F.A.Q. (Frequently asked questions)

1. Who Recognizes CELTA?
   - The CELTA is recognized by TEFL employers worldwide, including: language schools such as International House, ELSI and EF; many overseas public schools, colleges and other employers; many ministries of education, and government bodies such as The British Council; and by TESOL, IATEFL and other major professional organizations.
   - It is well regarded by organizations such as the Peace Corps and JET.
   - CELTA graduates usually receive credit for MA TESOL programs.
   - "The most widely recognized and respected TEFL certification worldwide." (ELT)
   - "Anyone with the RSA/Cambridge Certificate is in a very strong position to get a job in any country where English is widely taught." (Susan Griffith in Teaching English Abroad)

2. Why Is The CELTA So Highly Regarded?
   - Cambridge is one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
   - Each CELTA center undergoes a rigorous annual approval process and a Cambridge assessor visits every course run in every center.
   - Courses provide expert instruction in methodology and language analysis, and include practice teaching with real classes of foreign students.
   - Courses offer training in a communicative teaching approach based on the best of current classroom techniques. This approach can be adapted to meet the needs of students in many different contexts.
   - Only people who attain a good standard of teaching gain certification.

3. Is The CELTA Available Online?
   - The CELTA is not available via any form of distance learning.

4. What Are The Key Features Of All CELTA Programs?
   - Minimum of 100 clock hours of in-class instruction.
   - Minimum of 6 hours of practice teaching with classes of foreign students.
   - Expert critiquing and discussion of all supervised practice lessons.
   - 8 hours of observation of EFL classes given by experienced teachers.
   - Maximum of 18 participants per course.
   - Trainer/Trainee ratio of 1:6 or better.

5. What Are The Minimum Qualifications For Trainers?
   - An MA in TEFL/TESOL (or a related field) or the RSA/Cambridge Diploma in TEFL;
   - At least 5 years of EFL/ESL classroom teaching experience;
   - Completion of an approved program of training as a TEFL/TESL trainer.

6. Do CELTA Centers And Courses Vary?
   - As was explained above, all CELTA courses have to meet certain minimum conditions set and monitored by Cambridge. However, they are free to design their own programs and they can exceed these minimum conditions if they want. As a result, there is quite a big difference between centers, just as there is a big difference between the BA/BS programs offered by different universities. (This is one reason why CELTA courses, like degree courses, vary so much in price.)
   - Some CELTA centers provide extensive pre-course work so that participants can prepare themselves well for their course, while others provide/require little in the way of pre-course assignments. Some centers provide participants with specially designed course manuals and post-course development materials while others do not. Also, some centers provide detailed job placement help while most provide little or no guidance in this area.
   - Another important point to bear in mind is that some centers have established CELTA programs and offer courses on a regular basis, while some other schools offer courses only occasionally, normally employing trainers who are imported on a temporary basis. The standard of courses is almost certain to be higher at established centers which offer the CELTA on a regular basis: the program will be better organized, the trainers will form a more cohesive team and the center will be better able to provide in-course and post-course job placement help.

7. Can I Get Maximum Benefit From A CELTA Course?
   - For advice on how to get the maximum benefit - and enjoyment - from a CELTA program, go to: How To Get The Most From Your CELTA Course.