In-sessional, Teacher training and Summer programme
Academic year programmes
Teacher training
Summer programmes
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
*Please note that this year’s CELTA course is now full. So we are no longer accepting applications.*
The University of Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) is an internationally recognised qualification, which is the minimum for entry into the profession, enabling you to obtain a teaching position either abroad or in this country.
The CELTA course runs as part of the Summer Programme at the Centre for English Language and Foundation Studies and is open to both University of Bristol students and members of the public. Applicants are not required to be native speakers of English, but do need to have a minimum of C1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Language proficiency is also assessed both on the pre-interview task as well as at interview.
Content
CELTA is a practically-oriented four-week training course involving 100 contact hours divided into class input, tutorial support, supervised lesson planning, feedback and peer observation. In addition there are six hours of assessed teaching practice with groups of foreign students and supervised by a course tutor. There is also a requirement of eight hours of directed observation of lessons taught by experienced ELT professionals.
The timetable is structured so that there is class input in the mornings, followed by teaching practice in the afternoons and lesson preparation and assignments to complete in the evenings.
The course is an extremely intensive one, with four written assignments to be completed during the four weeks. All participants are also required to complete a portfolio for assessment consisting of lesson plans, tutor feedback, self-evaluations and records of progress. There is no final examination; assessment is continuous and integrated and is based on class participation, teaching practice, assignments and professional development.
On successful completion of the course, trainees gain an internationally recognised initial teaching qualification in English as a foreign language (EFL) with a Grade A, B or Pass mark.
Syllabus
Specifically, the course is designed to enable participants to:
- Develop an awareness of language and a knowledge of the description of English and apply these in their 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 for reference
- Identify opportunities for their own future development as professionals in the field
A more detailed copy of the syllabus, together with a reading list and the pre-course task will be provided on being accepted on the course.
Note: some of the documents on this page are in PDF format. In order to view a PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader