CELTA - Cambridge English Language Assessment's Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults is one of the world's foremost initial qualifications for people who wish to become professional teachers of English language. It is accepted throughout the world by organisations which employ English language teachers.

Cambridge English Language Assessment works with international ELT organisations to ensure the acceptance of Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) globally. According to Cambridge English Language Assessment more than 10,000 candidates complete a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) course each year.

The Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) course will be your passport into TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

ELT (English Language Teaching) was once commonly referred to as TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) but there was never a qualification known as TEFL.

The Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) is the most widely accepted initial teaching qualification.

CELTA candidates come from all walks of life. Many are recent university graduates, but others are already qualified as teachers of other subjects or are professionals in other fields looking for a change of career or a career break.

Most candidates see CELTA as the starting point of a long-term career in English Language Teaching (ELT). CELTA is suitable for those who wish to work in the field of ELT either within or outside their own country. Some candidates may have a short-term motive for teaching English and enrol on a CELTA course to gain the confidence and skills to teach English professionally.

CELTA is also suitable for students working on gap year programmes which include teaching English to adults.

Applicants do not need to have English as their first language, but must have a standard of English which will enable them to teach at a range of levels.

There is now quite a well-established career structure within the field in the UK. As a newly qualified teacher, you might consider looking for a job which will provide you with support for two to three years then consider taking the next-level qualification DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults). After this, you might think about moving into teacher support in the role of senior teacher. After gaining some more experience, many teachers go on to do an MA in ELT before moving into teacher training or ELT management.