What is CELTA? Your Complete Guide to the Cambridge English Teaching Qualification
- Connor O'Donoghue
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
Are you curious about teaching English abroad or online? Wondering what CELTA is, and whether it’s right for you? You’re in the right place.
The CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is the gold standard qualification for new English language teachers worldwide. Accredited by Cambridge Assessment, it opens the door to teaching jobs across the globe, from private language schools in Spain to online classrooms with students in Japan.
In this post, we’ll look at what CELTA involves, what to expect, who the course is for, and how it can shape your teaching journey.
What is CELTA?
CELTA is an intensive, practical teacher training course designed for people who want to teach English as a foreign language. It’s accredited by Cambridge Assessment, part of the University of Cambridge, and is recognised internationally by employers.
All CELTA courses, no matter where or how you take them, lead to the same certificate, issued by Cambridge. It doesn’t matter if you study online, face-to-face, full-time, or part-time: your certificate will not state the format or location.
Some key facts:
Level 5 qualification on the UK framework (similar level to the first year of university)
120 hours of contact time + approx. 80 hours of self-study and preparation
Globally recognised and respected
What’s Included in the CELTA Course?
CELTA is made up of two main parts: input and teaching practice.
Input Sessions
About half the course is input:
Workshops, seminars, or online modules covering:
Classroom management and teaching techniques
How to teach language: grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation
How to teach skills: reading, listening, speaking, writing
Using resources and materials
Lesson planning
On some online CELTA courses, you’ll complete a mix of live Zoom sessions and self-study units on the Moodle platform.
Teaching Practice
The heart of CELTA is your six hours of assessed teaching practice:
You’ll teach real adult students, at two different levels (e.g., pre-intermediate and upper-intermediate).
You’ll deliver 8–9 short lessons, usually around 40–45 minutes each.
You’ll also observe your peers and reflect on lessons together.
Teaching practice is highly supported:
You’ll receive detailed guidance at first (what to say, when to do activities, how to check answers).
Gradually, you’ll take more ownership as you build confidence.
After each lesson, you’ll get tutor feedback — focusing on strengths, areas to improve, and strategies to help you develop.
How Are You Assessed on CELTA?
CELTA has no final exam. You are assessed through:
Teaching Practice (TP): six hours spread across at least 8 lessons at two or more levels
Four short written assignments (750–1,000 words each):
Focus on the Learner
Language-Related Tasks
Skills-Related Tasks
Lessons from the Classroom
How Can You Take CELTA? Full-Time, Part-Time, Online
At DC Teacher Training, we offer:
Full-time CELTA (4 weeks, intensive): Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, London, online
Part-time CELTA (approx. 12 weeks): Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, London, Eastbourne, online
Our most popular course is our part-time online CELTA, combining Zoom meetings, Moodle units, and real-time teaching practice.
Who Can Apply for CELTA?
To apply for CELTA, you should:
Be at least 18 years old
Have the equivalent of A-levels or school-leaving qualifications
Have a high advanced level of English (C1+): native or non-native speakers welcome!
Online CELTA includes all the same components as face-to-face CELTA. You will be expected to teach via Zoom, so basic IT skills are essential.
The application process includes:
A written task on language and teaching
An interview (usually via Zoom)
Don’t worry: this is not a competitive process — we’re looking for potential, not perfection.
What Can You Do with a CELTA?
With CELTA, you can:
Teach English in language schools worldwide (adults, teens, children)
Work for online English teaching platforms
Teach English one-to-one, in-company, or in summer schools
Why Choose DC Teacher Training?
Since launching, we’ve trained hundreds of CELTA teachers (454 in 2024), who have gone on to teach in over 25 countries. Our trainers are experts, our centres are welcoming, and our online courses are structured to balance flexibility with hands-on experience.
We’re here to support you at every step and we’re proud to be one of the largest CELTA providers in the UK.
Ready to Get Started?Apply now for an upcoming CELTA course
Not sure yet? Sign up for our free “Introduction to CELTA” webinar
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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