- Entry requirements
-
Application dependant
- Duration
-
Full-time 1 year
- Location
-
Melbourne, Australia or Online
- Tuition fees
-
AU$26,500
(2021 annual)
- Enrolments
-
February, July
Overview
The Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, known as CELTA, is the most widely recognised pre-service qualification in the world for teachers of English to speakers of other languages.
CELTA is accredited and administered by Cambridge English Language Assessment, part of the University of Cambridge. Once you have completed the course and met the assessment criteria for all written and practical assignments, you will receive a CELTA qualification. (Please note that to teach in Australia, you also need to have a degree.)
Why study CELTA at RMIT?
CELTA is for people with little or no previous teaching experience. It opens the door to exciting opportunities to teach English all over the world. When you enrol in CELTA with RMIT English Worldwide, we work with you to develop:
The benefits of CELTA
CELTA graduates are:
- Teaching all over the world
- Making a difference with English having a positive impact on learners’ lives
- Meeting like-minded people who’ve had amazing life experiences
- Enjoying a new career challenge
CELTA Alumni testimonial
"Highly recommend this course at RMIT. Teachers here make the entire learning experience so much fun and rewarding. Always grateful to teachers David, Scott and Stephanie for being so helpful."
- Jacqueline D'Cruze, ESL trainer, Masters in English, Bachelor in Education and CELTA
The course is divided into four main areas:
- Awareness of language - introduction to the structure, functions and phonology of the English language
- Methodology - principles, techniques and strategies for communicative language teaching
- Teaching practice - daily, supervised sessions followed by constructive feedback by peers and tutors
- Observation - in the classroom of peers and experienced teachers of different levels of English
CELTA Course subjects
Learners and teachers, and the teaching and learning context
- Understanding the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of learners, and how this might affect their learning of English
- Understanding different learning preferences
Language analysis and awareness
- Understanding key terminology used in English language teaching, applying this terminology in planning and teaching
- Demonstrating a working knowledge of English grammar, lexis and phonology
Language skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing
- Understanding basic concepts and terminology used for describing reading, listening, speaking and writing skills, applying this to teaching
- Understanding how approaches to texts may vary depending on the purpose, making practical use of this in teaching
Planning and resources for different teaching contexts
- Understanding the purpose and principles of planning for effective teaching
- Selecting and planning the kinds of lessons that are most appropriate for particular learners
- Evaluating lesson preparation and reflecting on this for planning future lessons
Developing teaching skills and professionalism
- Effectively organising the classroom, both in terms of layout and pair/group activities
- Making appropriate use of a range of materials and resources
- Involving learners of different ability levels, enabling them to feel a sense of progress
CELTA Course structure
The CELTA course comprises:
- Nine teaching practice lessons (total 6 hours)
- One-on-one meetings with the tutor to check your progress
- Four written assignments
There are a maximum of 18 candidates per class. The class is divided into three groups of six candidates for teaching practice. Candidates give their teaching practice lessons to international students at two different levels of English language proficiency.
RMIT Training offers both full time and part-time CELTA courses.
Full-time CELTA course
The full time course is extremely intensive. Classes are held from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for 5 weeks.
Wednesdays are non contact days. Candidates are expected to use Wednesdays for private study and to attend two 2 hour sessions observing experienced teachers running a class. Wednesdays also replace public holidays.
This is a sample timetable.
| Time | Schedule |
| 8.30–10.00 am | Workshop 1 |
| 10.00–10.15 am | Break |
| 10.15–11.30 am | Workshop 2 |
| 11.30 am –1.00 pm | Lunch break |
| 1.00–3.00 pm | Teaching practice |
| 3.15–4.00 pm | Feedback on teaching practice |
| 4.00–5.00 pm | Lesson preparation/consultation with tutor |
Part time CELTA course
Part-time courses are held from 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays for 15 weeks. Tuesdays replace public holidays. Workshops and input sessions are held on Monday nights and teaching practice and feedback on Wednesdays.
Part-time blended online CELTA course
The online blended course runs for 13 weeks online and 10 weeks overlapping face-to-face. You work on the input sessions at your own pace week-by-week with regular contact online with tutors. Teaching practice takes place from 5pm to 9pm on Monday and Wednesday nights from weeks 4 to 13.
Melbourne CELTA course 2021 dates
| Start date | End date | Duration | Mode |
| 8 Feb 2021 | 12 March 2021 | 5 weeks (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri) | Full-time, Face-to-Face |
| 22 Feb 2021 | 28 May 2021 | 13 weeks (13 online, 10 F2F, Mon & Wed), 1-week break between weeks 8 & 9 |
Part-time, Blended online |
| 31 May 2021 | 2 July 2021 | 5 weeks (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri) | Full-time, Face-to-Face |
| 19 July 2021 | 5 Nov 2021 | 15 weeks (Mon & Wed) 1-week break between weeks 10 & 11 |
Part-time, Face-to-Face |
| 8 Nov 2021 | 10 Dec 2021 | 5 weeks (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri) | Full-time, Face-to-Face |
CELTA course requirements
Applicants must:
- Be aged 18 years or over (preferably aged 20 or over)
- Be eligible for tertiary education in their country of origin
- Understand written and spoken English well enough to follow and complete assignments
Hear from our CELTA graduates
Where CELTA can take you - Nenia Malupa
The CELTA qualification can lead to many opportunities. RMIT English Worldwide teacher, Nenia shares her experience.
Meet our CELTA tutors
Teacher Trainer, David Threadgold
Meet David, a teacher trainer at RMIT English Worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Applicants must:
- be aged 18 years or over (preferably aged 20 or over)
- be eligible for tertiary education in their country of origin
- understand written and spoken English well enough to follow and complete assignments.
CELTA is accredited and administered by the University of Cambridge and is a globally recognised qualification. Other courses may not be recognised by international authorities and so could cause problems getting a visa. Shorter courses are unlikely to meet the National ELICOS Standards of a minimum of 100 contact hours and 6 hours of supervised, assessed teaching practice for teachers in Australian institutions.
Your certificate, issued by Cambridge English Language Assessment, will be accompanied by a report issued in the name of the university or college where you train. A reputable institution with global recognition will open more doors for you.
The application process includes a pre-interview language task (see the CELTA online application form) and an interview. These are used to assess your ability to complete the course successfully and your commitment to its intensive schedule.
Not every applicant is offered a place. CELTA candidates are selected based on their performance in a pre-interview language task and interview. Our expert trainers will assess your application and interview to see if you have the potential to succeed in this demanding course.
The focus of CELTA is on teaching you to teach, not teaching you grammar. This is why the application process is so important, and why we may recommend you take our Grammar Fundamentals short course before you start.
CELTA is for teachers who want to teach English to students in their home country or overseas. TEFL, however, is only an entry-level English teaching certification covering basic teacher training to teach non-native English speakers overseas.
Applicants must:
- Do our Grammar Fundamentals short course first. Comprising four evening classes over two weeks, this course will help you brush up on grammar terminology and work out what skills you need to develop.
- Be prepared to be very busy when the course starts. People who have studied CELTA say, ‘You won’t have time to do anything else’. Believe them. It’s true. If you want to do the full-time course, you won’t even have time for a part-time job. If you cannot take time off work, then do the part-time course.
- Let your friends and family know you’ll be busy. Suspend your gym membership, tell your book club you’ll be absent etc.
- Get organised. Make sure you have all the books and stationery you’ll need.
- Set aside a space at home where you can prepare lessons in peace.
- Talk to someone who has done a CELTA course. It helps to hear other people’s stories and get their advice.
There are several places to start your job search as a CELTA graduate, including:
