INTERPRESS IH ALMATY CELTA APPLICATION TASK

Please complete the tasks as neatly, as carefully and as fully as you can as it is one of the factors we take into consideration when making a decision about your application. Please remember that you may be asked to deal with the points discussed in this task at greater depth in the interview.

Doing language research, using and referencing grammar and vocabulary materials is an integral part of the CELTA course. We recommend using the reference materials so you could provide detailed answers to all the questions.

  • Practical English Usage (new edition) - Michael Swan (O.U.P.)
  • English Grammar in Use – Raymond Murphy (Cambridge University Press)
  • Grammar for English Language Teachers - Parrott, M. (Cambridge University Press)
  • Oxford Guide to English Grammar - John Eastwood (O.U.P.)

Name ______Date of application ______

PART 1 – LEARNING

  1. How would you characterize yourself as a learner?
  1. What helped you personally to learn a new language? What could you take from this experience into teaching?

PART 2 – TEACHING

  1. How would you get shy students talking in class?
  1. How would you help students understand the meaning of new vocabulary items?
  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of correcting students’ mistakes?
  1. How important are listening and reading when learning a foreign language?

PART 3 – TEACHER TALK

Re-write the following sentences in a way that an elementary learner might understand.

  1. If you wouldn’t mind opening your books to page 23, please.
  1. What I’d like you to do now is to take your seats and note down the new words I’ve written on the board.
  1. What might you ask someone if you wanted to find out how to get to the post office?

PART 4 – LANGUAGE AWARENESS

Error correction

The sentences below were made by language learners. Identify the error (grammar or vocabulary) in each sentence, correct it and say how you would explain the nature of the error to the student who made it.

Example: I am driving to work every day.

Corrected version: I drive to work every day.

Explanation: We use the Present Simple to talk about routine, everyday actions.

Example: My teacher gave me useful advices.

Corrected version:

Explanation:

Example: She is having green eyes.

Corrected version:

Explanation:

Example: If I’ll pass my exams, my parents will be proud of me.

Corrected version:

Explanation:

Example: He was wounded in a car accident.

Corrected version:

Explanation

Example: It’s a very wonderful restaurant.

Corrected version:

Explanation:

Vocabulary

The following pairs of words often cause confusion. What would you say to a student who asked you to explain the difference in meaning between these words?

  1. borrow vs. lend
  1. imply vs. infer
  1. control vs. check
  1. overweight vs. fat

Grammar

Imagine you are explaining language to a student. Explain the difference in meaning between sentence a and sentence b in each pair.

  1. a. They’ve been married for 5 years.

b. They were married for 5 years.

  1. a. I used to live in Almaty.

b. I’m used to living in Almaty.

  1. a. I should write to him.

b. I should have written to him.

  1. a. I don’t feel like eating out.

b. I don’t like eating out.

Pronunciation

List the number of syllables and mark the stressed syllable in the following words:

Example: photo – 2 syllables

  1. photograph

photographic

photographer

  1. politics

politician

political

Look at the conversation below and comment on at least 2 pronunciation problems that students might have (e.g. sounds, connected speech, stress patterns, intonation).

A: Do you come from Astana?

B: No, I work in Astana.

A: How long have you been working there?

B: For about three years now.

I confirm that I completed this task on my own.

Signed (sign by hand or type in your full name) ______

Date ______

Please note that severe penalties are applied if plagiarized work is detected. These will range from loss of marks to disqualification and a ban on re-entry for a period of up to three years.