CELTA teacher training courses in Barcelona - Spain

Frequently asked questions

1. Why take THIS teacher training course?

The course is run by Cambridge- yes the Cambridge!
Every Centre is approved by Cambridge ESOL & every course is moderated by an external assessor.
It's the best known & most widely taken initial certificate of its kind in the world
It is accepted throughout the world by most organisations which employ English language teachers - in many schools it is a requirement!
It gives you what you need to be an English language teacher- both theory & practice.

2. Why take the course abroad?
Taking the course away from home means that you can really dedicate yourself to the heavy workload.
Also, if you are interested in living & working abroad after the course, this gives you a taste of the lifestyle. This is true even if you don't intend to remain in Barcelona after the course.
Greater friendship & support often develops between trainees because everyone is in it together, not rushing off back to their families.

3. Why take the corse at the Lewis School?
We are a small school, which means the trainees get plenty of one-to-one help. Working closely with the trainers, you get an excellent introduction to the world of teaching. The course has no hidden extras - the course fee is the total cost (apart form accommodation & food, of course)The centre is fully equipped with everything you need to do the course- & no queues for the photocopier! everyone is in it together.

4. I'm not English - can I take the course?
Trainees of many nationalities have taken the course with us (including British, American, Australian, Turkish, Spanish, Dutch & Indian) .
You obviously need a level of English that will enable you to teach English at any level. Any doubts about this can be cleared up during the interview process.

5. Will I have to sit an exam?
No. Assessment takes place throughout the course (based on your teaching & the written assignments) & each assessed component contributes to the overall grade.

6. Do I have to have a degree to do the course?
No. There is no formal academic entry requirement for CELTA. The recommended minimum entry is that candidates should have a standard of education equivalent to that required to enter into higher education. We can & do accept candidates who do not have formal qualifications if we feel confident that they would be likely to complete the course successfully.
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7. Will I be taught English grammar?
You will be taught how to research & analyse language for teaching purposes. This reflects the real world of teaching where you need to research grammar before you teach it. So you won't come off the course & say ' they didn't teach us this! ', but instead ' I know how to deal with this! '.
Although you get more knowledgeable with experience, you never stop learning.

8. Is it a difficult course to pass?
The stringent application & selection procedure means that we only accept candidates who have a good possibility of successfully completing the course. Therefore, If you work hard & dedicate the time, you should pass the CELTA. However, it should be noted that it is possible to fail.
Since the assessment is continuous & the tutors give you verbal & written feedback on the teaching practice component, you will always know if you are on the right track. You are also given a two one-to-one tutorial where you can discuss your progress. Any steps you need to take in order to improve will be set out clearly for you, if needed.

9. How would I benefit from doing the course?
You'll have a qualification recognised by 'respectable' employers, opening up a whole world of employment possibilities.
You'll be familiar with modern approaches to teaching a language.
You'll have had practical experience of teaching groups of adult learners at 2 different levels.
You'll have had feedback on all aspects of you teaching from expert trainers.

10. Can you help me with accommodation?
Yes. The Lewis School of Languages can arrange accommodation for trainees. This is usually a rented room in an apartment. You will have your own room & access to the facilities i.e. bathroom, kitchen etc. We try to find accommodation as near to the school as possible & cater for preferences, but no guarantees can be given as it depends on the availability at the time of the course. During the summer months we can find rooms in student residences. Host family accommodation with meals is also available.
You will be sent information on accommodation & a request form once you have registered on the course.
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11. What do I need to bring with me?

For the course:
Apart from the two books on our pre-course reading list , it is useful to bring items which you could use in the classroom. For example, personal things like photos of your family & your home town; information about your home town & tourist information leaflets etc.
Basic stationery items for lesson preparation are supplied by the centre (& can easily be bought in Barcelona.
Bring a copy of your CV with you if you are planning to look for work during the course. A laptop computer is also useful.
For Barcelona:
All depends on the weather: no colder than 12 ° C in winter (daytime) & up to 28 ° C in summer (with high humidity). Check out the BBC weather site for detailed info.
It's a good idea to buy a guidebook such as Lonely Planet Barcelona. Good for sightseeing, daytrips and everyday information.

12. Can I prepare myself for the course in any way ?
Once you are accepted for the course you will be sent our pre-course task . This is designed to get you thinking about the areas covered on the course & could take you around 20 hours to complete - obviously some people might need more time or finish it in less. It will not be marked, but may be referred to during the month.
Apart from that, prepare yourself for a month of hard work!

13. Do you help me find a job after the course?
Basically, all trainees who successfully complete a CELTA course find work very soon after the course (& it is common to be offered work that begins immediately after finishing).
In ELT the question is not so much if you will get work, but more as to where you want to work (i.e. the city or country). This normally determines how easily you will find work.
We don't guarantee any jobs after the course as that would be unrealistic. Obviously, our tutors help by giving useful website addresses, information on the schools in the area & sharing their extensive knowledge of the job market in different parts of the world. They are also available to speak to prospective employers & give references.
As a CELTA centre we obviously receive a number of requests for teachers from prospective employers. In addition, we consider trainees for positions in our own centre whenever there are vacancies.
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14. What are my chances of finding work in Barcelona after the course?
Excellent. Barcelona is a very popular destination for trainee teachers & there are lots of private language schools. The biggest intake of teachers is September , before the courses start in October & that's the most likely time of year to be offered more hours or a contract by one school.
Schools employ teachers all year as the need arises, however.
Generally, newly trained teachers start by accepting a few hours in different schools & building up a timetable in that way. Once you have your "foot in the door" you have the chance of being offered more classes as they come up.
By far the best way to find a job in Barcelona is by going to schools & emailing schools with your CV.
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15. What kind of people take the course?
People from all walks of life & with different backgrounds & experience take the CELTA.
Our youngest trainee was 18 & our oldest ( so far ) was 65.
This rich mixture of people of different ages, nationalities and experiences makes for an interesting month.
Many trainees form friendships during the course that last for life.
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16. I have never taught before. Can I do the course?
Yes. It is a one-month initial training course aimed at people like you with no previous teaching experience or those who are already working but with no previous training.
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17. What happens if I fail one of the course components?
It is possible to fail the course.
You can fail one of the four written assignments & still pass the course (although for all of the assignments you are allowed to resubmit them once if they are not up to standard).
Obviously, as with the other component of assessment, the teaching, if it is consistently below standard you can fail the course.
Since the assessment is continuous & the tutors give you verbal & written feedback on the teaching practice component, you will always know if you are on the right track. You are also given a two one-to-one tutorial where you can discuss your progress. any steps you need to improve will be set out clearly for you, if needed.

18. I'm interested. What do I do now?
Complete the application form together with the pre-interview task. We will then contact you (usually within 24 hours) to arrange an interview. This can be either in person or by telephone. You will be told soon afterwards if you have been offered a place.