Website currently under development - Re-opening in 2025
 

Cambridge CELTA Course Online – FAQs

Cambridge CELTA Course Online – FAQs

Here we answer all your questions about the Cambridge CELTA Online Course, from course content to course requirements, from how to apply and what happens after you complete your course. You can also download our CELTA Online Brochure here.

CELTA Online Guide

 

1. What is the Cambridge CELTA Course Online?

The Cambridge CELTA Course Online (or CELTA Online) is a flexible way to take the CELTA. It leads to the CELTA qualification and is assessed and moderated  according to the same criteria as the face-to-face CELTA course. Just like the face-to-face CELTA course, CELTA Online has a significant practical component. You will complete 6 hours of assessed teaching practice in groups.

 

2. What will I learn on a CELTA online course?

There is a focus on communication and the communicative teaching approach, which involves learning through tasks, and a focus on the student rather than the teacher. This includes a lot of group work and discussion, and creativity in designing activities for students. The course has five main topic areas:

✅ 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

Read more about it here.

 

3. What is the course syllabus?

You can check the full CELTA Online course syllabus by clicking here.

 

4. What are the benefits of CELTA Online?

The online CELTA offers the chance to gain an internationally recognised qualification that allows you to teach anywhere in the world, including from your own home, to anyone in the worlds. Like the face-to-face course, you will gain a CELTA Certificate at the end of the course. The added benefits are:

✅ You will save on travel and accommodation and can start the course straight away
✅ Flexibility, as you can access the online materials at any time
✅ You will be able to teach English online or face-to-face when you receive your certificate

 

5. How can an online CELTA course contain a practical element?

CELTA Online includes practical teaching elements, which demonstrate that you have gained some teaching skills. Teaching practice is interactive, is conducted online through a virtual classroom platform and has a strong practical emphasis. In this way the online course achieves the same objectives as the face-to-face courses, i.e. developing effective, principled teaching skills.

The online CELTA involves teaching a live online classroom of English language learners. You will have support from your CELTA Tutor and your peers when ‘practising teaching’ in this context.

6. How will teaching practice be organised?

Teaching practice groups are the same as for face-to-face courses in terms of:

✅ levels taught
✅ numbers of teaching practice students
✅ range of lesson types
✅ number of times you teach
✅ length of lessons.

You will teach for a total of 6 hours, spread over a minimum of eight occasions, with some of your peers and tutor observing. Teaching practice will be arranged either throughout the course or in blocks. You will continue with your online study during the teaching practice phase(s).

 

7. How will I be assessed?

The online CELTA is assessed and moderated according to exactly the same criteria as the face-to-face course and leads to exactly the same qualification. You will be assessed throughout the course, with no final examination. An external assessor, appointed by Cambridge ESOL, moderates each course. There are two components of assessment:

1. Teaching practice: You will teach for a total of six hours, working with classes at two levels of ability. Assessment is based on your overall performance at the end of the six hours.

2. Written assignments: You will need to complete four written assignments – one focusing on adult learning, one on the language system of English, one on language skills, and one regarding a reflection of your own teaching. To be awarded the certificate you must pass both components.

 

8. Who is CELTA for?

Anyone who would like to start teaching English as a second language and there is no upper age limit.

 

9. How long are the courses?

Courses run over 4/5 weeks period. You can check the different courses here.

 

10. How much does the CELTA Online cost?

The prices vary depending on the centre you choose to take it. You can find the different prices for all the courses here. You can also take advantage of the 10% discount on the tuition fees if you apply through Cactus for our school in Bloomsbury Square. Apply here!

 

11. What are the Requirements for taking a CELTA Online?

The requirements are the same as taking a face-to-face Cambridge CELTA course, which include:

✅ Be at least 18 years old (ideally candidates should be 20 years old or over)
✅ You have a strong awareness of language and a competence in both written and spoken English (C1 on the CEFR or IELTS 7.5)
✅ A school education that allows you entry to higher education

Since the course is online, it is also a requirement:

✅ A working laptop or desktop computer with a microphone and speakers
✅ A strong internet connection

 

12. Do I need teaching experience before taking the course?

The answer is no. The CELTA course is designed for people with no previous teaching experience and is also appropriate for more experienced teachers who wish to gain an internationally recognised teaching qualification.

 

13. Do I need an interview?

The interview prior to acceptance on the course is a Cambridge requirement. The interview is an international requirement of CELTA courses and allows both the centre and the candidate to honestly assess suitability for the course.

 

14. How do I apply?

You can apply to CELTA Online in 3 easy steps:

1. Select the course you would like to apply here
2. Download and fill out the application form
3. Submit it online at cactustefl.com

CELTA Online Course – Apply Now!

 

15. What is the application procedure?

Download your application form from the Cactus TEFL website:
Go to your chosen course page, select your start date and complete your personal details.

Pre-interview task:
Required by some centres, this is a series of grammar questions that may be included as part of the application or later in the process.

Submit your application:
Upload your application to our website or send it to us by email.

Interview:
You will be contacted to arrange an online interview (Skype). The interview will last 30-60 minutes. At the end of the interview you should find out whether or not you have been accepted. Click here for more information on the interview and application process.

Payment:
Once you are accepted onto a course your first payment deposit is due.

 

16. What online platform will it be used for the course?

You will use Zoom for the classes and teaching practice throughout the course.

 

17. What’s the difference with a 100% Online CELTA and Blended CELTA?

The main difference is that the 100% Online CELTA is done entirely online whilst on the Blended CELTA the teaching practice is done face-to-face. The fully Online CELTA means that everything – from the teaching methodology and teaching practice – will be done online.

An online blended CELTA course is done as a part-time course and you are able to attend face-to-face teaching practice sessions. You will then need to be at the centre to complete at least 2 weeks teaching practice or set days, depending on the course.

18. Will the fact that I’ve taken CELTA Online appear on my certificate?

The answer is no. CELTA Online leads to exactly the same certificate as the face-to-face CELTA. Assessed outcomes are the same for all trainees, so there is no need for separate certification. You will be able to teach English online and face-to-face, as you wish.

 

19. Where can I work after completing my online CELTA course?

Gaining a CELTA does not guarantee you a job, but it does offer you the best possible chance of getting one. The majority of schools prefer candidates with CELTA certificates. English language schools are located in towns and cities around the world and there will be a job out there for you. There is plenty of choice and you’ll be able to teach in online straight away.

 

20. More information about CELTA Course?

[ninja_form id=124]

 

Further Information

Download Your Free Online CELTA Brochure:

Cambridge CELTA Course

For information on the Cambridge CELTA Course check our CELTA Online page, contact us, or call us, one of our multilingual team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

TEFL IN THE GUARDIAN         FREE TEFL GUIDE         TEFL ELIGIBILITY TEST

 

 


  • EAQA
  • FCO TRAVEL ADVICE
  • ICEF AGENCY
  • FELCA ACCREDITED
  • INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
  • IALC PARTNER
  • SUSSEX ENTERPRISE
  • WYSE
  • British Chambers of Commerce