Certificate in Language Teaching/CELTA Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What Language Teaching courses are offered at Unitec? Unitec offers •
Certificate in Language Teaching (semester based, 45-credits)
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Certificate in Language Teaching with CELTA (semester based, 45-credits)
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CELTA (semester based, 30-credits)
Is the CELTA I get from Unitec the same as from other centres? Yes. The syllabus and assessment criteria are the same at all centres offering CELTA and are determined by the University of Cambridge. Why should I train at Unitec? We offer the CELTA as part of the Unitec Certificate in Language Teaching course. This is a less intensive, semester-based course (15 weeks) run in the evenings and Saturdays. The fees are considerable lower than our competitors and if you are a NZ citizen or permanent resident you may be eligible for a student loan and a student allowance for the 45-credit programme. The Certificate in Language Teaching includes three courses, as stated on our website. On completion, you receive a Unitec Certificate, and, if you qualify, a CELTA certificate. It enables you to teach any language, not just English. Our teachers are highly qualified. They have teaching and training experience in New Zealand as well as many overseas countries. The spacious campus has many good facilities; the library, computer labs & IT support, Te Puna Ako learning support, access to cheap doctor, nurse & osteopathy services and an active Students’ Association with a full calendar of events, plus good parking. The well-equipped classrooms also provide trainees with experience in cutting edge teaching materials and technology. We deliver a range of professional development short courses throughout the year that will enhance the skills you learn on our teacher training courses. What's the difference between Cambridge and Trinity? All courses are aimed at those with little or no experience in English language teaching and include a practicum. Both qualifications are recognised in New Zealand and overseas. What if my grammar isn’t good enough? These courses are designed for people entering the field, although you will require a basic level of language awareness. You will need to demonstrate an excellent grasp of the English language as well as good interpersonal skills. The CertLT/CELTA course is quite intense so there is little time to teach all aspects of the English language. Unitec offers a Grammar Awareness short course that is a good start to understanding the English language. We highly recommend that potential candidates do this short course before doing the CELTA course. Information is on the Unitec website, or you can email
[email protected]. Is there a final exam? The course assessment is continuous – there is no final ‘exam’. You are given one-on-one feedback to focus on your strengths and to identify areas in need of development. Because you are assessed throughout the course, 100% attendance is required.
Revised May 2016
I am interested in taking the course but I don’t meet all the entry requirements. What should I do? We are able to accept students under ‘discretionary admission’ and ‘special admission’ so don’t worry if you do not meet all the entry requirements for this programme. We will assess these requirements once you have submitted your application and task sheet, as well as through an interview process. We encourage you to submit an application and task sheet regardless. Am I too old? People of all ages successfully complete these courses. A lot depends on your language awareness and whether you have the potential to develop effective classroom teaching skills. Age is not a barrier. Will I be able to teach overseas? Yes! CELTA is globally recognised. A number of our CELTA graduates go on to work overseas. In fact many choose to do this course in order to prepare for a job teaching English overseas. However, in order to obtain a working visa, some countries (and some tertiary institutions) require applicants to have a degree. You would be advised to check visa requirements for different countries. What is the process to apply for the Certificate in Language Teaching (CLT), CLT/CELTA or CELTA? First you need to complete a Unitec application form as well as a ‘pre-interview task sheet’. Once we have received both, your application and task sheet will be considered by a qualified teacher educator. At this stage you will either be contacted to come in for an interview or sent a letter declining your application. The interview will take approximately one hour to complete. At the end of the interview you will be advised if you are being offered a place on the course or not. Are student loans and allowances available for these courses? If you are accepted for the Certificate in Language Teaching or Certificate in Language Teaching/Celta, and you are a NZ citizen or permanent resident you may be eligible for both a student loan and a student allowance. The 30-credit CELTA course does not meet the requirements for student loans. Are there any grants/funding available to pay my fees if I go on this course? No. There are currently no grants or funding associated with these courses. What is the timetable for the Certificate in Language Teaching, Certificate in Language Teaching/Celta or CELTA? The timetable for both 45-credit courses is Tuesday night 5:30-7:30pm, Thursday night 5:30-8:30pm and all day Saturday for 15 weeks. The timetable for the 30-credit CELTA course is Thursday nights 5:30-8:30pm and all day Saturday for 15 weeks. You also need to attend at least 4 hours of observations during daytime hours for all the courses. Does that mean they are part time courses? No! These are full time courses. Outside of class you can expect to put in approximately 10-15 hours a week of your own time or more, per course, for assignments and class preparation.
Revised May 2016
