By Jennifer Johnston
The English Language Institute (ELI) at Missouri State University is now one of only 25 centers in the United States to offer the world renowned CELTA certificate (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Cambridge University English Language Assessment. The ELI is only one of 3 U.S. university-based centers and the only center available in the MIDTESOL 4-state area.
CELTA is a 120-hour intensive course designed to equip inexperienced teachers with the skills, resources and confidence they need to teach English outside of the U.S. It can also benefit experienced English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers by developing their teaching practice with innovative teaching methods and allowing them to gain a globally recognized formal qualification. This is particularly useful for Americans who wish to better compete with British applicants for English teaching jobs in the E.U.
CELTA has a reputation as being one of the most widely-respected and demanding short teaching qualification courses available. Skilled CELTA graduates find themselves in demand from reputable English language schools around the world. In addition, it is one of the most widely undertaken courses of its kind. Each year, over 10,000 people worldwide choose CELTA to open up global English language teaching opportunities.
|
WHO? |
WHY? What can I do with it? |
| undergraduate non-TESOL | To earn a TEFL certificate, which is required for most jobs teaching English outside of the U.S. |
| undergraduate TESOL | To gain classroom teaching experience before starting a job teaching English outside of the U.S. |
| MA TESOL holder | To sharpen teaching skills and learn innovative methods either to continue teaching ESL or to teach English outside of the U.S. |
While most CELTA courses are held over a 4-week period, Missouri State also offers a unique 5-week program and a part-time 16-week program, which both allow for more interaction with CELTA trainers, more time to process learned concepts and a less intense pace.
Upcoming Sessions
| Sessions | Course length | Schedule | Deadline to apply |
| May 16-June 10, 2016 | 4 weeks | Monday-Friday from 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. | April 1 |
| June 27-July 28, 2016 | 5 weeks | Monday-Thursday from 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. | May 15 |
| August 23-December 8, 2016 | 16 weeks | Tuesdays from 5-9 p.m.; Fridays from 1-5 p.m. | July 15 |
For more information, visit the MSU CELTA website or email eliteachertraining@missouristate.edu.
Jennifer Johnston is the Director of the Teacher Training Programs at the English Language Institute at Missouri State University. She was the President of MIDTESOL from 2008-2009.
