CAMBRIDGE CELTA COURSE

PRE-INTERVIEW TASK

Name: Course Date:

The object of this task is to help you start thinking about language from a foreign learners point of
view, and to begin to consider approaches to the classroom. The task below will form the basis of
the interview and you are asked to write your answers in note form an essay is not required.
Some of the questions in the task will be discussed with you in more depth at the interview.

PLEASE WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN THE SPACES PROVIDED.

PART 1 LANGUAGE

SECTION A: GRAMMAR

In the following sentences:

Correct the error if you think there is one

Name the tense of the verb if you can
Comment briefly on the meaning of the tense and how

Example: I read a book at the moment

A. Im reading a book at the moment.

B. Present continuous/progressive
C. Used here to express the idea of an action taking place at the moment of speaking.

1. She is getting up at six oclock every day.

A.

B.

C.

2. Ive been to Italy two years ago.

A.

B.

C.

3. A: Can you come for a drink tonight?

B: Sorry, Ill go to see Hamlet at the National Theatre.

A.

B.

C.

The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and
educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
 CAMBRIDGE CELTA COURSE
PRE-INTERVIEW TASK

4. When I got to the station, I realised I left the tickets at home.

A.

B.

C.

5. How would you explain the difference in meaning to a foreigner between these two
examples?

Hes been to Bermuda.

Hes gone to Bermuda.

SECTION B: VOCABULARY

Foreign learners often confuse words. Explain the difference between the following words.

Example: He robbed the bank.

He stole the money

You rob people and places and you steal money and objects, so rob means to take something
from someone or somewhere.

1. borrow vs lend

2. thin vs skinny

3. win vs beat

The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and
educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
 CAMBRIDGE CELTA COURSE
PRE-INTERVIEW TASK

PART 2 PRONUNCIATION

Mark the stress on the words below by highlighting the syllable

Example: hospital / understand

1. allow 2. prediction 3. controversial

4. photograph 5. photographic 6. photographer
7. prefer 8. preference 9. record (noun)
10. record (verb)

PART 3 APPROACHES TO TEACHING AND LEARNING

Write this in continuous prose, please.

1. Think of two different learning experiences in your life, one of which was successful and one
which was not. List the three main factors in each case which made the experience success
ful or unsuccessful.

The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and
educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
 CAMBRIDGE CELTA COURSE
PRE-INTERVIEW TASK

SECTION C: LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT

1. Look at the exchange below and the labels on the right.

A: Would you like to come to the cinema tonight? INVITING

B: Yes, Id love to. ACCEPTING AN INVITATION

We call these labels (i.e. inviting, accepting an invitation) FUNCTIONS. It is simply a way of cate-
gorising the speakers intention. Look at the short dialogue below and label the function of each
utterance. Put your answer in the column on the right.

A: Hey, Bob! ATTRACTING ATTENTION

B: Yeah?

A: Give me a hand with this suitcase, will you?

B: Sorry, but Jennys waiting for me.

A: O.K. Never mind.

This dialogue is clearly a very informal one between two speakers who know each other. Write a
similar dialogue in the space below on the same topic using the same functions between two
people who dont know each other.

The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and
educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
 CAMBRIDGE CELTA COURSE
PRE-INTERVIEW TASK

2. How would you try to get across the meaning of the phrase Would you like
(as in Would you like a coffee?) to a group of beginners?

Please remember that you may be asked to deal with the points discussed in this task at greater
depth in the interview.

We hope that having done this task you have a clearer idea of the three factors involved in being an
effective language teacher:

Successful management of people

A clear understanding of the language you are teaching

The ability to put this understanding to practical use in the classroom.

The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and
educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
 CAMBRIDGE CELTA COURSE
PRE-INTERVIEW TASK

INTERVIEWERS NAME: YES NO

COMMENTS (personality / language awareness / flexibility / approach etc.)

I can confirm that I am in a state of general good health.

I have been made aware of the intensive nature of the CELTA course and the work involved outside
timetabled hours.

I have been made aware of the fact that acceptance on the course does not guarantee my passing
the course.

Candidate: Date:

British Council Equal Opportunity and Diversity Statement

The British Council is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and is keen to reflect the diversity of UK
society at every level within the organisation. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. In
line with the British Council's Child Protection policy, any appointment is contingent on thorough checks. In
the UK, and in other countries where appropriate systems exist, these include criminal records checks.

We are committed to employing disabled people.

The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and
educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).