Frequently asked questions

The following are a list of links of frequently asked questions. Please read them carefully and if your question is not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us with your query.

1. What's the difference between TEFL and CELTA?
2. Can I do the course part-time?
3. Do I need to have teaching experience before I start the course?
4. Can I do the course if I'm not English?
5. Is the course just for graduates?
6. Do I need to speak a foreign Language?
7. What is the interview process?
8. How do I prepare for the course?
9. How much English grammar do I need to know?
10. So, what is the course content?
11. How is the course assessed?
12. Can I fail?
13. How do I get a job after I complete the course?
14. Is this course recognised?
15. Can I get work in the UK?
16. What are the career opportunities in ELT?
17. Why should I choose British Study Centres?

1. What's the difference between TEFL and CELTA?
   CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) is the name of the initial qualification. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is the name of the profession.
2. Can I do the course part-time?
   Yes, but not at this centre. Our course is full-time for 4 weeks which means you qualify quickly and are ready to apply straight away for your first teaching post. .
3. Do I need to have teaching experience before I start the course?
   No previous teaching experience is required as this is an initial qualification for those who want to go into teaching. Previous experience can be useful but we do not presume that you have this as we will train you for your first job.
4. Can I do the course if I'm not English?
   Absolutely. We welcome applicants to the course whose first language is not English. You will need to demonstrate that you have an advanced level of English before you start the course. You can either send us any certificates or diplomas you have or we can send you a short language test.
5. Is the course just for graduates?
   No. You'll need to have a good standard of education such as 'A' levels or HND's or equivalent but your previous work experience will also be taken into consideration.
6. Do I need to speak a foreign Language?
   No. You may have experience of studying another language at school which will be useful and you may surprise yourself by how much passive knowledge you have. The CELTA course though is about teaching using solely English in the classroom. This may sound daunting but once you have experienced our foreign language lesson, you'll understand how this is done.
7. What is the interview process?
   You will be asked to complete some language awareness tasks and short piece of written prose. If you are a non-native speaker of English you will also ask to complete some
8. How do I prepare for the course?
   We will give you a preparation pack to take home which will raise your language awareness. This includes tasks such as tense labeling, phonology exercises and good classroom management ideas & tips. There is also a recommended text for pre-course reading.
9. How much English grammar do I need to know?
   If you are a native speaker, you will instinctively know what is right or wrong but you probably won't be able to put a label on things unless you have studied grammar at school. You will learn a lot about grammar on the course although be aware that good teaching isn't just about knowing the grammar. If you think you are a bit rusty with terminology, it's a good idea to have a look at a good grammar book such as 'Practical English Usage' by Michael Swan before you start the course. We won't test you on this though.
10. So, what is the course content?
    This is a very practical course, You will have input sessions in the morning which cover things such as teaching skills, (reading, writing, speaking & listening), teaching pronunciation and vocabulary, lesson planning, language systems, using resources such as textbooks, video etc. You will also observe our qualified teachers in action and teach yourself in the afternoons across 2 levels. You are given support for your lessons as well as group and individual feedback at the end of every afternoon. Have a look at the sample timetable on our website for more details.
11. How is the course assessed?
    There is no final exam. You are continually assessed on all aspects of the course. This includes the teaching practice, written assignments and input sessions. You will need to pass both the teaching practice and the assignments to pass the course. An outside assessor will also come to the centre to assess each course so you can be assured of the quality.
12. Can I fail?
    We would not accept you onto the course if we were not convinced that you have the ability to pass. There are tutorials throughout the course when we will keep you fully informed of your progress and what you need to do to pass the course. Our current pass rate is over 95%. If you do fail we will give you a certificate to say you have taken the course and a detailed report stating your progress but you won't receive your certificate from Cambridge
13. How do I get a job after I complete the course?
    During your course you will be given information from our trainers and also a recruitment consultants. We are not affiliated with any specific teacher recruitment agency which means we are free to give you impartial advice. We have a board which is packed with current teaching vacancies and we also give you comprehensive advice on finding the right school for you. At the end of the course we will give you a 'Teacher Survival kit' which tells you about our experiences working in different countries, materials to take with you as well as career information.
14. Is this course recognised?
    The CELTA is recognised all over the world and is often a requirement to gain employment in English Language schools.
15. Can I get work in the UK?
    Most people will go abroad when they complete the course and the opportunities for employment with the CELTA are wide and various. The UK is a competitive market but you are likely to get work over the summer months and with a bit of persistence, work at other times as well.
16. What are the career opportunities in ELT?
    Most people will start by teaching abroad for a couple of years. You might then consider taking the Diploma in EFL. After this, you could consider going into management and becoming a senior teacher, Assistant Director of Studies or the Director of studies. There are also various other paths such as teacher training, ELT publishing or taking a specialized teaching certificate such as teaching business English or younger learners. There are also numerous MA's in ELT.
17. Why should I choose British Study Centres?
    We are serious about teacher training. We are the only school in Oxford to offer the Cambridge DELTA, CELTA and overseas teacher courses. You can rest assured that all our trainers are qualified, extremely experienced and have undergone extensive teacher trainer courses themselves. We do not believe in hidden extras so unlike other centres, we do not charge you a registration or materials fee.
    We are a well-equipped, modern friendly school situated in the heart of Oxford, close to shops and Christchurch College and gardens. You will have access to a full range of teaching materials, the student library, free use of the photocopier and Internet and access to our coffee-shop for delicious home-made lunches.