I chose to do a CELTA because I believed it would greatly increase my chances of finding a teaching position. I reached this conclusion after doing a fair bit of research into potential positions.
The vast majority, if not all of, these positions recognize the CELTA and list it as a factor that will increase your chances of being employed.
This research was confirmed when I came to Japan and started to interview for positions, my CELTA was mentioned in all of my interviews, it was certainly something employers were interested in. More importantly though, the CELTA did genuinely give me the skills and the practice I needed to become a teacher.
If you have no teaching experience whatsoever, like me, then I think the CELTA is a must have qualification. Linked to this is the fact that interviews are nerve racking, having the CELTA definitely makes them more manageable, personally I think I would have struggled to go into interviews and managed to sound employable had I been unaware of the teaching skills I learned during my CELTA.
I reached the decision to take the CELTA through StudyCELTA in Bournemouth after making phone calls to various schools in Bournemouth and London.
I am extremely happy with the choice I made and would recommend it to anyone, though I have no personal experience of other schools, a close friend took the course at another school in Bournemouth shortly before me, and my girlfriend took the course in London, both of their experiences are not entirely positive.
First of all, thanks for the opportunity to share my experience of taking the CELTA course in Melbourne.
Doing the CELTA course was among one of the best decisions I have ever made. I had my doubts whilst still considering it, but know I can say "I have done it". I really feel proud when people ask me about myself and I can reply "I've done the CELTA"!! This qualification also has a highly treasured space in my resume.
Doing CELTA wasn't easy for me as I myself speak English as a second language. I had no idea there was so much to the English language as a whole. The CELTA was an eye-opener as I finally got to know the reasons behind why I was speaking and writing English in its particular way.
The CELTA course in Melbourne was demanding and I realised why it was called intensive when I started it. Since then I have learnt so much. My CELTA tutors were amazing; they were so supportive, encouraging and incredible in the way they presented the whole course. They were approachable at any time of the day and they helped me to find out and do things for myself which gave me a sense of satisfaction and achievement at the end of the day. I will always be grateful to them.
Teaching real foreign students was the highlight of this course. We were able to put into practise everything we learnt and I was able to realise how effective I was while teaching. I was able to pick out my strengths and weaknesses through feedback from tutors and fellow colleagues.
I believe doing the CELTA has brought me to a higher pedestal in my life. I have learnt to teach English which is definitely my greatest achievement. I have also learnt to believe in myself which is a lesson for life. So, yeah, I come out of this course winning both ways. I would definitely and very honestly say that I do not hesitate to recommend this course to anyone who wants to become a somebody!!!
- - Audrey Singh, Fiji / CELTA Melbourne
I really benefited from the CELTA course in Auckland. It was very intensive and challenging. There was a lot of information to absorb, but just make sure you manage your time wisely and keep your notes in an organised manner. For the four weeks of the course I lived and breathed CELTA. I spent my entire out of class time preparing my lessons and working on the assignments, however the CELTA tutors were very pleasant and supportive. They were very approachable and patient and gave us very useful, positive feedback.
I especially enjoyed the teaching practice time where we prepared lessons and taught a class of real students. This gave me confidence in myself and was very rewarding to see the students enjoying and participating in my lessons.
My advice to anyone who is planning on becoming an English as a second language teacher is to complete this qualification. Many schools won’t even take a second look at you if you don’t have a certificate in CELTA.
I am now working as a relief teacher at the school where I studied CELTA and use all the skills and techniques that I had learnt in my lessons each and every day.
The funny thing is now it’s my turn to watch the new batch of CELTA trainees preparing their lessons and printing out their assignments. In short, CELTA is the key to opening the door to a new world of opportunities. You will be pleased if you choose to study CELTA.
- - Joanna Cooper, New Zealand / CELTA Auckland, New Zealand
The CELTA course location is fantastic, the office staff were wonderful, the CELTA training centre in Frankfurt has facilities which are more than adequate! We often had access to several rooms in which to work during our breaks, and the library of materials to be used was very helpful.
The CELTA Centre is up to date technologically...Frankfurt is beautiful during spring! And I managed to fill my "Gutschein" card at coffee fellows and I'm going to pick up my free drink today as a self reward. Thanks Frankfurt Training Centre for your generosity and accomodation!
- - anonymously...
Amazing! I can't believe I did it! A trip through a CELTA SEA! But be aware before you take this voyage, you are bound to face endless emotional storms, turbulent TPs, .. coffee breaks, endless assignments, sleepless nights ... a real challenge. "To be or not to be," but it's all worth it, friends! ... Though this voyage looks very difficult but with the help of extremely helpful CELTA trainers and supporting colleagues it's achievable.
- - Monika Paul / CELTA Frankfurt March 2012
I really enjoyed the CELTA course in Frankfurt. It was very intensive and challenging. I spent a lot of time preparing my lessons and working on the assignments, but the other trainees and our tutors were very nice and supportive.
I had never taught a class before I took this course, and I was quite nervous for my first teaching practice, but everyone really put me at ease. Our CELTA tutors were very knowledgeable and gave us very useful feedback. I now feel thoroughly prepared to embark on a carreer as an English language teacher.
- - Paula / CELTA Frankfurt March 2012
I expected a lot of work and it was a lot of work. I expected little sleep but it was less sleep. I know you should start with the good things but this is the first you'll remember about your CELTA course.
The content was amazing, practical and overall just very high quality. More than I had expected. I feel that what I have learned is incomparable and of great value. I have also learned to be efficient and practical, you have to be!
The staff and location of the CELTA training centre was very friendly. Bright rooms with big windows and we were so lucky to get lots and lots of sun during the month. That really made everything easier. The CELTA training centre is located in a beautiful spot of Frankfurt and right in the city centre.
The staff were always very helpful and comprehensive (especially in cases of urgent coffee-need! ). The CELTA tutors were amazing. I expected good and qualified CELTA trainers but they were much more than I could have imagined. Beautiful people with a great heart. Thank you so much again for being just as hardworking as us and still always friendly, open, patient and very helpful.
Our group of CELTA trainees was lovely. Great team! And so important to have a good laugh every now and then. Thank you everybody for the infinite support!
Would I recommend the course? Well it is definitely worth its price and you will be glad to have done it. But you have to be prepared to go through a kind of "zombie"-state during that month and make sure to plan your time very efficiently.
- - Eva (CELTA Frankfurt March 2012):
I participated in the CELTA course in Melbourne in 2011. It was a fantastic course to be involved in as a younger student. It is a very fast passed course and there is a lot of information and knowledge to cover in a short amount of time, however the experience of learning and teaching together as a group, was definitely worth running around like a headless chook trying madly to finish projects, while trying to write lesson plans.
As much as I taught them, they opened my eyes to a whole new side of life, which I will never ever forget, and will ever be grateful for.
The foreign students I met and taught during the CELTA course were delightful and it was so amazing to learn from them, as much as I taught them, they opened my eyes to a whole new side of life, which I will never ever forget, and will ever be grateful for.
The CELTA tutors in Melbourne were great. They were very helpful and their wealth of knowledge and experience was astounding! I would definitely recommend this course to anyone who is looking for an adventure.
I did this course in 4 weeks, and my only word of advice, as a first year uni student, who recently finished high school - treat this course as though it’s your final year at school.
I think one thing that many of the participants found overwhelming was the pace and degree of work we were expected to finish in the time we had. While the work involved is a big part of the course, don't let it discourage you from discovering a whole new side of life.
Whether you want to start your career as a young person, and travelling the world or change your career direction, and share your experiences, you'll love taking the CELTA because it’s so rewarding!
- - Isobel O’Bryan, Australia / CELTA Melbourne, Australia
It's always great to hear about what students do when they complete their CELTA Course. We asked Kate Wyllie, one of our CELTA graduates from Auckland about her experience teaching English in Indonesia.
Not long after completing my CELTA in Auckland I started a new job teaching ESL in a little town called Sidoarjo in Indonesia. It was kind of an impulse decision to move here - I only decided 10 days before I left - but so far it seems to be working out really well.
Life here is really laid back, the people are so friendly and the food is delicious! Everything is really cheap as well which is nice for the wallet!
I'm living with 2 other teachers in a house that’s owned by the school I work for so we don’t have to pay any rent and we also have a maid which is a bonus!
There are about 8 native speakers working at the school and we work alongside the local teachers who are all great fun to work with.
There are about 800 students in the school at the moment.
Bring something special to your country with you. The students are always interested in learning about where you are from and what life is like there.
I'm lucky because my school has a lot of resources available so I don't need to look far for things to use in the classroom, but my advice to anyone moving abroad to teach would be to bring something special to your country with you. The students are always interested in learning about where you are from and what life is like there.
Doing the CELTA course in Auckland really helped me a lot, and I use what I learned every day here in all my classes. I would highly recommend the CELTA course, as I probably wouldn't have ended up over here without it!
- - Kate Wyllie, New Zealand / CELTA Auckland, New Zealand
My experience on the CELTA course in Auckland was awesome! It was very intense, but I learnt a lot about how to be a better teacher and reconfirmed that teaching English is what I want to do.
The CELTA tutors were great and provided heaps of helpful tips and advice for the future.
I have just started my new job teaching English in Indonesia. Doing the CELTA course really helped me a lot, and I use what I learned every day here in all my classes. I would highly recommend the CELTA course, as I probably wouldn't have ended up over here without it!
- - Kate Wyllie, New Zealand / CELTA Auckland, New Zealand
Testimonials
The Cambridge CELTA Certificate
A qualification for people who want to begin their career in the English industry. Available in Adelaide, Australia, Hobart, Australia, The Whitsundays, Australia, Brisbane, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand, Bournemouth, England, Seville & Barcelona Spain and Malta).
The Cambridge DELTA Diploma
A qualification for people with substantial experience in teaching English and want to take a step up in their TEFL career. Available in Seville, Spain Bournemouth, England and Sydney, Australia and Brisbane, Australia.
CYL - Certificate in Teaching English to Young Learners: teaching English to children and teenagers.
Available in Seville and Barcelona, Spain
TESOL for non-native English speakers
For those who haven't the level of English proficiency required to allow them to undertake the CELTA course. Available in Sydney, Australia and Brisbane, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand, Bournemouth, England and Malta.
The Cambridge TKT exam (Teaching Knowledge Test) can be taken in Australia and New Zealand there at the training centers upon completion of the TESOL course.
Certificate in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language
For Spanish native speakers or people with high level of fluency in Spanish interested in gaining a qualification to teach Spanish as a second language. This course is available only in Seville, Spain
CELTA Cambridge Certificate: CELTA course Barcelona | CELTA course Seville | CELTA course Dublin | CELTA course Lisbon | CELTA course Bournemouth | CELTA course in Malta | CELTA course Auckland | CELTA course Wellington | CELTA course Cape Town | CELTA Course Adelaide | CELTA course Brisbane | CELTA course Hobart | CELTA course Melbourne | CELTA course Perth | CELTA course Sydney | CELTA Whitsundays | CELTA Course Frankfurt | CELTA Course Lisbon | CELTA London | CELTA Newcastle
Delta Modules: Delta Modules Dublin, Ireland | Delta Modules Barcelona, Spain | Delta modules Seville | Delta modules Bournemouth | Delta modules Sydney | Delta modules Brisbane | Delta modules Cape Town | Delta modules London
TESOL course: TESOL course Dublin | TESOL course Bournemouth | CLIL Course Bournemouth | TESOL course Malta | TESOL course Sydney | TESOL course Brisbane | TESOL course Auckland, New Zealand | TESOL course Wellington, New Zealand
CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) Courses: CLIL course Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Young Learners courses: CELTA Young Learners Extension Certificate: Barcelona, Spain | Certificate in Teaching English to Young Learners - CYL: Seville, Spain
Formación de Profesores de Español: Curso de formación de profesor de español ELE Sevilla, España | Curso de formación de profesor de español ELE, Barcelona, España | FIPELE Frankfurt