What is CELTA?

CELTA is a RQF Level 5 teaching qualification for anyone who wants to get into teaching English as a foreign and second language and travel the world. The benefits of CELTA are:

• Gain a professional qualification that is one of only two recognised by the British Council and employers worldwide
• Develop your teaching skills, lesson planning, and improve your classroom confidence
• Gain practical experience of a real-life ELT classroom
• Build a network within the international ELT industry
• Begin your professional development journey in teaching.

Why choose our CELTA course?

We are a Cambridge English Teaching Qualification Centre for the CELTA and DELTA and have a track record of successfully preparing teachers for these qualifications. The benefits of our professional development course include:

• Study at an international college with a worldwide reputation in providing academic and professional courses for over 70 years
• Develop your teaching skills and achieve your learning goals in our supportive environment
• Observe at least 6 hours of experienced teachers
• Receive feedback on 6 hours of observed teaching practice
• Benefit from our highly experienced team of teacher trainers
• Utilise our well-equipped academic facilities and resources, including a private specialist teacher training hub
• Study with adults from all over the world to expand your cultural awareness and make friends for life
• Make the most of the academic resources in Oxford during your studies on site. Immerse yourself in a university city steeped in history and benefit from the world-famous museums, libraries and art galleries.

Application process

The application procedure is as follows:

• Complete the online booking form (using the ‘Book Now’ button above)
• We will send you an application form, pre-interview task, and a short English language test (if required)
• You return your materials to CELTA@stclares.ac.uk
• We assess your materials and offer an interview with one of our CELTA teacher trainers either online, or in-person. We also ask you to undertake a short, timed writing task
• We let you know our decision
• If you are accepted, we ask for payment of the deposit and registration fee
• We send a welcome letter and request payment 3 weeks in advance of the course

Course requirements

Candidates are required to:

1. Attend the whole course
2. Complete 6 hours of assessed teaching practice
3. Write 4 course assignments 
4. Complete 6 hours of observation of experienced teachers

CELTA resources

• Lunch included Monday-Friday for in-person courses
• Private study space for CELTA trainees on site
• Teacher Training Library, both physical and online
• Course materials – We have a wide range of course materials that can be borrowed for your lesson planning and observed teaching practice
• Reading list – You will be issued with a short pre-course reading list. This includes books which should be bought by you
• Syllabus – The CELTA syllabus and other information is available from Cambridge English
• IT Support and digital materials

Hear from our students

Hear from our teaching practice students

If you have any questions about your suitability for CELTA, contact Dr Karen Patricia Heath, Director of Teacher Professional Development Courses, on celta@stclares.ac.uk