What is CELTA?
Certificate in English Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages
What is the average pass rate?
Internationally, 92.5% of candidates successfully complete the course, 24% at Pass ‘B’ level, 2% at the pass ‘A’ level. 5% of candidates fail and 2.5% withdraw from the course. People who fail, if they want to do the course again, will have to pay the full course fees.
Does the course cater for people with a lack of grammatical knowledge?
Be aware that the CELTA is not a grammar course and your language awareness will have to be to standard. A C1 and preferably C2 level on the Common Framework is required to be able to participate in the course. There are books we recommend you to read before the course starts, there is a pre-course task to complete once you have been accepted onto the course, and we will give you free access to an online grammar course from the University of Cambridge, which has been specially designed for starting teachers and CELTA candidates who need to brush up their language awareness. With a bit of effort, you will be well prepared before your course starts. During the course, we have language analysis input sessions to help you.
Can I work during the course?
The intensive nature of this course means that any professional or personal commitments during the course can seriously compromise your result.
Should I bring my laptop?
Yes, you should. You will need it to write your lesson plans and assignments. Moreover, the Internet can be a valuable help when you need to analyze language or have to find authentic material for your lessons. You will get free access to WiFi and printer at our centre.
Is age a factor?
No, the oldest candidate at our centre over the last few years was 69 years old. And she passed without problems! In general, candidates range in age from 20 to 50 years old. Having said that, we advise older candidates to consider the intensive nature of the course.
Do I have to have an interview in person?
No. The interview is a Cambridge requirement to be accepted on the CELTA course. If you live near Dubai, a face-to-face interview is of course preferable. However, due to the international nature of the CELTA course we get many applications from a wide variety of countries, from the USA to Australia, and from the UK to New Zealand. A telephone interview is quite normal, although we try to use Skype nowadays. The interview is an international requirement of CELTA courses and allows both us and the candidate to honestly assess suitability for the course.
Can I do the course if English is not my first language?
Yes. Candidates must have an awareness of language, and a competence in English, both written and spoken, that enables them to undertake the course and prepare for teaching a range of levels. This means that level C1 or C2 of the Common Framework is needed. Candidates with a CPE certificate are encouraged to apply. Candidates with a CAE certificate with a high score can be considered. A high TOEFL or IELTS score is also considered a good indication of the ability to be successful on the course.
Do I need to be able to speak a foreign language?
No. Centres may give preference to candidates with previous foreign language learning experience but this is not a course requirement.
Do I need to have taught before in order to do the course?
No. The CELTA course is designed as a course for people with no previous teaching experience or more experienced teachers who wish to gain an internationally accepted teaching qualification.
Is CELTA a qualification for experienced teachers?
Yes. Increasingly more language schools expect their teachers – even when they are experienced – to have a certified teaching qualification.
What books can I read about teaching ELT?
When you are accepted onto the CELTA course you are given a recommended reading list with your acceptance letter.