CELTA (TEFL) in Cape Town, South Africa

• CELTA is internationally recognised.
• CELTA is an essential qualification for entering the field of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).
• CELTA is the best known and most widely taken qualification in the field of English language teaching to adults. The course is designed and closely monitored by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations; and on passing the course, trainees receive a certificate from Cambridge, as well as a report from the centre detailing the trainees’ areas of strength and weakness.
• The course is both practical and theoretical with extensive, closely supervised teaching practice followed by both written and oral feedback.
• Trainers are highly qualified and experienced, and approved by Cambridge.

General Information

It is a 4 week course, with a very practical approach. A solid grounding is provided in teaching skills and techniques. Emphasis is placed on developing awareness and sensitivity to student needs and also on your general language awareness.

There is a maximum of 12 trainees per course, divided into two Teaching Practice (TP) groups, with a maximum of 6 trainees per TP group.

Breakdown of course content

There are four elements:

1. Input sessions

This includes, for example:

• Lesson planning.
• Classroom Management.
• Methodology and lesson frameworks.
• Language analysis from the perspective of a foreign learner.

Sessions are conducted using the learner-centred methodology that is encouraged in teaching practice, and in these sessions tutors model teaching techniques and concepts.

2. Teaching Practice

Trainees do 6 hours (about 9 or 10 lessons) of assessed teaching practice over the four weeks. This is a key part of the course. The trainees split into smaller groups and teach foreign volunteer students, who often have refugee status. Trainees receive guidance from the tutors in planning their lessons, and after the lessons there is a group feedback session, with oral feedback from other trainees and the tutor. The tutor also gives detailed written feedback on the lesson.

3. Observation of experienced teachers

Trainees observe a minimum of 6 hours of lessons taught by experienced, CELTA qualified teachers. Up to three of these may be guided video observation. This is an opportunity to observe a range of teaching styles and techniques as well as a range of teaching contexts.

4. Written assignments

Based on input and teaching sessions, these are a very practical assimilation tool, which reinforce skills and knowledge development.

You need not have a teaching qualification or experience, but 

Trainees should:

• Be 18 or older at the start of the course.
• Have a Matric pass (or equivalent leaving school certificate) which would enable entrance into tertiary level education.
• Have a good level of awareness and proficiency in the English language.
• Be willing and able to cope with the intensity of the course.

Interested candidates are required to complete a pre-interview task, and may then be invited to attend an interview, at which the candidate will immediately be told whether or not he/she has been accepted onto the course. The interview allows the centre to determine the candidate’s potential to pass the course and allows candidates to get a clearer idea of what the course involves.