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Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are our most frequently asked questions regarding our CELTA and other training options. Simply click on a question in the list below to be taken directly to the answer.
Questions
1. Can I find accommodation near the CELTA centre?
2. Can I find work in Thailand or with ECC (Thailand) easily?
3. Where are the classes held?
4. What is the average pass rate?
5. Does the course cater for people with a lack of grammatical knowledge?
6. Can I work during the course?
7. Can I bring my computer?
8. Is age a factor?
9. Are the practice students Thai?
10. Do I have to have an interview in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket?
11. How much is the cost of living in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket?
12. What visa should I get?
13. Is there any difference in course content whether I take the course in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket?
14. How much is it to travel around Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket?
15. Can I do the course if English is not my first language?
16. Do I need to be able to speak a foreign language?
17. Do I need to have taught before in order to do the course?
18. How many courses are there worldwide every year? At ECC?
19. How many people take the course worldwide every year? At ECC?
20. Can I do the course by correspondence?
21. How can I find a job in ELT?
22. What books can I read about teaching ELT?
23. Is the CELTA course eligible for student loans?
24. Are the course fees refundable?
Answers
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Can I find accommodation near the CELTA training centres in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket?
Yes, there are a variety of different types of accommodation within walking distance of our centres in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Accommodation ranges from 4 star hotels to comfortable guesthouses. Another alternative could be to rent a small apartment for 1 month. This will entail a 2-month deposit (refundable) plus 1 month's rent in advance. Accommodation ranges from 350 B to over 2500 B a day. A list of accommodation for Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket can be found in appendix B of the application pack or at the following page on the website http://www.eccthai.com/lifestyle/accomodation.asp
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Can I find work in Thailand or with ECC (Thailand) easily?
This depends on the time of year and the economic situation in Thailand. There is a big demand for English teachers within Thailand but the money varies greatly geographically and within language schools. ECC (Thailand) has schools around the country and usually has approximately ten vacancies every month. Also see our train then teach page.
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Where are the classes held?
All the classes are held at one of our teacher training centres; at Big C Rajdamri, Bangkok, our centre in Chiang Mai or at our centre in Phuket.
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What is the average pass rate?
Internationally, 92.5% of candidates successfully complete the course, 24% at Pass 'B' level, 2% at pass 'A' level. 5% of candidates fail and 2.5% withdraw from the course. People who fail, if they want to do the course again, will have to pay the full course fees.
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Does the course cater for people with a lack of grammatical knowledge?
Yes, there are books we recommend you read before the course starts, also there is a pre-course task to complete once you have been accepted onto the course. During the course we have language analysis input sessions to help you.
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Can I work during the course?
The intensive nature of this course means that any professional or personal commitments during the course can seriously compromise your result.
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Can I bring my computer?
If you want, it makes your materials look professional, although access to a printer might be problem. Computers are available for use at both training centres.
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Is age a factor?
No, but we have found that the longer candidates have been away from a learning environment, the slower their rate of assimilation. Also, older trainees sometimes have difficulties relating to younger ones and a team environment is essential on a course of this nature. Furthermore, we have found older trainees can have fixed ideas about grammar, which are not in keeping with current usage.
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Are the practice students Thai?
Most are, although we often have Burmese, Japanese, Indian, Cambodian, Chinese and Eastern European students.
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Do I have to have an interview in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket?
All candidates need to be interviewed either face to face or, in the cases of applications from overseas, over the telephone. This is an international requirement of CELTA courses and allows both us and the candidate to honestly assess suitability for the course.
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How much is the cost of living in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket?
FOOD: If you like western food, McDonald's combo meal is 95 Baht, KFC combo 80 B, there are many more fast food chains within walking distance of the training centres. If you like Thai spicy food you can eat for less than 30 B for a meal with rice.
DRINK: Beer is expensive, a small bottle of Heineken about 50 B, large 90 B. Cigarettes local brand 45 B, western brand 60 B.
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What visa should I get?
All you need to attend the CELTA course is a 60-day tourist visa. You need to apply for this from a Thai embassy or consulate before you leave. For full details on visas check out our website.
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Is there any difference in course content whether I take the course in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or Phuket?
No, course content is the same wherever you take the course.
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How much is it to travel around Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket?
Bangkok: Buses: Bus fares vary according to the type of bus. Red buses non air-con, 3 and a half baht for 1 journey. – Blue & white non air-con buses 8 baht for 1 journey. - Blue air-con buses, start at 8 baht and orange air-con buses start at 10 baht progressing up to 20 baht depending on the distance travelled. Micro bus, 20 baht for 1 journey.
Taxis: Start at 35 baht and 2 baht for every kilometre. The Skytrain costs between 10-40 Baht depending on distance travelled. The underground (subway) ranges in price from 14-36 Baht (2 Baht per station increase up to 12 stations).
Phuket: There are two bus routes in town and both routes use air-con buses with prices ranging between 10-20 Baht. Songthaews (trucks converted into buses) are available with prices starting from 20 Baht. There are also Motorcycle Taxis on every corner and prices start from 10-20 Baht and are negotiable. There are ‘Taxi Meter’ available in town but these are few and far between.
Chiang Mai: There are 7 bus routes in town with prices ranging from 10-20 baht. Bus 6 or 6B goes closest to the training centre. Songthaews (trucks converted into buses) are available with prices starting from 15 Baht. There are also Motorcycle Taxis on every corner and prices start from 10-20 Baht and are negotiable. ‘Taxi Meters’ are available in town and fares start at 40 Baht and 2 Baht for every kilometre.
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Can I do the course if English is not my first language?
Yes. All applicants must have an awareness of language and a competence in English, both written and spoken, which enables them to follow the course.
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Do I need to be able to speak a foreign language?
No. Centres may give preference to candidates with previous foreign language learning experience but this is not a course requirement.
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Do I need to have taught before in order to do the course?
No. The CELTA course is designed as a pre-service course for people with no previous teaching experience.
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How many courses are there worldwide every year? At ECC?
Over 600 courses are run worldwide each year, either full or part time. 18 at ECC in Bangkok, 6 at ECC in Chiang Mai and 6 at ECC in Phuket.
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How many people take the course worldwide every year? At ECC?
Currently over 7000 candidates worldwide gain the Certificate each year. At ECC over 200.
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Can I do the course by correspondence?
No. The CELTA is a practical teaching course with its emphasis on continuous assessment of classroom practice and so is not suitable for distance learning.
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How can I find a job in ELT?
UCLES provides details of future employment and professional development opportunities to all candidates and successful CELTA graduates. Also in week three there is a professional development input session to help you find a job.
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What books can I read about teaching ELT?
When you are accepted onto the CELTA course you are given a recommended reading list with your acceptance letter.
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Is the CELTA course eligible for student loans?
CELTA courses are not usually eligible for student loans. All prospective applicants requiring information on loans or grants should request information from the appropriate authorities and not the CELTA centre.
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Are the course fees refundable?
The deposit once paid is non-refundable. Failure to pay the full course fees one month before the course commences means the applicant forfeits the place and the deposit. The full course fees are non-refundable if the applicant doesn’t inform the centre one complete month before the course commences.
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