Job Discussion Forums

[MPOP]

thanks.

[dyak]

Clueless English Language Teaching Authorisation?

[denise]

It's an internationally-recognized EFL qualification, often the minimum requirement for jobs. There are training centers for it (and for other EFL certificates) around the globe.

d

[ls650]

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=CELTA

[Glenski]

The following is snipped from the book I mentioned at http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=21623

WHAT IS THE CELTA?
HOW DOES IT RELATE TO THE RSA-CAMBRIDGE C-TEFLA?
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The Cambridge Integrated Language Teaching Schemes' Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), like the RSA-Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (C-TEFLA), which it replaces, is one form of certification of ESL/EFL/ESOL teachers which was developed in England and has spread around the world. This program, and others like it, offer intensive, short-term instruction in basic methodology for individuals who would like to pursue ESL/EFL/ESOL teaching jobs. The course, offered by authorized centers located around the world, covers 100 classroom hours as well as additional supervised teaching practice, in an intensive, hands-on program, with actual classroom teaching practice.

There is also a Trinity College Certificate which is widely well-received. There are about 50 centers in the U.K. which offer the Trinity Certificate.

The (fairly significant) difference between the CTEFLA and Trinity College qualifications is in the nature of the external assessment. Trinity doesn't have any, and while some centers are undoubtedly very good, a certificate from one center may carry much less "value" than from another.Cambridge/UCLES operates a system of course assessors who ensure that training standards on all courses remain at a similar level.

Additionally, there are a number of independent schools which offer their own versions of these programs, both in the U.K. and in the U.S.


HOW DOES THE C-TEFLA COMPARE WITH THE MA-TESL?
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Well, to start, the C-TEFLA is a certificate program commonly administered by private educational training centers, whereas the MA-TESL is a full masters' degree program offered by universities. The C-TEFLA takes approximately one to three months to complete, while the MA-TESL takes one to two years, commonly.

The MA-TESL is recognized and sought by most university-level ESL/EFL/ESOL programs in the U.S. and around the world. The C-TEFLA seems to be mostly valued by private ESL/EFL/ESOL schools in Europe and some other locations around the world. According to one source, it is also considered a plus in combination with an MA-TESL in British universities.

There's also, of course, the cost factor. The C-TEFLA costs just under $2000 in most schools in the U.S. (as of July, 1995). There are some places in the world where it is available at a substantially lower rate. The MA-TESL runs many thousands of dollars, or whatever other currency you would be using.


WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES (IF ANY) TO HAVING THE RSA-CAMBRIDGE C-TEFLA?
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If you have a bachelor's degree from a university in the U.S., the U.K., Ireland, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand or Canada (or any other country widely recognized as being an English-speaking country -- sorry but we're not talking world Englishes here), and you are a native English speaker, you can probably get a job teaching English in any number of places. So, why get the C-TEFLA?

Well, for starters, if you've never taught before, it's always good to have someone show you how to do it, let you practice, tell you about possible problems and ways to handle them, suggest materials, teach you some handy techniques, and tell you a bit about methodology before you actually go in front of those bright faces of your students on that first day. You're still going to have first-day jitters, but having had the opportunity to practice teach, and having a reasonable idea of how to do what you have to do will definitely take the edge off of those jitters and make you a more confident and effective teacher.

Aside from the practical teaching aspect, there is the employment issue. The British Council accepts the RSA-Cambridge certificate as professional qualification for teaching positions. So, if you have this sort of certificate/qualification, you can apply for positions through the British Council, which has offices all over the world. Many schools in Europe and other parts of the world find the RSA-Cambridge certificate very desirable -- it might give you an advantage in a competitive situation.

According to the British Council, the cost of a certificate course is between #400-#1000, depending on the institution and duration of the course. The BATQI register provides details on institutions which offer certificate courses.

(See the Glossary at the end of Part One for descriptions of acronyms. See Part Three for organization addresses.)
)

WHERE CAN ONE FIND OUT ABOUT C-TEFLA PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD?
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Some RSA/Cambridge CTEFLA Schools in the USA

Center for English Studies Coast Language Academy
330 7th Avenue 200 SW Marret St
New York, NY, USA Suite 111
Tel:212-620-0760 Portland Oregon, USA
Tel:503-224-1960

English International St Giles Language Teaching
Centre
655 Sutter St (Suite 500) 1 Hallidie Plaza (Suite 530)
San Francisco CA 94108, USA San Francisco CA 94123,
USA
Tel 415-749-5633 415-788-3552

Coast Language Academy Georgetown University
501 Santa Monica Boulevard 3607 O St NW
Suite 403 Washington DC 20007, USA
Santa Monica CA 90401, USA 202-687-4400
Tel 310-394-8618

Oxford House College Eurolink Training Centres
3 Oxford St. 3, Abbeydale Rd. South
London, W1, England Sheffield S7 2QL, England
0171-734-3889 0114-262-1522
fax: 0114-236-0774
note: Eurolink apparently
also offers a Certificate
by distance education

The Bell Schools Pilgrims
The Bell Educational Trust 8 Vernon Place
Hillcross, Red Cross Lane Canterbury, Kent CT1 3HG
Cambridge CB2 1QX, England Tel: 01227-76211
Tel: 01223-212333 Fax: 01227-459027
Fax: 01223-410282

The College of St. Mark and St. John The Edinburgh Language
EFL Programme Foundation
International Education Centre 11 Great Stuart Street
Derriford Road Edinburgh, EH3 7TS
Plymouuth, Devon, PL6SBH, U.K. Scotland
Tel: 01752-761121 Tel: 0131-2258786
Fax: 01752-751102 Fax:0131-2203902

The Institute for English Language The Language Centre Education of Ireland
The Courses Secretary 9-11 Grafton Street
Lonsdale College Dublin, 2, Ireland
Lancashire, U.K. Tel: 353-1-716266
Tel: 01524-65201 Fax:353-1-716430
Fax: 01524-844835

Grove House Language Centre
Carlton Avenue
Dartford, Kent, DA9 9DR, U.K.
Tel: 01322-386626
Fax: 01322-386347


The RSA/Cambridge Certificate TEFLA syllabus, and the list of approved training centers in the U.K. and abroad can be obtained from:
University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES)
Syndicate Buildings,
1 Hills Road
Cambridge CB1 2EU, England.
Tel 44-1223- 553311
Fax 44-1223- 460278


The British Council issues an information packet for prospective EFL teachers, which lists all accredited Teacher Training Centers for both the Cambridge and Trinity College qualifications. The British Council has a series of English Studies Information Sheets (ESIS), which list courses available at different levels. The English Language and Literature Department of the British Council also produces a booklet called, "Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: Opportunities for Professional Development. All of this information is available free of charge directly from the British Council:
The British Council
Medlock Street
Manchester M15 4AA
Telephone 0161-957 7109
Fax 0161-957 7106
WWW: http://www.open.gov.uk/bc/eistchef.html


You also may want to check their very informative page on the web:
<http://www.open.gov.uk/bc/bcchom01.html>


There is also a chain of training centers, called International Language Centres Group (International House,)which has affiliates all over the world. You can get information by writing to:
International House
106 Piccadilly,
London, W1V 9FL, England
email: [email protected]
or via the International House-ILC Group website:
http://www.ilcgroup.com/home.html

There is a magazine called TRANSITIONS ABROAD, in which C-TEFLA programs around the U.S. regularly advertise. TA also publishes a guide to teaching opportunities abroad, with information on training organizations. TA can be contacted at:

Transitions Abroad
18 Hulst Rd.
Amherst, MA 01004-1300
USA



WHAT IS THE CAMBRIDGE CELTA?
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(This information has been taken from the University of Cambridge's CELTA information page on the WWW.)

The Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults is designed as an introductory course for candidates who have little or no previous experience of teaching languages. It has been developed within the new Cambridge Integrated Language Teaching Schemes framework and will replace the existing CTEFLA award. It is being piloted prior to its introduction in the Autumn of 1996. It draws heavily upon the experience of tutors and centres working with the current scheme, and represents a development of the best of current practice.

AIMS
The Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults is designed as an introductory course for candidates who have little or no previous experience of teaching languages. Specifically, the Certificate is designed to enable candidates to:
1. Develop an awareness of language and a knowledge of the description of English and apply these in their professional practice;
2. Develop an initial understanding of the contexts within which adults learn English as a foreign language, their motivations and the roles of the teacher and the learner;
3. Develop familiarity with the principles and practice of effective teaching to adult learners of English;
4. Develop basic skills for teaching adults in the language classroom;
5. Develop familiarity with appropriate resources and materials for use with adult EFL learners for teaching, testing and for reference;
6. Identify opportunities for their own future development as professionals in the field.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must be at least 20 years old at the start of the course; have a standard of education which would allow entry to Higher Education in their country (usually the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree; be competent enough in both written and spoken English to follow the course and complete all the assessed elements successfully.
Course Length
Certificate courses have the following minimum length:
* 100 contact hours between candidates and course tutors;
* 6 hours supervised practice teaching observed by a course tutor;
* 8 hours directed observation of live lessons.

SYLLABUS OVERVIEW
The CELTA course covers six topics: Language awareness; the learner, the teacher and the teaching / learning context; planning for the effective teaching of English to adult learners; classroom management and teaching skills for teaching English to adult learners; resources and materials for teaching English to adult learners; and professional development for teachers of English to adult learners

[MPOP]

Thanks a lot to everyone who advised me. I am hoping it won't be necessary in Moldova...

MPOP

[Deconstructor]