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CELTA

Invest in your future with a CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), the most widely recognised English teaching qualification in the world, and the most often requested by employers. This teaching qualification develops your teaching knowledge and provides hands-on practice experience to help you build your skills and confidence, opening up opportunities to teach online or face-to-face anywhere in the world. Whether you’re looking for your first teaching job or want to prove your skills with a recognised qualification, CELTA will help you go further in your career.

Who is CELTA for?

  • new teachers with no experience starting their career
  • teachers with some experience who want to develop their skills
  • first-language English speakers and non-first-language speakers
  • teachers who want to travel and teach English

You should ideally have English proficiency at CEFR Level C1 or above.

The minimum age for this course is 20 years and over. (Applicants aged 18-19 may be accepted at our discretion.)

About the Course

The CELTA course covers the principles of effective teaching, and gives you a range of teaching techniques and practical experience. You get hands-on teaching practice and observation of experienced teachers, and you’ll apply your learning by delivering communicative teaching with English language learners.

  • all CELTA courses include at least 120 hours of study
  • the topics cover practical teaching skills and the theory behind them
  • you’ll get real-life teaching experience with groups of learners
  • you’ll receive feedback and advice on your teaching
  • you’ll be assessed on your teaching skills and on written assignments

Course Topics

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

Minimum Entry Requirements

  • proficient English language user (CEFR level high C1 or above)
  • educated to the standard required for entry into higher education
  • age 18+

Course Delivery Formats

Fully Online CELTA (Part-Time or Semi-Intensive)

Prepare for online teaching the online way! Earning a CELTA online is the perfect way to develop your teaching skills from the comfort of your own home. With the flexibility to balance studies and other commitments, you’ll gain a qualification that supports your development as a teacher for years to come.

Part-Time Course: Live, interactive session once weekly + online self-access to coursework (course duration: 13 weeks)
Semi-Intensive Course: Live, interactive sessions twice weekly + online self-access to coursework (course duration: 7 weeks)

Mixed-Mode CELTA
Your path to teaching excellence – anywhere, anytime! Study the theoretical components online while refining your teaching skills in both face-to-face and virtual classrooms. Ideal for those seeking flexibility and diverse teaching practice.

Online Component: Live, interactive sessions twice weekly + online self-access to coursework (component duration: 7 weeks)
Face-to-face Component: Coursework, teaching practice and input sessions daily (weekdays only) (component duration: 2 weeks)

※ Mixed-mode CELTA candidates must complete both the face-to-face and online components.

Assessment

All CELTA courses include at least 120 hours of contact between candidates and course tutors, and include the following assessment markers and requirements:

  • 6 hours’ assessed teaching practice per candidate supervised by a course tutor
  • 6 hours’ directed observation of lessons taught by experienced ELT professionals, up to 3 hours of which may be of filmed lessons
  • peer observation of teaching practice (i.e. watching the other candidates’ lessons)
  • 4 written assignments (each 750-1,000 words) that focus on analysing and responding to adult learner needs, analysing language for teaching purposes, teaching language skills, and reflecting on your own classroom teaching

You should also allow for 80 additional learning hours for pre-course preparation, reading, research, assignment writing, lesson preparation and record keeping.

Results

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.

2026 - 2027 CELTA Schedule

Together with Stafford House, we are running fully online and mixed-mode CELTA courses aimed at teachers in Japan. Join an exclusive group at a time and pace that suits you, with classmates who share your specific Japanese teaching experience.

We are currently accepting applications for the following upcoming courses:

Upcoming Courses

July 2026 Start – Fully Online (Part-time)

Course Dates: Saturday, 4th of July to Saturday, 26th of September 2026
Schedule: Saturdays 15:30 – 20:30 JST (Four live input sessions are expected to take place on select Wednesday evenings 19:00 – 21:00 JST)
Fees: £1840 (tax-inclusive) (Early Bird £1700 tax-inclusive) Approx. ¥350,000 – ¥390,000

October 2026 Start – Fully Online (Part-time)

Course Dates: Sunday, 11th of October 2026 to Sunday, 17th of January 2027
Schedule: Sundays 15:30 – 20:30 JST (Four live input sessions are expected to take place on select Wednesday evenings 19:00 – 21:00 JST)
Fees: £1840 (tax-inclusive) (Early Bird £1700 tax-inclusive) Approx. ¥350,000 – ¥390,000

2027 Expected Courses

February 2027 Start – Fully Online (Semi-intensive)
May 2027 Start – Fully Online (Part-time)
July 2027 Start – Mixed-Mode
October 2027 Start – Fully Online (Part-time)

※ Course schedule is subject to change, depending on tutor availability, the number of course participants, and the required teaching practice, observation, and live input session hours as per Cambridge. The final schedule will be provided shortly before the course begins.

※ The Early Bird price is available to those who pay for their course in full 21 days prior to the course start date. The provided Japanese Yen price is an estimate only and is subject to change depending on currency exchange and transfer fees. 

※ If you are applying through the MEXT Teacher Discount scheme, discounted pricing is available. Please get in touch with us to discuss the details.

※ If you are a teacher on the JET Programme, you may be eligible for a small rebate after completing the Fully Online CELTA. Please check the JET Programme website for details under the TEFL Grant.

CELTA Events & Webinars

Join our free online webinars and in-person events to learn how CELTA can launch your teaching career in Japan or abroad.

There is nothing currently scheduled. Please stay tuned via this page or join our mailing list!

Next steps

Enquire About CELTA
Request a CELTA Application Pack
CELTA candidates hard at work.

Resources

We offer a variety of materials to help you prepare for the CELTA exam.
Cambridge English CELTA

Official Preparation Materials
‘The CELTA Course Second Edition’ fully covers the latest syllabus and includes a wealth of supplementary materials to help you get the most out of the course. It is the only official CELTA preparation coursebook.
Learn more here