Is the CELTA course for me?

You should have a high grade of English language awareness and proficiency, both written and spoken, that enables you to follow the demanding teacher training CELTA course and complete the assignments to teach English at a range of levels.

You should generally have a standard of education that would allow you entry to higher education in your country. However, no educational qualification is required to enrol in the CELTA course.

An application is submitted and evaluated before an interview for admission to the CELTA course. The application is found on this page to download and complete. Submit to the application to support@tefl-southafrica.co.za

A desire to teach and learn from other cultures is essential to your success as a (ESL) English as a Second Language teacher.

This course is a Level-5 Cambridge University assessed course. Your 100% full attention and concentration with minimal outside distraction is required over 4-weeks when deciding to enrol in the CELTA course.

Course Requirements

The CELTA Cambridge Certificate requires an attendance of a minimum of 120 hours over 4 weeks. These hours include:

Input
Tutorial support and consultation
Supervised lesson planning
Six hours assessed TEFL teaching practice
Peer observation of TEFL teaching practice
Six hours directed observation of live lessons taught by experienced ELT teacher training professionals
A minimum of 80 hours of unsupervised work outside of timetabled course hours is also required
Candidates must be present for at least 80% of each component of the course in order to pass, although 100% attendance is expected, and time off is granted in exceptional circumstances only.

Assessment Overview

The CELTA is awarded to candidates who have completed the course and met the assessment criteria for all written and practical assignments.

By the end of the course candidates should show that they are able to:

assess learners’ needs and plan and teach English lessons which take account of learners’ backgrounds, learning preferences and current needs
demonstrate language knowledge and awareness and appropriate teaching strategies
demonstrate knowledge about language skills and how they may be acquired
plan and prepare lessons designed to develop their learners’ overall language competence
demonstrate an appropriate range of English language teaching skills at this level and show professional awareness and responsibility

Teaching Practice and Observation

Teaching practice is an integral part of the course and takes place every day. It is related to the areas covered in the input sessions. Trainees work in groups of six to plan, observe and give feedback to each other on the teaching they have done. Candidates teach at least two different levels of students on the course to get experience of teaching at different levels. In feedback on teaching, all lessons are discussed by TP groups and tutors.

Tutors give both verbal and written feedback on each assessed lesson. Trainees also observe at least 6 hours of lessons given by qualified teachers.

Additional time is required for lesson preparation and written assignments.

As the course is full-time and very intensive, it is impossible to have any other commitments during the period of the course. Candidates will find they have to work most evenings and at weekends on course-related work.

Grading

Assessment is carried out on a continuous basis. There are two components for assessment:

Component one: planning and teaching
Component two: classroom-related written assignments.

There is at least one individual tutorial (mid-course), when trainees have a chance to discuss their progress to date with a tutor.

The Certificate is awarded to candidates who have met the course requirements, and whose performance meets, or exceeds, the criteria in both assessment components.

A “Pass” is awarded to candidates whose performance overall in the teaching practice and on the written assignments meets the specified criteria. These criteria are available for inspection at International House throughout the course and can be viewed on-line at www.Cambridge ESOL.org/teaching

A Pass Grade B is awarded to candidates whose performance on the written assignments meets the specified criteria and who have demonstrated in their teaching practice a level of achievement significantly higher than that required to meet pass-level criteria in relation to classroom teaching skills and professionalism.

A Pass Grade A is awarded to candidates whose performance on the written assignments meets the specified criteria and who have demonstrated in their teaching practice a level of achievement significantly higher than that required to meet pass level criteria in relation to planning for effective teaching, classroom teaching skills and professionalism.

An external assessor evaluates each CELTA course to ensure that standards are met by all centres. On completion of the course, International House Johannesburg will supply a written report for each candidate to indicate specific strengths and areas needing development.

The training Center will send out provisional grades a few days after the course. These will be confirmed on receipt of the official certificates from Cambridge approximately four to eight weeks after the course end.

Gaining a Cambridge CELTA certificate is a prestigious and tremendous academic achievement in ESL / TEFL.

Cambridge CELTA Application

Download the application found on this Page

Complete the word document application carefully. Take your time on the assessment questions.

E-mail it to: support@tefl-southafrica.co.za

Your application is assessed by the Director of Studies at the training center you have chosen.

An interview at the training center in Parktown Johannesburg or a video interview if you cannot come in to the center,  will be arranged with you.

Before submitting your application, please ensure:

a) You are available for the 4 weeks dates you have selected.

b) You have the means to pay for the course or you have already secured your course funding.

Unfortunately the institution does not offer course funding or payment-plans.

For payment plans visit: www.payflex.co.za – 4 x payments over 6 weeks. No interest or fees.

or finance via www.mobicred.co.za – up to 12 months. Interest applies.

The CELTA course has a strict limited intake of only a maximum of 12 teacher trainees per class. You should therefore be prepared.

Training facility offers:

The training facilities are approved learning centers by University of Cambridge ESOL .

Fully equipped training centers with learning technology, library, in-house canteen, free WiFi internet access, quite study spaces and friendly experienced support staff. Walking distance to all major transport hubs.

If you are visiting from abroad, South Africa is an affordable top tier destination with world class facilities across all sectors. Stay after your course or come early and take in some amazing sightseeing and unique South African culture.

Accommodation

Choice of accommodation is available from B&B’s to hotels and our popular Home Stay program.

The home-stay program is a great budget option for out of town students. Cost is approximately 1000USD per month including 2 meals per day, laundry, internet and transport to and from the training center.

Contact us for more details for this service.

Some sight seeing while you in the city…

Johannesburg and Surrounds

The largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg is a popular location for many new teacher candidates to take the CELTA course. Johannesburg offers diverse cultural experiences and a great choice of attractions to visit, shop or relax.

Social activities are offered by the teacher training centre in Johannesburg, such as visits to the landmark sites like Gold Reef City theme park, famous Soweto’s Vilikazi street, home to two Nobel Peace prize recipients. Or a short trip to the Cradle of Humankind, Lion Park or many other attraction unique to Joburg and its surrounds. Visit this site for more tourist info: http://www.joburgtourism.com/