London captures the imagination in the English-speaking world perhaps more than any other city. It is a complete hive of activity, with a list of famous places and landmarks that roll off the tongue: The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden, countless world-famous museums and a thousand other places besides.
London is one of the greatest cities on the planet with a never-ending list of things to see and do. This vibrant hub is a fantastic choice for you to take a CELTA course. There are face-to-face, online or mixed-mode courses available, with full-time and part-time possibilities too. You can also get DELTA-qualified via London as well!
We chatted with with London (British Museum) CELTA Course Tutor Jenny Billinge and Jo Greenyer, Head of Teacher Training at the London (Russell Square) and London (Highgate) centres to ask them what it is like to take the Cambridge CELTA via this truly wonderful city…
So, Jo and Jenny, why is London such a great city?
Jo: “‘Vibrant’, ‘diverse’, and ‘cultural’, are just a few words to describe the capital of the UK, brim-full of history, creative talent, and green open spaces. It is famous for its theatres, clubbing and music scene, galleries, museums, architecture, sights and much much more. There is such a lot to do in London (and much of is free) that it can be difficult to choose! Indeed, a famous Londoner, Samuel Johnson, once said: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” Jo continues: “The city is also one of the most multicultural in the world, with over 300 languages spoken and roughly a third of the population from other countries. To quote from a famous character in literature: “In London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in.” (From ‘A Bear Called Paddington’).”
Jenny has a similar take: “London is such a great city because it’s so diverse – both in terms of places to go and the people it’s home to. You can see anything here and be anyone here. And it’s got such a great history too.”
Jenny, what is it like taking the CELTA via London (British Museum)?
“Firstly, you’re right in the heart of London, so even though you’ll be really busy on the course, you can soak in some of that amazing vibe. The tutors are real professionals in their field, dedicated to helping their trainees develop into the kind of teachers they can be proud of. The school has a friendly, buzzing atmosphere and in addition to your own teaching practice, you get the chance to observe live lessons with experienced teachers.”
Jo, what is it like taking a CELTA in London Highgate? What is it like taking the CELTA in Russell Square? Is there any difference between them?
“London is made up of different boroughs, each with its own unique character. Highgate is in the leafy borough of Harringay, North London, within easy reach of cafes and restaurants, independent shops and cinemas as well as a number of large parks and woods. The school premises are in a quiet area, but still about 20 minutes from the centre by tube. It has a cosy, family atmosphere and a magnificent garden to have lunch in during the warmer months. The Russell Square centre is in the bustling area of Bloomsbury with pubs, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment literally on the doorstep. It also has a rooftop garden to get away to in breaks.”
“The Highgate and Russell Square CELTA courses are run by an experienced team of trainers who work across both centres. Our CELTA tutors have worked together for many years, ensuring consistency, and providing cohesive, coherent training in a supportive environment. We are also practising teachers, meaning we’re in touch with the realities of day-to-day classroom teaching. Whether at Highgate or Russell Square, the experience will be unforgettable. It’ll be extremely intensive, highly rewarding and a lot of fun.”
Jenny, the London (British Museum) centre offers the CELTA online and mixed mode too. How would you describe the differences between the face-to-face, online and mixed mode CELTA via British Museum? Who should apply for which course option?
“Face-to-face is the best option if you have the opportunity to travel to London, as you’ll get hands-on experience of being in an actual classroom, up close to your students, and benefit from daily interaction with your fellow trainees and tutors in an English-teaching environment. Online courses, however, are no less beneficial in terms of teaching practice and development, and they mean that anyone, anywhere can do a CELTA. Since so much teaching is carried out online nowadays, it’s the perfect option if you’re interested in working from home. Training on a mixed mode course gives you the best of both worlds. If you’re not very tech-savvy though, it’s best to opt for the face-to-face course.”
How can trainees make the most of their CELTA course?
Jo: “The best way to prepare for the course, is to brush up on your grammar: ensure you’re comfortable with parts of speech and verb tenses. As there is so much other information to process the course, you don’t want to be tripped up by a past participle! If you can do some reading on classroom management, that would be really useful too. Finally, ensure you complete the Cambridge pre-course task, as it will give you a good idea of what to expect. If you can spare the time, contact us to arrange an observation of a class, so you can get a feel for classroom teaching.”
Jenny adds: “Plan your time – the full-time CELTA in particular is really intensive. And you’ve got to be open to feedback from your trainers and peers if you want to succeed. It’s an integral part of the process.”
Click to find out more about preparing for the CELTA
Is there a good post-CELTA job market for English language trainees in London (and the UK)?
Jenny: “Yes. There are opportunities for newly qualified teachers as the market continues to pick up following the pandemic. The best time of year is June – August, when summer schools open their doors and there’s more work available in seaside towns around the country, but many language schools are busy all year round. For example, January and February usually sees an influx of students from South America.”
Jo concludes: “As we are a well-known and respected CELTA provider, schools often let us know of job opportunities, which we pass on to our CELTA graduates. We also employ many of our trainees especially during the summer months. Currently, prospects for teaching in London and the UK are extremely bright. Many teachers left the profession during the pandemic, and now with student demand on the increase, language schools are looking for teachers throughout the year. Indeed, it is something I’m frequently asked about by Directors of Studies at our different centres. So – a very positive outlook!”
The London (British Museum) location also offers DELTA Modules. Jenny, what is it like taking your DELTA modules via London (British Museum)?
Jenny: “You benefit from training with talented and committed teacher-trainers who have been working in the industry for years. They know that the course can be stressful and they’ll support you with the knowledge and skills that will help you succeed. It’s not an easy course, but if you’re prepared to put the work in it’ll make a huge difference to your teaching and also open the doors to other careers in ELT.”
Apply to take the CELTA via London, United Kingdom today!
If you are looking to embark on an exciting career where you can teach around the world, the CELTA course via London, UK is a great place to start! You can apply for the CELTA through our online form. There are no application fees and the form form usually takes five to 15 minutes to complete. If you are looking to progress your ELT career, you can also take DELTA modules via London, UK too.
Do you have any questions about taking the CELTA? Get in touch with a member of our team today!
Check out TEFLwork for opportunities for post-CELTA jobs