Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) (L00144-121303)

Course Overview:

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU NEED TO APPLY AT LEAST ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE OF THE START DATE OF THE COURSE YOU WISH TO COME ON. THIS IS BECAUSE THE SELECTION PROCEDURE IS LENGTHY AND THERE ARE VARIOUS STAGES TO GO THROUGH.

CELTA is an initial qualification for people with little or no previous teaching experience and who want to go into the field of teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is accredited at Level 5 (equivalent to 2nd Year of University) by the University of Cambridge and is an internationally recognised qualification which will enable you to teach both in Britain and abroad.

Entry Requirements:

• Candidates must be at least 18 years of age.
• Success at initial assessment – this will consist of a pre-interview task to assess your current language knowledge/awareness, Literacy skills, understanding of teaching and learning methods, and the role of an English language teacher. On the basis of your response to this pre-interview task, we will determine whether your skills warrant an interview at this stage.
• You must be a proficient speaker of English. If English not your first language, you must be able to demonstrate proficient speaking skills at interview.
• A proficient level of written English at a minimum of Level 3 (equivalent to British A level standard) is also required. You will need to provide evidence of this through previous study at an academic level and also through the writing activities in the pre-interview task.
• Demonstrate the potential to develop the necessary skills to become effective teachers and have every intention to become an ESOL or EFL teacher in the future. These requirements will be assessed immediately after our course presentation and at interview.
• Finally, you must be successful at interview.

Course Content:

The course aims to provide:
• The principles of effective language teaching
• A range of practical skills for teaching English to adult learners
• Hands-on teaching practice
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

Assessment Methods:

You will be assessed on an ongoing basis throughout the course by the course tutors. There is no final examination but a portfolio of evidence is required to show that you meet all the required criteria. There are two components of assessment: Teaching practice: You will teach for a total of 6 hours, working with classes at two levels of ability. Assessment is based on your overall performance at the end of the 6 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.

Please note: To be awarded the certificate you must pass both components. There are three grades: Pass, Pass 'B' and Pass 'A'.

Additional Information:

A strong underpinning knowledge of the English language sound system and grammatical structures would be useful prior to starting the course. If you feel you do not have this knowledge, we can advise you on how to prepare yourself for entry on this course.

If you are offered a place at interview, you will be given a pre-course task which you will be required to complete in preparation for the course. This task is for your own benefit in order to ensure you have the required underpinning subject knowledge to complete the course successfully. The task will take some hours to complete and should be brought to the first session.

If you would like more information on course fees and how to get additional help to pay for them, please click here

Bring To First Class:

An A4 folder with dividers; Pen and pencil; A4 Lined paper

Attendance:

Each session will give you more knowledge and information and enable you to produce more evidence for your portfolio. It is very important that you try to attend all sessions and that you are punctual as you may not otherwise have enough evidence to achieve the award.

Further Study and Career Opportunities:

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). You could then also go onto to obtain a full teaching qualification – either the Certificate in Education or the PGCE.

Alternative Courses:

• L00245-131401 $$$ Access to Teacher Training
  Start: 17/09/2013 Duration: 30 week(s) Days/Time: Tue, Wed (09:30 to 15:30), Thu (09:30 to 12:00)
• L00245-131402 $$$ Access to Teacher Training
  Start: 17/09/2013 Duration: 30 week(s) Days/Time: Tue, Wed (09:30 to 15:30), Thu (09:30 to 12:00)
• L00227-131401 $$$ PTLLS Level 3 (Prep for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
  Start: 17/09/2013 Duration: 11 week(s) Days/Time: Tue (18:30 to 21:30)
• L00227-131402 $$$ PTLLS Level 3 (Prep for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
  Start: 28/09/2013 Duration: 11 week(s) Days/Time: Sat (09:45 to 12:45)
• L00227-131403 $$$ PTLLS Level 3 (Prep for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
  Start: 14/01/2014 Duration: 11 week(s) Days/Time: Tue (18:30 to 21:30)
• L00058-131401 $$$ PTLLS Level 4 (Prep for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
  Start: 17/09/2013 Duration: 11 week(s) Days/Time: Tue (18:30 to 21:30)
• L00058-131402 $$$ PTLLS Level 4 (Prep for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
  Start: 28/09/2013 Duration: 11 week(s) Days/Time: Sat (09:45 to 12:45)
• L00058-131403 $$$ PTLLS Level 4 (Prep for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
  Start: 14/01/2014 Duration: 11 week(s) Days/Time: Tue (18:30 to 21:30)
• L00261-121304 C & G Introduction to Trainer Skills
  Start: 12/07/2013 Duration: 2 week(s) Days/Time: Fri (10:00 to 17:00)

How to Enrol:

This course needs tutor approval before you can enrol.

You will need to complete an Application Form and email it to iag@racc.ac.uk

The Information, Advice and Guidance team (IAG team) will contact you to arrange an interview.

If you are aged between 16-18 please complete the Young Person’s Application Form and return it to (fern-chantele.carter@racc.ac.uk)

Note: 16-18 learners refers to learners born between 1.9.93 – 31.8.96 inclusive.

Frequently Asked Questions:

“How much homework will I need to do outside of class?”
Once on the course, you will need to allow at least 6 – 8 hours a week both for reading and research for assignment writing, and for lesson preparation which will include making materials and writing lesson plans.
You will be given a deadline for submission of each assignment which must be adhered to. If your first assignment does not meet the required criteria, you will have a second opportunity to submit. Assignments are marked as either pass or fail.
Please note that this course is extremely intensive and requires time, effort and stamina to complete successfully.
“What will happen if I miss a class?
The University of Cambridge requires 100% attendance on the course. Allowances for absence can only be made in exceptional circumstances and you will be required to record the reasons for absence in your candidate’s record book. If you are unable to attend a session, you are required to notify the tutor in advance.
If you miss a teaching practice session this must be made up at some point during the course. Your tutor will advise you about how to do this.
All course materials and activities are accessible through the college’s Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle) and you will be given help with this at the beginning of the course. Moodle can be accessed either at college or from home.

“When will the exams take place?”
There is no final exam. However, you are required to compile an ongoing portfolio of evidence which will be assessed by both the course tutors and the Cambridge external moderator.

“Do I need any special clothing or equipment?”
You will need to have an A4 lever arch file for your portfolio. You will also need to bring paper and pen to each session.
Whiteboard pens and equipment for making materials for your lessons are also advisable. Access to a computer is also required – it will be possible for you to avail yourself of resources and equipment in the Learning Resources Centre once you are enrolled. But these are limited. Please discuss with the course tutor at the start of the course.

“Is there any tutorial support?”
Tutorial time is built into the programme. There are two scheduled tutorials at which you will be given feedback on your assignments and your teaching practice. Your tutor will negotiate with you the points you need to work on in order to bring your assignments and teaching practice up to a pass standard.
A third tutorial will be given only when there is concern that a candidate is consistently failing to meet the necessary standards to pass the course.

Information Advice and Guidance:

You can enrol online, over the phone or in person at either site
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