How to Prepare for CELTA: A Practical Guide
- Connor O'Donoghue
- Jun 21
- 5 min read
So, you’ve been accepted onto a CELTA course. Congratulations! Whether you’re starting next month or next week, it’s natural to feel excited, nervous, and maybe a little overwhelmed. The CELTA is intensive, practical, and incredibly rewarding, but good preparation can make a big difference to your confidence and experience.
This post outlines what you need to know before starting your CELTA course, what preparation is worth doing, and how to make sure you’re mentally and practically ready. We'll also include links to free official resources and optional extras, including pre-CELTA grammar help and methodology tools.
Start with the Cambridge Preparation Modules
Cambridge, the organisation behind CELTA, have recently released a set of free online preparation modules designed specifically for incoming CELTA trainees. They’re clear, accessible, and very up-to-date. These include:
An overview of what CELTA is and what to expect
Interviews with CELTA trainers and trainees
Interactive input on grammar and other language you might need to know about
Short tasks to test your understanding
You can complete these in a couple of days, but we recommend giving yourself a bit of breathing room — ideally starting at least a week before the course. You can find the free preparation modules here.
Complete Your Pre-Course Task
Every CELTA centre will ask you to complete a pre-course task. It’s not a test — and it’s not assessed, but it is important. The task typically includes:
Reflecting on the role of a teacher
Considering how people learn languages
Looking at basic grammar and terminology
Thinking about lesson structure and classroom situations
It’s designed to get you thinking about key topics before the course begins. You can expect to spend 2–3 days working through it, though that varies from person to person. In general, if you only have time to do one thing, then this is it!
Make Mental and Emotional Space
CELTA is a practical course and teaching practice can provoke anxiety. It's only natural to get nervous if you're teaching people while being observed. The course also comes with quite a bit of homework, so it's important to make sure you have the time to do it properly. So before the course starts, ask yourself:
Have I cleared my diary to really focus on this?
Have I told housemates/family I’ll be unavailable at certain times?
Do I have strategies in place to manage stress if it comes up?
In terms of your mindset, it's important to remember that you’re not expected to be perfect. You’re not expected to be experienced. You are expected to try, reflect, take feedback on board, and gradually improve. Teaching practice is exactly that — practice — and mistakes are part of the process.
Get Set Up Technically (Especially for Online CELTA)
If you’re doing a CELTA online, make sure you're sorted for the technical side of things:
A working computer (not just a phone or tablet)
A reliable internet connection
Zoom or equivalent installed
An up-to-date browser
A quiet workspace, with limited distractions
Headphones and microphone (optional, but helpful)
Don’t Panic About Materials (But Do Have the Basics)
Your CELTA centre will provide all the teaching materials you need, as well as a library of resources, either online or a physical library. You don’t need to go out and buy 10 books. But we do recommend having access to:
A methodology book (any one of these is fine)
A grammar reference (again any of these is fine)
If you prefer not to buy books, don’t worry too much. Your centre will probably provide access to many of these. You can ask your CELTA centre and I'm sure they'll be happy to let you know what they have available.
Worried About Grammar? You’re Not Alone
Lots of people start CELTA feeling unsure about grammar, even if they’ve spoken English their whole life. That’s totally normal.
Here’s what you don’t need to do:
Memorise every tense and rule before the course
Feel ashamed for not knowing technical terms
Expect yourself to become a grammar expert overnight
Here’s what you should know:
On CELTA you'll only ever teach grammar one point at a time
Assignments and lessons will focus on small, specific topics
You’ll get plenty of support, but you do need to engage with it
The pre-course task and Cambridge modules will help a lot
If you’re still anxious, you might want to look at a pre-CELTA grammar course — there are some good ones listed below.
Optional Extras: Paid Pre-CELTA Courses
There are several reputable short courses aimed at helping you feel more confident before CELTA begins. These often include focused grammar tutorials, helpful videos, and extra background on the CELTA methodology and concepts.
We recommend:
To be clear: you don’t have to pay for preparation. These are optional extras — some people like the extra support, others are happy with the free Cambridge materials. Either way is fine.
Last-Minute? Prioritise These
If you’ve only just been accepted and your course starts soon, don’t panic. Many trainees apply close to the start date and still do well. Just focus on:
Doing the pre-course task
Setting aside time in your schedule
Making sure your tech setup is ready to go
You can prepare for CELTA in a few days, especially if you’re organised and give yourself a few clear days to focus.
Final Thoughts: You Can Do This
Every CELTA course is challenging, but it’s also doable. Thousands of people with no teaching experience complete it every year. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel, but remember: it’s a course for beginners. You’re not expected to arrive as a fully-fledged teacher. You’re expected to arrive willing to learn.
Need more help preparing for CELTA? Drop us a message or book a one-to-one Zoom call with us. We're happy to help!
Dr Connor O'Donoghue hails from Ireland and he started teaching English as a foreign language in Poland in 2003 and he became a CELTA trainer in 2008. He has taught and trained in Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Slovenia, Macedonia, Poland, Russia, Kazakhstan and Vietnam. Connor also holds a Masters and a PhD in Education from Trinity College in Dublin. He has previously managed large teacher training centres in Vietnam and in London before founding DC Teacher Training.
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