Mary Grennan 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 am a teacher trainer and I also teach sometimes, and I love doing both. A trainer should continue to teach when possible to keep learning and developing. I have been teaching English since 1990. I became an IH Certificate teacher trainer in 2004, a CELTA Tutor in 2006 and a Delta Tutor in 2008. I then became a CELTA Assessor in 2010 and a Delta Assessor in 2012. Apart from this, I inspect schools and teacher training centres for IH World Organisation, Eaquals and other bodies, such as Ministries of Education.
Did you have a different career before EFL?
No. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and trainer. When I left university, I travelled and then began my teaching career when I trained as a teacher of English with International House London.
What are your hopes/aspirations for your trainees?
I hope that our CELTA candidates are able to use the skills and techniques from the course to help them teach effectively in their teaching context and that they develop their own teaching style.
When you were an EFL teacher what did you like most, and how do you bring that into the classroom for your trainees?
I love it when students ‘get’ a language point or an item of vocabulary thanks to my leading them to this; I love when students can interact with each other naturally and help each other to learn about their culture, all the while helping each other to upgrade their language skills. This is what I hope CELTA and Delta candidates learn to develop on the course apart
What advice would you give your trainees for successfully completing the course?
Prepare well, including taking a grammar course beforehand. Be organised from the start and don’t fall behind. Spend enough time on lesson planning but give yourself a deadline so you don’t spend too much time. Research your assignments well so you don’t have to re-submit. Experiment and start developing your style. Look at everything from your learners’ point of view.
What advice would you give your trainees for an interesting and rewarding career?
Keep challenging yourself – prepare a CPD session, write a blog or article, or even a course book! Experiment with techniques, train further, eg Master’s, Delta, Online Tutor course…. And most of all, enjoy your lessons, listen to and learn your learners and keep experimenting.