Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)

Background

The Cambridge CELTA (formerly the CTEFLA) is the most widely-recognized international qualification in English language teaching. It is considered an initial qualification in this field, and the course leading to it is designed for people without previous teaching experience, as well as those who have had experience but could benefit from formal training.

Course Content

The course focuses on 5 main units :

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

The course is highly practical, placing a considerable emphasis on candidates' performance in observed teaching practice sessions. There is a ratio of 6 candidates to one tutor on courses. Teaching practice takes place in groups of 6 trainees with volunteer groups of English language learners at two different levels.

Candidates are also required to complete written assignments covering the following topics:

• English language systems
• Reflection on classroom teaching
• Adult learners and learning contexts
• Analysis of teaching/learning material

Attendance

The course consists of 4 weeks of full-time study. A high level of commitment is required of candidates and the course is very demanding. Candidates are expected to attend 100% of the course, with an absence allowance for illness or exceptional circumstances. Those people considering following a course should ensure that they are free of other commitments during the time of study.

Assessment

All aspects of the course (teaching practice and written assignments) are internally and continuously assessed. Candidates' course work is also externally moderated by an assessor who is approved and appointed by Cambridge. The final certificate is issued by Cambridge.

The certificate at Pass level is awarded to candidates who meet the course requirements and whose performance meets the criteria in all components. Those whose classroom teaching skills reach a level significantly higher than pass-level criteria are awarded Pass B; those whose classroom teaching skills and planning skills are exceptional, are awarded Pass A. The centre will also write an individual report on each candidate's performance and progress during the course.

Enrolment Procedure

Applicants must:

• be at least 18 years of age, but preferably 20 or over at the start of the course
• have a good standard of education (at least bursary or equivalent)
• have the potential to develop the necessary skills to become effective teachers and to complete successfully the written assignments and the assessment of teaching practice

CELTA is based on the principle of open and equal opportunity for all, irrespective of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, creed, colour, race, ethnic origin, age or disability. Acceptance on a course, however, is not automatic. All applicants must complete an application form and pre-interview task (NB All applicants should print a hard copy of both the application form and pre interview task and complete them by hand). Following assessment of their application form and pre-interview task, applicants are selected for interview at Languages International. Applicants are assessed on their suitability to complete a CELTA course successfully. Particular attention is paid to aptitude for language analysis and clear communication. In matters concerning the assessment and suitability of prospective candidates, the decision of the Director of Teacher Training is final.

Those candidates who are offered a place on a course must pay a $300.00 deposit in order to secure their place. The balance of fees is due six weeks before the course starts. Failure to pay the fees may mean that applicants forfeit a place. Once course fees have been paid in full, they are not refundable. It may be possible for applicants to transfer their application to a future course, but only if their place on a course can be filled.

Download application form
Download pre-interview task

Costs and Finance

The course cost is NZ$3,050.00 (this includes GST, a Cambridge assessment and a course book). Fees are subject to alteration. The fee of the course reflects the high tutor-trainee ratio and the fact that the course requires international moderation and controls. CELTA courses are not usually eligible for student loans. All prospective applicants requiring information on loans or grants should request information from the appropriate authority.

Please note: CELTA is only available at our Auckland school.

Cambridge CELTA - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Is the CELTA I get from Languages International the same as from other centres?

Yes, it is. The syllabus and assessment criteria used at all centres offering CELTA courses around the world are determined by Cambridge and are the same. Each centre is free to interpret the syllabus in their own way, but the course programmes are usually quite similar.

Where should I train?

This is a personal decision that you, as the prospective candidate, must make. Your decision will be based on where the centre is located, course dates, availability of places and whether you want to study full-time or part-time. Other factors that may influence your decision are to do with the quality of response you receive from an individual centre and the quality of materials they send you. You may also like to ask about the number of trainers working at that centre and the kind of background they have.

Features of CELTA teacher training at Languages International are:

• 8 full-time teacher trainers with teaching and training experience in countries as various as Australia, Canada, Egypt, England, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and Turkey.
• At least half our trainers are qualified to MA level.
• Maximum class size of 12 trainees per course.
• We deliver a range of teacher training courses including the higher level Cambridge DELTA as well as programmes for non-native speaker teachers.
• We are the longest-established CELTA centre in New Zealand and have been running courses since 1988.

What's the difference between Cambridge and Trinity?

Both courses are aimed at teachers with little or no experience in English language teaching. Both qualifications are recognised in New Zealand and overseas. Cambridge courses have a longer history in New Zealand. Languages International was the first centre to offer such a course in 1988. The CELTA was once known as the RSA/Cambridge CTEFLA, or sometimes "the RSA course". As a result, Cambridge perhaps has a higher profile than Trinity in New Zealand. This is also the case in Australia.

There are also differences in the role the external assessor has to play in each course. In the Cambridge scheme, assessors have a moderation, standardisation and quality control function. Their aim is to negotiate grades with trainers by carefully monitoring the decision-making process. This ensures that you are being graded reliably to the Cambridge international standard. If the performance of an individual trainee is not to standard on the day the assessor visits, his or her grade will not be affected, as long as their overall performance on the course has otherwise been to standard. For details on the role the assessor has to play in Trinity courses, we suggest you contact a Trinity centre.

What are my chances of getting a job?

This depends on the job market when you graduate. At certain times of the year (for example, in July and August), there is a lot of demand for teachers and it is easy to get a job. At other times, the job market can be quite competitive and teachers may need to do relieving teaching or teach part-time when they are starting out. English language teaching is an industry and, as such, is susceptible to changes in the international market place. For example, if the New Zealand dollar is strong, fewer learners may come to New Zealand from overseas because it is more expensive for them to do so. Fewer learners means fewer jobs for teachers. This can affect your chances of finding work when you complete the course. Conversely, English language teaching is a very mobile profession and teachers often leave schools to teach and travel abroad, so work does become available. Finally, there are always plenty of work opportunities overseas.

Will you help me find work?

During the course, we run two sessions on finding work. We supply you with names and addresses of schools and let you know what to expect and what questions to ask. Because we are a well-known training centre, a lot of schools in New Zealand and overseas contact us about work opportunities. We always pass this information on to trainees. However, we do not act as a job recruitment agency. There is a potential conflict of interest in attempting to both train and recruit.

Why is the course expensive?

The fee reflects that there is a high tutor-to-trainee ratio. Each course is staffed by 2 full-time tutors who are highly experienced. CELTA courses are not in any way subsidised, so the fee reflects the real cost of tuition. It also means that you get a lot of individual attention on the course.

Can I get a student loan?

Unfortunately, the course length means that CELTA trainees are not eligible for students loans. In special circumstances, CELTA trainees have been able to get some funding from WINZ or ACC. However, it is the responsibility of the prospective applicant to approach the appropriate government agency for details on their eligibility for subsidy. We do not have this information.

If I am offered a wait list placing, when will I know if I have got a place?

Unfortunately, we are unable to predict this. In order for a place to become vacant on a course, someone booked on that course needs to change their mind and either transfer or withdraw from the course. Clearly, we cannot predict when this will happen. Often prospective candidates alter their booking when we ask for the balance of fees 6 weeks before the course begins. Once we know a place is available we act very quickly to fill that place so that you have as much notice as possible.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or e-mail.