CELTA the course

CELTA course content

1. Input sessions

There are two input sessions every morning and these are led by a trainer but are usually collaborative workshops rather than lectures. They focus on key aspects of becoming a successful EFL teacher, such as the best methodology, how the English language works or how to prepare varied, learner-centred lessons.

2 Teaching Practice

You will teach for at least six hours, working with adult classes at two levels of ability. You learn how to build a good rapport with your students, give clear instructions, clarify tricky language points andmanage group dynamics. Every lesson you teach is observed by a tutor and your peers and afterwards you receive constructive feedback from them. You are also expected to give feedback to your peers when they teach.

3 Written Assignments

You will complete four written assignments of between 750 and 1000 words on topics relating to language teaching. Your tutors will provide you with guidance and a clear framework to follow for the assignments.

4 Observation of experienced teachers

This is a requirement of the course and a very useful part of the training process. You will observe 6 hours of experienced teachers in action with groups of different ability. This will inform your own classroom practice on the course and also offer a taste of different styles of teaching.

TIMES	ACTIVITY
09.45 – 10.45	Input
10.45 – 11.15	Breack
11.15 – 12.15	Input
12.15 – 13.00	Assisted lesson preparation
13.00 – 14.00	Lunch break
14.00 – 16.15	Teaching Practice
16.15 – 16.30	Break
16.30 – 17.15	Teaching practice feedback

A typical day on the CELTA course

Note that some days trainees need to stay a bit later in order to observe experienced teachers. The course takes place from Monday to Friday but depending on certain factors such as the number of trainees in each tutor group, whether or not a public holiday falls during the course etc, we are sometimes able to have Friday afternoons free.

It’s a full-time course which requires full-time commitment. As well as the scheduled sessions, you’ll also need to prepare your lessons and write assignments in the evenings and at the weekend.

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed on your six hours of teaching practice and four assignments and there is no final examination. To be awarded the certificate, you must pass both components. There are three grades – Pass, Pass B and Pass A. Usually, about 75% of trainees get a Pass, while about 22% can expect to get a Pass B and about 3% a Pass A.

There is at least one tutorial during the course in which your tutors will let you know how you are doing and will advise you which areas you need to work on. They will also give you regular verbal and written feedback and will try to help you as much as they can. We want you to pass the course and to pass with a good grade. An external assessor moderates each course to check that the grades awarded are in line with the standards laid down by Cambridge Assessment English.

CELTA course content

1. Input sessions

2 Teaching Practice

3 Written Assignments

4 Observation of experienced teachers

A typical day on the CELTA course

How you will be assessed

Recommended pre-course work and reading

More information CELTA

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