Syllabus and assessment

There is no final examination but you are assessed by your tutors throughout the course. You are required to maintain and submit a portfolio of course work including materials related to teaching practice and four written assignments.
There are two areas of assessment:

1. Teaching practice

You will teach for a total of 6 hours, working with classes at two levels of ability (e.g. pre-intermediate/upper intermediate). Assessment is based on your overall abilities in the classroom during the 6 hours of teaching practice.

2. Written assignments

You will complete four written assignments focusing on:
- Learning about your learners
- The English language- analysing grammar and vocabulary
- Language skills
- Reflecting on your Teaching Practice
Course Length is 120 contact hours.

What you get

All successful candidates are awarded a Cambridge CELTA Certificate validated by Cambridge English Language Assessment, part of the University of Cambridge. Successful candidates receive one of three grades: Pass; Pass B; Pass A.

Course Content

The syllabus includes a focus on:
- Language awareness
- The learner, the teacher and the teaching/learning context
- Planning for effective teaching of adult learners
- Classroom management and teaching skills
- Resources and materials
- Professional development
Interested in knowing more about the syllabus? Here’s some detail on each area.

Interested in knowing more about the syllabus? Here’s some detail on each area.

1. Language awareness

- Basic concepts and terminology used in ELT for describing form and meaning in language and language use.
- Basic concepts and terminology used for describing language skills and sub-skills.
- Language description and syllabus design for the teaching of general English to adults.
- The practical significance of similarities and differences between languages.
- Reference materials for language awareness.

2. The learner, the teacher and the teaching / learning context

- The adult learner’s educational background and traditions.
- The context for learning and teaching English at adult level.
- Different motivations for learning English as an adult.
- Different learning and teaching styles at adult level.

3. Planning for effective teaching of adult learners of English

- The principles of planning for effective teaching of adult learners of English.
- The practical realities of planning for effective teaching of adult learners of English.
- The selection and evaluation of appropriate materials and resources for specific lessons.
- The selection and evaluation of appropriate exercise types, activity types, and tasks, for specific lessons.
- The evaluation of lesson preparation.

4. Classroom management and teaching skills for teaching English to adults

- The effective organisation of the classroom.
- Classroom presence and control.
- Teacher and learner language.
- The use of teaching materials and resources.
- Practical skills for teaching at a range of levels.
- The monitoring and evaluation of adult learners.
- The evaluation of classroom management and teaching skills.

5. Resources and materials for teaching English to adults

- Commercially produced resources and materials for teaching English to adults.
- Non-published resources and materials for teaching English to adults.
- The selection and evaluation of resources and materials for use in teaching, and testing adult learners of English, and for reference.
- The adaptation of resources and materials for specific groups of adult learners of English.

6. Professional development for teachers of English to adults

- Self assessment: understanding weaknesses and developing strengths.
- Working in context: preparing to become a teacher, colleague and employee.
- Professional development: support systems, publications, and courses for teaching English to adults.