Since I’m on the topic of CELTA, might as well write something about getting a CELTA Pass B. Yes, last year I took the CELTA and finished the course with a Pass B grade. When I first heard about the CELTA grades, I started browsing the net on requirements to getting a Pass B grade.
Sure, getting a Pass A is amazing but a Wikipedia entry suggests that of the over 10,000 CELTA trainees every year, 5% withdrew from the course, 3% failed, 63% received a Pass, 25% received a Pass B and only 4% received a Pass A (accurate as of 2000). So if you manage a Pass B, you’re the top 29% CELTA trainees in the world.
Although I did receive a Pass B, I must honestly say I don’t exactly know the requirements to get it. I wouldn’t say things like “read the suggested reading textbook before the course begins” or “take notes of every single thing the CELTA trainers say” because even I don’t know if doing those would get you a B grade. I must admit, I did finish reading the entire textbook before the course began. My friend didn’t and she too got a Pass B. Not trying to put anyone off reading the book but, I honestly didn’t find having read the book to be of much use during the course.
There are 3 different grades given for your Teaching Practice (TP) sessions. Above Standard (AS), To Standard (TS), Below Standard (BS). Of the 8 TPs, I received 6 AS gradings and 2 TS gradings. Also, of the 4 written assignments, I didn’t have to resubmit any of them. During an early interview with my trainer midway through the course, he told me that they were happy with my progress and if I continued doing what I do, I would be able to finish with a Pass B grade. So, since I’m already where I wanted to be, might as well aim higher, right? I asked him what I should do, if I want to get a Pass A. He told me to be more detailed in my lesson plans. So, I began writing a whole chunk for my class profile and tried to be a little more detailed in the lesson plans. But, another trainer told me, I didn’t have to write that much for the class profile and that a brief introduction would do. I got confused.
Today, after pondering on the issue for a year (I’m exaggerating), I might’ve figured out some things that I didn’t do that could’ve gotten me a Pass A. For one, my lesson plans might still not be detailed enough. And second, I took activities from the books and did them well, but a Pass A may possibly be someone who does activities both from and outside the book. I’m just guessing. Don’t quote me on this.
Last note for people aiming for a Pass B, don’t get too hung up on how many AS grades you get. The one suggestion I can make which I am pretty certain would make you do well is to remember the importance of the Task Cycle. Each time I manage an AS grade, the instructor brought up the point on a good Task Cycle. And if my memory doesn’t fail me, it’s Setup->Task->Feedback.
Interesting insight, thanks for posting it. Regarding the lesson plans: are they used as a reference during a lesson, or handed to the tutor who uses them to see how well you follow them/meet the aims, etc? (or poss’ both, i.e., you keep a copy for reference but hand one in before the lesson as well?).
Hey Jeff,
Thanks for the comment. You’re right, it’s both. Your lesson plans are for you to refer to during TP if you need it. If you can remember everything that you intend to do, that’s wonderful but either way, you definitely need to hand a copy to your tutor not just for them to see how well you follow or meet what you planned but also how you planned your lessons.
Hope this information helped.
Hi there!I find this really helpful and encouraging!I’ve seen a lot of sites that says CELTA didn’t do them any good,etc.It’s a bit frustrating as I would be starting next week.Thanks!
Hi red,
Great to know that this helped. I don’t know how others took it but our batch of around 18 trainees all felt that the CELTA course was a good decision. Perhaps those who liked it are less vocal on the Internet since we have a higher tendency to write our dissatifactions online.
Lucks for your course!
I think if you get a Pass B you’re in the top 29% not top 25%. Don’t forget the 4% of people above that level.
::
Good point!
I’m actually doing my CELTA at IH BKK now after getting inspired by your blog. Week 2 just over, learning lots, and having a great time with my fellow trainees. XD I have some questions to ask you about your experience, particularly about getting a Pass B, so would it be possible for us to communicate via email? Thanks in advance. ^^
Hey K,
I’ve been really busy recently, I’ll write you when my work is not as crazy as me getting back after 11pm.
I hope that’ll be before your course ends!
Hello! Thanks for posting this! I’m a fellow Singaporean, and am thinking of taking the CELTA in Prague next year. That’s a big move for me, coz I’ll be giving up my career.. and almost everything else in Singapore, all for a hopefully more interesting life in Prague. 🙂 I guess one of my biggest worries is that the course will turn out too challenging for me. I’m not an English language guru, and I’ve given back most of my grammar to my teachers.. Not a walking dictionary either. But do you think a pass B’s possible if I put in lotsa effort and time into the course? Sure hope the hard work will pay off!!
Hi nann,
I didn’t realise I missed your post. Anyway, it’s great to hear that you’re heading to Czech Republic for your CELTA. I haven’t been there myself but I’ve heard Prague is a beautiful place.
Frankly, I’m not an English language guru either but I managed to get a Pass B because I put in a lot of effort into lesson planning and stuff so I’m sure you can too if you go for it.
Bests,
hello there,
I started the CELTA very recently and my teacher gave me an S+ on my CELTA5, what does an S+ stand for? thank you very much. Mal
Hi Mal,
While the place where I took the CELTA didn’t give ratings like this, I believe it doesn’t differ too much from place to place.
The S probably means Standard, so I’m guessing there’s an S-, S and S+, which means Below Standard, To Standard and Above Standard.
Perhaps you should ask your trainers.
Thank you very much for the reply Gaijinhan, I consulted a friend who took the CELTA before and she said it was and above standard, well i guess that’s good news. I had been an A student through university and i was disheartened when i heard that inexperienced university graduates could not get a Pass A or Pass B. I am quite determined and i do hope to get a pass B at least at the end of my course. Thanks again for your post. Mal
No problem, Mal! It definitely is good news. Don’t believe the kind of nonsense. I actually took the course basically without teaching experience either but still managed a Pass B. I hope you can do even better.
Great to see these positive comments. No-one in my class got an “above standard” despite several being experienced teachers. Seems that it is really important to stick very closely to your lesson plan. And follow the process MPF with CCQs and ICQs at every turn.
Hi knowledgehunter,
Thank you for leaving a message. I’m guessing you’ve completed your course by now.
How did it go for you? Hope that the course took you somewhere you wanna be.
Hi all. Im a newbie to teaching. Simply wish to know what’s the best cert out of these tefl, tesol, celta, DELTA. I am thinking about teaching english in Thailand this year but haven’t a clue regarding all these certificates 🙁 I must apologise if I seem off subject, truthfully I quite simply want a little help!!!
Hi Barney,
Your comment was filtered into spam, and I un-spammed it based on my gut feeling that this isn’t one.
I think I’ve written about the topic before. In any case, I wouldn’t recommend TEFL. Some say it is good as a preparatory step towards the CELTA or TESOL course but in my personal opinion, it is not necessary as none of my batch of teachers took TEFL. It is also not as recognised as CELTA or TESOL.
CELTA and TESOL pretty much have the same standing. CELTA is offered by Cambridge ESOL, part of the University of Cambridge while TESOL is offered by Trinity College London. They are both recognised throughout the world BUT! be careful of the term TESOL, because it is also used to refer to general teaching certificates that may not necessarily be recognised. So, if you decide to go for TESOL, make sure it is awarded by Trinity College London.
DELTA is the most valuable teaching cert among all but not everyone can take the DELTA course. As its name implies, DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) is an extension to CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults). In order to take the DELTA, one must have at least 2 years of teaching experience AFTER obtaining the CELTA.
Hope this clears your doubts.
Bests,
Hey!
Very helpful suggestions !
I am taking a CELTA course in Chiang Mai and have just survived for the first week.
We’ve done with the first 2 TPs and,unfortunately, I got a N in of one the criteria in my TP2 (maintaining the pace),.I was wondering if that suggests that I would never have a chance to get pass A or pass B ? Thanks so much!
Hi,
I’m not sure what N means, but like I said at the end of the post, don’t get too hung up about your performance especially this early in the course. There’s no fixed formula that says you’ll get an A or B if you score this and that. At least none that is made known to us. I know people who got Pass B despite not performing very well in the beginning. Keep pushing!
I totally agree about the fact that you don´t receive concrete criteria on how to get a Pass A. Based on my experience a Pass A means that you follow every single thing your tutor tells you to do so you become some kind of a robot that copies someone else´s concept. Since teaching is a creative process I find this approach rather demotivating. Hence, there is no need to strive for a Pass A. 🙂