 hour TEFL course back in 2016 as a means of dipping my toes into the world of EFL teaching. I would say having had this previous experience certainly helped, if not even for content, but definitely workload.
Yet, it was still very intense.
However, upon interview (if you get to that stage) they were very keen to point out the intensive nature of the course, and how you should expect not to really have a social life for the entire month.
So, really, that wasn't an issue. They'd prepared me well enough, and I'd checked out others opinions of the course with a bit of Googling prior to embarking on such a journey. I was fully aware of the workload and time spent outside of class that was needed to complete the CELTA.
But... well. It's still quite difficult. Of the eighteen of us that started, one dropped out in the second week, one mysteriously disappeared on account of a hurt leg two days prior to finishing... and one, unfortunately, failed the course.
That's not to say that it can't be done. If you're an organised sort of person, and can set time aside well, then I believe you'll succeed without (too) much difficulty. For me, it helped that I was commuting in and went back to my family home of an evening, where I could focus on assignments and lesson plans. There were many on my course from all around the world, who had travelled to London solely for the purposes of CELTA, some who had left children and many other commitments behind. And they all still passed.
Overall, if you're travelling far for the CELTA, of course it's an interesting and exciting experience - but don't expect too much time to enjoy the new city or place. You'll probably be spending at least one day of the weekend working on assignments and lesson plans. However, what you will do is meet lots of beautiful and interesting new people from all over the world who can end up being friends for life.
As I've seen in most CELTA related posts - it's definitely rewarding, and the teaching experience and feedback I received from my tutors has been beyond helpful.
The relief is definitely being felt right now as I sit having a weekend to myself again.
Feel free to comment for any other queries you may have.
