CELTA - Summer Intensive Certificate in
About this course
Course dates:
30 June - 25 July 2025, Monday to Friday 9 am - 5.30 pm
What is CELTA and who is it for?
The Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is an initial language teaching qualification. It’s a great way to kick-start a career in language teaching, opening up a whole world of exciting opportunities.
CELTA is the most widely recognised qualification of its kind, internationally held in very high regard by organisations which employ English Language teachers and is required by British Council accredited institutions worldwide. Because it is awarded by Cambridge English, part of the world-renowned University of Cambridge, you can rely on its quality and recognition. It has been accredited by Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) at Level Five on the National Qualifications Framework.
CELTA is suitable for a wide range of people. It is the ideal qualification for those interested in teaching English as a second or foreign language, here in the UK or anywhere around the world. Because the course assumes no prior teaching experience, it is suitable both for people who want a career change or break and also for those already teaching English who wish to add to their qualifications to enhance their employment opportunities.
Why study CELTA at NTU?
We currently offer CELTA as a part-time semi-intensive course or as a full-time intensive course. The course is run by the Nottingham Institute for Languages and Intercultural Communication (NILIC) at our City campus. We have a core of highly qualified and dedicated tutors delivering the CELTA course. They have worked extensively as language teachers and teacher trainers in various parts of the world and have much experience to share.
Our course brings together people of a great variety of backgrounds who are able to share a wealth of different life experiences which, in addition to the rich intercultural exchange, really serves to enhance the collective knowledge and skills of the cohort.
What you’ll study
What does CELTA involve?
The CELTA is a very practical course with an emphasis on classroom teaching. There are five main units of learning:
- 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 contexts
- developing teaching skills and professionalism.
The input sessions consist of tutor-led workshops on topics related to language teaching, including the roles of teachers and learners, lesson planning, language analysis and various aspects of classroom management and teaching methodology. These sessions are very practical, involving much small group work with high levels of participation and hands-on practice.
The Teaching Practice element of the course involves you teaching English to international adult learners from a variety of backgrounds who are very keen to learn. We offer these English classes for free to the community and the learners are extremely appreciative of the lessons. The aim is to make these lessons fun, interactive and engaging. Under your tutors’ guidance, you will be involved in planning and team-teaching these lessons with your fellow candidates on the course.
There are five main units of learning:
- 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 contexts
- developing teaching skills and professionalism.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
How you're taught
How you're assessed
There are no formal examinations.
Instead, you will be assessed on two main components:
- Teaching practice: You will compile a portfolio of your various classroom teaching efforts, consisting of your lesson plans, your reflections after teaching and your tutor’s assessment for each lesson.
- Written assignments: You will complete four written assignments across the course relating to various aspects of language teaching and learning. These are short (750-1000 words each) and very practical in nature.
To be awarded the certificate, you must pass both components. There are three final Pass grades: Pass A, Pass B and Pass.
The course is run in a very success-oriented way to provide you with every opportunity to do well. We appreciate that for many candidates this is likely to be a new experience and the dedicated team of tutors provide guidance on lesson planning, detailed feedback on teaching practice to help you improve, tutorial support and advice on the written assessments.
It should be pointed out that a very high level of attendance is expected on the course. This is because the very practical nature of the course means that missed sessions cannot easily be caught up by extra home study or by rescheduling Teaching Practice classes. Candidates who are unable to make the full 100% attendance commitment are unlikely to be admitted onto the course.
Careers and employability
English language tuition is in extremely high demand throughout the world and there are a plethora of employment opportunities open to those interested in pursuing English teaching as a career abroad or here in the UK or as an opportunity to travel and work abroad to more generally broaden their horizons.
CELTA is the most widely recognised initial English language teaching qualification worldwide and is held in very high regard. It is required by all British Council accredited institutions, which may include further and higher education establishments and private language schools in the UK as well as many educational institutions abroad.
More generally, those with CELTA will have an advantage over those without it in the jobs market and will enjoy greater choice and access to better jobs at more reputable schools with better pay and working conditions and more opportunities for professional development.
Our CELTA course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to apply for and take on English language teaching positions with real confidence.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
You should normally:
- have a standard of education equivalent to that required for entry into higher education. You may still be accepted onto the course if you do not have formal qualifications at this level but can demonstrate that you would be likely to complete the course successfully. This would be at the discretion of the course team and determined by application/interview.
- be aged 20 or over. We may, at our discretion, accept applicants from age 18.
- have a standard of spoken and written English and an awareness of language which will enable you to undertake the course and to teach English language at a range of levels. If English is not your first language, Cambridge English recommends that you have an overall level of English proficiency equivalent to C2 or C1+ on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This equates to a minimum overall IELTS score of 7.5-8.
A very high level of attendance is expected on the course. Cambridge stipulate they expect 100% attendance for good reason, because the very practical nature of the course means that missed sessions cannot easily be caught up by extra home study. Candidates who are unable to make the full commitment are unlikely to be admitted onto the course.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £1,670 (which includes your Cambridge assessment fee).
How to apply
Complete the application form to apply.
For further information about the CELTA course, please contact:
The Short Course Office for matters related to administration, application process and fees etc.
James Cooper, for matters related to course content, assessment etc.