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Cambridge CELTA Course Online - FAQs

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What is Cambridge CELTA Course Online?

Cambridge CELTA Course Online is a flexible way to take CELTA. It leads to the CELTA qualification and is assessed and moderated according to the same criteria. The CELTA award has, and will continue to include, a significant practical component known as teaching practice (TP) where you will complete 6 hours of assessed teaching practice in groups. You will teach at least eight times with face-to-face feedback and reflection.

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How can an online CELTA course contain a practical element?

Cambridge CELTA Course Online is a blended learning course with both online and face-to-face elements. Teaching practice is face-to-face and input is online. The interactive online materials have a strong practical emphasis.

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Is online input as effective as face-to-face input?

Cambridge CELTA Course Online provides interactive tasks, guided video observation and forum discussion. The course achieves the same objectives as face-to-face courses, i.e. development in effective, principled teaching practice. For some trainees, face-to-face input will suit their individual learning style better than a blended course, but for others it will be the reverse. One of the advantages of Cambridge CELTA Course Online is the increased amount of time and support away from the centre for reflection and development. This will appeal to and benefit some trainees more than others. For example, some trainees thrive on the pressure and intensity of the full-time delivery but others do not.

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Why have Cambridge ESOL and IH London developed Cambridge CELTA Course Online?

This development is a response to increased market demand from centres and trainees for a blended learning CELTA. Technological advances and the combined experience of both organisations in developing blended learning courses make it possible to meet this demand. We are confident that this option makes it easier for people to take CELTA.

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What are the benefits of the Cambridge CELTA Course Online?

If you have not previously had time to follow a face-to-face course, you can now take the course. You can access the materials at a time which suits you best, giving you the flexibility to plan your CELTA work around your other professional and personal commitments.

Accommodation and travel costs are reduced, making the course more affordable for some trainees.

If you are comfortable with and prefer online learning, you now have an option to access CELTA through this medium.

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How long are the courses?

Courses run over a minimum of 10 weeks and a maximum of an academic year. Contact your local centre to see what dates they are offering:

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How many trainees are on each course?

This will depend where you take the course but the minimum number is three and the maximum number is 24.

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How is the online component of the course structured?

You work with a number of units of online, interactive material based on the syllabus areas. Forum and ‘Live room’ (virtual real-time classroom) tasks are integrated throughout the course. You work independently or collaboratively on these tasks with tutor support, evaluation and comment.

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How is the face-to-face component structured?

One of the aims of Cambridge CELTA Course Online is to provide increased flexibility by reducing the amount of time you meet with tutors at the centre. The teaching practice and related preparation, feedback and self-evaluation will continue to take place at the centre through face-to-face contact.

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How will teaching practice be organised?

Teaching practice groups are the same as for face-to-face courses in terms of levels taught, numbers of TP students, range of lesson types, number of times you teach, length of lessons (i.e. minimum of two 40-minute lessons and not longer than 1 hour), etc. You will teach for a total of 6 hours (spread over a minimum of eight occasions), with peers observing. Teaching practice will be arranged by the centre either throughout the course or in blocks.

You will continue to interact with the online environment during the teaching practice phases(s).

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Are course entry requirements different from face-to-face courses?

No, they are exactly the same.

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How can I find a centre in my area that offers Cambridge CELTA Course Online?

Centres offering the blended course will advertise as they currently do when running face-to-face courses. You can find a list here:

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Will the fact that I’ve taken Cambridge CELTA Course Online appear on my certificate?

Cambridge CELTA Course Online leads to exactly the same certificate as the face-to-face CELTA. Assessed outcomes are the same for all trainees so there is no need for separate certification. Courses are assessed locally. The assessor observes face-to-face teaching practice and has access to online materials.

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When will Cambridge CELTA Course Online become available?

The course is available from September 2011.

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How much does Cambridge CELTA Course Online cost?

The cost of taking the course depends on where you take it. Please contact your local centre for further information.

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