What is CELTA?

CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is an internationally recognised teacher training course that will give you the qualification you need to teach English to speakers of other languages in any country, both English and non-English speaking. The CELTA is the most widely recognised qualification in English language teaching and will qualify you to teach English as a foreign language in NZ and overseas.

Certificates are awarded by Cambridge Assessment English. Course tutors are experienced English language teachers who have taught in a wide range of professional situations and are accredited CELTA trainers. All courses are externally moderated by Cambridge English, ensuring that standards are maintained.

Being awarded CELTA is one of the language competency requirements for teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand.

CELTA is an initial TESOL qualification. The terms “TESOL” and “TEFL” are used in different ways by different people and do not refer to specific courses and qualifications.

Here is some common terminology used in the TESOL/TEFL industry:

•    ESL– English as a Second Language (has become an umbrella term for many different kinds of teaching contexts)

•    ESOL –English for Speakers of Other Languages (which has largely replaced the term ESL in the UK)

•    EFL – English as a Foreign Language (is less used nowadays and describes the study of English in the student’s home country, or for a limited period in an English-speaking country)

•    TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language

•    TESOL – Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (At NZLC, we use TESOL to refer to a course for non-native speakers of English who want to teach in their home country)

•    TECSOL– Teaching English to Child Speakers of Other Languages (At NZLC, we use TECSOL to refer to a course for non-native speakers of English who want to teach young learners in their home country)

Why study CELTA at NZLC?

“I took the CELTA at NZLC initially because I wanted to do it as soon as possible and NZLC was the school that was offering it the soonest to when I started looking. I didn’t think much about the differences between doing it in 5 weeks or 4 weeks beforehand. But now that I’ve done it, I couldn’t imagine doing the 4 week course. The CELTA is stressful and compact and shortening it more sounds extremely intense.”
Johnathan P – NZLC CELTA Student

•    NZLC offers a unique 5-week course instead of the more usual 4-week course, so students have more time to research written assignments and plan lessons. Students can have a greater enjoyment of the whole experience with less pressure/reduced stress.

•    NZLC is a Cambridge Assessment English approved centres

•    Over 98% passing rate

•    Over 80% of our graduates find employment in ELT after completing the course

•    A reputable NZQA Category 1 Language School with over 500 students from 25 different countries

•    Winner of the ST Star Award English School in the Southern Hemisphere 5 years in a row

•    The largest language school in New Zealand with lots of teaching opportunities available

•    In-course and post-course employment support, including job workshops, Q&A session on how to get your first teaching job delivered by NZLC’s Academic Department, job placement support etc.

•    Be trained by our internationally experienced tutors who have undergone a rigorous selection and training process that is monitored by Cambridge.

•    Perfect location right next to the vibrant Viaduct harbour, surrounded by the water and minutes away from Britomart transport station and ferry terminal.

Complete the application tasks to see if you can be accepted in the NZLC CELTA course.