Up for Air...

On March 10th, I began my CELTA course. When I signed up for it, and even in the days leading up to it, I had no idea just how rigorous it would be. It's not necessarily difficult, but the pace is incredible. Just the other day I found myself thinking: "Wow, I have 45 more minutes to work on this lesson plan than I did on the last one!"
They begin teaching you the CELTA method, and on the second day you are expected to start demonstrating it in your lesson plans. After that, you teach every other day, incorporating more and more from the input sessions you've had thus far. Which, essentially means, you get told something on Tuesday, and Wednesday, and on Wednesday night you are expected to teach a lesson using what you've learned. This, of course, is happening while you're attending lessons from 11:30-8:00 at night... giving you about 4 waking hours to assimilate and design lesson plans in.
Alongside, of course, 4 additional assignments.

I've always considered myself a slow and steady sort of person. This course is incredibly different than anything I've ever done before. The pace is almost blinding. But the more time that goes on, the better I get. From the very first input session I knew that this course was worth it, no matter what. John, one of our two trainers, gave a lesson on Hungarian. He never spoke a word of English and taught us all the words for water, tea, coffee, beer, wine, how to introduce ourselves, offer a drink, and accept it or reject it. Having not even glanced at the words again, I can still remember most of them. Sensational.
In many of my methodology classes at USF they mentioned student centered teaching, but I was never presented with a real "how," or even solid suggestions. The CELTA course, and especially John, has it down to a science. His teaching is an art, and I hope to emulate his teaching methods completely. Although we certainly have different styles, his skill is undeniable.
The people I am at the center with are wonderful. It's a wide range of English speakers from all over the world. English, Australian, American, Irish, even an Iranian English teacher. I was worried that I wouldn't have a friend, or someone that I really connected with here, and find that all 12 of the people I am with are great. I couldn't have been luckier.
All in all, I'm doing great. I am learning so much and getting so much practice and great instruction on student centered learning. I'm surrounded by amazing people who are consistently amazed at my teaching skills... which is an incredible ego booster.
I feel healthy, and successful, and accomplished. Sometimes, in positions like these, I tend to take on a leadership role. Here, that's sort of impossible because everything is individual and so fast paced. Instead, what's happening, is that I am excelling at my work tremendously(I was even pointed out as an excellent example to the rest of the students, as John said "It took me 10 years to get ICQ's down, this guy picked it up in 3 days") and while I am excelling I'm supporting and helping those around me.
I've never felt so at peace with my work and my own abilities. I've excelled at things before, but never at something that I saw as so challenging and so worth learning. I'm finding myself more at peace with the people around me, more patient with things that would normally bother me, more accepting and loving and helpful...
This course has been amazing for me.

I upload some pictures later this week or weekend. The course actually takes place at a sort of resort... which is so helpful. I can't imagine taking this course and commuting back and forth and trying to do other things at the same time. It would be impossible.