It’s natural to be nervous for your CELTA interview, but we’re here to help you relax!  

The interview isn’t a test, this is the most important thing to remember. The interview is designed to establish your skills and goals, and make sure that the course is right for you.  It is also an opportunity for you to speak to a teacher trainer one-to-one, ask questions about the course content and assessment expectations, and for us to give you specific ideas on how to prepare for the course.

Consider:

During the interview you’ll be asked to talk about your previous experience as well as your future goals. This is a great chance for the interviewer to make you aware of the course content in more detail, and check that this qualification meets your needs. Ahead of the interview, take time to consider what your goals are and why you have chosen this course.

Review:

When the admin team book you in for your interview, they will send you a pre-interview task. This takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, but you don’t need to submit it. The task includes questions about lesson planning, classroom activities and language, and the interviewer will ask you about your ideas in the interview. This preparation task means that you can attend the interview with confidence, having already spent time thinking about the ideas that will be discussed and also get some feedback from trainers that will then help you on the course.

Research:

Make sure you have done your own research into the course content and the benefits of the qualification ahead of time to make sure you are confident in your choice to apply. Take time to look up the type of course you would like to take (part-time, full-time, online or face-to-face), try to find out what the course will be covering, and what is included in the course itself in terms of time and assignments. If you have any questions you cannot find the answers to, make a note of them, you will be able to ask these at the end of your interview.

Reflect:

Take time to look back on your own previous learning to understand how you learn best. This will impact the type of CELTA course that is right for you, and help you gain a better understanding of the processes of learning and teaching. It’s also useful to consider your reaction to feedback, as the CELTA course includes many feedback sessions based on your practice lessons.

Technology:

Make sure your interview runs smoothly by preparing your technology beforehand. All interviews take place on Zoom. Make sure you have the programme downloaded, logged in, and any necessary updates are complete. Make sure your device has battery charge, and your microphone and camera are working.

We wish you all the best of luck. Remember that this is not a test, it’s an opportunity for our team to make sure the CELTA is the right course for you.  In the event that you are not successful, you will receive specific feedback on your application as a whole, a rationale as to why, and suggestions on how to enhance your application for the future. If you are successful in your interview, it’s time to start thinking about how to prepare for the course. Read our post on preparing for the CELTA course here.