CELTA courses: Lisbon, Portugal

English Teacher Training in Lisbon, Portugal

At every stage of the CELTA course that I took in Lisbon, I really appreciated the thorough organisation the CELTA tutors maintained. They were very clear about what needed to be done, when we needed to do it and suggestions about how to do it.

It was great that this information was staggered thoughtfully throughout the CELTA course with reminders and concise handouts. Without this organisation, the challenging workload would have been more demanding and I would not have been able to spend so much time on the most important parts of the course.

- - Michael Bain, UK / CELTA Lisbon, Portugal

Read more testimonials about CELTA in Lisbon, Portugal

CELTA Course Introduction

The course we offer in Lisbon is the Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults). The reference to Cambridge is due to the fact that it is assessed by University of Cambridge ESOL. CELTA is one of the leading qualifications in the English Language Teaching industry, and the vast majority of those seeking a "TEFL course" end up taking a Cambridge CELTA course.

The CELTA course is designed for native and non-native speakers of English with high level of English proficiency, who have little or no experience of teaching.

It is the most widely-recognised initial qualification in teaching English as a foreign / second language and is the minimum qualification required to work at a British Council accredited school in the U.K. and in most established language schools in Portugal and all around the world.

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CELTA Course Duration and Structure

A) CELTA Full time course (4 weeks):

The syllabus and assessment criteria are laid down by Cambridge:

• You are required to complete 6 hours of teaching practice, teaching English to foreign students at different levels. These hours will be observed by qualified and experienced teachers that will be assessing you and giving you their feedback.
• Trainees will also spend time doing guided lesson planning and teaching observation.
• You will also need to spend a significant amount of additional time on lesson preparation, written assignments, and course consolidation (outside class hours, and up to 4-5 hours per day).
• There may also be extra written assignments to be completed during the course.

Altogether the course will involve 120 hours of face-to-face time (spent at the Centre) plus many hours of study time and homework outside the classroom.

Assessment is continuous and based on the trainee’s teaching practice, written assignments, and overall professional development.

B) CELTA Part-time course (Blended): Online + Face to face course

The CELTA Online course is a blended course which was first piloted by Cambridge ESOL in 2011. The Training Center in Lisbon started its first CELTA Online course in December 2011.

As the course is a blended course, input is taken online and candidates visit the Centre once a week for their teaching practice component. This involves a minimum of 21 visits to the Training Center so this course is best suited for those people who are resident in the greater Lisbon area.

It is particularly suitable for those who have limited time, who enjoy working at a lower pace but who also enjoy working online and doing distance study.

The final qualification is the same as a face-to-face course.

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CELTA Course Entry Criteria in Lisbon

No previous teaching experience or training is required, but candidates must have:

• Minimum age: 20 years old at the start of the course
• A very high level of both oral and written competence in English, being able to use the language in a way which is clear, coherent, and free of mistakes in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Have a bachelor’s degree, or at least qualifications which would enable him/her to enter University. For example, A-Levels or High School Certificate.
• Demonstrate an awareness of language

Note: There is an application process that helps to establish if the candidate is suitable or not for CELTA.

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CELTA Course Content & Syllabus

The following syllabus is a reflection of the pre-service entry point of prospective candidates and outlines both the subject knowledge and the pedagogic knowledge and skills required for beginner ESOL teachers.

Language Awareness

• basic concepts and terminology used in ELT for describing form and meaning in language and language use
• basic concepts and terminology used for describing language skills and sub-skills
• language description and syllabus design for the teaching of general English
• the practical significance of similarities and differences between languages • reference materials for language awareness

The Learner, the teacher and the teaching/learning context

• the adult learner’s educational background and traditions
• the context for learning and teaching English at adult level
• different motivations for learning English as an adult
• different learning and teaching styles at adult level

Planning for effective teaching of adult learners of English

• The principles of planning for effective teaching of adult learners of English
• The practical realities of planning for effective teaching of adult learners of English
• The selection and evaluation of appropriate materials and resources for specific lessons
• The selection and evaluation of appropriate exercise types and tasks for specific lessons
• The evaluation of lesson preparation

Classroom management and teaching skills for teaching English to adults

• the effective organisation of the classroom
• classroom presence and control
• teacher and learner language
• the use of teaching material and resources
• practical skills for teaching at a range of levels
• the monitoring and evaluation of adult learners
• the evaluation of classroom management and teaching skills

Resources and materials for teaching English to adults

• commercially produced resources and materials for teaching English to adults
• non published resources and materials for teaching English to adults
• the selection and evaluation of resources and materials for use in teaching and testing adult learners of English, and for reference
• the adaptation of resources and materials for specific groups of adult learners of English

Professional development for teachers of English to adults

• self assessment: understanding weaknesses and developing strengths
• working in context: preparing to become a teacher, colleague and employee
• professional development: support systems, publication, and courses for teaching English to adults

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CELTA Course Assessment in Lisbon

CELTA is awarded 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 topic 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:

1. Planning and teaching
2. Classroom-related written assignments (of which there are four in total).

CELTA is internally assessed at the Training Center in Lisbon 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.

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CELTA Course Aims

The course enables candidates to:

• Demonstrate their ability to apply their learning in a real teaching context.
• Acquire essential subject knowledge and familiarity with the principles of effective teaching
• Become familiar with appropriate resources and materials for use with adult learners
• Develop an initial understanding of the contexts within which adults learn
• Acquire a range of practical skills for teaching English to adult learners
• Develop familiarity with the principles and practice of effective teaching

Candidates who complete the course successfully will be prepared to work in a variety of ESOL teaching contexts around the world.

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2013 CELTA Course Dates & Course Fees - Lisbon

Apply now!

Apply now!

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Optional: CELTA + Portuguese courses in Lisbon

Before or after the CELTA course:

Make the most of your stay in Lisbon and LEARN PORTUGUESE!

Our Training Centre in Lisbon can offer you intensive, super-intensive Portuguese courses throughout the year. Course sizes are deliberately small in order to achieve the greatest progress in the language possible.

A) Portuguese - Intensive course

• 3 hours per day (groups with four or more students)
• 2 hours per day (groups with fewer than four students)

B) Portuguese - Super-intensive course

• 5 hours per day (groups with four or more students)
• 4 hours per day (groups with fewer than four students)

Cancellations: If received 30 days before the course is due to start a refund of €100 will be given. After that date the fee will only be refunded under exceptional circumstances.

Starting dates 2013:

07.01; 21.01;

18.02;

04.03;

08.04;22.04;

06.05; 20.05;

03.06; 17.06;

01.07; 15.07; 29.07;

12.08; 26.08;

09.09; 23.09;

07.10; 21.10;

04.11; 18.11;

02.12

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CELTA Course Enrolment Procedure, Lisbon

1. If you believe you cover the minimum requirements to be considered as a candidate for the CELTA course ask for the application package that includes the enrolment form and the pre-interview task.
2. Prospective trainees must complete the pre-Interview task, fill in the enrolment form and return them to the CELTA Programmes Coordinator, including an updated copy of their CV, at least 4-8 weeks prior the course starting date. These documents should be emailed to the Coordinator as attachments.
3. Within 5 to 10 days after receiving your application, pre-interview task and CV, someone from the CELTA Department will contact you, at their own discretion, in order to arrange a day and a time to have an interview.
4. During the interview, the interviewer will assess your awareness of language structure and function as well as general sensitivity to adult language learning issues. Enrolment on the course is subject to successful completion of the interview. All applicants are required to have an interview. For those living outside the Adelaide area, this will be conducted on the telephone and applicants are to meet the cost of this.
5. After your interview they will decide if they offer you a vacancy on the course or not; if they do it, you will have one week from the moment they offer you the vacancy to pay a deposit that is a percentage of the total tuition cost in order to secure your vacancy on the course.
6. 4 weeks prior the course commencement you will have to pay the balance or the place may be offered to another candidate.

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How to Pay

Payments (deposit & balance) can be made directly to the School via Bank Transfer, Bank Cheque, Cash, VISA or MASTERCARD. Personal cheques will not be accepted.

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