Ian Fuzzard is a CELTA tutor at IH Seville and IH Malaga in Spain
How long were you an EFL teacher, and how long have you been a teacher trainer?
I have worked for 12 years as an EFL teacher, and 20 years as a teacher trainer
Did you have a different career before EFL?
No, I have always worked in EFL.
What are your hopes/aspirations for your trainees?
Firstly, that they get out of their CELTA course experiences and skills to give them confidence to go out into the job market and find a position that suits their needs. Secondly, to enjoy teaching.
When you were an EFL teacher what did you like most, and how do you bring that into the classroom for your trainees?
Understanding that students are individuals, each with their strengths and weaknesses and tapping into this in class. For this reason I encourage trainees to teach their students, not their lesson plan.
What advice would you give your trainees for successfully completing the course?
Take plenty of notes while watching your colleagues’ lessons. Evaluate your own lessons with care. Listen carefully in feedback and take good notes. This will be useful for future lessons that you will do on the course.
What advice would you give your trainees for an interesting and rewarding career?
Be curious. This industry doesn’t sit still for long.