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Is the Southern Cross CELTA different from other CELTA programmes?

Yes and no. All Centres have the same internationally recognised Cambridge University approval and all teachers receive the same certificate that they would at any other CELTA centre in the world. Courses may vary from centre to centre but every trainer and every course is individually and externally assessed and accredited by Cambridge University to the same high international standard.

At Southern Cross, our project is to offer the best teacher training course in the world. We are different from a lot of other centres. We've built several innovations into our course design that you won't find elsewhere, all to maximise the quality of the course and enhance your experience. For example, you've probably noticed that most courses are 120 hours in four weeks. Ours is 175 hours in five because we think you get more out of it that way, develop better, and have less stress. Another feature distinctive to our course is that we network you and your colleagues in the period leading up to the launch of the course so that you get to know one another. During the weeks before the course, your trainers will be in contact with all of you to help you prepare and provide support.

Will I be able to find a job?

Yes, absolutely! Demand may fluctuate regionally but globally there has been sustained high demand for English language teachers — and the CELTA is the very best choice to enhance your employability. The course includes workshops dedicated to helping you find the kind of work that you want, which includes providing you with contacts of schools, resources for job search and skills development on the Internet, and interview preparation.

Southern Cross is one of the only centres in the world that provides active job placement. We have developed relationships with the most reputable employers in Ecuador, which exclusively or preferentially hire teachers certified at our centre. Whether you decide to stay in Ecuador or go global, we do everything we can to make sure that you get a good teaching job.

What's the difference between TESOL, TEFL, and CELTA?

One very important difference is that only the Cambridge CELTA and a few varieties of TESOL are recognised worldwide. We don't recommend teaching certification that isn't internationally recognised. For employment purposes, these globally recognised certifications are much better, and among them, CELTA is the most widely accepted by far. In particular, you want to avoid the purely online courses you see advertised everywhere. "Teaching certification" that does not involve assessed, live teaching practice is a waste of your time and money. Southern Cross offers a "blended" learning option that combines online component with the same live teaching practice that you get on traditional courses. The online CELTA awards you the exact same certification as the traditional CELTA.

I'm not too confident about my knowledge of grammar. Does that mean I can't take the CELTA course?

Not at all. The certificate is designed for people entering the field. A basic level of language awareness is fine. The Southern Cross CELTA course is one of the only ones in the world that includes a dedicated advanced language awareness workshop where, with the assistance of your trainers, you work with your colleagues to learn how to research a language area and how to teach it effectively. In addition, we provide a free-of-charge self-study module before the course starts to prepare you for the CELTA language awareness requirements.

Who will train me?

Southern Cross trainers have many years experience, have trained worldwide, and bring a wide range of experience, qualifications, and knowledge to the course. All CELTA trainers undergo a rigorous selection and training process monitored by Cambridge University. In addition to our resident staff, we also recruit top trainers from other centres around the world to work at Southern Cross.
We see this as part of our quality enhancement programme — guest trainers bring fresh perspectives and new skills to our training staff.

How do I apply? How do I know whether I am accepted?

The application process involves three easy steps. First, you fill out the online application you can find here. This is reviewed by a trainer and if approved, you'll receive by email the second part of the application. You complete that and send it to the trainer who is handling your application. The third step, on approval of the second part of the application, is an interview with one of our trainers. This can either be live or by telephone. You're told in the interview whether you've been accpeted. The entire process can usually be got through in a few days. There is no payment required for application and you incur no obligation. It simply allows us to reserve a place on the course of your preference while we get through the application process. In addition, if you have already completed an application task ( sometimes called a "pre-interview task" ) for another CELTA centre, you needn't do another one for Southern Cross. Just send us the one you've already completed. If you've been accepted at any other CELTA centre in the world, then you're automatically accepted at Southern Cross. Just send us your approval and your course preference. One of our trainers will phone you for a chat to give you the opportunity to ask whatever questions you might have about Southern Cross. If you already have a pending or approved application with another centre, send us a message using the contact us here link to make contact with a trainer, and we'll take it from there.