Emma Gowing is a CELTA tutor with IH Santiago de Compostela in Spain
How long were you an EFL teacher, and how long have you been a teacher trainer?
I’ve been teaching English for almost 10 years and I’ve been a teacher trainer for the last 3.
Did you have a different career before EFL?
A few! Prior to getting into ELT, I studied an MA in Comparative Literature and worked in publishing in London. After a few years doing that, I realised that although reading and literature was a passion of mine, I had no interest in marketing and selling it. So, I did a CELTA and felt that I had found my true calling. I moved to Madrid and the rest is history...
What are your hopes/aspirations for your trainees?
My big hope is that my trainees feel the way that I felt when I did my CELTA, that something awakens in them and they feel inspired and motivated to teach.
When you were an EFL teacher what did you like most, and how do you bring that into the classroom for your trainees?
Well, for a start, I am still an EFL teacher. I have never stopped developing my teaching skills in the classroom and I’m constantly looking for new and innovative ways of doing things. Currently, my big interest is helping learners (and trainees) with their listening skills as I feel like it is often an area of teaching that is overlooked or under-taught. I recently wrote an article about this for teachers, so feel free to check that out in the Autumn 2019 edition of the IH Journal.
What advice would you give your trainees for successfully completing the course?
Clear your diary. No really! You will live and breathe CELTA for the duration of the course. Listen to your tutors, learn from your colleagues but above all...enjoy it. It may be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!
What advice would you give your trainees for an interesting and rewarding career?
Never stop reflecting and developing. A key aspect to the CELTA course is learning to reflect on your teaching and identifying areas for improvement. This should continue throughout your career. A wise man once said ‘those who dare to teach, should never cease to learn’.
