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CELTA (ESOL): What Is This Exam and How to Prepare for It
23.07.2025
3 minutes to read
If you’ve ever thought about teaching English not just to friends in chat, but seriously — welcome to the world of CELTA. It’s not just a trendy acronym; it’s one of the most respected certifications for English language teachers. It’s issued by Cambridge (yes, that Cambridge), and it opens the doors to tons of language schools around the world. The course is called CELTA (ESOL), which stands for Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Sounds official, but in essence, it's an intensive training program where you learn not just to speak English, but to actually teach it. How do you build a lesson? What do you do with beginners who don’t speak a word? How do you explain grammar without boring your students to death? All of this is what CELTA is about. And yes, preparing for the course is no walk in the park — but it's totally worth it. Below, I’ll tell you what to expect from the course, how it works, and how to survive this marathon for future teachers.
Table of contents
CELTA is an international qualification that officially makes you a teacher of English as a foreign language. In other words, you don’t just know English at a B2 or C1 level — you know how to teach it: clearly, correctly, and engagingly. The full name of the certificate is Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (ESOL), and it’s issued by Cambridge. And this isn’t some chill online course you can do with coffee on the couch — it’s a serious training program with real classes, homework, and even teaching practice with real students.
So, who is this for? First off, anyone who wants to teach English abroad — in Spain, Italy, Asia, or basically anywhere. Without CELTA, it’s nearly impossible to get in: employers want to see a real qualification, not just “I love English” on your resume. Second, the CELTA course is perfect for those who are already teaching but doing it intuitively without a clear methodology. Here you’ll get solid tools: how to structure lessons, avoid overloading students, manage time, and make sure there’s enough practice. Third, CELTA is great for career changers — people who want to try something new and get into teaching. Age doesn’t matter: the course includes both college students and people well into their 30s and beyond. The main requirements? At least a B2 level of English and a readiness to learn intensively.
So, who is this for? First off, anyone who wants to teach English abroad — in Spain, Italy, Asia, or basically anywhere. Without CELTA, it’s nearly impossible to get in: employers want to see a real qualification, not just “I love English” on your resume. Second, the CELTA course is perfect for those who are already teaching but doing it intuitively without a clear methodology. Here you’ll get solid tools: how to structure lessons, avoid overloading students, manage time, and make sure there’s enough practice. Third, CELTA is great for career changers — people who want to try something new and get into teaching. Age doesn’t matter: the course includes both college students and people well into their 30s and beyond. The main requirements? At least a B2 level of English and a readiness to learn intensively.
What Is CELTA and Who Is It For?
How Is CELTA Different from TEFL, TESOL, and Other Programs?
At first, all these acronyms — CELTA, TEFL, TESOL — sound like spells, and it’s hard to tell which one is better. But it’s not as complicated as it seems. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are umbrella terms — they refer to types of programs, not specific courses. There’s no single standard, so quality, duration, and difficulty can vary wildly. You can do a TEFL course online in a week without much effort and end up with a “teaching certificate.” But that won’t get you far — many employers won’t accept it, not even for a side gig teaching online.
CELTA, on the other hand, is a strong, established brand. It’s a course developed by Cambridge Assessment English, with strict structure, professional trainers, and mandatory teaching practice with real students. No Zoom-only passive learning — everything is hands-on. That’s why CELTA (ESOL) is valued much more highly than most TEFL or TESOL certificates. Employers around the world know the difference immediately. So if you want a certificate that actually works — not one that just hangs on the wall — go for the CELTA from Cambridge. Sure, it’s harder and more expensive, but the payoff is worth it. Plus, CELTA is a solid foundation: you can later move on to DELTA or even academic teaching. TEFL can’t really offer that.
CELTA, on the other hand, is a strong, established brand. It’s a course developed by Cambridge Assessment English, with strict structure, professional trainers, and mandatory teaching practice with real students. No Zoom-only passive learning — everything is hands-on. That’s why CELTA (ESOL) is valued much more highly than most TEFL or TESOL certificates. Employers around the world know the difference immediately. So if you want a certificate that actually works — not one that just hangs on the wall — go for the CELTA from Cambridge. Sure, it’s harder and more expensive, but the payoff is worth it. Plus, CELTA is a solid foundation: you can later move on to DELTA or even academic teaching. TEFL can’t really offer that.
CELTA Course Structure and Content
When people say the CELTA course is “intensive,” they’re not joking. Even if you choose the part-time format, there’s no relaxing. From day one, you’re not just learning theory — you’re thrown straight into teaching. It’s exciting (and yes, scary too). The course lasts about 4–5 weeks full-time, or up to 3 months part-time. But it feels like you’ve gone through six months of boot camp.
The program is divided into four main blocks:
The program is divided into four main blocks:
- Teaching methodology — how to present vocabulary, grammar, how to explain clearly and without fluff.
- Language awareness — learning to understand what you’re explaining and why, not just saying “because that’s the rule.”
- Classroom skills — time management, student interaction, voice and movement, group dynamics, etc.
- Teaching practice — the heart of CELTA.
How the Course and “Exam” Work
Taking CELTA is like stepping into a real-life teaching drama — no retakes, no rehearsal, just actual pressure. You show up for the course, and they tell you: “Okay, tomorrow you’re teaching.” No “let’s watch a video and brainstorm” — you’re thrown in immediately. The whole course is built around practice. Every week, you teach real students, then review your performance with your group and trainer. And trust me — even if you’ve taught before, you’ll find plenty to work on here.
Classes are held in small groups, and participants rotate teaching. You don’t just watch — you get feedback: where you slipped up, what confused your students, what could’ve been presented better. There are also theoretical sessions: methodology, phonology, dealing with errors, creating tasks — all with real examples and exercises.
As for the exam — there’s no final “sit down and write for 3 hours” test. Your grade is based on your performance throughout the course: how you taught, the progress you made, and how you handled the written assignments. The course is the exam. In the end, you receive a certificate with one of the following grades: Pass, Pass B, or Pass A. And yes, if you slack off, don’t study, and don’t put in the work — you can fail. CELTA is fair: put in the effort → get the reward.
Classes are held in small groups, and participants rotate teaching. You don’t just watch — you get feedback: where you slipped up, what confused your students, what could’ve been presented better. There are also theoretical sessions: methodology, phonology, dealing with errors, creating tasks — all with real examples and exercises.
As for the exam — there’s no final “sit down and write for 3 hours” test. Your grade is based on your performance throughout the course: how you taught, the progress you made, and how you handled the written assignments. The course is the exam. In the end, you receive a certificate with one of the following grades: Pass, Pass B, or Pass A. And yes, if you slack off, don’t study, and don’t put in the work — you can fail. CELTA is fair: put in the effort → get the reward.
Requirements for Enrolling in CELTA
If you think CELTA is only for linguists with honors degrees and a British accent — good news: it’s not. You don’t need a teaching diploma or any special background to apply for CELTA. The main things they’re looking for are solid English skills and a serious attitude toward learning.
The minimum English level required is Upper-Intermediate (B2) or higher. But honestly, it’s better to have a confident C1, because you’ll not only need to speak well, but also write analytical assignments, read coursebooks like Teaching Practice Handbook, and understand detailed feedback from trainers — all without needing a dictionary. Another important requirement is age: you must be over 18. But most participants are adults, usually aged 22 and up.
Before being accepted, you’ll need to fill out an application form and complete a short written task — just to see how you express your thoughts and whether you’re ready for the course content. Then comes a short interview (via Zoom or in person, depending on the center). Don’t worry — it’s not a genius test. It’s just to assess whether you’ll be able to handle the course and not burn out by week two. Also, your degree doesn’t have to be in education. What really matters is motivation and willingness to work hard.
The minimum English level required is Upper-Intermediate (B2) or higher. But honestly, it’s better to have a confident C1, because you’ll not only need to speak well, but also write analytical assignments, read coursebooks like Teaching Practice Handbook, and understand detailed feedback from trainers — all without needing a dictionary. Another important requirement is age: you must be over 18. But most participants are adults, usually aged 22 and up.
Before being accepted, you’ll need to fill out an application form and complete a short written task — just to see how you express your thoughts and whether you’re ready for the course content. Then comes a short interview (via Zoom or in person, depending on the center). Don’t worry — it’s not a genius test. It’s just to assess whether you’ll be able to handle the course and not burn out by week two. Also, your degree doesn’t have to be in education. What really matters is motivation and willingness to work hard.
How to Prepare for CELTA: Tips and Stages
If you want to do more than just survive CELTA — if you want to actually benefit from it — you’ll need to prepare. Not just mentally (though that’s important too), but practically: improve your English, review some basic teaching methods, and understand what you’re getting into.
Step one: brush up your English. Even if you already have C1, double-check how comfortable you are with academic vocabulary, whether you can read coursebooks like Teaching Practice Handbook, and whether you can write essays easily. Written assignments are no joke. Right before the course, I recommend doing a basic online TEFL course (20–40 hours) — it’ll help you get into the teaching mindset and understand basics like PPP (Presentation-Practice-Production), staging, TTT (Teacher Talking Time), and so on.
Next step: review grammar. Not just “know the rules,” but know how to explain them. What’s past perfect, when is it actually used, and how do you present it so the student understands? On CELTA, you'll get asked this more than once. Watch some YouTube lessons from real CELTA trainers — it’s free and genuinely useful.
And finally: get mentally ready. It’s going to be an intense month. You’ll teach, make mistakes, receive tons of feedback, and rewrite lesson plans at night. But it’s worth it. The more honestly you prepare, the smoother your start will be — and the less you’ll panic when you meet your first student.
Step one: brush up your English. Even if you already have C1, double-check how comfortable you are with academic vocabulary, whether you can read coursebooks like Teaching Practice Handbook, and whether you can write essays easily. Written assignments are no joke. Right before the course, I recommend doing a basic online TEFL course (20–40 hours) — it’ll help you get into the teaching mindset and understand basics like PPP (Presentation-Practice-Production), staging, TTT (Teacher Talking Time), and so on.
Next step: review grammar. Not just “know the rules,” but know how to explain them. What’s past perfect, when is it actually used, and how do you present it so the student understands? On CELTA, you'll get asked this more than once. Watch some YouTube lessons from real CELTA trainers — it’s free and genuinely useful.
And finally: get mentally ready. It’s going to be an intense month. You’ll teach, make mistakes, receive tons of feedback, and rewrite lesson plans at night. But it’s worth it. The more honestly you prepare, the smoother your start will be — and the less you’ll panic when you meet your first student.
What the CELTA Certificate Gives You: Recognition and Opportunities
The CELTA certificate isn’t just a “check-the-box” document. It’s your pass into the world of real, professional English teaching. It’s recognized worldwide — in Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East — basically anywhere there are language schools and English courses. CELTA is a quality mark: it shows you didn’t just show up off the street — you’ve gone through real training and know how to teach adults.
If you want to teach English abroad, CELTA is a must-have. Many schools — especially in Europe and Asia — list it as a job requirement, on par with teaching experience. And even if you don’t have much experience yet, having CELTA is a huge advantage. Even in competitive online schools, CELTA helps you stand out from the “hobbyist” crowd.
Another bonus — with CELTA, you can grow further. You can go on to DELTA, specialize in business English, IELTS prep, or academic courses. In some countries, CELTA even opens the door to official educational institutions. And if you decide to go freelance, having this certificate makes it easier to find quality students — not just people offering you $5 per Zoom lesson.
In short, CELTA is an investment. A tough one, but a worthwhile one. The key is to use what you’ve learned — not just stick the certificate in a drawer “just in case.”
If you want to teach English abroad, CELTA is a must-have. Many schools — especially in Europe and Asia — list it as a job requirement, on par with teaching experience. And even if you don’t have much experience yet, having CELTA is a huge advantage. Even in competitive online schools, CELTA helps you stand out from the “hobbyist” crowd.
Another bonus — with CELTA, you can grow further. You can go on to DELTA, specialize in business English, IELTS prep, or academic courses. In some countries, CELTA even opens the door to official educational institutions. And if you decide to go freelance, having this certificate makes it easier to find quality students — not just people offering you $5 per Zoom lesson.
In short, CELTA is an investment. A tough one, but a worthwhile one. The key is to use what you’ve learned — not just stick the certificate in a drawer “just in case.”
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