The benefits of English Language Teaching (ELT)

If you want to explore our world and enjoy helping people, ELT could be the industry for you.

A New Challenge.

Moving abroad into the unknown is sure to get the heart pumping.  As you rise to the challenges of finding your way around your new city, shopping in strange surroundings or figuring out how to get wifi, you will feel a sense of accomplishment out of all proportion to such mundane tasks.

Choose your new home

Job satisfaction

Whether it’s in public schools, language academies, companies or even private homes you have a unique chance to get to know, understand and help local people. Along the way you will meet characters you would never otherwise have been exposed to, some of these will become good friends.  

Flexible working

It’s time to leave behind the 9-5 mentality. Flexibility is certainly a key attribute TEFL teachers must have in bucket loads. You may teach at 8:00 in the morning or 20:00. Remember variety is the spice of life and enjoy! 

Friendly students

You will benefit from a job working and helping people every day. If you consider yourself a ‘people person’ look no further. BUT always remember: it’s the students’ lesson not the teachers’! You don’t always have to be the expert but you do have to exploit different parts of your personalities with different groups.

Compare and contrast

Flexibility doesn’t just extend to personalities or lesson types. The new teacher must also be culturally adaptable as they discover that ‘normal’ is a truly subjective matter.  Embrace the strangeness of your new country and learn more about your own home as you go!

Are you ready for a different lifestyle?

If you’re serious about a career in ELT, the Trinity CertTESOL could be perfect for you. ELA-Edinburgh are running courses from May 28^th -June 22^nd and October 9^th – November 2^nd. For more information email info@elacademy.co.uk or call us at 0131 2266182.

The CPE exam

There are a variety of exam options for learners of English. The market is full of exams from different providers. However, for highly advanced students one exam stands out: the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

ELA-Edinburgh is an authorised test centre for Cambridge English

The CPE is a C2 level exam, meaning it is suitable for near native level users. It is certainly a challenging exam and a genuine accomplishment for anyone who achieves this level in English.The exam features four papers designed to test all elements of English:

Paper 1- Reading and Use of English (90 minutes)

Use of English tests grammar and vocabulary

Paper 2-  Writing (90 minutes)
Candidate must write two papers and a total of around 500 words

Paper 3 - Listening (Approx 40 minutes)
4 separates tasks that will be played twice

Paper 4 - Speaking (Approx 16 minutes)
Candidates will do the speaking tasks in pairs

Once you have the CPE exam, it is valid for life and is proof of the exceptional level of English that you have reached. It will boost any CV in a competitive market.

Often candidates for the CPE have reached an excellent level of English through living and working in the UK over a number of years and need a qualification that will prove their skills. If this is your case, the CPE may well be your answer.

As a test centre for Cambridge English, ELA-Edinburgh will run the computer based CPE exam on July 14th, candidates will receive their result in justtwo or three weeks. For more information email info@elacademy.co.uk or call 0131 226 6182.

Making the most of your time in Edinburgh

Welcome to beautiful Edinburgh! We're delighted that you've decided to study with us and enjoy our city but. most of all, we want you to improve your English!  You only have a limited time with us, so let's make sure you make the most of your time studying with ELA-Edinburgh.

Be Prepared

Come to class with a pen and a notebook for new vocabulary and grammar. It’s amazing how many students expect to remember language without writing it down. Sadly, most people do not have perfect memories.

ALWAYS record new language

Don’t be shy

Tell your teacher what you need and what you want to study. Be ready to give your teacher feedback on the lessons.

Move your cultural life into English

Remember that most language is learnt out of the classroom so one of the most important thing is exposure to the language. Learners who become fluent enjoy using English to socialise, read, watch TV or listen to music. Even if you don’t think you’re learning anything, your brain is busy absorbing and remembering.

Take advantage of the UK

Whilst in Edinburgh you will be surrounded by the English language. It’s difficult to understand all the new words and phrases you will encounter each day, but use the context to help you guess the meaning and don’t be afraid of making a mistake.

Use your teacher as a resource

Write down new words and phrases and check their meaning with your teacher.

Teachers love lots of questions!

Set yourself targets

When you study a new piece of grammar look for opportunities to use it; this could be just repeating it to yourself or fitting it into a context with familiar situations such as the daily life of your family or friends.  We want to see you produce it.  Imagine the satisfaction you’ll feel when you use the 3rd conditional perfectly!

Be Honest

When you don’t understand something or get confused please tell your teacher. Mistakes are good because we can learn from them and they give your teacher a better idea of how to help you.