April 3 2017 summary by @GioLic1976
The Problem.
A dancefloor with different
colors.
We
all train in different countries/contexts; yet, the
syllabus we follow is
fairly static across the world.
Is diversity reflected in the materials we use?
The
course has to be standardized so
trainers play an
important role in adaptation to context.
The use of global coursebooks for TP
Participants
in the chat seemed to agree that a
standardized syllabus can be dealt with but
standardized course books are more problematic.
Centers might be allocating
old, outdated course
books for trainees to use. Issues were raised
regarding the
fact that the big titles, which are in
use around the world, are Eurocentric
and only cater to a small part of learners. Some
coursebooks are beyond
adaptation. Centers could
get updated material from publishers that trainees
can SAR.
CELTA and YLs
The issue of YL and the
lack of a dedicated
course was raised. While this might be a fairly
global
trend in the demand, we didn’t really
delve into solutions to incorporate YL
pedagogy into the tight CELTA schedule. A
good topic for future chats?
Local Inputs
It was generally felt
that it is the trainer's job to adapt seminars and input sessions to reflect
the needs of the target group of trainees and learners. For example, a trainer might
find you need to spend more on teaching techniques to adapt reading materials
or find authentic texts when coursebook topics/text-types really don’t resonate
with the context. Hence, negotiation of
input sessions becomes key when you are out of your usual "element".
Global Trainees= Global Teachers
The issue of training the trainee’s mind to go global and adapt
to the context quickly appears relevant since CELTA trainees are likely to
travel and change countries more than once in their career. How much would a
PASS candidate trained in Europe be supported in a different context (e.g.
Cambodia) to adapt materials and respond to learner needs, which is clearly
part of the CELTA criteria? Coursebooks need to reflect the state of affairs of
English as an International language.
Suggestions
1) Adapting and negotiating input sessions;
2) Spending 15 minutes with students pre-feedback;
3) Expanding on the criteria 1a - 1d to reflect the global context in which trainees may teach;
4) Showing
trainees that trainers are ready to adapt content to the context and respond to learners’
and trainees’ needs: a form of ingrained loop input in the course program that
shows how thorough NA can work for all;
5) Simon Marshall's post on celtatrainers.com about CELTA
criteria? Do we give Topic 2 in the CELTA5 more importance than Topic 1?;
6) Raising Trainers’ awareness of the variety of English
spoken in the target language community, especially when teaching in ESL
contexts;
7) Whatever the specific context, contextualizing the course
through getting trainees to do authentic needs analysis to tie needs analysis in
with Focus on Learner assignment and truly link it to TP;
8) Applying the communicative approach with critical
awareness.
Suggested readings:
A)
B)
C)
SEE YOU ALL ON MAY 1!!!! #CELTAchat
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