Course Introduction
University Pathway | The University of Auckland English Language Academy
English for Teaching - TESOL (TKT) is designed to prepare you for a globally recognised certificate in English language teaching. These courses are ideal for non-native English speakers who have little, or no, formal teaching experience.
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English for Teaching - TESOL (TKT) is designed to prepare you for a globally recognised certificate in English language teaching. These courses are ideal for non-native English speakers who have little, or no, formal teaching experience.
Key skills gained from the course:
• Awareness of language and the background to language learning and teaching
• Familiarity with different teaching methodologies for language learning
• Knowledge of lesson planning and the use of resources for language teaching
• Awareness of effective classroom management techniques
Students who study English for Teaching - TESOL (TKT) at ELA can benefit from:
• Observing ELA’s highly experienced teachers in live teaching sessions
• Participating in regular conversation clubs to improve English speaking confidence.
• The use of ELA Study Centre with an extensive range of teaching resources, computing, and printing facilities for self-directed study.
• Registering for the Cambridge TKT test at ELA’s test centre located on the same premise.
To be eligible for English for Teaching TESOL (TKT), students need to meet the following English language entry requirements:
ELA: Minimum Upper Intermediate level (CEFR level B2) as determined by an ELA test
IELTS: 5.0 overall, with no less than 5.0 in writing band.
* The IELTS score must have been issued within 12 months of the course commencement date.
2024 course dates are to be confirmed. Please contact us to register your interest at celta@ela.auckland.ac.nz.
Course length
TKT Preparation: 4 weeks (80 hours)
English for Teaching TESOL (TKT): 10 weeks (200 hours)
If you don't have a valid IELTS test result, you can apply as follows:
Step 1
Take the online level test (this will determine if you are Upper-Intermediate level)
Step 2
Contact the Course Coordinator, celta@ela.auckland.ac.nz. You will then receive an application form together with further instructions and a Writing test, which should be hand-written, scanned, and submitted.
Step 3
The Course Coordinator will contact you for an interview. You will be notified after the interview whether you have been offered a place on the course. Acceptance onto the course is subject to the interview and placement test results.
Step 4
Upon acceptance into the course, please register for your TKT Test at ela@auckland.ac.nz
*Please note that this course will run subject to a minimum number of students.
Senior Teacher and Teacher Trainer
Telli Shouri is a senior teacher and a teacher trainer at ELA, where she has been working since May 2021. In addition to training teachers, she has been involved in curriculum development and is responsible for supporting and leading the professional development of other teachers. She also collaborates with the management team on planning and implementing various initiatives.
Teacher Trainer and Teacher
Valerie Bullock has been a teacher trainer and teacher at ELA since 2013. She trains teachers, teaches General English and Academic courses and also develops new courses. Valerie has worked in Singapore, Brunei and the UK. She loves teaching a diverse range of nationalities and sharing cultural exchanges with her students.
University Pathway | The University of Auckland English Language Academy
The Cambridge CELTA is one of only two TEFL qualifications that are listed by the British Council as an acceptable teaching qualification that meets their requirements and standards. It is recognised by language schools around the world and is most often requested by employers. Whether you would like to teach English language in New Zealand or abroad, the CELTA is the best place to start.
At ELA, the language school of the University of Auckland, we have been training teachers for many years and our experienced tutors are ready to help you gain your internationally recognised TEFL certification.
age 20+, and
first-language English speakers or non-first-language speakers and
plan to teach English in New Zealand and/or overseas or
are doing a higher-level qualification such as a masters in TESOL or
are already teaching English but do not have a recognised and accredited teaching qualification or
are teaching other subjects and are considering a career change
There are 2 different ways you can complete a CELTA course at ELA.
Face to Face Full Time
The face-to-face full time CELTA course takes only 4 weeks at our campus from Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. This 4-week intensive study is the fastest way to get your internationally recognised CELTA qualification.
Face to Face Part Time
Our face-to-face part-time CELTA course takes just 10 weeks at our campus from Monday 5 - 8pm, Tuesday and Thursday 5 - 9pm and four Saturdays 9am - 4pm. It is suitable for people who may be working during the day or prefer to study over a longer period.
All CELTA courses include at least 120 hours of contact between candidates and course tutors, and include:
tutorial support and consultation
supervised lesson planning
6 hours’ assessed teaching practice per candidate supervised by a course tutor
feedback on teaching practice
peer observation of teaching practice
6 hours’ directed observation of lessons taught by experienced ELT professionals
You should also allow for 80 additional learning hours for pre-course preparation, reading, research, assignment writing, lesson preparation and record keeping.
The CELTA course covers a range of topics:
learners and teachers, and the teaching and learning context
language analysis and awareness
language skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing
planning and resources for different teaching contexts
developing teaching skills and professionalism
You will be assessed throughout the course and there is no final examination. The two types of assessment are:
Teaching Practice
You will teach for a total of 6 hours, working with adult classes at a minimum of two levels of ability. Assessment is based on your overall performance.
Written Assignments
You will complete four written assignments (each 750–1,000 words). These focus on:
analysing and responding to adult learner needs
analysing language for teaching purposes
teaching language skills
reflecting on classroom teaching
Your teaching practice and written assignments are assessed by your trainers during the course. Your trainers will discuss your progress with you, including in at least two one-to-one tutorials, so you will always be fully informed of your strengths and areas to focus on.
There are four possible grades for CELTA:
pass A
pass B
pass
fail
At the end of your course, you will be given a candidate report form, which will give your provisional grade. This will also say whether you took the course face-to-face, online or as a mix of face-to-face and online.
Cambridge English will issue your certificate when grades have been confirmed. Certificates are usually despatched up to eight weeks after the completion of the course. The certificate will state your name, grade, the centre number where you took the course and the date of the award.
At the ELA, we not only provide you with support throughout the course, but also provide support with a session on finding work both in New Zealand and overseas.
Before the CELTA course, our Student Support Team will send you a welcome pack including important information and materials needed for your course. Also, an IT workshop will be held to help you with any technical issues you have.
In addition, your trainers will keep track of your progress and provide individual support throughout the course.
At the end of the course, there is also a session on finding work. Also, we share work opportunities from schools in New Zealand and overseas with you, providing guidance in your CV preparation and job interview.
You can register for this course if you:
Have a standard of education equivalent to that required for entry into higher education
Are 20 or over
Have a CEFR level high C1 (Advanced) or above which will enable you to teach at a range of levels
If you do not have formal qualifications at this level but can demonstrate that you would be likely to complete the course successfully, you may still be accepted. At the course organiser's discretion, applicants aged between 18 and 20 may on occasion be accepted.
Candidates need to attend 100% of the course. Absence is allowed in the case of illness or exceptional circumstances, with time missed needing to be made up. A high level of commitment is required of candidates as the course is very demanding.
2024 Course Dates:
Monday 18 November - Friday 13 December (4 weeks full-time, course full -waitlist only)
2024 Course Fee: $3,600
2025 Course Dates:
Saturday 05 April - Thursday 12 June (10 weeks part-time, accepting applications)
Monday 17 November - Friday 12 December (4 weeks full-time)
2025 Course Fee: $3,800
Insurance for International Students
All international students are required to have approved insurance while studying in New Zealand. International students will be charged automatically one of the amounts below for insurance upon enrolment. If you already have an approved insurance policy, you will need to provide the ELA with details to waive this fee. Please see Insurance
2024 Insurance Fee: $87 per month
2025 Insurance Fee: $113 per month
Please download the application form and language awareness task below; these should be completed and then emailed to ELA at celta@ela.auckland.ac.nz. If this stage of the application is successful, you will be invited for an interview at a mutually convenient time. The deadline for all stages of the application procedure for the CELTA course is usually four weeks before the course starts.
“In this CELTA course, I learnt a lot of online teaching skills and a lot about teaching in-person. I believe I am well-prepared for any opportunities that may arise. This course has given me a new awareness of various aspects of teaching I had never really considered before such as Teacher Talking Time, and asking ICQs (Instruction Checking Questions) and CCQs (Concept Checking Questions). The great thing about the CELTA is that you can take the skills and certificate anywhere with you and it will be helpful!”
Samantha
“Studying the CELTA course at ELA has opened up many opportunities for me to teach both in NZ and abroad, as it is a universally recognised qualification. The course offers a high level of engagement in a variety of different ways, including input, practical teaching sessions, observations, and technology training, along with consistent progress feedback. I was able to put my understanding and knowledge to use immediately in my teaching practice, seeing positive results, and building my confidence.”
Joanna
“The CELTA course at the ELA has taught me how to teach English to adult learners and given me a solid foundation to start my teaching career. The CELTA trainers were always helpful and provided constructive feedback on my teaching. The facilities and resources at ELA were outstanding.”
Taskeen
“The CELTA course can be challenging at times but the tutors at ELA provided us with a lot of patient guidance. The tutors are hugely experienced, and their training has being very transferable to actually being in a classroom in front of students. The CELTA course has been invaluable in terms of starting a teaching career and will continue to open doors for me in the future. ELA is a premium quality language school and has an easily accessible location in the centre of Auckland.”
Toby
“The course was a big learning experience for me. I didn’t know much about teaching beforehand but came out with valuable real-world experience. The teachers at ELA are so experienced and genuinely want you to progress. I learnt a lot from them and found the teaching input sessions very interesting. I’m planning to teach and travel overseas, and the CELTA qualification will definitely open doors for me in the future.”
Julia
“I really enjoyed the course. The tutors are skilled at giving feedback and presenting action points on how to improve. As it is a small group, there is more one-on-one time with the tutors, and my peers are really collaborative so I could get feedback from them as well. I have taught previously in Nigeria but wasn’t sure how transferable my previous qualification would be, so I took the CELTA as it is universally accepted.”
Emmanuel
No, CELTA trainees are not eligible for student loans from StudyLink.
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