CELTA CELTA Classroom Management & Interaction 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does TTT stand for in the context of CELTA feedback and why is high TTT considered a problem?
- Teacher Talk Time — it reduces opportunities for learners to practice language (Correct answer)
- Task Timing Tool — it slows down lesson pacing
- Trainee Teaching Technique — it reflects poor methodology
- Total Training Time — it indicates an overlong lesson
Correct answer: Teacher Talk Time — it reduces opportunities for learners to practice language
High Teacher Talk Time (TTT) limits the amount of speaking practice learners get, which is central to language acquisition.
Question 2: What does STT stand for and why do CELTA tutors encourage maximizing it?
- Student Task Time — time spent on written exercises
- Student Talk Time — the amount of time learners are actively using language (Correct answer)
- Structured Teaching Technique — a lesson delivery method
- Subject Topic Time — time allocated per topic
Correct answer: Student Talk Time — the amount of time learners are actively using language
Student Talk Time (STT) represents learners actively using the target language, which is essential for communicative competence development.
Question 3: In CELTA, what is meant by 'instruction checking' before a classroom activity?
- Reading the instructions aloud twice
- Asking learners a question to confirm they understand what they are supposed to do (Correct answer)
- Writing all instructions on the board
- Checking that the instructions match the lesson plan
Correct answer: Asking learners a question to confirm they understand what they are supposed to do
Instruction checking uses ICQs (Instruction Checking Questions) to verify that learners know what they should do before the task begins.
Question 4: Which seating arrangement is most recommended on CELTA for promoting learner-to-learner interaction?
- Rows facing a whiteboard
- A horseshoe or circular arrangement (Correct answer)
- Individual desks spread across the room
- Learners seated behind the teacher
Correct answer: A horseshoe or circular arrangement
A horseshoe or circular arrangement allows learners to see and speak to each other, facilitating pair and group work interaction.
Question 5: What is an 'ICQ' and when should a CELTA trainee use one?
- An Instruction Checking Question — used after setting up a task to verify learner understanding (Correct answer)
- An Independent Classroom Quiz — a self-study exercise
- An Internal Competency Question — from the tutor observation form
- An Indirect Correction Technique — used when students make errors
Correct answer: An Instruction Checking Question — used after setting up a task to verify learner understanding
ICQs are brief questions a teacher asks before an activity starts to ensure learners have understood the instructions and task requirements.
Question 6: Which of the following is the BEST example of an Instruction Checking Question (ICQ)?
- Do you understand?
- Are you going to write or speak for this activity? (Correct answer)
- Is this activity difficult?
- Did you read the instructions?
Correct answer: Are you going to write or speak for this activity?
Asking whether learners will write or speak targets the specific task requirement and reveals whether instructions were understood.
CELTA CELTA Classroom Management & Interaction 1
What does TTT stand for in the context of CELTA feedback and why is high TTT considered a problem?