Courses leading to the Cambridge Certificate in English
Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)
The Centre
Cheltenham International Language Centre (known as CILC) is a British Council recognised
provider of courses in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and Teaching English as a
Foreign Language (TEFL). Part of the University of Gloucestershire, the centre has been
running TEFL courses since the 1980’s.
Based on the attractive Park campus, the centre is home to both international students and
trainee teachers. Excellent facilities include:
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library
computer suites (including access to the Internet)
access to the university’s careers management centre
sports facilities
refectory
Although part of a University, the centre prides itself on its friendly, relaxed atmosphere and
the excellent support offered to students and trainees by the centre staff.
Self-catering or homestay accommodation can be arranged as required.
The Course
The Cambridge CELTA is an internationally recognised pre service qualification. The course is
designed for those with little or no experience of English Language teaching.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must:
 be at least 20 years old before the start of the course
 have a formal qualification/standard of education which would allow entry to Higher
Education in their country
 have an awareness of language and a competence in English, both written and spoken,
that enables them to undertake the course
In addition the centre must satisfy itself that:
 the course is suitable for applicants in terms of their experience, background and their
career plans
 applicants have the potential to develop the necessary skills to become effective teachers
and to successfully complete the written assignments and the assessment of teaching
practice.
 applicants are able to attend the whole course
Interview Session
In order to satisfy the entry requirements, applicants are accepted on the course after
attending a group interview session. This consists of the following:
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a brief introduction to the course
a language awareness task
a group discussion task
a short teaching practice session of an item of the applicant’s choice (prepared
beforehand).
The outcome of the interview session is sent by post within four working days. Applicants are
asked to indicate whether they intend to accept the offer by a certain date. A non-refundable
deposit is also required.
Acceptance on to a course is open i.e. it is not related to a specific course. However,
applicants who apply for a course more than six months in advance will be asked to sign a
statement before the course starts that their circumstances at the interview date have not
changed.
Overseas applicants are welcomed. Overseas applicants unable to attend an interview
session will be sent an extended written task and may be contacted by telephone.
Course Requirements
Candidates are required to:
 attend the whole course
 practice teach classes of adult learners (16 +) at a minimum of two levels for a total of 6
hours
 observe experienced teachers teaching classes of adult learners for a total of six hours
 maintain and submit an assessment file (portfolio) of all course work including all written
assignments and materials related to teaching
Course Syllabus
The course follows the Cambridge syllabus and includes the following areas:
 learners and teachers, and the teaching and learning contest
 language analysis and awareness
 language skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing
 planning and resources for different teaching contexts
 developing teaching skills and professionalism
Course Assessment
Assessment is continuous and integrated.
Continuous means that:
 assessment takes place throughout the course
Integrated means that:
 each assessed component contributes to the overall grade
 any one assessed component can cover a number of topics and objectives in the syllabus
In addition each course is externally moderated by a CELTA assessor who visits the centre for
one day of the course, examines the candidates’ assessment files and observes teaching
practice.
There are two components of assessment:
1. Teaching practice
By the end of the six hours of assessed teaching practice candidates should have
demonstrated successful achievement of all teaching practice criteria.
2. Written assignments
There are four written assignments in total:
 One assignment (which is divided into sections) involves work on the language system of
English
 One assignment involves reflection on classroom teaching and the identification of action
points
 Two assignments explore aspects of the teaching and learning of English at adult level
through a focus on adult learners and teaching contexts and an analysis of learning /
teaching materials
Assignments vary in length and style but the total amount of assessed written work should not
be less than a total of 3000 words.
Support and guidance is given prior to the submission of written work as are assessment
criteria. Oral and written feedback are given and written work is discussed in the progress
tutorials.
Any written assignment which fails to meet the specified assessment criteria may be
resubmitted on one occasion only.
Detailed criteria for these areas are given to all candidates at the beginning of the course and
reference is made to these criteria throughout the course and in progress tutorials.
Grades of Award
The certificate is awarded to candidates who meet the course requirements and whose
performance consistently meets, or exceeds, the criteria in both assessment components.
A Pass is awarded to all candidates whose performance overall in the teaching practice and
on the written assignments meets the specified criteria.
A Pass (Grade B) is awarded to candidates whose performance on the written assignments
meets the specified criteria and who have demonstrated in their teaching practice a level of
achievement significantly higher than that required to meet pass level criteria in relation to:
 classroom teaching skills
A Pass (Grade A) is awarded to candidates whose performance on the written assignments
meets the specified criteria and who have demonstrated in their teaching practice a level of
achievement significantly higher than that required to meet pass level criteria in relation to:
 planning for effective teaching
 classroom teaching skills
 awareness of teaching and learning processes
Candidates who fail to meet criteria in some or all assessed components will be awarded a
Fail.
Course Timetable
The five week course consists of approximately 120 hours of study from 9.30 to 5.00
approximately.
Input sessions on methodology, language awareness and phonology take place in the
morning as do the 6 hours of classroom observation of experienced teaching staff and the
individual progress tutorials.
The 6 hours of assessed teaching practice (T.P.) take place in the afternoon as do peer
observation, teaching practice feedback and teaching practice guidance.
In addition to the syllabus overview outlined previously, the extended length of the course
allows the timetable to include input sessions on more specialised areas of teaching including:
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Young learners
Business English
Beginners
Advanced classes
Monolingual classes
Examination classes
Teaching Practice (T.P.)
The centre accepts eight candidates. Candidates are divided into T.P. groups of four.
Teaching practice takes place at two levels (Pre-Intermediate and Upper Intermediate).
T.P begins on day four of the course and is structured in the following way:
T.P groups are assigned a level and given T.P. points and materials. These are discussed
with the observing tutor the day prior to teaching (T.P Guidance). At the beginning of the
course T.P points are very full to provide candidates with the necessary support, but the points
become less full as the course and the candidates progress.
Candidates teach a range of lesson types (grammar, vocabulary, listening etc.) and lengths
(from 15 - 45 minutes).
Candidates are given written and oral feed back on all lessons and are expected to give oral
feedback on their peers’ lessons using a range of observation tasks provided by the tutors.
Results
Results and certificates are issued by Cambridge (via the centre) one month after completion
of the course. In the interim CILC can provide an open reference for use at interviews. Tutors
are also able to give references over the telephone.
Although the centre does not act as a recruitment agency, it does regularly receive
correspondence regarding job opportunities overseas. As part of the centre’s commitment to
training at pre service level seasonal work may also be available at the centre. There is a jobs
talk at the end of the course and candidates are able to use the University’s career
management service.
Application Procedure
Please complete the enclosed application form as fully as possible (The centre regrets that
CV’s can not be processed) and send it to the following address:
CELTA Administrator
Cheltenham International Language Centre
Cornerways
The Park
Cheltenham
Glos, GL50 2RH
The University is committed to being a community in which equality of opportunity is a reality for
students and staff. No member or prospective member of the university community will receive unfair or
unlawful treatment due to race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion, creed, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, or disability, nor face unwarranted discrimination on the grounds of age.
Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
Cambridge CELTA
Course Fees and Dates 2009
Course
Code
CE/01/09
CE/02/09
CE/03/09
Full/Part
Time
F/T
F/T
F/T
Proposed Course Dates
Course Fee
12/1/2009 – 13/2/2009
11/5/2009- 12/6/2009
21/9/2009- 23/10/2009
£1095.00
£1095.00
£1095.00
Accommodation Fees
Accommodation Type
Homestay
Self catering in house
Cost per week
£120
from £75
Once accepted on a course a non-refundable course deposit is required. All courses are
subject to minimum enrolment numbers. The University reserves the right to adjust, alter or
cancel courses. If a course is cancelled the University will return the fee already paid.