CELTA trainee FAQs
FAQs about taking CELTA
- How many approved CELTA centres are there worldwide?
- What are the key features of a CELTA course?
- How is the teaching practice provision in CELTA set up?
- Can I take a CELTA course even though I am a non-native speaker?
- Is there any upper age limit to someone applying to do the CELTA course?
- If I obtain a qualification such as an English Studies Degree, can this automatically be regarded as a CELTA qualification?
- Is it possible to teach in a state school with the CELTA qualification — does it have the same status as a PGCE?
- I have a PGCE/Diploma in TEFL — what is the equivalency with CELTA?
- I am proposing to take/have recently successfully completed the CELTA course. I am told if I wish to teach ESOL at an FE college I need a further qualification approved by FENTO. Where can I obtain this extra qualification?
- If I have a TESOL qualification would this be as acceptable as a CELTA for employment purposes?
- How can I get a job after obtaining the CELTA award and do you have a list of vacancies?
- Would the grade I obtain in CELTA affect my application for overseas work?
- Can the CELTA course be undertaken by correspondence?
- Is it possible to do the CELTA course in two halves — do one half at one centre and at a later date do another part at the same centre or another one of your choice?
- Can I obtain a grant to pay the fee for undertaking a CELTA course?
- Can I obtain a refund of the CELTA fee if I am accepted on a course and then decide that I cannot attend it? Also, if I attend a part of the course, and decide it would be better to wait to do the course at a later date, can a refund be obtained?
- If I become ill during a course can this be considered sufficient reason to postpone finishing the course?
- Can you recommend any of your approved centres that have a higher pass rate than others, and also do you think any of your centres are better than another?
How many approved CELTA centres are there worldwide?
There are currently over 286 approved centres worldwide providing CELTA courses for 12,000 trainees annually. Find an approved provider.
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 6 hours of assessed teaching practice per trainee
- include 6 hours' directed observation of live lessons taught by experienced ELT professionals or 4 hours' observation of live lessons plus 2 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.
How is the teaching practice provision in CELTA set up?
You will be required to teach for 6 hours (usually broken down into shorter slots leading to longer lessons as the course progresses). You are also required to teach at a minimum of two different levels, one of which must be lower than intermediate and the other intermediate level or higher.
Can I take a CELTA course even though I am a non-native speaker?
Yes, provided your standard of English will enable you to successfully complete the written assignments and teach at a range of levels. This will be decided by centres by pre-interview tasks and the interview itself.
Is there any upper age limit to someone applying to do the CELTA course?
There is no age limit. You need to apply to a centre and they will consider your experience and at interview will decide if you are a suitable candidate.
If I obtain a qualification such as an English Studies Degree, can this automatically be regarded as a CELTA qualification?
It is not possible to do this. You can only obtain the CELTA by doing one of Cambridge ESOL's approved CELTA courses.
Is it possible to teach in a state school with the CELTA qualification — does it have the same status as a PGCE?
CELTA is a specialist qualification in the area of adult education but formal teacher training such as a PGCE, which is designed for primary or secondary children, would be required for state school teaching.
I have a PGCE/Diploma in TEFL — what is the equivalency with CELTA?
There is no direct equivalency with CELTA as the two courses do not cover the same ground and are designed for different purposes. CELTA is an initial teacher training course for those intending to teach adults, whereas PGCEs are normally for those teaching in primary/secondary schools and Diplomas are usually for experienced teachers.
I am proposing to take/have recently successfully completed the CELTA course. I am told if I wish to teach ESOL at an FE college I need a further qualification approved by FENTO. Where can I obtain this extra qualification?
You can progress to Module Two — Teaching in the Learning and Skills Sector. Completion of both modules leads to the award of the Certificate in Further Education Teaching Stage 3 and the Certificate for ESOL Subject Specialists.
More information on the Certificate in Further Education Teaching.
If I have a TESOL qualification would this be as acceptable as a CELTA for employment purposes?
Individual employers would know just what type of qualification and relevant skills they are looking for in a candidate. Any good teaching course should have covered the basic elements of teaching. However, employers can sometimes prefer courses such as CELTA which have a strong practical focus.
How can I get a job after obtaining the CELTA award and do you have a list of vacancies?
The educational press has details of any vacancies that there may be. Some centres have their own job placement service. Centres can also advise you on where jobs are advertised. Cambridge ESOL does not have a list of vacancies.
Would the grade I obtain in CELTA affect my application for overseas work?
Some centres may require a 'B' grade but most employers worldwide who are familiar with CELTA are happy to recruit Pass candidates.
Can the CELTA course be undertaken by correspondence?
It is not possible for the CELTA course to be undertaken by correspondence. This is because it is a continuously assessed course and the teaching elements involved mean that it has to be undertaken at one of our approved centres.
Is it possible to do the CELTA course in two halves — do one half at one centre and at a later date do another part at the same centre or another one of your choice?
The different structure of courses at different centres and the fee requirements make this arrangement difficult. Transfers are only arranged in exceptional circumstances such as enforced relocation to a new country.
Can I obtain a grant to pay the fee for undertaking a CELTA course?
At present we do not know of any grant that is available. A careers office or employment advice centre may be able to give some guidance. Also, centres may be able to give local information.
Can I obtain a refund of the CELTA fee if I am accepted on a course and then decide that I cannot attend it? Also, if I attend a part of the course, and decide it would be better to wait to do the course at a later date, can a refund be obtained?
The fee is payable to the centre, and any cancellation of a course would need to be taken up with the centre to decide about a refund. It is, however, not normally possible.
If you attend a part of the CELTA course and then decide you want to wait and do the course at a later date, it is not likely that you would obtain a refund of the fee. Again, however, this is something you would need to take up with the centre.
If I become ill during a course can this be considered sufficient reason to postpone finishing the course?
You should ask the centre what their conditions are if you cannot, for any reason, complete the course.
Can you recommend any of your approved centres that have a higher pass rate than others, and also do you think any of your centres are better than another?
We do not comment on individual centres or provide individual centre results. All of our courses are approved and meet Cambridge ESOL's minimum requirements.
Candidates need to make their decision regarding which centre they feel would be most suitable for them, and if they have any concerns should raise them when attending the interview for a place on a course.
