Reviews of Teaching House

4.6 Rating •
267 reviews
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Description

Cambridge Assessment English approved the opening of Teaching House in 2007. With the aim to expand quality English-language teacher training in the United States, Teaching House has opened over 15 center locations and trained over 3,000 new teachers. Teaching House is now the largest provider of Cambridge CELTA courses in the world.

Ensuring the high standards of education that are set by Cambridge English, all Teaching House CELTA courses have a maximum of only 6 trainees working with each trainer. To fulfill this trainer/trainee ratio, the Teaching House staff include over 20 Cambridge English-approved teacher trainers as well as a strong support team based at our headquarters in New York.

In addition to the standard four-week CELTA course format, Teaching House has developed two new formats:

  • a 10-week part-time course run on two evenings a week and on Saturdays;
  • a part-time blended course over 14 weeks allowing people to work online during the week and do teaching practice on Saturdays.

We also offer in the USA a two week compressed teaching practice option with online content, for those who are only able to take two weeks for their teaching practice component.

Become CELTA certified – Apply TODAY!

Courses

Course Types

Combined TEFL Courses
On-site TEFL Courses
Online TEFL Courses

Course Lengths

Standard (120-140 hours)
Long Courses (150+ hours)

Certifications

Cambridge CELTA
Cambridge DELTA
TEFL / TESL / TESOL

Additional Features

Online Practicum
Part-Time Study

Locations

Canada

Toronto ON

England

London
Oxford

USA

Boston MA
Miami FL
New York NY

Teaching House has received 267 student reviews and has an overall rating of 4.57 out of 5 stars based on the following criteria.

Overall Rating
Course Content
Practice Teaching
Quality of Feedback
Lesson Plan Guidance
Instructor Competency
Job Assistance
Facilities/Resources

267 reviews of Teaching House

Review 90 of 267 Teaching House

Written by Mark on April 21, 2013 6:05 pm
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I took the four week March CELTA course at the new Chicago location and came away with a lot of useful experience. The course instructors were both very helpful when it comes to pointing out areas in need of improvement AND strengths. The hands-on teaching experience that is a part of this class makes me much more comfortable with the idea of handling a class of sts. I came away with a large base of working knowledge and a lot of useful teaching references. The class actually does ready you to prepare and teach lessons effectively. I suggest it to anyone interested in teaching, not just because of its weight on a resume but because it approaches teaching in an interesting fashion that emphasizes student participation. I feel that I learned important multifarious information at an impressive pace in this class.

I have two warnings for anyone interested in this course:

1. It says intensive and it means intensive. You will be expected to teach the first week of class and learn the use of a large register of unfamiliar words quickly. I suggest keeping your notes organized and paying close attention to lesson plan layouts and aims. You will reference that information often, especially when designing lesson plans or writing papers. Leave yourself some time to think about WHY the instructors want a lesson to flow in a certain order and what the purpose of each part of your lesson is in relation to the overall purpose of the lesson.

2. Count on around twelve hours a day being taken up by this class and the work involved in it. The idea of taking a weekend vacation during this class is humorous to me in hindsight. Weekends are used for sleep and catching up.

In conclusion : Hard. Worth it.

Review 89 of 267 Teaching House

Written by Andrew on April 16, 2013 12:58 pm
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My experience with Teaching House Chicago was incredible. From the moment you walk in on your first day to the last step out the door four weeks later you are being well educated. The instructors were intelligent, thorough, concise and professional while still keeping the environment lighthearted. The four weeks are extremely intensive and taxing, but if you have the drive and determination they will give you the tools needed to succeed. I highly, highly recommend Teaching House Chicago.

Review 88 of 267 Teaching House

Written by AJ on April 12, 2013 3:14 pm
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The TeachingHouse I went was in Chicago. It was incredible! Though I had previous teaching experience, I learned exponentially. The tutors were very personal, instrcutive, helpful, and challenging. It was definitely an intense four-week period, but all the work was practical and useful. Ultimately, I think the feedback was the best part of the class. The tutors invested so much time and energy in giving us feedback–this is where I learned the most. For anyone looking to get an ESL certificate, CELTA with TeachingHouse Chicago is easily the place to do it!

Review 87 of 267 Teaching House

Written by Marcela Ardohain on April 8, 2013 5:29 pm
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The CELTA course was a really life changing experience.

As a non-native teacher I had to deal with two challenges: a 24/7 English environment and to learn teaching methodology and techniques that were new to me.

The course is divided into two: Input sessions in the mornings and teaching practices in the afternoons.

During the input sessions trainers demonstrated the teaching techniques and taught the basics of teaching and jargon. We also watched videos where professionals were teaching real classrooms or you could also observe professionals “live” in a language school near Teaching House. Everything I learnt was really interesting and essential either to start a teaching career or in my case to update my teaching knowledge.

What made this course unique was the second part: Teaching practices.

During the afternoons, after lunch-break (not always possible), I had the chance to teach a class or to observe other teachers and give them feedback. In the first two weeks, I had to teach a pre-intermediate level class and in the last two weeks, I had to teach an upper-intermediate level class.

To tell you the truth, this freaked me out a little at first but it marked a turning point in my teaching career. I believe I can only learn from experience and making mistakes and this was the case. Even though it was nerve-wrecking and frustrating at times, I could evolve into a better and more efficient teacher, much more aware of students’ needs.

Although I am experienced teacher, during the first week I was really lost. I didn’t know exactly what I was supposed to do.

As I hadn’t taught groups for a long time ( I had been teaching in-company one-to-one or small groups exclusively for the last 7 years), to get the hang of writing lesson procedure forms and classroom management took a long time. I had lots of bad habits that I needed to get rid of. By the end of the second week, I was literally exhausted and overwhelmed by all the teaching practices and assigments I had already done. The first assignment was a language related task. I had to analyse a lesson and put into practise what I had learnt in the input sessions. The second assignment was even more challenging. I had to design a skills related task from scratch. I chose an interview in a Bostonian magagize about a local celebrity.

During my second week I had to hand in two assigments and I had three teaching practices. What helped a lot was being supported by my host family and classmates. My hostmum made it easier because I didn’t have to worry about meals or anything except for the course. In fact, I didn’t have time to do anything but attending the course or doing homework.

Being able to focus on the course 24/7 was essential and also having a good computer and printer ( my hostmum let me use hers). The school provided both but not at all times and I could work much better from home after a proper meal.

I was very lucky because I had wonderful classmates, too. We made a great team and we complemented each other a lot. The were all native speakers so they helped me with my accent and intonation and I helped them with their grammar.

After week three, everything went downhill. I could start thinking about my teaching practices conscientiously. It didn’t mean I didn’t make mistakes, it meant that I realized them the minute after I made them.

I believe that to be aware of my own mistakes is what will help me become a better teacher.

Only then, I had time to read and analyse all the bibliography that trainers had suggested. I also had to observe one of my students to do the Focus on the learner assignment but this was a very relaxing week in comparison to week 1 and 2.

During week four, I had no assignments left, just the one we did in class, and I had only two teaching practices.

I wanted the 60-minute class to go perfectly. I used my SRT (Skills related task) assignment. I didn’t go as expected, though. But I learnt a lot from it, that’s for sure. And I believe that’s what really matters.

Now I am back in Argentina looking for jobs here and abroad eager to start using what I learnt during the course. I know this is going to be a great challenge mostly abroad because I am a non-native teacher and most jobs in the USA and the UK are for native speakers but I don’t lose hope. Meanwhile I go on teaching in-company and private students. I am using what I learnt during the course or I adapt it to one-to-one and small groups and it really makes a difference. Students enjoy my classes far more. I am also thinking to do the DELTA, in Buenos Aires this time, hopefully next year.

I am certain that having a CELTA Certificate will enable me to fulfill my dreams.

Review 86 of 267 Teaching House

Written by Stephan Gallego on April 3, 2013 3:32 pm
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As a CELTA graduate from the Feb 2013 class, I highly recommend the CELTA Intensive course for its teachers, its subject matter, and its resources.

I have had many teachers throughout my academic career, from the “work on pages…” type to those who motivate and inspire; however, the teachers in CELTA changed my point of view in teaching itself:

it is no longer an “activity”, but an art instead. The classes were fluid, engaging, and informative; but for the first time, I felt compelled on taking notes on how the teachers taught.

The program format was divided in two segments: morning and afternoon classes. In the morning classes, the CELTA instructors focused on ESL Teaching-related lessons, which included: language

analysis, teaching styles, lesson types, and phonology among others. Though I had had some experience as an ESL teacher in the past, these classes presented brand new material and methods. During our

afternoon classes, we were able to place into practice what we had learned during the morning lessons as we taught Basic and Intermediate level students. To wrap up each day, peers and teachers alike

gave constructive feedback, which we would then apply during our next lesson. During my University days, I used to be described as a “crammer”, so being able to apply, modify, and execute new and old

material was very beneficial for me and my students. It’s also important to mention the vast amount of resources- physical and virtual- that were available to us.

As the name suggests, the program itself was intensive. Due to the course’s demand, I initially put my health as a second priority to the course – a horrible idea considering how much information one

day can contain. So as a result, during my second week I began eating oatmeal in the mornings, fruits throughout the day, and sleeping outside of class I much as I could. On average, my classmates and I

spent about two to three hours working outside of the classroom, lesson planning, acting out the lesson, and completing assignments. When you spend so much time together with such like-minded individuals, forming close bonds is inevitable, and the help and support my classmates provided was invaluable.

As the strawberry on top (I don’t love cherries), my experience was further enhanced by the Teaching House staff. Like the teachers, the staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and genuinely enjoys

working with different cultures.

Post-CELTA life is beautiful! I was hired 1.5 weeks after completing the CELTA, and today I teach over four classes to Basic level students here in New York. CELTA itself was recognized and talked about during the

interview, and I feel more confident as a teacher employing behaviors learned during the course – these include improved eliciting, increased student-talking time, and improved non-verbal communication.

If you want to enhance your marketability as an ESL Teacher, enjoy a fast-paced and challenging learning style, and are serious about improving your behaviors as a teacher, then I hope that you consider CELTA as your next step.

Best of luck sir/mademoiselle!

Stephan Gallego

ESL Teacher

Review 85 of 267 Teaching House

Written by Ladan Kadkhoda on April 2, 2013 2:31 pm
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I did a lot of research on what type of certification to get and where to get it – there are so many options. I am so glad I chose to do the CELTA at Teaching House; it exceeded my expectations.

I was very confident when entering the classroom after graduating this past October. I got work right away, and was actually covering for a teacher with years of experience, who had decided she wanted to get the CELTA at Teaching House as well!

Everyone at the school is very supportive – a special thanks to Tessa, who was very welcoming and helpful from my application and throughout. Altogether, the school is well-organized and the staff is both friendly and very efficient.

In terms of the classes my teachers were all great and very knowledgeable. I worked primarily with Lizzy,Sezgi, and Christina – they all want you to succeed. You work really hard, it’s definitely worth it, and they are there every step of the way.

I found that the student-centered methodology to be sensible, and you can appreciate this because you are experiencing it for yourself. Outside of the CELTA, a student-centered classroom is widely favored, the reason being – it works! My classes were fun, interactive and memorable. If you love learning and teaching, you’ll find classmates who share your this passion, who will become your colleagues in the ESL field.

It’s exciting to graduate and to start to research the job market and have the choice to do a CELTA validated. There are are opportunities for CELTA graduates in New York, and abroad, where there are many Teaching Houses as well. If you get an opportunity to study here, go for it. The world really opens up for you!

Review 84 of 267 Teaching House

Written by Imoni on March 9, 2013 6:45 pm
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Taking the CELTA was definitely intense, but if you are motivated and willing to learn it will click.

I enjoyed my time at the New York Teaching House. I learned things that I don’t think I will ever forget. The teachers were always well prepared and efficient answering any questions we had. The way the day was structured was great and you didn’t even feel that you been in the classroom for about 8hrs. The feedback from the teachers were not sugar coated; they were truthful and helpful. Being a recent college grad and familiar with teaching from a students point of view, the methods we were taught were way more effective than how I was taught in school which was throwing all this information at you and expecting you to understand. CELTA teaches you to think from a students point of view and I think that is what keeps the students (during our teacher practice) engaged, motivated and able the comprehend. Also I learned so much about the English language than I ever remember learning- participles, intransitive verbs, collocations?! Being equipped with this knowledge definitely helps and improves my own English, even as a native-speaker.

I would recommend taking the course to anyone. Getting the certificate is something that will always benefit and can be a great fall back to whatever your real career is.

PS. Just keep in mind this facility does not have a microwave or lunch area so you might be buying lunch everyday.

Review 83 of 267 Teaching House

Written by Shari on February 4, 2013 10:13 pm
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Just completed the NYC TH CELTA course. It was definitely worth it!! I learned so much! It really stretched my mind. Yes, you are teaching by day two (real students) and the teaching method employed is learn by doing, then constructive feedback which is overwhelming at first but at the same time thoroughly useful to imprint the experience on your mind.

A very positive experience for me- I loved working with my fellow teachers, trainers Heather and Svitlana, and the students at Teaching House. This experience gave me the confidence / courage to pursue higher education and seek to make ESL my new career. I would recommend this course to anyone seeking a first class certification that future employers will respect.

Suggestions?

*You’ll need every spare moment to keep up if you are like me.

*Read and employ improvements suggested by trainers after each teaching lesson to increase your chances of success

*Read and reread all instructions for written essays

*Avoid a long commute

*Take a grammar refresher course- the one recommended to me was a free course through cambridgeenglishteacher.org

*And be prepared to work really hard- they don’t call it intensive for nothing!!

*Oh and Carefully read all reviews as you consider your accommodations

Good luck!!

Good luck!!

Review 82 of 267 Teaching House

Written by Samuel Choi on January 22, 2013 7:46 pm
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The course was well-worth my time and money. I did the 1-month intensive course and it lives up to its name. I had barely any time to do anything else but work for the course. You start teaching on day 2 and the feedback, though sometimes it can come at you hard, is very good, direct, and helpful. All of the trainers that I encountered were top-notch, professional, and knew what they were doing.

You end up teaching a total of 9 times for 6 hours and they are excellent practice. I feel very confident to go forth and teach ESL. However I do wish I had more teaching practice with all of the different aspects of language. For example, I never got to teach a lesson on functional language. But the principles you learn in teaching other systems (grammar, vocabulary), I suppose, are transferable. But what can you expect from a 1-month course? For what it’s worth, it was as good as it could have been.

Probably my biggest complaint would be the fact that there is only one copy machine for use by trainees in the NYC Teaching House. Other than that you are provided with 300 pages for copying/printing, staplers, paper clips, books, resources, etc.

I learned a good deal about English grammar and how to teach it. The course forces you to be confident in the material that you teach. You may not learn everything but it does a great job of showing you how to teach yourself to teach. I suppose teaching self-learning is the basis of a distinguished education.

Perhaps the biggest strength of this course is the teaching practice and the feedback that you receive. You can count on it to be good advice because each course is evaluated by an evaluator from Cambridge. The evaluation is systematized and consistent.

As for job placement, they have job listings on their website and I’ve gotten an email. But other than that you are on your own. But I guess the trade-off is that the CELTA is supposedly the most widely accepted certification course for ESL teachers. I have yet to be hired but I’m banking on this notion myself.

Review 81 of 267 Teaching House

Written by Tricia on January 17, 2013 12:45 am
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I started the intensive CELTA course after Thanksgiving and finished right before Christmas… I was warned by my friends who had been through the CELTA that there would be tears and many sleepless nights, so I knew what i was getting myself into! 😉

I had a head start on my coursemates because I have been teaching English for the last few years and doing the CELTA was part of my professional development at work. However, being on the course forced me to reexamine and reevaluate my teaching methods and I definitely took away a lot from the input sessions and teaching practices. All the tutors on the course (Heather, Elena, Christina and Sharon) were knowledgeable and engaging and very approachable and helpful to us. The students were easygoing and obliging and I really enjoyed getting to know them and teaching them! That said, be prepared to be thrown into the deep end… I did as I was told for the first two weeks before everything sank in and began to make sense to me.

I was however, a little disappointed with the facilities in the centre. One photocopier is not sufficient for the number of CELTA trainees and it would be great to have a paid colour photocopying option. I was also surprised to see the OHP still being used- it would have been nice to have a computer and projector in every classroom. I also felt that more copies of the resource books would have been nice. The computer lab was great though, a lot of us came in early and stayed back late to work and it became a communal space for us!

All in all, I would give IH New York a high rating for the CELTA course and recommend it to anyone who is considering entering the ESL profession! 🙂

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