Duanes Santos is a CELTA tutor at IH Belfast in Northern Ireland
How long were you an EFL teacher, and how long have you been a teacher trainer?
I have been an EFL teacher for over 15 years and a teacher trainer for over 10 years.
Did you have a different career before EFL?
No, EFL has always been my career.
What are your hopes/aspirations for your trainees?
That they enjoy their teaching and that they help their learners achieve their learning goals.
When you were an EFL teacher what did you like most, and how do you bring that into the classroom for your trainees?
I’ve always enjoyed creating opportunities for learners to use English in a meaning way, and I try to do the same with trainees, by making sessions as practical as possible.
What advice would you give your trainees for successfully completing the course?
Time management – organise your time effectively.
What advice would you give your trainees for an interesting and rewarding career?
Make sure you have lots of fun in the classroom. Make lessons enjoyable for the learners and themselves.