CAMBRIDGE CELTA

Interview Checklist

Please read these points carefully so that you have a better understanding of the course and what is
expected of you. Please tick the boxes to confirm your understanding and this will minimise time
spent in the interview. You will have the opportunity to ask any other questions during the interview
either in person, or over the phone. Please return a completed version of this checklist before the
interview and ensure that you have a copy of this checklist with you at the interview.

1) I am aware the CELTA course is a very intensive four week programme and that I cannot have any work
or major social commitments during this time.
.

I have understood this point □

2) There are two main components to the course; Input and TP (Teaching Practice). In input, the course
tutors will be delivering the content of the CELTA Syllabus covering learning/teaching methodology and
techniques, language awareness, classroom management, lesson planning etc. The tutors will be
modelling the type of teaching I will be expected to demonstrate in my TP.

I have understood this point □

3) TP (teaching practice) consists of a real group of adult learners who come for two hours per session
and it will be my responsibility, along with my colleagues to teach them. They will be divided into
two levels and half-way through the course, I will swap levels in order to teach the higher or lower
level as well.
I have understood this point □

4) I am required to deliver a total of 6 hours observed and assessed teaching practice over the course.
This will be divided into approximately 8 lessons of 45 mins each. This means that I will be teaching
one day on, one day off. I may be teaching from the second day of the course.
I have understood this point □

5) In addition to the course contact hours, I will be required to spend several hours planning each lesson
in my own time. During the initial stages of the course, tutors will give me a lot more support and
guidance as to how to plan and deliver my lessons, whereas towards the end of the course, I will need
to demonstrate more independence in order to demonstrate what I have learnt.
I have understood this point □

6) While I am teaching, my colleagues will be observing me teach and I will be observing them when
they teach as this is an opportunity to learn from each other’s performance. After the lessons we will
have feedback sessions in which we will discuss each other’s lessons. One of the areas that we will be
assessed on, is our ability to think critically yet constructively and evaluate our performance in terms
of teaching strengths and areas for development.
I have understood this point □

7) The centre will also arrange 6 hours of observation of qualified teachers (i.e. teachers with the CELTA
qualification) and this should also provide me with further ideas for teaching and expose me to more
examples of professional practice.
I have understood this point □

8) There are two assessed components to the course: 6 hours of TP and 4 written assignments. These
assignments consist of 750 – 1,000 words and are very practical in orientation. They are not meant to
be substantial pieces of research, but are designed to help you integrate the theory, use the
published resources available to you as a teacher and apply these to your teaching situation. They
will be spread more or less evenly throughout the course and require extra study hours outside of
class time.
I have understood this point □
9) While there are two discrete assessed components to the course, I will also be assessed on my
professionalism, which includes: punctuality, ensuring that I am prepared, accurate and appropriate
written and spoken language, attitude and behaviour towards learners/colleagues/tutors, taking
responsibility for yourself/your learners, maintaining up to date records, appearance, sensitivity to
cultural/social/religious norms etc.
I have understood this point □

10) In terms of overall assessment, the CELTA is a pass or fail course. Making payment does not
guarantee successfully passing the course, nor does it guarantee receiving my certificate from
Cambridge. The course tutors make it clear throughout the course through TP feedback and in
tutorials, what the assessment criteria is and how my performance measures up to it. If there is any
danger at all of failing, at any point, this will be made very clear to me by my tutors sufficiently in
advance so that I have ample time to remedy this.
I have understood this point □

11) There are three possible grades on the CELTA. Internationally, 63% of Candidates get the PASS grade.
Those who perform strongly enough may get the PASS B grade (25% internationally), and those who
perform exceptionally well, may get the PASS A grade (4% internationally). Previous teaching
experience or previous academic excellence will not automatically give you a PASS B/PASS A grade.
Remember this is an intensive programme with a lot of material to process and demonstrate in a short
period of time. Experienced teachers often have some old teaching habits to unlearn in the time that
they are on the course, in order to take on a new approach to their methodology. Where a candidate
is one of the 63% who receive a PASS grade, their end of course report will indicate whether they
were a strong PASS if this was the case.
I have understood this point □

12) There will be a variety of candidates on the CELTA course: native speakers, non-native speakers (with
proficient English), those with teaching experience, those without, those with related qualifications,
those without, some candidates could be 18, some could be 80, some will be from the region, some
from beyond, some will speak half a dozen languages, some will only speak English. Regardless of
their backgrounds, all candidates bring a different set of experiences and different skill sets to the
course, and this is highly complimentary. There is no distinct advantage to performing well on this
course in terms of the background that candidates come from. The real key to performing well on the
CELTA is in how well you can reflect on your performance and how well and how quickly you respond
to the feedback that you are being given by your tutors.
I have understood this point □

13) Internationally, 5% of candidates FAIL the course, and 3% WITHDRAW. These numbers are low
because we have the Pre-Interview Task and the Interview as part of the selection procedure to
ensure we are accepting the appropriate calibre of candidate onto the course. If we are not
convinced that you are capable of passing the course, we would not accept you on the course.
I have understood this point □

14) The CELTA is not an English language course, nor is it a grammar course. As a language teaching
methodology course, the programme is focused on classroom application. Candidates are not
expected to know everything about the English language, but they are expected to research the area
of English that they will be teaching in their lesson as part of their lesson planning. Candidates will
be shown how to do this.
I have understood this point □

15) I understand that Grade Education Centre is an equal opportunities provider and as such makes no
discrimination against applicants based on background or disability. While special requirements in
terms of learning support or health issues will not automatically preclude you from acceptance onto a
course, it is expected that applicants make the centre aware of these issues so that:
 a) Grade Education Centre can attempt to make appropriate provision where possible, and
b) to help the interviewer supply suitable information to the applicant and enable them to
decide whether the course is an appropriate choice

I have understood this point □

16) Therefore, I will make Grade Education Centre aware of any special requirements regarding learning
support that may impact on my performance…
I have understood this point □

17) I will make Grade Education Centre aware of any special requirements regarding my physical or
psychological health that may impact on my performance…
I have understood this point □

18) I will let Grade Education Centre know of any planned or anticipated activities or engagements that
may not allow me to meet 100% attendance…
I have understood this point □