How long does the course last and what is the main pattern of attendance?
The course takes place over 20 weeks. Attendance is on Monday and Wednesday for three hours each evening. There is a fair amount of work required outside the course hours as candidates have to plan their Teaching Practice lessons, which means liasing with other members of their group. In addition, candidates observe qualified teachers for a total of six hours, outside the course hours. Finally, there are four written assignments of about 1,000 words to be completed and submitted during the course.

Programme Content
The course comprises some 120 hours of group sessions, tutorials, lesson planning and peer observation and evaluation. The group sessions are highly interactive and involve a great deal of group and pair work, simulation, guided discovery, micro-teaching and so on. There are few, if any, traditional lectures. All candidates teach foreign students for a total of six hours and at two different levels. Special groups of non-native speaker students are formed for this purpose. As mentioned above, you will also have to observe qualified teachers for a total of six hours.

What qualifications or experience do I need to be accepted on the course?

Applicants must:
- be 20 years of age
- have an awareness of the language and competence in both written and spoken English that enables them to undertake the course and prepare for teaching a range of levels
- have the potential to develop the necessary skills to become
- effective teachers and to complete successfully the written assignments and the assessment of practice teaching

There are no formal academic requirements, although most candidates are graduates. The minimum requirement is that the candidate should have the necessary qualifications to enter higher education. Exceptionally, candidates who do not meet this requirement may be considered, at the College’s discretion.
As the course is usually over-subscribed, and to ensure that all applicants meet the criteria laid down by Cambridge, there is a selection process consisting of a Language Awareness Task to be completed by each candidate in preparation for a group interview.

How much does the course cost?
The cost for 2008 – 2009 is £1249. This includes the Cambridge entry fee.`

How will I be assessed and how often?
Assessment is continuous and integrated. This means that assessment takes place throughout the course and that each assessed component contributes to the overall grade.
Assessment is based on:
- performance in practice teaching
- satisfactory completion of four written assignments

There is no final examination.

On completion of the course, where do most students move on to?
The CELTA certificate is the most widely recognised pre-service qualification for EFL teachers, and so a good percentage of successful candidates find full or part-time work in private or state schools locally, elsewhere in Britain or overseas. It is easier to find full-time work overseas than it is in the UK. Advice on finding work is included as part of the course.

What qualification will I get at the end?
Successful candidates will be recommended for the award of the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). There are three pass grades: Pass, Pass (Grade B) and Pass (Grade A). There is also one Fail grade. Please note that completion of the course does not guarantee success. All candidates receive a written report on their performance on the course from the College. Successful candidates receive an appropriately endorsed certificate from the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. Candidates who fail to meet the criteria can receive a certificate of attendance from the College.

Whom should I contact?
For an informal discussion about the course, contact David Knowles or Bruno Balducci at the college:

Telephone: (01904) 770366
E-Mail: dknowles@yorkcollege.ac.uk
bbalducci@yorkcollege.ac.uk