RSA TEFLA

The RSA TELFA, or the Cambridge CELTA (as it has been renamed - but it is the same qualification!), is an initial course to take in order to teach English as a Foreign Language, either in the UK or overseas.

It is a well respected qualification, far beyond the bounds of the UK, indeed, it is probably better known overseas than it is here. It lasts a total of roughly 110 hours of tuition + 6 hours observed teaching minimum.
...
...course, it usually lasts 4 weeks as an intensive course (Monday - Friday, 9-5) or three months to a year as a part time course (depending on how often the classes are).

I, for example, took the course part time over a 3 month period, which was, in effect, every Tuesday and Thursday evening, some Wednesdays and some Saturdays, however, there are some part time courses that run over an academic year for one evening a week.

more

The RSA TELFA, or the Cambridge CELTA (as it has been renamed - but it is the same qualification!), is an initial course to take in order to teach English as a Foreign Language, either in the UK or overseas.

It is a well respected qualification, far beyond the bounds of the UK, indeed, it is probably better known overseas than it is here. It lasts a total of roughly 110 hours of tuition + 6 hours observed teaching minimum.

Depending on the college where you take the course, it usually lasts 4 weeks as an intensive course (Monday - Friday, 9-5) or three months to a year as a part time course (depending on how often the classes are).

I, for example, took the course part time over a 3 month period, which was, in effect, every Tuesday and Thursday evening, some Wednesdays and some Saturdays, however, there are some part time courses that run over an academic year for one evening a week.

You don't need any experience of teaching to take the course, but there is an interview beforehand to discuss motives and future plans etc. You should have an awareness of the grammatical structures of English, but it isn't necessary to know everything perfectly, there are many great Grammar text books to help you out.

The course is very practically based, and although the exact content varies from course to course, certain things have to be taught at all centres.

The teaching practice is observed by peers and tutors and you are given feedback afterwards and this is often one of the most valuable parts of the course.

It is possible to get work overseas without qualifications, but having this bit of paper behind not only ensures you a better school to work in and probably better conditions, but more confidence in your own teaching ability when you are actually up there in front of a class of students.

It isn't a cheap course, it can cost between about £700-1000 depending on where and when you do it. It is also widely available overseas as it isn't an exclusively 'British' qualification.

You don't have to have a degree to take the course, but the colleges ask for an education standard sufficient for admission to tertiary level education, so if you've got A levels, that's enough.

I really enjoyed the course, and would recommend it highly, if you want to go and travel for a few years with a well-recognised qualification which will almost ensure you work if you don't have enough savings to see yourself through, of course, it can also be a means to building a career in the UK, especially if you are in London or one of the seaside towns where a lot of overseas students come to learn English.

As for the grades, you can get an A, B, Pass or Fail, with the majority of people getting 'Pass' grades (because you are well supported through the course if you are heading towards a fail, although saying that, someone on my course with me did fail).

The course really is an introductory course, you can't be a fully fledged teacher after a few weeks, but it introduces methods and lets you practise them in a controlled (observed) environment, teaching 'real' students, and can be a springboard for further exploration of the teaching role.  

...less