Teacher Training FAQs
It’s not a surprise that the need for English teachers is on a continuous rise because there is a similar rise in the number of learners who seek to improve their English.
That is why it is important to get trained and improve your teaching skills. It is time to share your voice as a powerful English teacher.
That’s why the IH Cairo training team is going to give you a rich tour of the essential training you need to reach that level of professionalism regardless of your teaching experience. Both novice and experienced teachers will find training opportunities at IH Cairo. Let’s dig in!
About CELTA
CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) is the most widely recognized English teaching qualification in the world. It’s awarded by the University of Cambridge’s English Language Assessment, meaning you can rely on the CELTA‘s quality and accreditation.
CELTA is offered in 74 countries around the world. It is requested by 71 percent of employers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Many language schools and institutions will no longer accept teachers without a CELTA.
It’s an intensive TEFL qualification designed for people with little or no previous English language teaching experience or training.
The CELTA course is important for everyone who is seeking an opportunity as an English language teacher. Through this training, you’ll learn the skills and gain the experience and confidence that will help you to teach and begin your career as a certified English language teacher.
It’s an intensive TEFL qualification designed for people with little or no previous English language teaching experience or training.
The CELTA course is important for everyone who is seeking an opportunity as an English language teacher. Through this training, you’ll learn the skills and gain the experience and confidence that will help you to teach and begin your career as a certified English language teacher.
You can take your CELTA course full-time or part-time. Full-time CELTA courses are usually 4 to 5 weeks long. Part-time CELTA f2f and/ or online CELTA differ in length. They range from approximately 12 to 26 weeks – or can be as long as a year.
- Minimum 18 years old
- Proficient English language user (CEFR level high C1 or above)
- Educated to the standard required for entry into higher education
CELTA: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (now known as Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). It’s a specific brand of the TESOL course operating under the umbrella of Cambridge University.
TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
programs in countries where English is not the primary language and is not a lingua franca.
TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, is a general name for the field of teaching that includes both TESL and TEFL, and can mean either one or both.
Basically, this prepares a teacher to teach a student whose native language isn’t English.
TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language.
programs in English-speaking countries for students whose first language is other than English.
Delta is the Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and is an advanced TEFL qualification.
It can only be taken by qualified English teachers with a few years of teaching experience who are looking to advance their qualifications.
It is similar to the CELTA qualification as it is intensive in nature but the DELTA is a diploma whereas the CELTA is a certificate.
Yes, CELTA courses are moderated by Cambridge English Assessment and they share the same content and assessment.
120 hours of contact which include:
- supervised lesson planning
- 6 hours assessed teaching practice
- feedback on teaching practice
- peer observation of teaching practice
- 6 hours observing experienced ELT professionals, up to 3 hours of which may be of filmed lessons
Full-time CELTA courses are usually 4 to 5 weeks long.But part-time CELTA f2f and/ or online CELTA differ in length. They range from approximately 12 to 26 weeks – or can be as long as a year.
The course is 120 contact hours. You should also allow for 80 additional learning hours for pre-course preparation, reading, research, assignment writing, lesson preparation and record keeping.
Due to the fact that the CELTA is a teaching qualification, it’s not accredited on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is an international standard for describing language ability. It describes language ability on a six-point scale, from A1 for beginners, up to C2 for those who have mastered a language.
In the UK, CELTA is accredited at Level 5 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and is a 30-credit qualification.
A Level 5 qualification represents specialist knowledge that demonstrates a high level of learning and understanding in the field of study or work.
Upon acceptance, the centre will send instructions to prepare you for your CELTA course. You will receive recommended readings and pre-course tasks.
You can take a look at our CELTA Preparation course here.
The CELTA course covers the principles of effective teaching, and gives you a range of teaching techniques and practical experience. You get hands-on teaching practice and observation of experienced teachers, and you’ll apply your learning by delivering communicative teaching with English language learners.
At the end of the course, you will still have the same CELTA certificate as a trainee who has taken the CELTA in a classroom.
An online blended CELTA course is done in 10 – 16 weeks. You can do around 4 – 6 hour per week. You will have access to a tutor if you have any questions. You will then need to be at the centre to complete at least 2 weeks of teaching practice.
The CELTA course does not require trainees to possess perfect understanding of English grammar, but you will be teaching real students how to conceptualize the difference between tenses (past and present), noun types (countable, uncountable etc.), verb types (phrasal, auxiliary, etc.) It is thus important you have an awareness of grammar and be able to learn and apply what you have covered during the course.
Therefore, the course doesn’t teach or go over grammar. Instead, it teaches how to teach grammar. That means you should already have a solid foundation in English grammar to really take advantage of what is presented in the course.
Depending on the institution where you work.
Working internationally can expose an individual to new ideas. It offers a cheaper way to travel and can potentially enrich a person’s resume. Teaching abroad is also an incredible experience to immerse yourself in a different culture, learn a new language, explore new frontiers, and forge wonderful new friendships.
Keep in mind that high salaries are not always everything: weigh up the local cost of living and benefit packages to determine how much you’ll be able to save during your teaching stint.
THE Best Online English Teaching Companies to Work For:
This site if popular for jobs in Canada, the USA and Asia
This website for a wider job search including Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East
http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/jobs/education/tefl/
This website is part of the Guardian newspaper published in the UK. It tends to be a good place to find jobs in Europe.
Plus, you’ll also be eligible to sign up for TEFLwork, an online jobs portal for qualified English teachers.
Most reputable schools will expect their new teachers to be trained to teach English.
The Cambridge CELTA is probably the most respected and well-known training course in the world, and the one which the majority of people refer to when they ask “Have you got the TEFL?” or “Are you trained to teach English?”
For Whom
The CELTA focuses on teaching English to adults, but many of the skills and techniques apply to teaching young learners as well.
Yes! You are an ambitious English language teacher with some experience who wants to develop their skills and take their career to the next level. CELTA is your best option for moving forward to a new level in your career.
Because it will help you become a certified language teacher. It will enable you to travel and teach abroad and it is the first step in your professional development path.
Taking the CELTA course will also help you find a teaching job abroad. Traveling will help you learn new things, meet new people, and discover new cultures.
In CELTA, you will teach volunteer learners from all over the world and generally the classes have about 12 learners. During the course, you will be given teaching practice points and teaching books.
As long as your level of English is high enough (CEFR high C1 / C2 level), you can apply for a CELTA course.
With more than 300 CELTA centres in 54 countries around the world, you can study CELTA anywhere in the world, but if you will travel to any place to take the offline CELTA Course, there are some questions you need to ask yourself:
Do you need a visa?
How much does the visa process cost?
Will you need an agent for it?
How long does it take?
Do you need flights or transport?
Do you need local accommodation, or is that included as a package deal?
What is the local cost of living? This can vary greatly!
CELTA Assessment
The interview will take place in person at the center or via Skype/Zoom if you can not make it in person. To qualify for the course irrespective of the interview format, you will:
Sit for an English awareness test
Learn about the course with an opportunity to ask questions
Have a one-to-one interview with a Cambridge certified interview, usually the course tutor
The CELTA English awareness test includes: Meaning and form of target structures – Lexis & phonology – Awareness of language in context.
During the interview, the interviewer will ask you some questions related to language, your attitude towards feedback and your readiness for the intensity of the sessions. The interviewer will be able to confirm your language proficiency level (C1 based on the Common European Framework). The interviewer will also ensure your availability during the course. Make sure you discuss any accommodation or health issues you may have during the course.
Moreover, the interviewer will describe how the course works, and you have the chance to ask questions to help you understand more about the course.
You will teach for a total of 6 hours, working with adult classes at a minimum of two levels of ability. Assessment is based on your overall performance, there is no exam in CELTA.
Written assignments: You will complete four written assignments (each 750–1,000 words).
These focus on:
Analysing and responding to adult learner needs
Analysing language for teaching purposes
Teaching language skills
Reflecting on classroom teaching
Candidates receive an end of course report from their centre outlining areas of achievement as well as areas for further development. You will also receive a letter from Cambridge Assessment English confirming the failed result. If you fail, you’ll need to retake the whole course, meeting all the criteria.
No – CELTA certificates don’t expire.
About DELTA
DELTA stands for Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
It’s a teacher-focused certificate that covers both theories and practices for teachers with at least one year’s experience. It gives you skills and techniques that will help boost your career. With DELTA, you can teach any age group.
The program consists of 3 modules:
1- Module One: focuses on understanding language, methodology and resources for teachers. You will be assessed by a written examination. The exam consists of two 90-minute papers, with a 30-minute break in between (3 hours 30 minutes in total).
2- Module Two: focuses on developing awareness and expertise in the principles and professional practice of teaching English in a range of contexts. You will be assessed by a portfolio of coursework, including background essays, observed lessons and a professional development assignment. You will complete five assignments, which all contribute to the final grade.
3- Module Three: You have two options:
Option 1: an independent investigation, leading to the design of a course programme
Option 2: an independent situation analysis, leading to the design of a change proposal looking at an area of management
In general, DELTA is for English speakers and non-native English speakers who have a CEFR Level of high C1 or above.
DELTA is suitable for English language teachers who have at least one year of teaching experience and want to achieve professional development in more advanced positions such as head of English and Teacher training.
It’s also for experienced teachers who want to expand their knowledge in a specialist area.
- DELTA consists of three modules that you can take in any order you like;
- it is internationally recognized and highly respected around the world;
- it helps you develop your knowledge and understanding of English language teaching;
- it allows you to advance your career and prepare for more senior teaching positions.
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) has accredited DELTA at Level 7 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in the UK; it is a 60-credit qualification.
The CELTA is designed for teachers with little to no formal teaching experience, while the DELTA is for teachers with at least one year of teaching experience.
Also, the CELTA course is a practical teaching qualification that introduces teachers to essential theories and training practices.
The DELTA qualification, on the other hand, is more advanced, and it covers more detailed theories of teaching and learning, aiming to provide you with the skills for higher job positions.
To start the DELTA, you need previous teaching experience (one year at least). You also must hold an initial English teaching certificate, such as the CELTA.
The CELTA gives you the basic teaching techniques that some of the schools ask for, in addition to the background knowledge, understanding of teaching techniques, and evaluative tools that you need to start with the DELTA.
DELTA is offered as a face-to-face, blended-learning, or distance learning course.
Yes, you can take the modules in the order you like. However, it’s recommended to start with Module One as it gives you the necessary theoretical background that you can benefit from in Modules Two and Three.
The grades and certificates for each Module are separate.
The grades are:
Pass with Distinction
Pass with Merit
Pass
Fail
Generally, you will receive a statement of results two months after your submission of your coursework/assignment for each module. The grade you receive will either be a Distinction, Pass, or Fail, and it’ll be determined approximately 6 weeks after you have received the statement of results.
You will receive a certificate from Cambridge for each module you pass. After passing all three modules, you will receive one combined DELTA certificate with information on each module’s grade.
Yes, you can. The DELTA accreditation will generally allow qualified teachers to access more advanced positions, such as senior teacher, department coordinator, academic manager, assistant director of studies, and director of studies.
Also, the course incorporates teaching in different contexts.
Study Online
The fully Online CELTA means that everything – from the teaching methodology and teaching practice – will be done online on a video sharing platform of the school’s choice. It will all be live and taught by a qualified CELTA Tutor. And just like the face-to-face CELTA course, there will still be “hands-on” teaching practice and you will still be assessed and moderated by a certified CELTA Assessor.
Teaching practice groups are the same as for face-to-face courses in terms of: Levels taught, Numbers of teaching practice students, Range of lesson types – number of times you teach, Length of lessons.
You will teach for a total of 6 hours, spread over a minimum of eight occasions, with peers observing. Teaching practice will be arranged by your centre either throughout the course or in blocks. You will continue with your online study during the teaching practice phase(s).
And the requirements for Online CELTA are the same as taking any other CELTA.
No, you will still get the standard CELTA certificate, which is issued by Cambridge Assessment English (part of the University of Cambridge) stating that you have completed 120 hours of training.
At the end of the course, you will still have the same CELTA certificate as a trainee who has taken the CELTA in a classroom.
An online blended CELTA course is done in 10 – 16 weeks. You can do around 4 – 6 hour per week. You will have access to a tutor if you have any questions. You will then need to be at the centre to complete at least 2 weeks of teaching practice.
These are both different formats for taking the CELTA. The fully Online CELTA means that everything – from the teaching methodology and teaching practice – will be done online on a video sharing platform of the school’s choice. It will all be live and taught by a qualified CELTA Tutor.
An online blended CELTA course is done from 10 – 16 weeks and you are able to “stagger” the learning, so you can do around 4 – 6 hour per week. Generally, it is load up and learn, although you will have access to a tutor if you have any questions. You will then need to be at the centre to complete at least 2 weeks teaching practice. Depending on where you are going this can be a two week block or it is spread over the course e.g. every Saturday.
Q & A
The price is one of the important factors in choosing the best place to join the course; however you will not find a significant difference in price between the places that teach the course. As all places are accredited from one place, which is Cambridge Assessment English, also all of them teach the same curriculum, and finally the Course Tutors for the course are at the same high level of experience and competence.
To get the lowest cost, you have to choose one of the countries where the cost of living is lower compared to most countries. The right choice for the country helps you reduce the cost of living during the one-month course.
No. The CELTA/DELTA course is a Cambridge Assessment English course fully taught in English, and no other language is required for taking the course.
Yes. If your application is unsuccessful, you may reapply after 6 months.
Yes. 100% attendance is a course requirement for passing the course.
If you have a question that is not listed above, send us email to Teachertraining@ihcairoeg.com