The University of Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) is the most internationally recognised initial professional qualification for teaching English as a foreign or second language (EFL/ESL). The CELTA is run at over 280 approved centres in over 50 different countries worldwide. Almost 900 courses are run each year and over 10,000 people enrol - more than any other ESL certificate program.

Teaching English successfully requires a sufficient knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary, the ability to plan and execute a variety of language and skills-based lessons, and confident, effective classroom management. The Cambridge CELTA will help you develop these skills and techniques and kickstart your EFL/ESL career.

The CELTA is a highly practical programme. In interactive workshops and seminars led by experienced trainers, you will learn the fundamental techniques of English language instruction. You then get to put these techniques immediately into practice by teaching real classes of adult English learners.Your teaching practice is supervised by a trainer, who assists you with lesson preparation, observes you teach and then provides you with extensive feedback on your performance.

Embassy CES runs four-week, full-time intensive CELTA courses at its Hastings and Cambridge centres in the UK. Each course includes a minimum of 120 hours of instruction, in accordance with Cambridge ESOL guidelines.

Assessment

Assessment on the CELTA course is continuous (throughout the course) and integrated (all components count towards the final grade). There is no final exam. Assessment is based on candidates' evaluation over the duration of the course in the following two components:

Teaching practice

Candidates teach six assessed hours at two different levels. Assessment is based on overall performance at the end of the six hours. The assessed teaching is spread out over the course, and in total you will teach around eight to ten lessons.

Written assignments

There are four written assignments, each about 1,000 words long. They are very practical in nature, focusing on your teaching strengths and weaknesses; the students you are teaching; language systems (grammar, vocabulary and functions) and language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

During the course you build up a portfolio of work that contains your lesson plans, materials, reflections and written assignments. At the end of the course this is submitted and forms the basis of your assessment.

The CELTA is a PASS/FAIL program. Globally there is over a 90% pass rate.

An external assessor, appointed by Cambridge ESOL, moderates each CELTA course to ensure the standard of assessment and the quality of the programme delivered.

Before being enrolled, all applicants need to complete an application form and a pre-interview task. The pre-interview task checks your knowledge of grammar and your general awareness of the teaching and learning process. The task is central to the admissions process and it is advisable to spend the time necessary to complete it well. Any resources can be used to complete the task. Once this has been reviewed by Embassy CES, successful applicants will be asked to attend an interview (where distances are involved this can be done by phone). The aim of the interview is to find out if the course is right for you and if, in terms of knowledge and skills, you are likely to be successful.

Courses fill on a first come first served basis. Enrolments are limited and in accordance with Cambridge ESOL regulations there is a strict 6:1 trainee to trainer ratio. There is considerable demand for places on certain programme dates. You are welcome to enquire about availability. Please contact us for further details and an application pack.

Programme content

• Input sessions based upon specifications for CELTA produced by the University of Cambridge ESOL covering: language analysis, lesson and course planning, classroom management techniques and strategies, teaching techniques for language and skills, resources and materials, the learning and teaching context, and professional development.
• Supervised teaching practice with adult students in specially organised classes.
• Guided lesson planning and preparation time.
• Group feedback on observed lessons.
• Classroom observation of experienced teachers within our schools and on DVD/video

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you can expect to have developed your knowledge and awareness of the structure and use of English and you will possess an extensive set of techniques and skills to teach it. You will receive a CELTA certificate from the University of Cambridge and also a detailed course report from your trainers.

Course dates and exam fees 2007

Vietnam: Please see the ILA website for full details.

Fees: CELTA