Why is CELTA worth it? Teachers’ point of view

One day, you realize that your vocation is to become a teacher. 

After obtaining higher education at university, you’ve started teaching, but you understand that knowledge is never enough. So, you attend many workshops and reflect on ways how to enhance your knowledge further. 

Or perhaps you felt that your job was a waste of time, and what you really like is teaching, but you don't know how to start this path from scratch. 

Does this resonate with you? How about taking a CELTA course? As a teacher who has already survived CELTA, I recommend getting CELTA certified, and in this article, I will tell you why it is worth it.

The CELTA, or Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, is a highly regarded qualification recognised worldwide. 

This course is designed to develop practical teaching skills through extensive hands-on experience. 

It aims to equip teachers with effective methodologies, enhance their confidence, and improve their overall teaching proficiency.

The CELTA course is intended for a diverse group of individuals. It is suitable for new teachers starting their careers, experienced educators looking to refine their skills, and those aspiring to teach English abroad. 

Additionally, candidates should have an educational background equivalent to higher education entry requirements. 

However, those without formal qualifications but who can demonstrate the ability to successfully complete the course may also be eligible.

The CELTA program encompasses a minimum of 120 hours of instruction, available in various formats. 

Full-time courses span four to five weeks, while part-time options extend over three to four months, offered both online and in-person. 

Trainees receive feedback on their teaching, engage in peer observations, and observe lessons conducted by experienced ELT professionals.

The CELTA curriculum covers a broad range of topics, ensuring comprehensive preparation for teaching English effectively.

There is a range of topics that the CELTA course covers:

This topic aims to develop an understanding of your students’ diverse backgrounds, experiences, motivations, and expectations. 

As a trainee, you learn to recognise how personal factors and learning preferences impact language acquisition and use this knowledge to plan and teach with sensitivity. You learn how to address the needs of learners, including those with difficulties or disabilities.

It is crucial for a teacher to understand key terminology used in ELT to talk about language and apply this terminology to planning and teaching. 

This includes forming and using verb and noun phrases, understanding word formation and lexical meaning (e.g., meaning, pronunciation, spelling, affixation, compounding, synonymy, and hyponymy), and considering factors that affect word choice.

This topic is essential in terms of understanding basic concepts and terminology used for describing language skills and applying this to practical teaching. 

You will find out that there are various lesson frameworks based on established theories and approaches in ELT, each of them contains suggested lesson stages, examples of appropriate stage aims, and various tips for teaching and developing learners’ receptive and productive skills.

Effective teaching of learners involves understanding the principles and purposes of lesson planning. 

It is essential for teachers to distinguish between different teaching methods and lesson types, and to be able to select those most suitable for their learners. 

Trainees become professionals in planning logically sequenced lessons tailored to learners' needs, including aims, anticipated difficulties with solutions, descriptions of teacher-learner interactions, resource details, and staged procedures with timings, which helps to boost your professional time management skills.

Selecting and evaluating materials and resources, including digital tools, is crucial as well. CELTA tutors will teach you how to adapt resources to meet specific learners' needs while adhering to copyright provisions.

Continuous self-assessment, responding to feedback, and adhering to institutional policies are key for professional growth. 

The course encourages you to think about ongoing professional development through various resources.

You'll be assessed throughout the course, there is no final examination. 

During teaching practice, you will teach adult classes at a minimum of two levels of ability improving further lesson delivery by getting feedback from your tutor or peers. 

You will have to complete four written assignments and if you are worried about not meeting the expected grade on your first submission, you will still have the resubmission which means another chance to fix your mistakes and aim for a passing grade.

One of the first things that really occurs to all of us it's the cost of CELTA. 

Of course, the price it's not cheap, you're going to pay anywhere from about $1,200 to $2,000 and that just depends on the center and the location in the world where you taking it. 

Recognising all the benefits of CELTA, thousands of teachers are willing to spend this amount of money to invest in their professional development. They do not regret it, because the new knowledge and gained skills will pay off in the end.

Another important thing to consider is the fact that the course is intense. 

For instance, my first lesson plan took more than eight hours to prepare. 

I remember that I stopped typing when it was like four o'clock in the morning and, frankly speaking, it was hard but I eventually got the hang of it and I’m sure you will get the hang of it too. 

So, during these one or four months, your life is really going to be focused on your own learning and development.

By the end of the CELTA course, you will find yourself not only more knowledgeable and rounded but definitely a better professional.

You'll feel much more comfortable in any classroom environment and you'll be much more prepared in terms of how to put together materials and set up a lesson so that you know you'll have an effective and successful outcome to your lesson.

As I’ve mentioned, after all trainees’ lesson delivery the tutor will gather you and your peers for the feedback time.

Moreover, neither tutors nor peers criticise you, vice versa they are supportive, so you never feel left alone with the work. You are guided each step of the way and you're all in workloads together wishing to succeed.

When it comes to planning my real-time lessons, I know what materials are relevant and where to find them. 

Now I understand the difference between skills (receptive and productive) and systems (grammar, vocabulary, functional language) in teaching and learning. 

Moreover, I can foresee possible student errors and understand why certain mistakes occur, and how to efficiently correct them, ensuring my students remain motivated in their English learning journey.

Being a course affiliated with Cambridge University, CELTA maintains very high standards to uphold its accreditation.  

The syllabus is transparent and communicated to all trainees from the outset, so you know exactly what you are being assessed on. 

CELTA certification has significant recognition worldwide and if you're looking for jobs, many schools around the globe would like a professional who holds a CELTA certificate. 

Moreover, CELTA applies not just to English language teaching. 

For example, if you're a non-native speaker and you wish to teach your own first language Ukrainian, Polish, or German whatever it may be, you can use the methods, approaches, and techniques of CELTA and apply those to teaching any other.

So, is CELTA worth it?

If you're considering taking the course and can afford it, especially if you aspire to become a teacher without prior experience, I deeply recommend it. CELTA provides a comprehensive foundation that prepares you extensively for teaching English. 

Personally, I found the experience enriching and transformative. Looking back, I would undoubtedly choose to take the course again. If you're passionate about teaching and ready to embark on a new journey, CELTA is an investment that promises great rewards.