International House Sydney now offers the CELTA course in

conjunction with the University of Sydney! Please click here

for more information.

Frequently Asked questions

What is the Cambridge CELTA?

Certified by the University of Cambridge the CELTA course is the most internationally recognised TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate available.  Offered since the 1960s and taught in over 50 countries, the CELTA is an industry benchmark for those wanting to teach English in Australia or overseas. 

Highly practical in nature, the course provides participants not only with an understanding of communicative teaching methodologies and language, but also the opportunity to put these into practice by teaching real classes. Offered face-to-face as a 4 week full-time or a 10 week part-time course you will gain the confidence and ability to plan and teach independently. 

Who is it designed for?

CELTA is for native or near native English speakers who want to turn their interest and enthusiasm for language, travel and other cultures into a career or unique travel experience. 

Click here to listen to one of our trainers talking about the course.

Am I eligible to do the course?

Applicants must:

• be 18 years old or over
• have a standard of education required for entry into higher education
• have an awareness of language, and a competence in both written and spoken English ( NB: Non-native speakers with an overall IELTS 7.5, TOEFL 625 or TOEIC 950)

A pre-course interview will assess your potential to develop the skills required to pass the course.

Do you need teaching experience to do the CELTA?

Teaching experience is not required to do the CELTA. However, the course is often completed by teachers who want to formalise their teaching experience with an internationally recognised qualification.

How long is the course?

We offer:

• a 4 week full-time course

or

• a 10 week part-time course

Should I do the full-time or the part-time course?

Consider the full-time if:

• you have no other commitments at the same time ( e.g. work, study)
• you prefer to process information quickly
• you have a small time-frame to do the course

 Consider the part-time if:

• you have other commitments at the same time ( e.g. work, study)
• you prefer have more time to process information
• you have a small time-frame to do the course

Whether you choose the full-time or part-time format, the CELTA course is a very intensive, practical course that requires candidates to work well under pressure.

What are the dates for the full-time course?

We have a course starting every month:

What's the timetable like for the full-time course?

 Sample daily timetable (full-time course)

What are the dates for the part-time course?

What's the timetable on the part-time course like?

What does the CELTA course involve?

120 timetabled hours which include:

• input sessions which explore teaching methodologies: how to teach speaking, writing, reading, grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and function; how to analyse language; teaching adults in a variety of contexts; lesson planning; how to adapt and create classroom materials; factors affecting motivation, cultural backgrounds and learning styles
• teaching practice preparation
• six hours of assessed teaching practice with real classes
• detailed oral and written feedback of your teaching practice
• six hours observing lessons taught by experienced teachers

and a minimum of 120 hours self-study at home for lesson preparation, assignments and course-reading.

See How we teach TESOL for a detailed explanation of each component.

Further detail is available on the University of Cambridge ESOL website.

How will I be assessed on the course?

You are assessed throughout the course on your:

• 6 hours of teaching practice (lesson planning, classroom teaching and self-evaluation)
• 4 written assignments (word-count 750-1000 words each), and 
• overall professionalism

There is no final examination.

Your performance is measured against criteria which you achieve to pass the course. Possible grades are Pass, Pass B, Pass A.

Here are the CELTA grades at IH Sydney - Teacher Training Centre, 2011

• 65%   Pass
• 28%   Pass B
• 5%     Pass A
• 2%     Withdrawn/ Fail

Can I fail the course?

Yes, if your teaching practice and written assignments do not achieve the set criteria. Last year 2% of people at IH failed or withdrew from the course.

How will I know how I'm doing on the course?

After every teaching practice lesson, you get oral and written feedback from your trainer. You will also have tutorials with your trainer during the course, which will highlight what you need to work on to maximise your potential on the course.

How many people will be on the course with me?

The CELTA is offered on a training ratio of one trainer to six trainees. On average, courses run with 12 trainees ( two trainers).

Who will teach me?

You will be observed by different trainers at the two different levels. This is to make sure that feedback is standardised and that you benefit from their wide teaching experience. 

All of our trainers are:

• accredited by the University of Cambridge
• post-graduate industry qualified
• experienced teacher trainers with an average of 12 years experience.

Please see our TESOL trainer profiles – the breadth of their experience and qualifications is unique in this fast growing industry.

Where can I work once I've got the CELTA?

In Australia, CELTA meets the requirements for a qualification allowing you to teach in NEAS accredited private language schools and univeristy language centres, along with a degree in any subject.

Overseas, CELTA is your ticket to teach in private language schools (such as IH, EF and the British Council), public schools, colleges and univeristy language departments. You will need to check with each individual school/ country to find out if you need any other qualification(s) alongside the CELTA.

Will the CELTA give me any credit for further studies?

Universities locally and worldwide recognise the CELTA course and offer subject credits towards further related studies. You should check with individual universities for details.

How much is the course?

2012 Prices

What is the dual qualification in CELTA/ CERT IV TESOL?

Our graduates can gain dual certification of the CELTA and the CERT IV TESOL. The CERT IV TESOL is an Australian qualification that is accredited by VETAB which can open up employment options in Australia and overseas. If you take the dual option, you follow the CELTA syllabus but as we have alligned the two courses, you only have to complete one extra assignment to get two qualifications.

2012 Prices

How do I apply for the CELTA/ CERT IV dual?

STEP 1: Please send/ bring in the following

• sections A & B (Questions 1,2 & 3) of the application form
• signed terms and conditions and indemnity and release
• current resume
• copies of certificates, diplomas and / or university degrees
• 1 copy of photo identification (licence or passport)
• 1 passport photo.

STEP 2: Upon receipt of application, an interview will be arranged for candidates who show they are suitable for the course.
Candidates are then sent a pre-interview course task which covers language awareness and teaching methodologies.

STEP 3: The interview involves a discussion of the pre-course interview task, ideas about teaching and learning, details about the course structure and requirements, and an opportunity for candidates to ask further questions. The total time for the interview is approximately 1 hour and 30 mins. (For applicants living outside the Sydney area, the interview can be conducted on the telephone.)

STEP 4: Enrolment is subject to successful completion of the interview.

What visa can I get?

Visas for non Australian passport holders include:

• tourist visa and ETA
• working holiday visa
• student visa (only for full time course when obtaining the dual qualification of Certificate IV in TESOL & CELTA certificate).

Do you have an information night?

Please join us at one of the monthly information evenings to ask further questions about the course, job prospects, what it is like to be an English language teacher...

Please contact us to reserve your seat as places are limited.