CELTA
Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA)
General information
Cambridge CELTA is an internationally recognised teaching certificate. There are CELTA centres world-wide, all running a similar programme and all moderated by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate.
It is a practical, work-related qualification which is a first step in learning to teach English to adults. It is aimed at graduates who have no previous teaching experience. However, many candidates who come on courses have experience of teaching or training in other or related fields and some have a little, usually informal, experience of teaching foreign students. The certificate should enable you to find employment in private language schools and some state institutions
Entry Requirements
CELTA is open to both native and non-native speakers and the Department especially welcomes applications from suitably qualified non-native speakers. (This means that non-native speakers should have a level of English equivalent to that of Cambridge Proficiency or IELTS Band 7)
Applicants should normally hold a degree. It is also very useful for you to have studied a foreign language to at least GCSE level. However, we will consider candidates with "A" levels and without degrees on an individual basis. An aptitude for English grammar is essential.
In order to obtain a place on the course, you must complete two language related tasks and attend an interview where you will be expected to identify some grammatical structures. You will also be expected to show good communication skills.
Teaching Opportunities with a Cambridge CELTA qualification
The Department receives information about teaching opportunities abroad and locally. This information is made available to candidates during the course, although we do not provide work placements.
Local Directors of Studies and Principals of British Council Recognised schools are invited to meet candidates at the end of the course.
How to apply
Please download this application form |and send the completed form to Course Director, Mark Almond at this address:
Department of English and Language Studies, Canterbury Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1QU
Alternatively you may email language.studies@canterbury.ac.uk| for a form to be sent to you by post.
Course Content and Requirements
The CELTA course offers plenary sessions which teach you "how to teach", for example, how to teach and practise grammar and vocabulary or how to teach the skill of listening.
The students also have opportunities to practice what they learn.
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Teaching Practice. You need to teach foreign students at two different levels of English language proficiency over the course. Your teaching is assessed by a tutor and is the most important assessed element of the course.
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Observations of practising teachers and video observations of teachers and classes.
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Written Assignments which are practical and very much based on the observation, teaching and learning you do on the course.
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Tutorials in which your strengths and areas for development are discussed. You will be given clear guidelines for improving your performance.
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Keeping a Portfolio of your work over the course.
External Assessment and Centre Approval
All courses are assessed by a Cambridge Assessor who visits the course and watches teaching practice and reads a selection of candidates' Portfolios.
Centres and Course Tutors are approved on a yearly basis.
The Part-Time Course
The next part-time CELTA course will run from 10 January to 8 May 2012 in Canterbury. Observations take place in the mornings. You need to watch practising teachers for four hours over the duration of the course.
The CELTA course fee is £1,225.00 plus the Cambridge ESOL validation fee of £108.00.
The Full-Time Course
The next full-time 5 week course will take place on the Canterbury campus from 18 June to 20 July 2012. The fee is £1,225.00 plus the Cambridge ESOL validation fee of £108.00.
Teaching Opportunities with a Cambridge CELTA qualification
The Department receives information about teaching opportunities abroad and locally. This information is made available to candidates during the course, although we do not provide work placements.
Local Directors of Studies and Principals of British Council Recognised schools are invited to meet candidates at the end of the course.
Sample timetable and content
Sample week's timetable:
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AM
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PM
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Mon
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*Teaching Practice (small groups) 16:00-18:00
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Tues
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**Observation 9:00-10:30
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Plenary session Language Awareness Present Simple 14:30-16:00
Plenary session Teaching Volcabulary 17:00-19:00
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Wed
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*Teaching Practice (small groups) 16:00-18:00
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Thur
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*Teaching Practice (small groups) 16:00-18:00
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Fri
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Plenary session Clarifying Grammar at Lower Levels 14:30-16:00
Plenary session Teaching Listening 17:00-18:00
Assisted Lesson Planning 18:00-19:00
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** 4 Observations over 16 weeks
* You attend Teaching Practice ONE day only per week.
Course Tutors
Among the course tutors are Pam Aboshiha, Richard Cullen, Mark Almond, Nettie Amorati and Kevin Balchin.
Candidates' Perspectives
Eleni Andreou ( CELTA 2001 )
"The CELTA course has helped me a great deal in preparing myself for a teaching career. It has given me a basis to work from, innovative and interesting ideas on teaching methods as well as providing a solid data base of information which I use for my lessons now."
Olga Lindegrin was a Russian CELTA candidate (2001)
"Despite the fact that I was not a native speaker and the course was very intensive, I enjoyed it very much. The course gave me insight to the ways of teaching English to foreigners and brought me closer to the knowledge of the English Language..."
Edgar Paling was a successful CELTA 2000 candidate. He taught his first class locally.
"My first class was with Italian teenagers and I quickly realised how important variety in my lessons was. Teenagers can get bored easily. I used a lot of games and pop songs which we'd used on the course. I found it vital to show interest in all my students, especially the more problematic ones."
Eleni Andreou is teaching in Cyprus and writes:
"As for me, I love teaching and the school I'm working at is absolutely wonderful. I couldn't wish for a better one."
Natasha Mauger - A Grade B Pass candidate, 2005:
"The course gave me a solid grounding to begin teaching. It was highly practical and useful to everyone from the inexperienced to the more experienced EFL teachers. I gained knowledge of a lot of English grammar as well as many tips for teaching. I am using these everyday. everyone, from the student teachers to the trainers at Christ Church University really pulled together and there was no hostility or competitiveness, but instead a friendly environment. This meant that we could develop professional in supportive surroundings."