Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA)

Course details

The Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) is an introductory course for candidates who have little or no previous English Language teaching experience. It may also be suitable for candidates with some experience but little previous training.

Entry Criteria

Idealy you should:

• be aged 21 or over
• have a standard of English which will enable you to teach at a range of levels.
• IELTS 7.0, PTE 80. YOU DON'T NEED TO DO IELTS or PTE. A final interview is mandatory for acceptance.

We may still accept you if you do not have formal qualifications at this level but can demonstrate that you would be likely to complete the course successfully. We may, at our discretion, accept applicants aged between 18 and 20.

Assessment Criteria

You are assessed throughout the course on your:

• 6 hours of teaching practice/ 8 sessions (lesson planning, class teaching and self-evaluation)
• 4 written assignments (totalling 1500 words)

Your performance is measured against criteria which you are given at the start of the course.

There is no final examination. Generally you need to pass at least 6 of 8 Teaching Practice sessions and not resubmit any assignment more than twice.

Worldwide CELTA grades in 2011:

• 4% Pass A
• 23% Pass B
• 68% Pass
• 1% withdrawn
• 4% fail

Course Content

CELTA covers:

• the principles of effective teaching
• provides a range of practical skills for teaching English to adult learners
• gives you hands-on teaching practice

There are five main units of learning:

• Learners and teachers, and the teaching and learning context
• Language analysis and awareness
• Language skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing
• Planning and resources for different contexts
• Developing teaching skills and professionalism.

108 (minimum) hours of seminars and demonstrations to explore communicative teaching methodologies including: How to teach speaking, writing, reading, listening, grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, function and form

1. teaching adults in a variety of contexts including general English, business English, exam preparation
2. classes, and how to adapt these methodologies to the younger learner classroom
3. lesson planning
4. how to use or adapt course books and design your own classroom materials
5. language analysis and awareness
6. factors affecting motivation, cultural backgrounds and learner styles
7. teaching practice preparation
8. detailed feedback of your teaching practice

Program Structure

• 6 (minimum) hours of assessed teaching practice with real classes
• 6 (minimum) hours directed observation of lessons taught by experienced teachers
• 120 hrs (minimum total) - 108 + 6 + 6.
• 80 hours of work at home including lesson preparation, assignments and course reading

Certification

CELTA Certificate from University of Cambridge