CELTA
- Do you need to have teaching experience to enrol?
No, though if you do, it obviously helps you to cope with being in the ELT classroom. However, it's interesting to note that some past trainees who did have previous classroom experience (usually in other fields) have said that they sometimes felt it was more difficult for them because they had to "de-program" and "re-learn" quite a lot. The course assumes that the majority of trainees have no experience, so nothing to worry about!
- Do you really need to do a TEFL course in order to gain employment?
Most reputable schools, not only in Dubai, but also in the rest of the Middle East and in most other parts of the world, will expect their new teachers to be trained to teach English. The Cambridge CELTA is probably the most respected and well-known training course, and the one which the majority of people refer to when they ask "Have you got a teaching qualification?" or "Are you trained to teach English?"
The second consideration here is your own confidence. Starting to teach English is made a great deal easier if you have some idea of what you are doing, why you are doing it and how to go about teaching. The course gives you this confidence and means you can walk into a classroom feeling like a prepared teacher.
- What is the application / interview procedure?
The application procedure is as follows:
Complete the application forms and pre-interview task and email them back. You'll receive a message setting up a time for you to call us for an interview. After the interview, wait for an acceptance letter with details for making payment.
Payment: Four weeks before the course begins, or immediately if the interview is less than four weeks before the course. You can pay by credit card, cheque, cash or bank transfer. Our Admin department will be able to assist you with this.
- What does the interview consist of?
This usually lasts up to 30 minutes and we ask you some questions about you and your task. We also tell you about what you are letting yourself in for, ie. the course, and you can ask any questions you may have too!
The pre-interview task is not a test - obviously you don't know all the answers without having to think hard about them and even having to look them up in reference books (which is what teachers do all the time!) It's more a test of your attitude and instinctive approach to teaching, your inner resources and, where language is concerned, how you would react if a student asked you this type of question.
This gives us a good idea of your skills and qualities and therefore, of how you will respond to only four weeks of training - whether it will be enough to bring you up to pass standard and allow us to award you the Certificate.
- What level of English grammar is expected prior to enrolment?
Rather than "level", we prefer to look at it as "instinct". Our pre-interview task helps us to see whether you can instinctively analyse grammar, ie : whether you have a "feeling" for language so you can help students with their problems. Your learning of the grammar really takes place when you teach it, because you have to research it when planning a language lesson. But we also include some input sessions on the course to help you develop this area.
- What is the pre-course activity? How much time and preparation is involved?
The pre-course task involves about 12-15 hours of work. Although it isn't assessed or marked, it's very useful as initial preparation for the course, especially the sections on Language Awareness and Phonology.
DELTA
- Why has Delta been modularised?
The new modular version of Delta has been introduced to:
- create an accessible and modular form of Delta that will offer candidates flexible entry points
- enable candidates to achieve Delta in stages, over a period of time that can fit with career and other commitments
- provide Delta candidates the opportunity to include a focus on specialist teaching e.g. Teaching Young Learners, Teaching Business English
- encourage more flexible delivery, e.g. blended learning options
- allow individual modules to be taken as part of a programme of continuous professional development.
- Do I have to take all three modules?
No. Candidates may choose to enter a single module or any combination of modules. Each module is separately certificated so this will allow candidates to receive credit for each module successfully completed.
- Can the modules be taken in any order?
While candidates may choose to take the modules in any order, Modules Two and Three assume the candidate will have the knowledge and competences gained in the previous module(s) so for most candidates the most practical order will be from Module One through to Module Three.
- Do I have to complete all three modules within a specific time?
No. There is no time limit for the completion of all three modules.
Yes. There is no limit on the number of times a candidate may take a module.
- Do I have to take a course for each module?
Attendance on a course will only be necessary for Module Two so that practice can be directly assessed. Candidates can enter for Module One and Module Three without taking a course.
- Will I get an overall Delta qualification if I pass Delta Modules One, Two and Three?
Yes. Candidates are awarded a certificate for each Delta module they pass. Achievement of a Pass in all three modules confers the status of a full Delta qualification. An overall Delta certificate will be awarded to candidates who submit evidence of a Pass in all three modules.
Level 7.
- I have an MA in Linguistics and have taught EFL for many years but do not have the CELTA or Delta. I now want to take a Cambridge course: can I go straight to the Delta or do I need to take the CELTA first?
This would depend on the extent of your EFL teaching experience. You should contact the Delta centre of your choice and based on your CV they will be able to advise you on whether you are a suitable Delta candidate.
- Is there any upper age limit for someone applying to do the Delta course?
There is no age limit. You need to apply to a centre and they will consider your experience, and at interview will decide if you are a suitable candidate.
TKT
TKT is a test of professional knowledge about the teaching of English to speakers of other languages. It consists of three modules, each testing a different area of knowledge which teachers need. It does not test teaching ability or a teacher’s language proficiency.
- What level of language is needed to take TKT?
Although no English language qualification is required for candidates to take TKT, a level of English of at least Level B1 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is needed in order to access TKT. This level is specified in the Council of Europe’s Threshold document (Threshold 1990, J A van Ek & J L M Trim; Cambridge University Press August 1998). TKT candidates are also expected to be familiar with language relating to the practice of English Language Teaching (ELT). A non-exhaustive glossary of this language can be found in the TKT Glossary.
- Are there any support materials for TKT?
A coursebook called The TKT Course, published by Cambridge University Press in collaboration with Cambridge ESOL, is now widely available. This coursebook provides approximately 60-90 hours of classroom-based or self-access study, and includes practice tasks and tests.
- Is there a course component for TKT?
TKT is designed to offer maximum flexibility and accessibility for candidates and, therefore, does not include a compulsory course component or compulsory teaching practice. However, it is likely that centres and other institutions will wish to offer courses for TKT preparation and these may also include some teaching practice if desired.
TKT can be taken by teachers of English in primary, secondary or adult teaching contexts and is intended for an international audience of non-first language or first language teachers of English.
TKT can be taken at any stage in a teacher’s career, and is designed to be relevant to:
pre-service teachers
teachers who wish to refresh their teaching knowledge
teachers who are moving to English teaching after teaching another subject
teachers who have some experience of teaching English to speakers of other languages.
There are no specific entry requirements for TKT, e.g. previous teaching experience, teaching or language qualifications, and/or course requirements.
- What sources and text types feature in TKT?
Extracts, original or adapted, from various sources may appear in TKT, e.g. ELT coursebooks or supplementary materials or handbooks on English language teaching and learning.
- How are results reported?
Each module of TKT is free-standing and there is no aggregate score. Candidates will receive a certificate for each module they take. TKT is not a pass/fail test.
Candidate performance is reported using the four bands below:
Band and what a candidate at this level demonstrates:
1: limited knowledge of TKT content areas
2: basic, but systematic knowledge of TKT content areas
3: breadth and depth of knowledge of TKT content areas
4: extensive knowledge of TKT content areas
Results are issued in the form of certificates which are despatched to centres approximately two weeks after receipt of answer sheets by Cambridge ESOL.
YL Extension
- What are the key features of a CELTYL (YL Extension) course?
Courses are flexible to meet local needs and conditions but all courses provide:
• a combination of theory and practice
• a minimum of 106 (YL Extension 54) contact hours, e.g. input, supervised lesson planning, teaching practice and feedback, observation of peers and experienced teachers, and consultations with tutors
• 8 (YL Extension 6) hours’ observation of experienced teachers
• additional learning hours for reading, research, assignment writing and lesson preparation.
All courses require each candidate to submit a portfolio of work including written assignments and materials related to teaching practice.
- How is teaching practice organised?
You will teach for a total of 6 (YL Extension 4) hours, working with at least two groups of young learners of different ages and abilities. Assessment is based on your overall performance at the end of the course.
- Is there an upper age limit for applicants?
There is no upper age limit. All applicants are treated equally by centres.
- Can I teach in a state school with the CELTYL qualification?
CELTYL is a specialist qualification in the area of young learners in the language school context. To work in a state primary or secondary state school in the UK, you will need to do a PGCE (or equivalent). Most countries have very specific requirements for teachers working in the state sector. These tend to involve longer courses and include statutory requirements from ministries and departments of education.
- Is a PGCE/Diploma in TEFL equivalent to a CELTYL?
These courses are designed for different purposes and have different syllabuses. There is no direct equivalency.
- How can I get a job after obtaining CELTYL/YL Extension?
Cambridge ESOL does not have a list of vacancies. Your centre can tell you which educational newspapers and internet sites have details of vacancies. Some centres have their own job placement service.
- Does my CELTYL/YL Extension grade affect my applications for overseas work?
Most employers worldwide recruit CELTYL candidates with a Pass. Some centres may prefer a ‘B’ grade, but this is not the norm. The YL Extension is graded at Pass or Fail.
- Can I do a CELTYL/YL Extension course at a distance?
It is not possible to do a CELTYL/YL Extension course at a distance because of the continuously assessed teaching practice. You will need to do your course at one of our approved centres.
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