CELTA: the overview

overview

The CELTA Syllabus

There are five parts to the syllabus. Hover over the topic for more information. Click to go to the topic guide.

Topic 1 covers:

Cultural, linguistic and educational backgrounds
Motivations for learning English as an adult
Learning and teaching preferences
Context for learning and teaching English
Varieties of English
Multilingualism and the role of first languages

Topic 2 covers:

Basic concepts and terminology used in ELT for describing form and meaning in language and language use
Grammar – grammatical frameworks: rules and conventions relating to words, sentences, paragraphs and texts
Lexis: word formation, meaning and use in context
Phonology: the formation and description of English phonemes; features of connected speech
The practical significance of similarities and differences between languages
Reference materials for language awareness
Key strategies and approaches for developing learners’ language knowledge

Topic 3 covers:

Reading
Listening
Speaking
Writing
and how to describe and teach the skills.

Topic 4 covers:

Principles of planning for effective teaching of adult learners of English
Lesson planning for effective teaching of adult learners of English
Evaluation of lesson planning
The selection, adaptation and evaluation of materials and resources in planning (including computer and other technology based resources)
Knowledge of commercially produced resources and non-published materials and classroom resources for teaching English to adults.

Topic 5 covers:

The effective organisation of the classroom
Classroom presence and control
Teacher and learner language
The use of teaching materials and resources
Practical skills for teaching at a range of levels
The monitoring and evaluation of adult learners
Evaluation of the teaching/learning process
Professional development: responsibilities
Professional development: support systems

celta syllabus areas

There is a guide in the area to unpacking and understanding the CELTA syllabus and how it is assessed. Click here to go there (new tab).

CELTA Assessment

CELTA candidates are assessed in these areas:

assessment areas for CELTA

Assessment comes in two parts, like this:

components

Assessment of the CELTA in continuous and done mostly by the course tutors. Once per course, a representative of the accrediting body (Cambridge Assessment English) visits the course, attends teaching practice sessions, reviews candidates' portfolios and discusses and agrees grades for all candidates with the centre tutors.
Update: because of the disruption caused by the outbreak of Covid-19, Cambridge have loosened the regulations somewhat and it is now possible for your teaching skills to be assessed while you are teaching an online lesson. Cambridge originally stated that this is a temporary measure but have now decided to make it permanent because in their words, they want to build on the success of CELTA online delivery. Exactly what that success was remains a little cloudy.

CELTA Performance descriptors

There are 4 grades for the CELTA, three passing grades (A, B and C) and one Fail grade.
This is what they are and how they are described by Cambridge:

Candidates’ planning and teaching show excellent understanding of English language learning and teaching processes.

Candidates can plan effectively with minimal guidance. They can analyse target language thoroughly and select highly appropriate resources and tasks for successful language and language skills development.
Candidates can deliver effective language and skills lessons, using a variety of classroom teaching techniques successfully.
Candidates show very good awareness of learners and can respond so that learners benefit from the lessons.
Candidates can reflect on key strengths and weaknesses and can consistently use these reflections to develop their teaching skills.

All CELTA assessment criteria are achieved and most are well achieved. CELTA requirements for written work are met.

Candidates’ planning and teaching show good understanding of English language learning and teaching processes.

Candidates can plan effectively with some guidance. They can analyse target language well and select appropriate resources and tasks for successful language and language skills development.
Candidates can deliver effective language and skills lessons, using a variety of classroom teaching techniques successfully.
Candidates show good awareness of learners and can respond so that learners benefit from the lessons.
Candidates can reflect on key strengths and weaknesses and can generally use these reflections to develop their teaching skills.

All CELTA assessment criteria are achieved and some are well achieved. CELTA requirements for written work are met.

Candidates’ planning and teaching show satisfactory understanding of English language learning and teaching processes.

Candidates can plan effectively with guidance. They can analyse target language adequately and generally select appropriate resources and tasks for successful language and language skills development.
Candidates can deliver satisfactory language and skills lessons, using a variety of classroom teaching techniques with a degree of success.
Candidates show some awareness of learners and some ability to respond so that learners benefit from the lessons.
Candidates can reflect on some key strengths and weaknesses and generally use these reflections to develop their teaching skills.

All CELTA assessment criteria are achieved. Some may be less well achieved. CELTA requirements for written work are met.

Candidates’ planning and teaching show minimal understanding of English language learning and teaching processes.
Candidates’ performance does not match all of the Pass descriptors.
Some CELTA assessment criteria are not achieved and/or CELTA requirements for written work are not met.

Pass rates for CELTA

Your chances of passing CELTA are very good.
Worldwide, the figures are:

Pass with Grade A	5.4%
Pass with Grade B	23.9%
Pass with Grade C	66.1%
Withdrew	4.0%
Fail	0.6%

(Source: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/research-and-validation/quality-and-accountability/grade-statistics/2018)

That gives you an over 95% chance of passing CELTA.
The purpose of this section of the site is to help you do rather better than pass, of course.

Test yourself on the scheme.

the CELTA index