Cambridge CELTA Certificate Course: Full Time, Part Time and Online in Catania, Sicily, Italy

Teacher Training in Catania, Sicily

CELTA Course Introduction for Full Time, Part Time and Online

The CELTA (University of Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) is the most widely recognised qualification within the English language teaching (ELT) profession.

Awarded by the University of Cambridge ESOL , the CELTA can open up a whole world of exciting teaching opportunities around the world. Most language schools worldwide require their teachers to have such a certificate, as it guarantees that a basic level of teaching competence has been achieved by the teacher.

CELTA course key points

• The CELTA is designed for teachers who are starting a career in education, looking for a career change, or looking to develop their repertoire.
• CELTA is not only for native speakers of English; it is also a great opportunity for non-native teachers of English, as it offers rewards in terms of both personal professional development and enhanced job prospects. However, the required command of English is that of Proficiency (CPE) or C1 within the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), i.e. close to native speaker's competence.
• The CELTA Online is designed for students who want the flexibility of doing part of the course at a distance. However you weill be required to be present twice a week in weeks 6-9.
• CELTA Part Time takes place two days a week over a ten week period.

CELTA course aims to:

• provide you with a sound basis in language teaching practice and give you confidence in the classroom;
• give you the training you need to help you meet the challenge of your new profession, wherever you are in the world;
• provide you with a sound base of modern English teaching that will complement your classroom practice;
• help you learn techniques to improve your interaction with speakers of other languages.
• Once you have gained your qualification you will have the skills and knowledge to teach English at any level to a wide variety of students in almost any country in the world where English is a requirement for work, leisure and life.

Candidates who complete the course successfully can begin working in a variety of ESOL teaching contexts around the world.

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CELTA Course Entry Criteria

To be accepted for the CELTA course in Catania, applicants must fulfil the following criteria:

• A minimum age of 20* at the start of the CELTA course
• A good standard of education* (e.g. having gained university entrance qualifications, completed High School)
• Awareness and high level of competence in written and spoken English in order to be able to follow the course and prepare for teaching a range of levels
• For non-native speakers, the required command of English is that of Proficiency (CPE) or C1 within the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), i.e. close to native speaker's competence.
• No previous teaching experience required

*Applicants who are not at least 20 years old or who have not gained university entrance qualifications may be admitted at the discretion of the Course Coordinator.

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CELTA Course Structure & Content - Catania

The CELTA course is an introduction to the teaching of English as a foreign language and aims to lay a firm foundation on which a teacher can build as s/he gains experience. During the course, the following aspects are covered:

• Introduction to the underlying principles of teaching language;Ways of presenting new language items;
• Techniques for further practice with emphasis on speaking;
• Use of visual aids, drama techniques and video;
• The listening skill, including use of taped material;
• The reading skill, including use of authentic material and readers;
• The writing skill;
• Using, Adapting, Creating and exploiting materials and course books;
• Alternative approaches to language teaching;
• Analysis of language from a foreign learner's point of view;
• Correction techniques;
• Teaching pronunciation;

CELTA Syllabus

The syllabus consists of five units of learning that deal with specific topic areas in the teaching of ESOL:

• Unit 1: Learners and teachers, and the teaching and learning context
• Unit 2: Language analysis and awareness
• Unit 3: Language skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing
• Unit 4: Planning and resources for different teaching contexts
• Unit 5: Developing teaching skills and professionalism

Units 1, 4 and 5 focus on the preparation and delivery of ESOL teaching programmes. Units 2 and 3 focus on the content of ESOL teaching programmes as well as the pedagogic knowledge required for teaching language and language skills.

The course is divided into two closely related parts: Teaching Practice and Written Assignments.

Methodology and language analysis input sessions are followed by daily teaching practice where groups of up to six trainees work with small classes of students and gain experience of teaching at different levels.

After each teaching practice session there is group and individual feedback about the lessons taught. The observation of experienced teachers is an intrinsic part of the course and its assessment and requires trainees to be in the centre during the evening outside course hours for full-time courses and between 4pm and 9pm for part-time courses.

The course is designed internally by the centre, but in line with the CELTA Syllabus and Cambridge ESOL regulations.

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CELTA Full Time, Part Time and Online Timetables

CELTA Full-time Courses: 4 weeks

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CELTA Course Assessment – Catania

Assessment overview

CELTA is awarded at the Training Center in Catania to candidates who have completed the course and who have met the assessment criteria for all written and practical assignments.

The overall assessment aims for each unit are that candidates should be able to:

1. Assess learner needs, and plan and teach lessons which take account of learners’ backgrounds, learning preferences and current needs
2. Demonstrate language knowledge and awareness and appropriate teaching strategies
3. Demonstrate knowledge about language skills and how they may be acquired
4. Plan and prepare lessons designed to develop their learners’ overall language competence
5. Demonstrate an appropriate range of teaching skills at this level and show professional awareness and responsibility

Assessment framework

There are two components:

Component 1: Planning and teaching

In this component, candidates are required to practice teach for a total of six assessed hours, working with adult learners at a minimum of two levels in classes of the required size. By the end of the six hours of assessed teaching practice, candidates should have demonstrated successful achievement of all the teaching practice assessment criteria.

Component 2: Classroom-related written assignments (of which there are four assignments in total).

This component consists of four written assignments:

1. Adult learners and learning contexts
2. Aspect of the language system of English
3. Aspect of language skills
4. Reflection on classroom teaching and the identification of action points

The assignments are internally assessed and externally moderated.

Assessment requirements

To meet the assessment requirements, candidates are required to attend a course and to:

• Practice teach classes of the relevant age group and size for a total of six hours
• Observe experienced teachers teaching classes of adult learners for a total of six hours, two of which may be on video
• Maintain and submit a portfolio of all course work including all written assignments and materials related to teaching practice.

Mode of assessment

Assessment is continuous and integrated:

• Assessment takes place throughout the course.
• Component 1 and 2 contribute to the overall grade.

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CELTA Certificate grades

The Certificate will be awarded to candidates who meet the course requirements and whose performance meets, or exceeds, the criteria in both assessment components. Candidates are ineligible for the award in cases where dishonesty or plagiarism is brought to the attention of Cambridge ESOL Teaching Awards.

CELTA is internally assessed and externally moderated by a Cambridge ESOL approved assessor who samples portfolios and teaching practice and who discusses and agrees the grades for all candidates.

A Pass

This grade is awarded to candidates whose performance overall in the teaching practice and in the written assignments meets the specified criteria.

They will continue to need guidance to help them to develop and broaden their range of skills as teachers in post.

Pass (Grade B)

This grade is awarded to candidates whose performance in 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: Demonstration of the criteria for teaching skills and professionalism.

They will continue to need some guidance to help them to develop and broaden their range of skills as teachers in post.

A Pass (Grade A)

This grade is awarded to candidates whose performance in the written assignments meets the specified criteria and who have demonstrated in their teaching practice a level of ability and achievement and a level of awareness significantly higher than that required to meet pass-level criteria in relation to:

• Planning for effective teaching
• Teaching skills and professionalism

They will benefit from further guidance in post but will be able to work independently.

Candidates who fail to meet criteria in any or all assessed components will receive a Fail.

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CELTA Course Dates & Course Fees - Catania

Apply now!

* Please note that these take place 2 days a week over a ten-week period.
The daily schedule is basically the same as for the full time, only that the course is 10 weeks long instead of 4, and that it happens twice a week, however, note that observations of experienced teachers take place on days other than CELTA

Apply now!

Apply now!

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How to Apply – CELTA Catania

• If you believe you cover the minimum entry requirements to be considered as a candidate for the CELTA course, fill out our short enquiry form asking for the application package.
• Candidates should complete the application form and return it via email to us well in advance. Late applications will be accepted provided there are places remaining on the course.
• Acceptance onto the University of Cambridge CELTA course is not automatic or guaranteed. Applicants must satisfactorily complete the tasks and pass a subsequent interview to be accepted.  Non-native speakers of English must be able to demonstrate that their level of English, both spoken and written, is suitable for the demands of the course. The decision of the centre is final.
• Applicants who have satisfactorily completed the pre-interview task will be invited to attend an interview shortly after this date at the School or on the telephone if the candidate is not based within Sicily. Skype can also be an alternative option to avoid long distance phone call costs.
• Successful applicants will receive an offer of a place on the CELTA course immediately, if there is a place available.
• After receiving a payment request from the School, a deposit must be paid in order to secure your place.
• Candidates who are accepted 8 weeks or more prior to the start of the course should ensure that all course fees and accommodation fees are transferred within fifteen working days, to secure their place. Candidates accepted within 8 weeks of the starting date should transfer fees within ten working days, and candidates accepted within 4 weeks of the course should transfer funds within 48 hours to avoid the place being re-allocated.
• The school reserves the right to refuse admission to any student or to dismiss any student in the event of misconduct or unsatisfactory attendance or timekeeping or work, without refund of fees.
• No liability is accepted by the school for the loss or damage of property. We strongly recommend students to take out insurance to cover their possessions as well as medical insurance for themselves (if extra European).

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How to Pay

• Payments (deposit & balance) can be made directly to the School via Bank Transfer.
• Please note that you will be responsible for any bank charges, even if you have already paid bank charges in your own country. So please, when paying make sure that the payment to the School is "free of charges" since the School has to receive the whole net amount in EUROS.

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Conditions of Enrolment

Fee payment:

• Candidates who are accepted 8 weeks or more prior to the start of the course should ensure that all course fees and accommodation fees are transferred within fifteen working days, to secure their place.
• Candidates accepted within 8 weeks of the starting date should transfer fees within ten working days.
• Candidates accepted within 4 weeks of the course should transfer funds within 48 hours to avoid the place being re-allocated.
• If applicants fail to pay their fees in full by the indicated deadline, their place will be offered to another qualifying applicant.

Cancellation / Refund:

• We reserve the right to cancel or alter a course or to change course timings. If we do so, we will offer an alternative course or a refund.
• Deposits cannot be transferred to another course, date or candidate.
• Please note that in the event of a candidate withdrawing from the course once it has started, the Training Centre cannot refund fees or offer a place on  a subsequent course without the payment of further fees.

Amendment Charges

• An administration fee of €20 will apply for students wishing to change their course.

Cancellation Charges and Refund Policy

• In the case of cancellation six weeks or more before the course starting date, 20% of the total fee will be retained. With less than six weeks' notice, 50% of our total fee will be retained. If cancellation occurs in the final ten days before the starting date the total fee will be retained.
• However, in certain exceptional circumstances we will consider transferring the fees to another course.
• No transfer is made if notice is insufficient to allow for the finding of a substitute candidate. In the event of a course being cancelled all fees will be refunded.
• Once the course has started, there is no possible refund. For this reason, you might consider taking out an insurance policy in order to be covered in case anything happen and you needed to leave the course.

Force Majeure

• In the event of 'force majeure' such as fire, flooding, infectious diseases and other events outside the school’s reasonable control which may cause the closure of the school, no refund of fees will be made to students, except at the school's discretion in exceptional circumstances

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