Teacher Training Center

International House Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language

International House certificate course history

This course was the precursor of the Royal Society of Arts/Cambridge CELTA Certificate, and was first offered by International House London. It is highly regarded by TEFL professionals, and is recognised as being equivalent to the CELTA throughout the world-wide International House network; that is to say, at over 90 centres in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Who does the course?

The course participants are for the most part speakers of languages other than English. Many have had previous teaching experience and some hold teaching qualifications in their own countries. The course is delivered in English, and English is the language used exclusively in the classroom. For this reason, participants are expected to have a very high level of English proficiency, and to be essentially free of errors in writing and speaking.

How is the course structured?

The course has a very similar structure to the CELTA. There are three hours of input each day and two and a half hours of supervised Teaching Practice and feedback. As well, participants must observe 8 hours of classroom lessons taught by experienced professionals outside the course.

Are there any written assignments?

There are three written assignments to be completed during the course and some smaller homework tasks. Although this requires a significant time commitment, it should be secondary to the time spent on the preparation of lessons, which may take several hours for each lesson taught.

Summary of course information

Aims of the course

• develop awareness of learners' backgrounds, learning styles and needs;

• plan lessons effectively to address learners' needs;

• develop and extend teaching skills with reference to learners;

• provide a framework for analysing language effectively;

• establish criteria for selecting and adapting published and authentic materials;

• promote self-evaluation of teaching and its effectiveness from the learners' perspective.

Core syllabus

• developing the four skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing;

• analysing language in preparation for teaching;

• introducing, rising and practising language at a range of levels;

• evaluation of teaching materials, published and authentic;

• planning a lesson and a series of lessons;

• classroom management skills;

• motivating and challenging learners;

• adapting and responding to different learning and teaching environments.

Course requirements

A minimum of:

• 70 hours of input sessions and TP feedback;

• 6 hours of supervised teaching practice at two different levels;

• 4 hours observation of experienced teachers;

• 3 written assignments;

• occasional short homework tasks.

A typical day (full-time course)

12.00 - 13.30	Input seminars
14.00 - 15.00	Input seminar
15.15 - 16.15	Lesson preparation
17.00 - 19.00	Teaching practice
19.05 - 19.45	TP feedback

Assessment

Participants are assessed on:

• Planning of effective lessons with the learners' needs clearly addressed;

• Execution of lessons: teaching effectively with sensitivity to students' level and their language and learning difficulties;

• Professional awareness: acting in a professional manner within and outside the classroom.

Course dates:

Course fee:

To be confirmed.

Where to get an application form for IHC

You can contact our Teacher Training Centre at the address: 125009 Russian Federation,
Moscow, Tverskaya 9, building 4.
tel. 7-495-234-0314
fax 7-495-234-0316
e-mail:t-training@bkc.ru