Flo Feast is a CELTA tutor at IH Rome Accademia Britannica and its satellite centres in Italy
How long were you an EFL teacher, and how long have you been a teacher trainer?
I began working in EFL in 2010 and moved into teacher training in 2015.
Did you have a different career before EFL?
I dabbled in a few industries before taking my CELTA. I worked as cabin crew, an estate agent, and in facilities management.
What are your hopes/aspirations for your trainees?
I hope they’ll have the fantastic opportunities to travel as I have, and that they’ll meet many wonderful students and colleagues around the globe.
When you were an EFL teacher what did you like most, and how do you bring that into the classroom for your trainees?
It’s incredibly important to build a rapport with your learners. To do this, we need to listen to them and appeal to their needs/interests. As a trainer, I hope my trainees feel that this is also the case on courses. As trainers we have to meet certain requirements set by Cambridge, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get to know our trainees, adapt to their needs, and create an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
What advice would you give your trainees for successfully completing the course?
Don’t panic! Create a planner early on for when you’ll write lesson plans, assignments etc. Make sure you take breaks whilst doing this work, and keep your notes from input sessions organised.
What advice would you give your trainees for an interesting and rewarding career?
Do your research when looking for job opportunities, but don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone and try new things/places. When you have opportunities for further professional development, grab them with both hands!