IMPORTANT CELTA DATES
| STARTING | ENDING |
| 06/04/07 | 06/29/07 |
| 06/02/08 | 06/27/08
|
Purpose
Lone Star College-North Harris in partnership with the University of Cambridge, UK, is offering the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults [CELTA]. The CELTA is the largest and most recognized training program in the world for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages [TESOL]. The primary aim of the course is to provide effective practical training in TESOL. The aims of our CELTA program are to help teachers to:
- Improve their knowledge of American English grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation.
- Build a good foundation of classroom management skills.
- Acquire and practice a range of effective ESOL teaching techniques.
- Become familiar with a range of current ESOL books and other teaching materials.
- Develop a self-critical approach to their own teaching.
- Evolve an effective and personal teaching-style.
Admissions and Course Requirements
Admission Requirements
Acceptance into the program is not automatic. Applicants are accepted on the basis of their performance in a language evaluation task and an interview. Our basic requirements are as follows:
- BA/BS degree.
- Ability to speak and write English with a very high level of accuracy, appropriateness, and near-native fluency
- Some previous experience of formal or informal study of a foreign language
- Previous teaching experience is helpful but not required
- Minimum age of 20 years by the end of the course
Course Requirements
- 120 hours of input, tutorial support, supervised lesson planning, feedback and peer observation.
- 6 hours assessed teaching practice with classes of foreign students
- 6 hours observation of live and video lessons taught by ESOL professionals
- Maintenance and submission of a portfolio of all coursework including all written assignments and practice lesson plans.
Costs
Tuition and Books
The full cost of the course is $1756 as of October 2006. This includes the Cambridge Certificate and the Lone Star College-North Harris Certificate which awards 11.2 Continuing Education Units [CEUs]. The Pre-Course Assignment and a course manual and/or course handouts are also included.
The course fee is due and payable at the time of registration.
Each participant should buy and bring with them to the course one of the following grammar and usage reference books:
Practical English Usage by Michael Swan
Grammar in Use: Intermediate by R. Murphy and W. R. Smalzer
Accomodations and Transportation
While Lone Star College-North Harris will assist course participants to locate a suitable homestay or hotel, the responsibility for arranging such accomodations rests with the participants. A homestay will cost about $500. A hotel, sometimes with a small kitchenette, will cost about $700-$900. Because public transportation is limited, participants normally rent a car or bring their own. If public transportation will be used, it is imperative to rent a hotel room along the main boulevard called FM 1960 because the metro bus line #86 travels along that route to the college. For detailed bus information please contact the Houston Metro http://ridemetro.org
Course Information
Course Length
Each course is 120 hours. Homework on weekends and evenings adds a further 80+ hours. Each participant also undertakes 35 hours of self-study before the course, using our "Pre-Course Assignment." The course lasts four weeks, and requires attendance Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30/5:00 p.m.
Course Organization
The CELTApresents a communicative approach to the teaching of classes of adult students. Although it has a sound theoretical basis, the course is extremely practical, and it blends proven classroom techniques with modern developments in language learning theory. The course elements include: seminars, workshops, written assignments, lesson observation, supervised and evaluated practice teaching with classes of adult students, discussion and critiquing of practice lessons, and tutorials.
A Typical Day
A typical day may include the following:
- TESOL Methodology Seminars
- Language Awareness Workshops
- Observation of an ESL class
- Practice Teaching
- Critiques of Practice Teaching
- Guided Preparation of Practice Lessons
Topics
- Language awareness (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation)
- The learner, the teacher, and the teaching/learning contract
- Planning for the effective teaching of adult learners of English
- Classroom management and teaching skills
- Resources and materials for teaching English to adults
- Professional development for teachers of English to adults
Assessment
Assessment
- Demonstrated successful achievement of all the teaching practice criteria.
- Satisfactory completion of four written assignments.
- Professional development through participation in seminars, workshops, feedback and peer-observation sessions.
Written Assignments
- Working with the English language system
- Reflections on classroom teaching and identification of action points
- Exploration of aspects of teaching and learning English through the focus on adult learners and learning contexts
- Analysis of teaching and learning materials
Grades & Certificates
Certificate Award
The CELTA program is approved by the University of Cambridge. The Certificate will be awarded to candidates who meet the course requirements and whose performance meets, or exceeds, the criteria in all three assessment components.
Grades of Award
Each successful participant receives the Cambridge CELTA with one of the following grades: Pass, Pass B, and Pass A. Worldwide, over 90% of candidates receive the Certificate, with 70% being awarded the basic Pass grade. (This grade is recognized by employers as showing a good level of ability and potential.)
Trainers
All of our CELTA trainers are approved by Cambridge University and have at least 10 years of TEFL/TESL and TEFL-training experience.