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10

The Cambridge CELTA
course online

Jacqueline Douglas and Colin Paton

Introduction to the CELTA Programme

CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is an initial
qualification for people learning to teach English as an additional, second or foreign
language who have previous teaching experience but no formal qualification. It is
one of the most widely taken qualifications of its kind. Each year, over 10,000 people
take CELTA in accredited centres around the world. This qualification is validated by
Cambridge ESOL.

Typically CELTA courses are run entirely face-to-face, either as an intensive four-week
course or on a part-time basis over several months (or up to an academic year).
Each CELTA cohort usually contains up to 18 trainees, who may differ widely in age
and background.

A CELTA course teaches trainees the principles of classroom management and of
teaching communication skills. They learn how to teach English through hands-on
teaching practice, input sessions with a tutor, regular written assignments, and
ongoing assessment and feedback by course tutors.

The CELTA Certificate has two components of assessment: teaching practice (a total
of six hours to at least two different student levels) and four written assignments.
To be awarded the certificate trainees must pass both components.

Why develop a new blended model?
In 2010 Cambridge ESOL wanted to develop CELTA Online, the name emphasising
the innovative mode of delivery of input. It clearly shows that trainees will have
the freedom to study where and when they wish, and emphasises the need for an
appropriate level of IT literacy and internet connectivity. International House London
(IH London) entered into partnership with Cambridge to develop a new blended
format for the part-time version of the programme. IH London, due to its extensive
experience designing teacher training materials, was tasked with developing the
course content and overall course design.

There were a number of factors impelling us to develop a new blended
course format:

■ ■ A new blended programme would increase access for teachers and trainers
to the qualification.

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