CELTA: Ағылшын тілін оқытуға арналған халықаралық сертификат

CELTA is an initial teacher training qualification for teaching English as a second or foreign language (ESL and EFL). It is provided by Cambridge Assessment English through authorised Cambridge English Teaching Qualification centres and can be taken either full time or part time. CELTA was developed to be suitable both for those interested in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and for Teaching English to the Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The full name of the course was originally the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults and is still referred to in this way by some course providers. However, in 2011 the qualification title was amended on the Ofqual register to the Cambridge English Level 5 Certificate In Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) in order to reflect the wider range of students that teachers might have, including younger learners. CELTA is designed for candidates with little or no previous English language teaching (ELT) experience. It is also taken by candidates with some teaching experience who have received little practical teacher training or who wish to gain internationally recognised qualification. Candidates should have English language skills equivalent to at least C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) or an IELTS score of 7. CELTA gives equal emphasis to theory and practice. The strong practical element demonstrates to employers that successful candidates have the skills to succeed in the classroom. Courses can be taken full time or part time through one of three modes of delivery: fully face to face, in a blended format that combines on line self study with practical teaching experience, or fully online, with teaching practice and input all being delivered online through a video conferencing platform such as Zoom. A full time, face to face course typically lasts between four and five weeks. CELTA is a continuous assessment course (i. e. participants are assessed throughout the course) leading to a certificate qualification. Candidates who successfully complete the course can start working in a variety of English language teaching contexts around the world. CELTA is regulated at Level 5 of the Qualifications and Credit Framework for England, Wales and N. Ireland and is suitable for teachers at Foundation and Developing level on the Cambridge English Teaching Framework.

A certificate course for the teaching of English as a foreign language (TEFL) originated in International House London in 1962 and was run from the 1970s until 1988 by the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). The 100 hour course at International House led to the RSA Preparatory Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults (RSA PrepCertTEFLA). In 1988, Cambridge English Language Assessment (then known as the University of Cambridge Local Exam Syndicate or UCLES) reached an agreement with the RSA to take over the running of training courses for teachers of English as a foreign language (TEFL). The qualification was amended in response to perceived needs, leading to the launch in September 1988 of the CTEFLA (the Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults). By 1996, the CTEFLA became the RSA/Cambridge CELTA and in 2001 it was known simply as Cambridge CELTA. In 2011, Cambridge English Language Assessment and IH London co operated to launch a jointly produced online blended CELTA course: CELTA Online.

CELTA focuses on teaching adult learners, but many of the skills and techniques apply to teaching young learners as well. Candidates who plan to teach mainly young learners could take the Young Learner Extension to CELTA, after completing Celta until 2010 when Young Learner Extension ceased to exist.

CELTA is suitable for candidates who are beginning their career and experienced teachers who have received little practical teacher training or who wish to gain an international certification of their ELT skills. Teachers who already have an initial teacher training qualification, and who have at least one year’s English Language Teaching experience, may be more suited to another qualification such as Delta. Applicants are asked to complete a written task. The task will focus on language awareness and consideration of issues related to teaching English. If the written task demonstrates an appropriate level of English and the potential to develop the skills needed to pass the course, the applicant will be invited to an interview.

CELTA Online is provided by Cambridge English Language Assessment in partnership with International House, London. It provides a flexible manner of obtaining CELTA by combining online self study with face to face teaching practice. The online materials can be accessed at any time allowing students to plan their course work around other professional / personal commitments. The online course is conducted over a minimum of ten weeks and maximum of an academic year. Each online course has a minimum of three and a maximum of 24 candidates. The online self study units have interactive materials, tasks and discussion forums. Candidates work independently or collaboratively on these tasks with support, evaluation and comment from an online tutor. The teaching practice elements of the course take place at an authorised teaching qualification centre with face to face contact. Candidates teach for a total of six hours (spread over a minimum of eight occasions) with peers observing.

The Young Learner (YL) Extension to CELTA was aimed at teachers who had gained the CELTA certificate and wished to build on the content of CELTA to teach young learners (i. e. children and teenagers). The YL Extension to CELTA was normally taught full time over the course of two weeks.

Candidates accepted on to a CELTA course are provided with a reading list of suitable materials and a pre course task. The pre course task is an introduction to English language teaching, which provides candidates with information about methodology and language analysis. Additionally, candidates receive access to Cambridge English Teacher where further materials and professional development courses can be accessed. It is an online resource that supports career development by providing short courses, webinars with experts, articles and videos, teaching resources, a global network of thousands of teachers, a Jobs Board and a calendar of events (online and face to face).