Online CELTA Training

Fully online CELTA courses are offered in our Centre. To learn more about Celta, both from a tutor's and a trainee's perspective, read the blog of our first-ever fully online CELTA course. On our blog, you can also read interviews with trainees who have completed fully-online courses.

All components of the course will be delivered online and trainees will be given guidance and support on how to employ the technology to good effect in their online teaching practice.

Frequently asked questions

Are there differences between the fully online CELTA course and the classroom-based course?

There are, of course, some differences. The input sessions are taken independently by the trainee online, with a minimum of three units per week (the full course has 30 units). On the semi-intensive course, you will need to complete a minimum of 4 units per week. On an intensive four-week course, you will need to complete up to 8 units per week.

Each afternoon there are two hours of teaching practice online. This will be divided so that trainee teachers give 40 or 60 minutes of teaching. Your tutors will give guidance and support on your teaching practice and you will also be guided on how to employ the technology to good effect. All trainees have an unassessed teaching practice session where they can become familiar with the technology and also get to know their teaching practice students. Feedback to the lessons and the assisted lesson planning will also be delivered fully online.

All fully-online courses have a two-hour orientation session prior to the official course commencement.

In terms of technology, what do you need to participate in this course?

You do need to be fully computer literate. You will need to have access to reliable Wi-Fi and a desktop computer/laptop/tablet that has a camera and a microphone. It is also required that you have a quiet place where you will not be interrupted when you are teaching online or following the course input sessions.

Will this qualification only allow me to teach English online?

This course will equip you and train you with the skills and techniques to become a qualified English language teacher for both classroom-based and online teaching. Your final report from our Centre will state that this was an online course, but your official Cambridge certificate is exactly the same as awarded for face-to-face courses.

Is the qualification different from a classroom-based CELTA?

No. The qualification awarded for this fully online CELTA course by Cambridge is the same.

Do you still need to interview for the course?

Yes, but now the interview will also be fully online. In fact, most of our interviews for the course have shifted to online. This will give you a taste of what the course will be like.

Is there support in finding teaching jobs after the course?

Yes. We have a wide network of associates that regularly recruit our CELTA graduates. We have an active CELTA graduates’ LinkedIn group, and mentoring is informally provided by tutors. Also, all CELTA graduates have access to UCC’s Career Services.

What is the cost of the course?

The online CELTA course fee is €1,795.  There is a €50 charge payable prior to the interview.  Once an offer of a place is made you will be required to pay a deposit of €500 to secure your place, with the remaining course fee to be paid at least four weeks before the course commences.

For more details about the CELTA teacher training course, please visit our CELTA On Campus page

How To Apply

To register please complete the form of your choice:

Celta Application Form 2024

Celta Application Form 2025

Applications should be forwarded by email only to TandD@ucc.ie

For more specific information you can email us at TandD@ucc.ie

• All applicants will need to forward copies of their qualifications with their application.
• See here for Bank details Language Centre

Please note that submitting an application form does not guarantee an interview. Courses will run only if minimum numbers are met to form a class. If the course does not run, a full refund will issue. Selection is at the discretion of the Course Director.

Course Dates 2024-2025

*There are also 5 scheduled online input sessions (day and time to be confirmed) over the course of the ten weeks. 

How to apply for Free English Lessons

Places are still available for these courses starting soon. Enrolling now!

These lessons will be delivered by teachers who are training to become English language teachers on our CELTA course.  These classes are supervised by our experienced teachers in our Language Centre and the lessons will help you to make progress in all aspects of the English language.

• You will receive 36-40 hours of classes
• Only two levels: A2 (Pre-intermediate) and B2 (Upper Intermediate)
• Before coming on to the course we will give you a short test online to establish your level of English and to place you in the correct class.
• Classes are in Irish time. Days can vary depending on the course.
• On completion of the course if you have more than 80% attendance you will be given a certificate of attendance and a description of your English language level.
• You will need a computer/tablet/phone with a camera and microphone that has a strong and stable connection to the Internet and a quiet place to attend the lessons for the course online.

How to apply for these free/low-cost English lessons

Please email r.flynn@ucc.ie to ask for a registration form. Sometimes these courses are free and sometimes there'll be a small fee to pay.  They are always free for students and the unemployed. You can apply anytime. If the course is full, you'll be put on a waiting list and contacted as soon as a place becomes available.

In this form, you will be asked to complete a short written test and submit a grammar and vocabulary test to assess your level.

Use this email r.flynn@ucc.ie for any enquiries about these courses.  Please write "Free English Course" in the subject box.