As a CELTA trainer I know that quality reading helps you with your lessons and assignments on the course. Full time CELTA is pretty intensive, so there is no time for proper reading. Well… you can barely have time to eat. That’s why the centre usually sends you a CELTA reading list before the course, so you can invest time into some quality background reading, and get yourself ready before CELTA non-stop hits you.
Here are some quality titles I’ve cherry picked for you.
You can start off with this one. It has practical tips and terminology explained: The CELTA Teaching Compendium by Rachael Roberts
Methodology Books
These 2 are a must:
- The Practice of English Language Teaching, Jeremy Harmer, Pearson
- Learning Teaching, Jim Scrivener, Macmillan ELT
If you have time and want to read more:
- Classroom Management Techniques by Jim Scrivener
- How to Teach English by Jeremy Harmer
- How to Teach Grammar by Scott Thornbury
If you don’t have time, read only the 1st book; if you have more time read the 1st and the 2nd books.
Grammar (for your Language Assignment and Lessons)
The first 2 are a must:
- Practical English Usage by Michael Swan, OUP
- Grammar for English Language Teachers by Martin Parrott, CUP
If you have time and want more:
- Teaching English Grammar. What to Teach and How to Teach it, J. Scrivener, Macmillan
- English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy
- Teaching Tenses by Rosemary Aitken
Pronunciation (for your Language Assignment)
- Ship or Sheep by Ann Baker
- Tree or Three by Ann Baker
For your Focus on the Learner Assignment:
- “Learner English” by Michael Swan& Smith
Treasure Book!!! This one will help you with any CELTA lesson and assignments.
- Teach EFL by David Riddell
It’s so useful! You have no idea! It’s very well- written with practical ideas and examples. And it’s just interesting) A must have!
Best of Luck with CELTA! It’s worth it)