CELTA: Cambridge Certificate In Teaching English To Speakers Of Other Languages
What is CELTA?
CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is an internationally recognised teacher training course that will give you the qualification you need to teach English to speakers of other languages in any country, both English and non-English speaking. The CELTA is the most widely recognised qualification in English language teaching and will qualify you to teach English as a foreign language in NZ and overseas.
Certificates are awarded by Cambridge Assessment English. Course tutors are experienced English language teachers who have taught in a wide range of professional situations and are accredited CELTA trainers. All courses are externally moderated by Cambridge English, ensuring that standards are maintained.
Being awarded CELTA is one of the language competency requirements for teaching in Aotearoa New Zealand.
CELTA is an initial TESOL qualification. The terms “TESOL” and “TEFL” are used in different ways by different people and do not refer to specific courses and qualifications.
When are the 2026 NZLC CELTA planned course dates?
- 4 May to 4 June 2026 (5 weeks)
- 21 Sep to 22 Oct 2026 (5 weeks)
- 16 Nov to 17 Dec 2026 (5 weeks)
WHY 5 Weeks?
A Smarter Course Structure for Better Results
Unlike the standard 4-week, 5-day schedule, NZLC offers a unique 5-week course. Classes run Monday to Thursday, while Friday is a dedicated “Study Day.” This structure provides students with:
- Extra time to prepare written assignments and lesson plans.
- Ongoing tutor support on Fridays for personalised guidance.
- Access to NZLC facilities on Friday, including classroom tech, copiers and computers
- Reduced stress, greater balance, and the opportunity to fully enjoy the experience.
- Proven better outcomes, as students learn more effectively with less pressure.
2026
NZ $4,050 (＄3,950 with early bird discount*)
including:
Tuition Fee: $3,250*
Enrolment Fee: $250
Material Fee: $100
Cambridge ESOL Fee: $450
*Receive a $100 tuition fee discount if you book and pay the $500 deposit 7 weeks before the start date.
*Please note that the above pricing, including the early bird discount, applies only to the CELTA course starting from 4 May, 21 September and 16 November 2026.
Why study CELTA at NZLC?
“I took the CELTA at NZLC initially because I wanted to do it as soon as possible and NZLC was the school that was offering it the soonest to when I started looking. I didn’t think much about the differences between doing it in 5 weeks or 4 weeks beforehand. But now that I’ve done it, I couldn’t imagine doing the 4 week course. The CELTA is stressful and compact and shortening it more sounds extremely intense. – Johnathan P”
- NZLC offers a unique 5-week course instead of the more usual 4-week course, so students have more time to research written assignments and plan lessons. Students can have a greater enjoyment of the whole experience with less pressure/reduced stress.
- NZLC is a Cambridge Assessment English approved centres.
- 100% pass rate (based on the past 5 years’ records).
- Over 80% of our graduates find employment in ELT after completing the course
- A reputable NZQA Category 1 language school, winner of the ST Star Award for English Schools in the Southern Hemisphere for 5 years in a row, and finalist for Language Training Provider of the Year in 2025 (PIE Award).
- The largest language school in New Zealand with lots of teaching opportunities available
- In-course and post-course employment support, including job workshops, Q&A session on how to get your first teaching job delivered by NZLC’s Academic Department, job placement support etc.
- Be trained by our internationally experienced tutors who have undergone a rigorous selection and training process that is monitored by Cambridge.
- Located on Queen Street right in the heart of Auckland CBD – easy to get to school and grab a coffee or a snack anytime
Who is CELTA for?
CELTA is just what you’re looking for if you are:
- Looking for a career change
- Planning on moving or travelling overseas, eager to meet and know people from all walks of life
- Interested in gaining an internationally recognized teaching qualification
- Passionate about getting practical knowledge, hands-on teaching experience and essential classroom confidence
- A recent graduate with little or no teaching experience
- A teacher of other subjects wanting to retrain as an English language teacher
Who can apply for CELTA?
CELTA is suitable for native speakers of English, but is also open to non-native speakers who have native speaker competence in both spoken and written English.
Applicants must fulfil the following requirements:
- be aged 18 +
- be a native English speaker or have an equivalent level in English (C1+ to C2 or Advanced CAE ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade or IELTS 7.5)
- meet the academic Requirement (University Entrance (UE) or equivalent)
- have the potential to develop the necessary skills to become effective teachers and to complete successfully the written assignments and the assessment of practice teaching
What do our graduates say about the NZLC CELTA course?
“You will be stretched in ways you can’t imagine. Not only will you develop skills and resources for putting together effective lessons, you will also be exposed to great role modelling from experienced teachers. The course tutors have a wealth of knowledge which they happily share.”
“120% recommended! If you want to be an excellent English teacher, this course is worth every dollar. You will gain a strong understanding of how to teach well and manage a classroom and build rapport with your students.”
“Loved it! I think anyone who completes this course satisfactorily will feel confident about teaching with the skills they’ve learned and the experience they’ve gained.”