CELTA Course

Are you looking for a career change? Are you looking to travel abroad? Do you wish to teach English in South Africa at one of the language schools for foreigners? 

The Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) is a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course administered by Cambridge English Language Assessment. In contrast to other TEFL courses, CELTA certification is recognised world-wide. 

Your CELTA training will combine solid theory with the practical training that will make the crucial difference to your confidence and effectiveness when you get into the classroom. 

The CELTA course is recommended for anyone who wants to start teaching English as a foreign language at one of the many English language schools in Cape Town or abroad. 

CELTA certified teachers from South Africa are highly appreciated at English language schools around the world.


WHY DO A CELTA IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA?

• CELTA is internationally recognised.
• CELTA is an essential qualification for entering the field of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).
• CELTA is the best known and most widely taken qualification in the field of English language teaching to adults. The course is designed and closely monitored by University of Cambridge English Language Assessment; and on passing the course, trainees receive a certificate from Cambridge as well as a report from the centre detailing the trainees’ areas of strength and weakness.
• The course is both practical and theoretical with extensive, closely supervised teaching practice followed by both written and oral feedback.
• Trainers are highly qualified and experienced, and approved by Cambridge.

This course has a very practical approach. A solid grounding is provided in teaching skills and techniques. Emphasis is placed on developing awareness and sensitivity to student needs and also on general language awareness.

There is a maximum of 12 trainees per course, divided into two Teaching Practice (TP) groups, with a maximum of 6 trainees per TP group.

The full-time course takes 4 weeks (Monday to Friday) and is highly intensive and rewarding course. Candidates are required to attend daily from 08:30 until approximately 15:30 - although starting and finishing times may vary slightly. This course is designed for those who are seeking an internationally accredited qualification in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) and are willing to dedicate a full 4 weeks to developing their teaching skills and knowledge. Candidates are assessed on their teaching practice, lesson plans and written assignments. All preparation for lessons, as well as the written assignments, happens outside of course hours so applicants should be aware that additional hours need to be spent on course work during evenings and weekends. It is not advisable to hold a part-time job or have other major commitments or responsibilities throughout the duration of the course.

1. Input sessions
These include, for example:

• lesson planning;
• classroom management;
• methodology and lesson frameworks;
• language analysis from the perspective of a foreign learner.

Sessions are conducted using the learner-centred methodology that is encouraged in teaching practice, and in these sessions tutors model teaching techniques and concepts.

2. Teaching Practice
Trainees do 6 hours (about 9 or 10 lessons) of assessed teaching practice over the four weeks. This is a key part of the course. The trainees split into smaller groups and teach foreign volunteer students, who often have refugee status. Trainees receive guidance from the tutors in planning their lessons, and after the lessons there is a group feedback session, with oral feedback from other trainees and the tutor. The tutor also gives detailed written feedback on the lesson.

3. Observation of experienced teachers
Trainees observe a minimum of 6 hours of lessons taught by experienced, CELTA-qualified teachers. Up to three of these may be guided video observation. This is an opportunity to observe a range of teaching styles and techniques as well as a range of teaching contexts.

4. Written assignments
Based on input and teaching sessions, these are a very practical assimilation tool, which reinforce skills and knowledge development.