Teacher Training in Cape Town, South Africa

The Cape Town Teacher Training Centre

The Teacher Training Center in Cape Town is accredited by Cambridge University ESOL to run the CELTA and DELTA courses and it is also member of the prestigious international association IALC (International Association of Language Centres). Regular and strict on-site inspections guarantee a high level of quality.

Established in 1995, the Cape Town Teacher Training Center is also one of the longest-established English language schools in South Africa. Our students benefit from the wealth of experience and knowledge we have built over the years.

The Training Center counts with 2 campuses, one in the City Center and the other one in the Southern Suburbs of the City (Newlands).  Normally, in most of the cases, the CELTA and DELTA courses are run at the City Center campus, right in the heart of Cape Town. The building is located in a beautiful office building in the pedestrian walkway of St. Georges Mall. The Center is a short distance to the Metrorail and bus station. Parking is available close by an extra cost.

The Training Center takes pride in having upmarket facilities. Students benefit from a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the Center.

The location of the school is of great importance. Very close to public transport, in safe and quiet surroundings.

The Cape Town Training Center runs the CELTA and Delta Modules, both approved and moderated by the University of Cambridge ESOL

Recognition

Back to top

About the Trainers in Cape Town

All CELTA and DELTA trainers at the Training Center in Cape Town have been accepted by UCLES after having undergone an extensive trainer-in-training programme. Tutors are all practising teachers of English who divide their time between teaching and teacher training. They are highly qualified and experienced both as teachers and trainers and themselves take part in ongoing training programmes, such as attending conferences and in-house development sessions, in order to keep abreast of the cutting edge of the ELT profession.

The tutors have worked internationally and bring a wide range of key experience, qualifications and knowledge to the course. All CELTA and DELTA trainers undergo a rigorous selection and training process that is monitored by Cambridge University.

Back to top

Accommodation

If required, the Teacher training Center in Cape Town can arrange accommodation for the CELTA and DELTA candidates.

Accommodation options:

Homestay / Homestay-Plus

Homestay is a popular form of accommodation as it provides an insight into the South African life-style. Two thirds of the students requiring accommodation stay with host-families.

South African people are known for their hospitality, and the hostfamilies particularly enjoy meeting people from around the world and making students feel part of the family. The host-family may be a single woman, a single-parent family, a young family, a working couple or a retired couple.

The accommodation officer carefully chooses families and inspects them once a year.

Homestay-Plus

Especially for older students and for those who want to enjoy more comfort at a host-family, we recommend this accommodation option. Homestay-Plus is generally of a higher standard than Homestay and offers a private bathroom.

General features for accommodation in Homestay:

Selection criteria as follows

• Situated in a good residential area.
• Hospitable and communicative.
• Clean, quality lodgings.
• English has to be spoken as a first language.
• The home must be close to either the school or public transport.
• Traveling time to School: 20 - 30 min (max. 45 min.)
• Traveling costs: ZAR 56 (€ 5.60 / US$ 7.70) per week.
• Meals included: Breakfast and dinner daily. Students mostly help themselves to breakfast and have dinner together with the family. Depending on their personal schedule, families will not always be able to join students for dinner, but will provide dinner every day.
• Rooms: Single or double rooms, bathroom to share. Double rooms are only for two students booking together. Rooms are furnished at a minimum with a bed, a wardrobe, a desk and a reading light.
• Laundry: At the family at an extra charge, or at a commercial laundry service.
• Pets: Most families have cats and/or dogs.
• Bedding: Provided.
• Towels: Provided.
• Internet facilities: Not all families have Internet facilities – and if they do there is an extra charge for Internet use, as their costs depend on the download volume.
• Allocation: Host-families are allocated 6 weeks before arrival.
• The student’s preferences are accommodated as far as possible. A maximum of 3 students may be accommodated per family.

Student Residence

The Student Residence is located in a popular student area close to the University of Cape Town. There are many pubs, restaurants and nightspots in the area. Here, students can easily meet people.

The residence is only a few stations by Metrorail from the Centre.

There are 20 single rooms with 5 bathrooms to share, self-catering facilities and student lounges. The residence is decorated in a modern, African style.

The Student Residence is mainly used by younger students (18 to 25) and therefore not suitable for students aged 30 or older.

General features for accommodation in Student Residence:

• Traveling time: 20 - 30 minutes to the Training Center.
• Traveling costs: ZAR 56 (€ 5.60 / US$ 7.70) per week.
• Meals: Self-catering facilities are available for students to prepare their own meals.
• Rooms: 20 single rooms, 5 rooms share a bathroom (male and female students are accommodated in separate sections).
• Laundry: A commercial laundry service is close by.
• Bedding: Provided.
• Towels: Not provided.
• Facilities: 2 kitchens, 2 student lounges with TV and DVD
• Internet: WLAN at an extra charge.

Other options of accommodation such us Bed&Breakfasts, Hotels, and Student Houses can be offered on request and based on availability. Enquire the Accommodation Officer about this once you have been accepted into the course.

* Day of arrival should be Sunday and day of departure should be Saturday.
Additional days of accommodation can be booked.

** An airport transfer on arrival is included in the course fee.
However it can only be provided if we receive the arrival details
(date, time and flight number) at least 3 days before arrival.

Back to top

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

Before arrival

Cancellation:

The Training Center must be notified in written as soon as possible of any cancellation, or any changes to booking dates or booking details.

The charges below are to cover cancellation charges which we are required to pay by contract. No exceptions can be made.

1. If you cancel 10 - 2 weeks prior to the start of the course, the deposit or placement fee will be charged.
2. If you cancel 1 to 13 days prior to the start of the course, 80% of the course fees will be charged.

Note: In cases where cancellation is due to the visa application being rejected or the Training Center not being able to offer the course or a suitable placement, fees will be refunded in full.

For accommodation

1. Notification 14 days or more before arrival: Full refund.
2. Notification 13 to 1 day(s) before arrival: the cancellation fee is equivalent to the accommodation placement fee.

Other Services

For hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, flight tickets, overland trips, etc. the cancellation policies of the service provider apply.

Volunteer Programme

For cancellations received 4 weeks or more prior to the programme start, the cancellation fee amounts to € 110 / US$ 140. If received within 4 weeks, the cancellation fee amounts to € 110 / US$ 140 plus 1 week of the programme fee.

Alteration of bookings

An alteration fee will be charged for alteration of your bookings (course, volunteer projects and/or accommodation)

After arrival

Refunds:

Refunds of tuition fees

After the start of a course, fees for tuition are not refundable or transferable in any case. This also applies for cases where the student does not show up on starting date or when the student is asked to leave due to unsatisfactory attendance or performance during the course.

A refund for tuition fees can only be given in very exceptional circumstances such as a death or accident in the family.

Refunds of accommodation fees

If after having commenced their stay, a student wishes to cancel their accommodation, they must notify the School in writing at least 3 weeks in advance in order to qualify for a possible refund if any.

Refunds of fees for volunteer programmes

No refund is possible in the event of cancellation after the start of the programme. No refund is given if the student is asked to leave due to unsatisfactory attendance or performance.

Alteration of bookings

Students can change to a different course, volunteer project, and/or accommodation if they wish to do so.
However the following must be considered:

1. All changes are subject to availability.
2. The official starting dates must be respected.
3. An alteration fee will be charged (payable by the student at the school).
4. No refund will be given when changing from a more to a less expensive course.
5. An upgrade fee might be payable when changing to a more expensive course.
6. The course length booked cannot be shortened.

Amendments

Should the required minimum number of candidates not be reached, the course will be postponed to a future date. Candidates will be kept fully informed of projected course details and monies will be refunded.

Insurance

Candidates are not insured by the Cape Town Teacher Training Center against illness, accident, theft or any loss of personal effects. The Center and its representatives cannot accept responsibility for any accident occurring during the course, on or off the school premises, on excursions or during activities.

We therefore strongly recommend that all students take out full personal insurance cover to include medical and any other expenses as well as financial loss should the whole or part of a course or any other service not be attended.

Travel insurance should include theft or any loss of personal effects as well as cancellation charges. Medial Aid insurance is required for certain types of visa, and it is compulsory for joining the volunteer programmes, but we recommend it to all students, even where not required.

Health and fitness

You are responsible for considering your health prior to the start of the programme and warrant that you are fit and able to participate.

Payment conditions

If a letter of acceptance is required for your visa application, full payment is required immediately after the confirmation of booking is received.

If no letter of acceptance is required for your visa application, only the placement fee or deposit is payable immediately after the confirmation of booking is received. The balance is due in full no later than 4 weeks before the start of the programme.

Complaints procedure

In case of any problems, no matter how serious or small they are, you are asked to inform the School in order to give the School a chance to rectify the problem.
In case of problems with one of the organisations you may be volunteering for, first report to the organisation, and if they don’t rectify the problem then, report to the School immediately.

Place of jurisdiction

Place of jurisdiction in any dispute: the courts at Cape Town

Back to top

Volunteer Projects

We offer to the CELTA and DELTA students taking their courses in Cape Town the possibility of signing up for a Volunteer Programmes in South Africa.

There are many projects to get involved with; you can choose to join a community or social type of project or a conservation, animal or nature kind of project.

Further information on how to combine your CELTA with a Volunteer Project

Further information on how to combine your DELTA with Volunteer Project

Back to top

Cape Town

Below find a summarized list with some of the highlights of this great city:

Sunny and warm

The "Mediterranean-style" climate makes Cape Town mild all year round. As the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, Cape Town is a warm destination from November to March.

Friendly people

Visitors to the Cape Town are especially taken by the friendliness of its people. Capetonians are very welcoming to overseas tourists and it is easy to meet people.

Attractive tourist destination

With world heritage sites on hand such as Robben Island and world famous attractions such as Table Mountain, Cape Town is regarded as one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world.

Low cost of living

Although flight tickets may be expensive compared to other destinations, this is compensated for within 4 weeks by the reasonably low cost of living in Cape Town.

Safaris

Students can do a one-day safari starting from Cape Town or visit one of the country’s many national parks to see The Big Five.

Great for outdoor sports

Cape Town is the ideal location for almost any outdoor sport. Students can enjoy surfing, golfing, horseback-riding, whale-watching, shark-diving, bungee-jumping, beach-volleyball and more.

Multi- cultural, modern and young

Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city with a colourful and vibrant mix of many different cultures, religions and people. With 3 major universities, it also attracts a high number of young people.

Clear spoken English

The common language in Cape Town is English. In the tourist areas, English is the home language of the locals and their spoken English is very clear and easy to understand.

First world infrastructure

Cape Town offers museums, theatres, cinema complexes, shopping malls, entertainment areas, vibrant markets and beautiful gardens.

Good flight connections

There are regular and reasonably priced flights from all parts of the world

For more info on the city of Cape Town

Back to top

South Africa

South Africa is a land so rich in sights and experiences, that it is impossible to come up with an exhaustive list of everything there is for tourists to do.

Enjoy the sweet scent of the desert as it turns into a colourful carpet of flowers in spring; see the Big Five in one of the world’s most famous national parks; or take a journey through some of the many heritage sites and gain a deeper understanding of the country and of humankind.

There are vibrant cities and townships to give you a memorable South African urban experience; and there are blue beaches to chill out on- there are so many South African explorations that you will be spoilt for choice.

More info on South Africa

Back to top

VISA Information for South Africa

• It is the client’s responsibility to arrive in South Africa upon the correct visa.
• Clients can EXTEND their visa (see Visa extension below*), but they cannot CHANGE their visa.
• Minor clients (under 21 years) must have written consent from their parents and a guardian in South Africa.
• The information in this section is as of June 2011. It may change from time to time and may vary from Embassy to Embassy.
• For the latest information visit www.home-affairs.gov.za or contact your nearest South African Embassy / Consulate.

VISA Exempt Countries

Europe

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom - Max. 90 days

Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic, Turkey - Max. 30 days

Asia

Japan, Taiwan (Republic of China) - Max. 90 days

South Korea - Max. 30 days

America

USA & Canada – Max. 90 days

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela - Max. 90 days

Bolivia, Costa Rica, Peru - Max. 30 days

Oceania

Australia & New Zealand – Max. 90 days

NON Exempt Countries

The students from non exempt countries need to APPLY for a visa/permit at the South African Embassy / Consulate in the home country.

Visas for course only

A Study Permit with an endorsement "to study at the Training Center is required"

Visas for Volunteer programme only

A Visitor’s Permit with an endorsement "to do unpaid practical training / volunteering" (you receive a Letter of Acceptance from the host organisation).

Visas for a combination of both programmes

A Study Permit with an endorsment for both programmes is required.

* Visa extension

Students may extend their visitor’s permit while they are in South Africa. However the application can be rejected and no reason needs to be given. Therefore it is recommended that the visa received upon entry is for the full period of stay

Back to top