CELTA
Encyclopedia
The Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA, icon or ˈ) is a professional credential
held by many teachers of English as a foreign language
.
. Since it is recognised internationally, it is a particularly popular credential among people who wish to travel and teach English around the world. However, it is also held by people who intend to teach only in the country where they trained, and do not intend to travel.
The full-time CELTA course runs for four to five weeks; it can also be taken part-time over several weeks or months. CELTA courses are run by many different institutions, whereas the courses are validated and certificates are issued by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate
(UCLES), a part of the University of Cambridge
.
The CELTA is awarded upon passing the course, which includes six hours of assessed teaching practice to real EFL classes at at least two different levels of ability. The course grade is determined primarily by the performance of the candidates in this teaching practice; there are also four written assignments due throughout the course, which are graded on a pass/fail basis only. The grades awarded are Pass, Pass B and Pass A.
The full-time four-week course is very intensive. Even the part-time version of the course can take up more time than a full-time job for many candidates, especially those with no teaching background.
There are over 286 approved CELTA centres in 54 countries, providing almost 900 CELTA courses every year. Each course is audited by an external assessor.
and level 5, as well, by the National Qualifications Framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
. The current Cambridge CELTA replaced the RSA/Cambridge CELTA in 2001. In 1996, RSA/Cambridge CELTA replaced the RSA/Cambridge CTEFLA (the Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults), jointly administered by the Royal Society of Arts
(RSA) and UCLES. The RSA/Cambridge CTEFLA replaced the RSA Certificate in 1985.
CertTESOL
is generally considered to be equivalent to the CELTA, as both involve the same number of training hours and cover nearly identical syllabuses.
A less common qualification from UCLES is the CELTYL—the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners. It is equal in status to the CELTA, having the same number of hours of instruction, teaching observation, and supervised teaching practice, but focuses on the teaching of children. This is no longer available as a standalone qualification, but candidates who have already been awarded a CELTA can take a "YL extension course" in two weeks, which adds a qualification in teaching young learners to their existing qualification in teaching adults.
UCLES also offers a diploma
in ELT, the Delta
, which can be taken as a follow-up to the CELTA by those seeking further qualifications in the field.
In order to meet the UK government's criteria for teachers of ESOL in the Learning and Skills Sector (that is, adult education
) in England and Wales, holders of CELTA need to undertake an additional qualification, known as CELTA module 2.
A similar qualification is the Certificate in English Language Training (CELT). This is awarded by the Irish Department of Education and Skills (formally the Dept. of Science), via the Advisory Council of English Language Schools (ACELS).
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
held by many teachers of English as a foreign language
English language learning and teaching
English as a second language , English for speakers of other languages and English as a foreign language all refer to the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is...
.
Overview
The CELTA is a common requirement for those entering the field of English language teachingEnglish language learning and teaching
English as a second language , English for speakers of other languages and English as a foreign language all refer to the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is...
. Since it is recognised internationally, it is a particularly popular credential among people who wish to travel and teach English around the world. However, it is also held by people who intend to teach only in the country where they trained, and do not intend to travel.
The full-time CELTA course runs for four to five weeks; it can also be taken part-time over several weeks or months. CELTA courses are run by many different institutions, whereas the courses are validated and certificates are issued by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate
UCLES
University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate is a non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge and is a not-for-profit organisation...
(UCLES), a part of the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.
The CELTA is awarded upon passing the course, which includes six hours of assessed teaching practice to real EFL classes at at least two different levels of ability. The course grade is determined primarily by the performance of the candidates in this teaching practice; there are also four written assignments due throughout the course, which are graded on a pass/fail basis only. The grades awarded are Pass, Pass B and Pass A.
The full-time four-week course is very intensive. Even the part-time version of the course can take up more time than a full-time job for many candidates, especially those with no teaching background.
There are over 286 approved CELTA centres in 54 countries, providing almost 900 CELTA courses every year. Each course is audited by an external assessor.
Accreditation
The CELTA is awarded by Cambridge ESOL (formerly UCLES) and accredited at level 5 by both the Qualifications and Curriculum AuthorityQualifications and Curriculum Authority
The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency is an exempt charity, and an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Children, Schools and Families...
and level 5, as well, by the National Qualifications Framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
History
The Cambridge ESOL CELTA was originally a pre-service teacher training programme operated by International HouseInternational House World Organisation
International House World Organisation is a network of language schools worldwide. There are over 150 schools and teacher training centres in more than 50 countries ....
. The current Cambridge CELTA replaced the RSA/Cambridge CELTA in 2001. In 1996, RSA/Cambridge CELTA replaced the RSA/Cambridge CTEFLA (the Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults), jointly administered by the Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
(RSA) and UCLES. The RSA/Cambridge CTEFLA replaced the RSA Certificate in 1985.
Related credentials
The Trinity CollegeTrinity College London ESOL
Trinity College London ESOL is an international English Language examinations board delivering assessments in English language learning and teaching and has been offering English language examinations since 1938...
CertTESOL
CertTESOL
The Certificate in TESOL is an accredited professional qualification awarded in the teaching of "English for speakers of other languages" by Trinity College London. It is a commonly taken teaching qualification in the field of English language learning and teaching . Many people take this...
is generally considered to be equivalent to the CELTA, as both involve the same number of training hours and cover nearly identical syllabuses.
A less common qualification from UCLES is the CELTYL—the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners. It is equal in status to the CELTA, having the same number of hours of instruction, teaching observation, and supervised teaching practice, but focuses on the teaching of children. This is no longer available as a standalone qualification, but candidates who have already been awarded a CELTA can take a "YL extension course" in two weeks, which adds a qualification in teaching young learners to their existing qualification in teaching adults.
UCLES also offers a diploma
Diploma
A diploma is a certificate or deed issued by an educational institution, such as a university, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study or confers an academic degree. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the word diploma refers to...
in ELT, the Delta
DELTA (ELT)
The Delta is a professional qualification in English language teaching consisting of three modules awarded by Cambridge Assessment, formerly UCLES, a part of the University of Cambridge...
, which can be taken as a follow-up to the CELTA by those seeking further qualifications in the field.
In order to meet the UK government's criteria for teachers of ESOL in the Learning and Skills Sector (that is, adult education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
) in England and Wales, holders of CELTA need to undertake an additional qualification, known as CELTA module 2.
A similar qualification is the Certificate in English Language Training (CELT). This is awarded by the Irish Department of Education and Skills (formally the Dept. of Science), via the Advisory Council of English Language Schools (ACELS).
External links
- Advisory Council of English Language Schools website (includes details of accredited CELT courses)