CELTA Learners & Teachers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CELTA candidate is giving feedback after a role-play. Which approach aligns best with learner-centred practice?
- Correcting every error immediately as it occurs
- Asking learners to self-evaluate their performance first (Correct answer)
- Providing only written feedback at the end of the course
- Avoiding feedback to preserve learner confidence
Correct answer: Asking learners to self-evaluate their performance first
Inviting self-evaluation promotes learner autonomy and reflection, which are core principles of learner-centred teaching endorsed by CELTA.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'intrinsic motivation' in language learning?
- Learning English to obtain a salary increase
- Studying to pass a required school exam
- Learning because of genuine interest and enjoyment of the language (Correct answer)
- Attending class to please family members
Correct answer: Learning because of genuine interest and enjoyment of the language
Intrinsic motivation arises from internal rewards such as personal interest and enjoyment, rather than external incentives or obligations.
Question 3: When setting up a communicative activity, which teacher behaviour is most important according to CELTA guidance?
- Translating the instructions into learners' L1
- Giving clear instructions and checking understanding before starting (Correct answer)
- Distributing written instructions only
- Letting learners read the coursebook task independently
Correct answer: Giving clear instructions and checking understanding before starting
CELTA emphasises giving clear, staged instructions and using concept-checking questions (CCQs) before releasing learners to a task to avoid wasted time and confusion.
Question 4: What is the significance of 'wait time' in classroom questioning?
- It allows the teacher to write the next question on the board
- It gives learners adequate time to process the question and formulate a response (Correct answer)
- It fills silence while the teacher consults lesson notes
- It discourages weaker students from attempting an answer
Correct answer: It gives learners adequate time to process the question and formulate a response
Research shows that extending wait time after posing a question increases the quality and quantity of learner responses, particularly for lower-proficiency students.
Question 5: A learner's L1 is Japanese. She consistently omits the verb 'to be' in English sentences (e.g., 'She very happy.'). This error most likely results from:
- Overgeneralisation of an English rule
- L1 transfer, since Japanese does not use a copula in the same way (Correct answer)
- Random developmental error unrelated to L1
- Fossilisation from a previous English teacher
Correct answer: L1 transfer, since Japanese does not use a copula in the same way
L1 transfer (interference) occurs when learners apply structural patterns from their native language to the target language, here omitting the copula as in Japanese.
Question 6: In CELTA terminology, 'learner autonomy' refers to:
- Learners correcting the teacher's pronunciation
- Learners' capacity to take responsibility for and direct their own learning (Correct answer)
- Completing homework without a dictionary
- The ability to speak without an accent
Correct answer: Learners' capacity to take responsibility for and direct their own learning
Learner autonomy means learners can identify their own goals, monitor their progress, and make choices about how and what they learn.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of 'extrinsic motivation' in an EFL context?
- A student who reads English novels for pleasure
- A professional who needs English to qualify for a promotion (Correct answer)
- A teenager who watches English films out of curiosity
- A retiree learning English as a personal challenge
Correct answer: A professional who needs English to qualify for a promotion
Extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or outcomes, such as career advancement, qualifications, or social approval.
CELTA Learners & Teachers 3
A CELTA candidate is giving feedback after a role-play.
Which approach aligns best with learner-centred practice?