ELA University Pathway
Course Introduction
University Pathway | The University of Auckland English Language Academy
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Undergraduate
EPUS
Our accelerated 10-week programme. English Pathway for Undergraduate Studies (EPUS) is for students who hold a conditional offer for undergraduate study at the University of Auckland or other New Zealand tertiary institutions, and who have narrowly missed the English language requirements.
Undergraduate
TEACHING QUALIFICATION
EPUS
COURSE LENGTH
10 Weeks
COURSE DATES
23 June – 29 August 2025 (10 weeks)
08 September – 14 November 2025 (10 weeks)
17 November 2025 – 16 January 2026 (7 weeks)
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Course Outline
English Pathway for Undergraduate Studies (EPUS) is for students:
- who hold a conditional offer for undergraduate study at the University of Auckland or other New Zealand tertiary institutions1, and,
- who have narrowly missed the English language requirements
Students who successfully complete this programme with the required grade, will meet the English language requirements for university study.
This short intensive programme focuses on developing the language proficiency and academic literacy needed for undergraduate studies through English. Also, students in this programme can have full access to the University of Auckland Library and learning services.
Course length
10 weeks (an accelerated 7-week2 EPUS is available in November)
Total hours
200 hours
Course dates
23 June – 29 August 2025 (10 weeks)
08 September – 14 November 2025 (10 weeks)
17 November 2025 – 16 January 2026 (7 weeks)
1More information on the New Zealand tertiary institutions that recognise the EPUS is available on request.
2Due to the Christmas break, the EPUS course commencing in November is typically 7 weeks long, but the course hours remain 200 hours in total.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for EPUS, students must:
- Hold a conditional offer of place from a New Zealand tertiary institution which recognises EPUS1
- Meet the IELTS score requirements below as based on the score needed for your undergraduate programme2.
IELTS one skill retake
IELTS One Skill Retake is now being accepted by the University of Auckland.
This means you can retake one skill below the required band to meet the IELTS requirements. Your One Skill Retake must be completed within 60 days of your original IELTS test and must be completed as a "One Skill Retake".
You will need to meet the advertised IELTS scores in order to meet the English Language Requirements for your programme of study.
For more information, visit IELTS One Skill Retake.
1A list of all New Zealand tertiary institutions which recognise the EPUS is available on request.
2The Academic IELTS score must have been issued within 24 months of the EPUS commencement date.
Sample Timetable
Please note this is a sample timetable only. Your classes may run in the morning session or afternoon session.
Enrolment Details
- Students may commence their studies no later than the Friday of the first week of the course.
- No late starts are allowed for Summer School – students must begin on the Monday of the first week of the course.
- Students must pay the tuition fees for their Study Programme to ELA at least four (4) weeks prior to the commencement of their Study Programme, except in the following case: Students from the People’s Republic of China are not permitted to pay the tuition fees before INZ has granted “Student Visa Approval in Principle”
- Please note students taking a Pathway course will need to have their own device, i.e. laptop or tablet.
Repeating Students
- Students repeating the course need to confirm their place with the Academic Manager no later than the first day of the course.
- Students who have confirmed their place may commence their studies no later than the Friday of the first week of the course.
Meet the Teachers
Christy Zhong
Teacher
Christy is an English language teacher at ELA. Since joining ELA in 2023, she has taught different classes, including General English and EAP courses. She enjoys meeting with people from different backgrounds and learning new things from them. She believes being curious is one key factor to successful learning. To balance work and life, she enjoys watching good movies and TV dramas, reading books about crime, and eating delicious food.
Sarah Hallis
Teacher
Sarah joined the ELA team in 2016 and has taught a wide range of courses, including Academic English, General English, IELTS, and Business English. She was also formerly General English Coordinator for the ELA and has taught short-term in China. Sarah finds her passion in the classroom and enjoys engaging with students from various walks of life. Apart from this, she loves dogs, bottomless cups of tea, and creative expression through music-making and cake-decorating.
CELTA Q & A and Graduate Comments
Why should I take a CELTA course?
The Cambridge CELTA is one of only two TEFL qualifications that are listed by the British Council as an acceptable teaching qualification that meets their requirements and standards. It is recognised by language schools around the world and is most often requested by employers. Whether you would like to teach English language in New Zealand or abroad, the CELTA is the best place to start.
At ELA, the language school of the University of Auckland, we have been training teachers for many years and our experienced tutors are ready to help you gain your internationally recognised TEFL certification.
Who is a CELTA course suitable for?
age 20+, and
first-language English speakers or non-first-language speakers and
plan to teach English in New Zealand and/or overseas or
are doing a higher-level qualification such as a masters in TESOL or
are already teaching English but do not have a recognised and accredited teaching qualification or
are teaching other subjects and are considering a career change
How can I complete a CELTA at ELA?
There are 2 different ways you can complete a CELTA course at ELA.
Face to Face Full Time
The face-to-face full time CELTA course takes only 4 weeks at our campus from Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. This 4-week intensive study is the fastest way to get your internationally recognised CELTA qualification.
Face to Face Part Time
Our face-to-face part-time CELTA course takes just 10 weeks at our campus from Monday 5 - 8pm, Tuesday and Thursday 5 - 9pm and four Saturdays 9am - 4pm. It is suitable for people who may be working during the day or prefer to study over a longer period.
What does a CELTA course include*?
All CELTA courses include at least 120 hours of contact between candidates and course tutors, and include:
tutorial support and consultation
supervised lesson planning
6 hours’ assessed teaching practice per candidate supervised by a course tutor
feedback on teaching practice
peer observation of teaching practice
6 hours’ directed observation of lessons taught by experienced ELT professionals
You should also allow for 80 additional learning hours for pre-course preparation, reading, research, assignment writing, lesson preparation and record keeping.
The CELTA course covers a range of topics:
learners and teachers, and the teaching and learning context
language analysis and awareness
language skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing
planning and resources for different teaching contexts
developing teaching skills and professionalism
You will be assessed throughout the course and there is no final examination. The two types of assessment are:
Teaching Practice
You will teach for a total of 6 hours, working with adult classes at a minimum of two levels of ability. Assessment is based on your overall performance.
Written Assignments
You will complete four written assignments (each 750–1,000 words). These focus on:
analysing and responding to adult learner needs
analysing language for teaching purposes
teaching language skills
reflecting on classroom teaching
Your teaching practice and written assignments are assessed by your trainers during the course. Your trainers will discuss your progress with you, including in at least two one-to-one tutorials, so you will always be fully informed of your strengths and areas to focus on.
What are the grades for CELTA*?
There are four possible grades for CELTA:
pass A
pass B
pass
fail
At the end of your course, you will be given a candidate report form, which will give your provisional grade. This will also say whether you took the course face-to-face, online or as a mix of face-to-face and online.
Cambridge English will issue your certificate when grades have been confirmed. Certificates are usually despatched up to eight weeks after the completion of the course. The certificate will state your name, grade, the centre number where you took the course and the date of the award.
What support can I receive before/during/after the course?
At the ELA, we not only provide you with support throughout the course, but also provide support with a session on finding work both in New Zealand and overseas.
Before the CELTA course, our Student Support Team will send you a welcome pack including important information and materials needed for your course. Also, an IT workshop will be held to help you with any technical issues you have.
In addition, your trainers will keep track of your progress and provide individual support throughout the course.
At the end of the course, there is also a session on finding work. Also, we share work opportunities from schools in New Zealand and overseas with you, providing guidance in your CV preparation and job interview.
What is the daily schedule like?
Face-to-face Fulltime Course
8:30 – 16:30 (New Zealand Time)
8:30 – 9:15
Assisted Lesson Planning
9:30 – 11:30
Teaching Practice (TP)
11:30 – 12:30
Lunch
12:30 – 13:20
Feedback
13:30 – 15:00
Input 1
15:15 – 16:30
Input 2
Face-to-Face Part-time Intensive Course
(New Zealand Time)
Monday
17:00 – 18:30
Input 1
18:45 – 20:00
Input 2
Tuesday and Thursday
17:00 – 17:45
Assisted Lesson Preparation (ALP)
18:00 – 20:00
Teaching Practice (TP)
20:15 – 21:00
Feedback on Teaching Practice
3 or 4 Saturdays
09:00 – 12:00
Input 1 and 2
13:00 – 16:00
Input 3 and 4
What are the entry requirements?
You can register for this course if you:
Have a standard of education equivalent to that required for entry into higher education
Are 20 or over
Have a CEFR level high C1 (Advanced) or above which will enable you to teach at a range of levels
If you do not have formal qualifications at this level but can demonstrate that you would be likely to complete the course successfully, you may still be accepted. At the course organiser's discretion, applicants aged between 18 and 20 may on occasion be accepted.
Candidates need to attend 100% of the course. Absence is allowed in the case of illness or exceptional circumstances, with time missed needing to be made up. A high level of commitment is required of candidates as the course is very demanding.
What are the course dates and fees?
2024 Course Dates:
Monday 18 November - Friday 13 December (4 weeks full-time, course full -waitlist only)
2024 Course Fee: $3,600
2025 Course Dates:
Saturday 05 April - Thursday 12 June (10 weeks part-time, accepting applications)
Monday 17 November - Friday 12 December (4 weeks full-time)
2025 Course Fee: $3,800
Insurance for International Students
All international students are required to have approved insurance while studying in New Zealand. International students will be charged automatically one of the amounts below for insurance upon enrolment. If you already have an approved insurance policy, you will need to provide the ELA with details to waive this fee. Please see Insurance
2024 Insurance Fee: $87 per month
2025 Insurance Fee: $113 per month
How to apply?
Please download the application form and language awareness task below; these should be completed and then emailed to ELA at celta@ela.auckland.ac.nz. If this stage of the application is successful, you will be invited for an interview at a mutually convenient time. The deadline for all stages of the application procedure for the CELTA course is usually four weeks before the course starts.
What do our graduates say about this course?
“In this CELTA course, I learnt a lot of online teaching skills and a lot about teaching in-person. I believe I am well-prepared for any opportunities that may arise. This course has given me a new awareness of various aspects of teaching I had never really considered before such as Teacher Talking Time, and asking ICQs (Instruction Checking Questions) and CCQs (Concept Checking Questions). The great thing about the CELTA is that you can take the skills and certificate anywhere with you and it will be helpful!”
Samantha
“Studying the CELTA course at ELA has opened up many opportunities for me to teach both in NZ and abroad, as it is a universally recognised qualification. The course offers a high level of engagement in a variety of different ways, including input, practical teaching sessions, observations, and technology training, along with consistent progress feedback. I was able to put my understanding and knowledge to use immediately in my teaching practice, seeing positive results, and building my confidence.”
Joanna
“The CELTA course at the ELA has taught me how to teach English to adult learners and given me a solid foundation to start my teaching career. The CELTA trainers were always helpful and provided constructive feedback on my teaching. The facilities and resources at ELA were outstanding.”
Taskeen
“The CELTA course can be challenging at times but the tutors at ELA provided us with a lot of patient guidance. The tutors are hugely experienced, and their training has being very transferable to actually being in a classroom in front of students. The CELTA course has been invaluable in terms of starting a teaching career and will continue to open doors for me in the future. ELA is a premium quality language school and has an easily accessible location in the centre of Auckland.”
Toby
“The course was a big learning experience for me. I didn’t know much about teaching beforehand but came out with valuable real-world experience. The teachers at ELA are so experienced and genuinely want you to progress. I learnt a lot from them and found the teaching input sessions very interesting. I’m planning to teach and travel overseas, and the CELTA qualification will definitely open doors for me in the future.”
Julia
“I really enjoyed the course. The tutors are skilled at giving feedback and presenting action points on how to improve. As it is a small group, there is more one-on-one time with the tutors, and my peers are really collaborative so I could get feedback from them as well. I have taught previously in Nigeria but wasn’t sure how transferable my previous qualification would be, so I took the CELTA as it is universally accepted.”
Emmanuel
Can I get a StudyLink student loan for CELTA?
No, CELTA trainees are not eligible for student loans from StudyLink.
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