Basically TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) refer to the subject area not to a particular qualification. CELTA is a qualification in this area and the acronym is recognized as such throughout the world. The Trinity TESOL is accepted as a CELTA equivalent.

- it is one of the few courses which has a high level of practical, classroom training. You actually have to teach, and be observed teaching, 'real' learners of English as a foreign or second language

- the trainers have to be highly trained, qualified and experienced, and approved by Cambridge University - not just anyone is an acceptable CELTA teacher-trainer

- to maintain standards internationally, centres that offer the courses have to go through a rigorous 'quality control' check by external assessors appointed by Cambridge.

- there are nearly 300 approved centres world-wide so it's well-established internationally. Over 10,000 teachers take the course each year.

- more and more institutions worldwide require their teachers to have the CELTA (or the higher level DELTA)

- and, perhaps most importantly, virtually everyone who has taken the course has said they would recommend it to their friends and colleagues.

Most reputable schools will expect their new teachers to be trained to teach English. The Cambridge CELTA is probably the most respected and well-known training course. The second consideration here is your own confidence. Starting to teach English is made a great deal easier if you have some idea of what you are doing, why you are doing it and how to go about teaching. The course gives you this confidence and means you can walk into a classroom feeling like a prepared teacher.

The CELTA is specifically designed for teaching adults. However, most of what you'll learn can easily be applied to any learners over the age of, say, 12 or 13. Some of the techniques can also be applied to 'Younger Learners,' i.e. children of primary or elementary school age, with modifications. There is a Cambridge Certificate designed especially for young learners (CETYL). Teachers interested in the CETYL are normally expected to have taken the CELTA first.

No. The CELTA is open to non-native speakers of English as long as their English skills are 'of an adequate standard to follow the course and complete the assignments.

The application procedure is as follows:

- Complete the application forms and pre-interview task (see next question) and email them back. You'll receive a message setting up a time for you to complete the pre-interview assignment. Then, we will appoint the time for you to call us for an interview.

- Interviews are usually between 10 am and 3 pm local time, on certain days of the week. You are told during the interview if you have been accepted.

- Wait for an acceptance letter and a letter from Yelena with the details for payment.

- Payment: deposit of 60 000 tg is payable immediately, after you have been accepted for the course. We cannot reserve a place on the CELTA course until the deposit has been paid. Deposits cannot be refunded under any circumstances. The balance of the fees must be paid at least four weeks before the start of the CELTA course. If you have not paid your fees by that date, you may lose your place. Payment can be made either via a bank transfer to our account, or in cash at our offices either in Almaty or in Astana.

- You will then receive the pre-course task to do before your course starts

This usually lasts up to 40 minutes and we ask you some questions about you and your task. We also tell you about the course, and you can ask any questions you may have too! The pre-interview task is not a test - obviously you don't know all the answers without having to think hard about them and even having to look them up in reference books (which is what teachers do all the time). It's more a test of your attitude and instinctive approach to teaching, your inner resources and, where language is concerned, how you would react if a student asked you this type of question. This gives us a good idea of your skills and qualities and therefore, of how you will respond to only four weeks of training - whether it will be enough to bring you up to pass standard and allow us to award you the Certificate.

The pre-course task involves about 12-15 hours of work. Although it isn't assessed or marked, it's very useful as initial preparation for the course. We'll send it to you as soon as you've confirmed your place with payment.

We can help our CELTA candidates find accommodation close to the school. A single flat (fully furnished) will cost approximately $500 per month, or around $700 in total, including utilities and realtor fee. This price is subject to inflation and exchange rate variation, however we will let you know in advance if it changes.

Homework consists of reading, written assignments (4) and lesson preparation. The amount of work will vary by week, and also by trainee. The more you want to get out of the course, the more you will need to put into it.

Most do - perhaps 95% - but not everyone. Our results are typical of world-wide average pass rates (official statistics available). Cambridge does not impose restrictions on the number of candidates who pass or fail any given course. It is merely a question of achieving the required course objectives. A key factor in the course is teamwork and mutual support and we greatly prefer to have people on the course who are willing to share their ideas and be open to those of others'. Among the most common reasons why candidates fail are:

- unwillingness to try out new/unfamiliar teaching approaches and techniques

- inability/unwillingness to develop as a teacher in response to the experience the course provides

- failing to be organizes and punctual - either for the lessons and/or in completing assignments

Yes. Teaching Practice is an integral and key component of the course. You will teach and get feedback to help you develop. You'll also learn from watching your colleagues and experienced teachers teach.

You need to give clear demonstrations, use simple language in your instructions, clear explanations and use visual aids and gestures where necessary. With low-level learners you need to ensure your language is graded to their level, while still remaining natural.

- Over 120 contact hours between the candidates and the course tutors which involves input, tutorial support, supervised lesson planning, peer observation and feedback sessions

- Six hours teaching practice supervised by a course tutor

- Six hours directed observation of lessons taught by experienced ELT professionals

- Reading and research for four written assignments

There are two main components of assessment: teaching practice and written assignments. Assessment is continuous, taking place throughout the course, and integrated so both assessed components contribute to the overall grade. You will be given feedback after every lesson and there will be at least one progress tutorial during the course. Self-awareness and the ability to reflect on your teaching in the light of feedback from the learners, other trainees and your tutors are important considerations. The CELTA course is also externally assessed by an assessor appointed by UCLES.

All tutors are Cambridge trained and approved and Cambridge moderates the course. This means you can be sure of standardisation and transference of the qualification.

Yes, if you are awarded a certificate with a positive grade you may be offered a teaching position on the results of a job interview at the Recruitment Department.