Many candidates with special requirements have successfully completed the intensive CELTA course and all Cambridge CELTA training centres have an Equal Opportunities policy. Tutors need to check, however, that candidates will be able to cope with the intensive nature of the course, the practical demands of teaching practice and the written assignments. We also need to ensure that coping strategies exist or can be put in place when necessary.
Cambridge regulations state:
“In line with Cambridge ESOL’s Equal Opportunities Policy, centres should make every effort to accommodate applicants with special requirements. Applicants with special requirements often have and will be able to confirm that they have the necessary strategies and/or the personal and technical support to enable them to complete the course successfully.
Requests to Cambridge ESOL for special arrangements should be made before accepting the candidate onto the course.
Application for additional time for completion of written assignments for candidates with specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) must be supported by a report that includes details of the effects of the learning difficulty and an assurance that the evidence of specific difficulties was obtained from the results of appropriate and recognised tests. The assessment must be completed and the report signed by an appropriately qualified person within two years before the start of the course. The status of the person must be specified. Other acceptable evidence may be considered. It may be helpful for applicants with special requirements to be given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the role of the teacher and the demands of the classroom in the field of ELT before accepting a place on the course.”
We would therefore urge candidates who may have special requirements to disclose these so that we can assess the situation together and advise on whether the part-time CELTA or the new blended learning version (CELTA Online) might be more appropriate to their needs and situation.