COMMON QUESTIONS
Below are some general information and frequently asked questions about the Cambridge CELTA at International House Queensland. If you have a specific question, or can't find the information you're after, please contact us.
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
Teaching English to speakers of other languages can be a highly rewarding career, offering you the chance to live and work abroad. You will need an internationally recognised teaching qualification, and CELTA - highly regarded throughout the world - gives you the skills you need and will make it easier to get a teaching job anywhere, both overseas and in Australia.
WHAT IS CELTA?
CELTA is an initial qualification for people with little or no previous teaching experience and opens up a whole world of exciting teaching opportunities. Because it is awarded by Cambridge ESOL, part of the world famous University of Cambridge, you can rely on its quality and recognition. Over 10,000 people successfully complete a CELTA course each year.
HOW DOES CELTA RELATE TO TEFL/TESOL?
'TEFL' and 'TESOL' are terms often used to describe qualifications for English Language teachers. CELTA is the best known and most widely taken initial TESOL/TEFL qualification of its kind in the world.
WHO IS CELTA FOR?
People starting a career in English Language teaching:
You may be considering a career in English Language teaching and view CELTA as an entry into a good teaching position in another country, or you may be a graduate wanting a qualification that provides a sound basis in the fundamentals of language teaching practice and gives you the confidence to take control in the classroom.
People looking for a career change or career break:
Increasingly, CELTA candidates are professionals either looking for a new career opportunity or wanting a short break in their existing career. Many seek the exciting opportunities of living and working abroad. Whether you wish to teach English for the short or long term, CELTA gives you the training you need to help you adjust to a dynamic and challenging new profession.
People teaching English without formal qualifications:
CELTA can also be a useful qualification for teachers who have little previous formal training. CELTA sharpens your teaching practice, confirms your ability, and may even lead to internal promotion or a better teaching job.
What does CELTA involve?
You can take CELTA full time (four weeks), or part time (twelve weeks plus one week off). Your chosen course:
- teaches you the principles of effective teaching
- provides a range of practical skills for teaching English to adult learners
- gives you hands-on teaching practice
- builds your confidence.
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.
You will be assessed throughout the course, with no final examination. An external assessor, appointed by Cambridge ESOL, moderates each course. There are two components of assessment:
- Teaching practice
You will teach for a total of six hours, working with classes at two levels of ability. Assessment is based on your overall performance at the end of the six hours. - Written assignments
You will complete four written assignments: one focusing on adult learning; one on the language system of English; one on language skills; and one on classroom teaching.
To be awarded the certificate you must pass both components. There are three grades - Pass, Pass 'B' and Pass 'A'.
What is the difference between the Part-time and the Full-time course?
In terms of course content, the two courses are the same; both involve 120 hours contact hours and 80 hours of additional learning (see key features, below). The course fees are the same and both courses give a discount for early bookings (one month before the start date).
The full-time course is extremely intensive, requiring candidates to attend the course between 9am and 5.30pm. The part-time course runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturdays. The evenings include two input sessions and supervised lesson planning, from 5.30pm to 8.00pm (2½ hours each evening). The Teaching Practice and feedback takes place on Saturdays between 9.00am – 2.30pm. The part-time programme is suitable for those who are unable to take a month off work to pursue this course of study.
The part-time course is divided into two six week blocks, with one week off in the middle. Please request the part-time sample timetable for more information.
What are the key features of a CELTA course?
Courses can be flexible in order to meet different local needs and conditions but all:
- integrate theory and practice
- provide a minimum of 120 contact hours including: input, supervised lesson planning, teaching practice, feedback on teaching, peer observation, observation of experienced teachers and consultation time
- include six hours of assessed teaching practice per trainee
- include six hours' directed observation of live lessons taught by experienced ELT professionals or four hours' observation of live lessons plus two hours' observation of lessons on video
- include a minimum of 80 additional learning hours for reading, research, assignment writing and lesson preparation
- require the submission by each candidate of a portfolio of work including materials related to teaching practice and written assignments.
WHO ARE THE TRAINERS?
There are requirements for trainers on Cambridge-approved teacher-training courses. CELTA Trainers are required to:
- have the Cambridge ESOL DELTA
- have substantial, recent and varied ELT experience (minimum 5 years)
- have a professional involvement in ELT
Our trainers have current experience of teaching English to speakers of other languages and have taught in Australia, China, Italy, South Africa, Spain and Turkey. They are familiar with the kinds of classes that you will be teaching and the materials you will be using. All of our trainers have been approved by Cambridge ESOL.
Who recognises CELTA?
CELTA is accepted throughout the world by organisations which employ English Language teachers. NEAS, International House World Organisation, the British Council and all language colleges in Australia (including TAFE and University Language centres) recognise the CELTA as the best pre-service qualification.
How many approved CELTA centres are there world-wide?
There are currently over 286 approved centres in 54 countries, providing CELTA courses for 12,000 trainees annually.
CAN MY CELTA STUDIES BE CREDITED TOWARDS A DEGREE AT UNIVERSITY?
Yes, they can. To find out what credit you can be awarded from your tertiary institution, download the CELTA Credit Transfer PDF.
Am I eligible to apply?
Ideally you should:
- have a standard of education equivalent to that required for entry into higher education
- be aged 20 or over
- have a standard of English which will enable you to teach at a range of levels
Centres 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. Some centres may, at their discretion, accept applicants aged between 18 and 20.
How do I apply?
You can apply online by clicking here.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Once we receive your application we will arrange an interview to ensure that the CELTA is the right course for you and that you have the potential to pass the course. Once you have been offered a place and you have paid your deposit, we will send you course documentation and materials. These include a pre-course task. The more time you can spend on this and the more background reading you can do (also sent out to you), the stronger your performance will be on the course.
Results in 2006
Twenty eight candidates trained with IH Queensland in 2006 and all of them passed the course. Fourteen received a Pass, thirteen a Pass B and one a Pass A. Those that entered the industry found work in Australia and overseas. We can help candidates find work through the IH World Organisation job placement service. To view current vacancies with the IH World Organisation please visit www.ihworld.com and click on teaching vacancies.
CELTA at IH also offer services to help students find work after they complete the CELTA course. Visit our Finding Work section for more information.
