Cambridge ESOL Certificate in English Language Teaching - CELTA

'After 10 years of training courses, seminars etc. I can honestly say that this course has been the most useful, relevant, well-structured and motivating ! An excellent basis for anybody wanting to go into teaching English.'
Victoria, September 2002

More quotes from past trainees & To see some CELTA pictures

Aims of the course

To provide an initial training scheme for those new to the profession and also for those teachers with experience but little formal training. The course programme is designed to enable candidates to:

• Develop an awareness of language and a knowledge of the description of English and apply these in professional practice.
• Develop an initial understanding of the contexts within which adults learn English, their motivations and the roles of the teacher and the learner.
• Develop familiarity with the principles and practice of effective teaching to adult learners of English.
• Develop basic skills for teaching adults in the language classroom.
• Develop familiarity with appropriate resources and materials for use with adult learners of English for teaching, testing and referencing.
• Identify opportunities for their own future development in the field.

A very practical course which combines both input and teaching practice.

Entry Requirements
To have an awareness of language and a competence in English, both written and spoken, that enables candidates to follow the course. To be at least 18 years of age at the start of the course and to have a good standard of education.

Application procedure
Applicants should fill in an application form & complete the pre-interview tasks. This is then followed by an informal interview either face-to-face or over the phone.

To apply please download the forms in Word to email back to us. Both the application form & the pre-interview tasks need completing.

Course Mode
The Certificate is offered every month on a full-time basis and termly on a part-time basis. The full-time course is extremely intensive and candidates should be prepared to devote the whole month to the course.

The part-time course usually takes place three mornings a week for ten weeks. This allows participants to work and follow the course at the same time.

Course Description
A comprehensive booklet of tasks and reading is issued as essential preparation for the course. Participants are required to buy 'Practical English Usage' by M. Swan (Oxford) and 'The Practice of English Language Teaching' by J. Harmer (Longman) to accompany the booklet.

The seminar sessions and workshops look at language systems (grammatical, phonological, lexical and discourse systems), classroom management, ways of introducing language, the development of the four major skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing), the role of feedback, the planning stages, the use of audiovisual aids, factors that affect learning, roles of the teacher, materials evaluation, the teaching of different levels, testing and the use of drama. Although not strictly part of the syllabus we do offer sessions on teaching the younger learner and teaching business classes.

To see a sample timetable & teaching practice breakdown.
And a mindmap overview of the full-time course.

The teaching practice runs hand in hand with the seminar sessions. Over the course each participant teaches for varying lengths of time, from 20 to 75 minutes, for a minimum total of six hours to groups of Spanish learners at two or three different levels. Feedback is usually delayed to the following morning (i.e. there is time given to reflect and evaluate the lesson before discussing it). Feedback is both oral and written.

Outside of the course hours participants are required to complete several written assignments, prepare their teaching practice lessons and observe experienced teachers at the British Language Centre.

For some advice on dealing with the course.

Pre-course booklet - The BLC issues our own pre-course booklet upon successful application, in conjunction with the one provided by UCLES.

To download the UCLES pre-course booklet of work. (pdf. - 2.74Mb)
And the Answer Key

Cambridge Guidelines
We have made the Cambridge Guidelines available if you wish to view them.
Cambridge ESOL Guidelines - pdf

Madrid - some information & links for your stay in Madrid

Reading
There are some books which are an essential part of the course, these are listed in the reading list along with other recommended books in the field.

Assessment
The course is continually assessed on three main areas; progress in teaching practice, the written assignments and professional development. Upon successful completion the internationally recognised Cambridge Certificate is awarded together with a progress report from the course tutors.
We have been running CELTA courses since 1989 & the pass rate at the BLC is very high. (BLC authorisation at the Cambridge ESOL site)

Click on an image to see larger

Accommodation
We can arrange for participants to stay in a room in a shared flat for the duration of the course. The rent for this is 400 euros per month. There is also a 30 euros accommodation fee. Payment for accommodation is expected at the same time as the course fees.

COURSE DATES & FEES 2011>2012

Full-time CELTA courses

2011

October
Monday 3rd October > Friday 28th October
November
Monday 7th November > Friday 2nd December

Part-time CELTA courses 2011
Monday, Wednesday (10.30 - 14.30) & Fridays (10.30 - 15.00)

Monday 10th October > Friday 16th December

2012
January
Monday 9th January > Friday 3rd February
February
Monday 6th February > Friday 2nd March
March
Monday 5th March > Friday 30th March
April
Monday 9th April > Friday 4th May
June
Monday 4th June > Friday 29th June
July
Monday 2nd July > Friday 27th July
August
Monday 30th July > Friday 24th August
September
Monday 3rd September > Friday 28th September
October
Monday 1st October > Friday 26th October
November
Monday 5th November > Friday 30th November

Part-time CELTA courses 2012
Monday, Wednesday (10.30 - 14.30) & Fridays (10.30 - 15.00)

Monday 9th January > Friday 30th March
Monday 9th April > Friday 29th June
Monday 8th October > Wednesday 19th December

Fees:
2011 & 2012: 1500 euros (includes the Camb. entry)
3 month early application fee: 100 euros discount
2 month early application fee:   50 euros discount
Special fees for Gap Year Students

Payment: Successful applicants are required to pay a deposit of 600 euros after the interview to reserve a place. The remainder of the fees are to be paid at least a month in advance of the course.

Bank details for transfers:
Account holders: British Language Centre
Bank: Caja Madrid
Bank address: Plaza de Castilla 3, 28046 Madrid Spain
Account number: 6000396419
Bank number: 2038
Branch code: 1742
Digital code: 23
Swift code: CAHMESMM
International bank code: ES33

On most bank forms the numbers fall in the following order:
ES33-2038-1742-23-6000396419