CELTA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What does the acronym CELTA stand for?
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
2. Why Cambridge?
The certificate is issued by Cambridge ESOL, a department of the University of Cambridge in the UK, which provides a range of qualifications for language teachers. Cambridge ESOL approves centres around the world, such as Insearch UTS, to conduct courses leading to the award of CELTA.
3. How is CELTA different from TESOL?
Certificates and diplomas in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) are offered by universities as postgraduate courses. They are usually from 1 to 2 years in duration and appeal to people who wish to gain a formal teaching qualification that enables them to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) in primary and secondary schools.
4. How is the course structured?
There are 3 components: methodology, practice teaching and written assignments.
- Methodology sessions are conducted by our CELTA tutors. Candidates are introduced to materials and practical techniques for adult English language teaching.
- Candidates practice teach with a class of adult English language learners under the supervision of a CELTA tutor.
- Four written assignments, totaling 3000 words, are given during the course.
5. What is the method of assessment?
Assessment is continuous and integrated throughout the course. There are two assessed components:
- teaching practice
- written assignments.
There is no final examination.
6. What grades are there?
Pass A, Pass B, Pass, Fail
Grades are determined with reference to the assessment criteria for the two assessed components. Assessment criteria are given in a Cambridge ESOL document at the beginning of the course. There is no quota for grades.
Our results for 2011:
Pass A = 7%, Pass B = 27%, Pass = 58%, Fail/ Withdrawn = 8%
7. What employment pathways does CELTA offer?
CELTA qualifies you to teach English to adults in many countries. Because of its practical nature, the course is internationally recognised by language centres and graduates are in high demand worldwide.
8. Does CELTA qualify you to teach adults in accredited language centres in Australia?
In addition to CELTA you need to have a degree (or equivalent) to be eligible to teach in NEAS accredited language centres in Australia.
9. Can you do the course if you don’t have a degree (or equivalent)?
Yes, but you may have restricted employment prospects in Australia.
10. Is the course demanding?
Yes, very. The full time course requires total commitment for 4 weeks. A typical day is from 9.30am to 5.30pm here at Insearch and then at least 3 hours of lesson preparation/assignments each night.
11. Can you do the course by distance (correspondence)?
This is not possible because of the practical nature of the course and the method of assessment.
12. Can you gain exemptions for prior learning or experience?
Cambridge ESOL does not allow for this. All candidates must successfully complete all components of the course to be awarded CELTA.
13. Can CELTA be used for credit transfer to university?
CELTA can be used to negotiate credit transfer to post-graduate courses at a number of universities.
14. What are the minimum entry requirements?
Candidates must:
- have an awareness of language and a competence in both written and spoken English which will enable them to undertake the course (determined by a course tutor at interview)
15. Can you do the course if you are not a native speaker of English?
Yes, if you fulfill the entry requirements.
16. What is the selection procedure?
A written application (hard copy or on-line), followed by an interview which includes a language awareness assessment. Allow 1.5 hours for the interview and assessment.
17. Is there a cut-off date for applications?
No. However, our advice is to apply as far in advance as possible as numbers are usually limited to 12 trainees per course and some courses are full well before the starting date.
18. Is FEE-HELP available for this course?
This is not possible because of the authorisation agreement between INSEARCH, UTS and Cambridge ESOL.
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