Andrea da Silva is a CELTA tutor at IH Galway in Ireland
How long were you an EFL teacher, and how long have you been a teacher trainer?
I have been an ELT teacher for over 30 years and a teacher trainer for 15 years, so half my career.
Did you have a different career before EFL?
No. ELT was my calling!
What are your hopes/aspirations for your trainees?
That they enjoy ELT as much as I do, that they have their learners’ interests at heart and become teachers who make a real difference in others’ lives.
When you were an EFL teacher what did you like most, and how do you bring that into the classroom for your trainees?
I’m still a teacher. Managing the learners to focus on what they need and want is what ELT is about. Communication and interaction are key to success in the classroom and I achieve this by creating tasks and materials that engage and inspire.
What advice would you give your trainees for successfully completing the course?
Always remain aware of your own worth.
What advice would you give your trainees for an interesting and rewarding career?
Put the learners first and know your own limits.