Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

Course overview

The course provides a widely recognised qualification for teaching English as a foreign language and gives you an initial teaching qualification recognised worldwide.

It is suitable if you have little or no previous teaching experience, are interested in learning to teach English, or have some English language teaching experience but do not yet hold an initial qualification.

Course dates

The course runs from 29 August to 25 September 2026.

There will be no class on Monday 31 August due to the bank holiday.

From Tuesday 1 September, classes are held Monday to Friday, 10:30am to 6:15pm .

Entry requirements

You must meet the following requirements:

• High level of English, suitable for teaching a range of learners (typically Cambridge English CAE Grade A or IELTS 7.5).
• Be at least 18 years old at the start of the course.

If you do not have an English language certificate, your level will be assessed during the interview.

Teaching and learning

The CELTA course combines input sessions, teaching practice, lesson planning and classroom observation to help you develop your practical teaching skills.

Input sessions

Input sessions introduce key areas of English language teaching in a collaborative learning environment. Topics include:

• Language analysis and awareness (grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation)
• Language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
• Learners and teachers and the learning and teaching context
• Developing teaching skills and techniques
• Classroom procedures
• Planning lessons
• Adapting published materials for use in lessons
• Use of resources and materials
• Introduction to a wider variety of teaching contexts e.g. younger learners, business, examinations, monolingual classes.
• Professionalism
• Future employment advice

Teaching practice

You will complete six hours of assessed teaching practice during the course. Lessons are observed by tutors and peers, with opportunities for feedback and reflection. You will teach a range of English language levels, delivering lessons of up to an hour, depending on the stage of the course.

When you are not teaching, you will observe your peers’ lessons and provide constructive oral and written feedback.

Lesson planning support

Tutors provide guidance and support as you prepare your lessons. This support gradually reduces as you gain confidence and experience during the course.

Classroom observation

You will observe six hours of lessons taught by experienced teachers, giving you the opportunity to see different teaching approaches in practice.

Sample timetable

The timetable below shows how a typical week on the course is organised.

Experienced tutors deliver input sessions in a collaborative learning environment with your peers. Teaching practice takes place every afternoon, and you will teach twice per week during the course.

Your teachers

Your CELTA course tutors are experienced English language teachers and teacher trainers who have worked in a range of learning contexts in the UK and internationally. They are actively involved in Cambridge CELTA and DELTA, contribute to English language teaching materials, and present at international conferences in the field of English language teaching.

Assessment and workload

You will be assessed on your language knowledge, lesson planning and preparation, teaching and assignments.

Assessment is continuous, with no final written examination.

To complete the course, you must:

• attend 100% of the course
• teach six hours of assessed lessons
• write lesson plans and self-evaluations for the lessons you teach
• observe your peers’ teaching and provide feedback
• observe six hours of lessons taught by experienced teachers
• complete four assessed written assignments (3,000 words in total).

In addition to contact hours, you should expect to spend at least 80 hours on pre- and post-session tasks, reading, research, lesson preparation, assignments and related tasks.

Final grades are Pass A, Pass B, Pass or Fail.

How to apply

We are closed to applications for 2026 entry.

Application deadline

The application deadline is 12pm (midday) UK time on Monday 12 June 2026.

We recommend applying early to avoid disappointment. Applications may close earlier if the course becomes full.

Interview

After your application has been reviewed, you may be invited to attend an online interview via Microsoft Teams.

If your application is successful following the interview, you will receive an offer of a place by email, with instructions on how to pay the course fee to secure your place.

Fee

The course fee is £2,275, which includes the Cambridge English assessment fee.

If your application is successful, you must pay the full fee to secure your place on the course.