ICD Courses

CELTA Foundation

CELTA Foundation is ICD's preparatory programme for candidates planning to take the official Cambridge CELTA course. It builds the English proficiency, teaching knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed on CELTA.
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Quick Facts

Awarding Body
ICD (in-house preparation programme)
Study Mode
Online
Duration
1 month

Who Is This Course For?

Pre-CELTA is for candidates who aren't quite ready to apply for CELTA yet — whether that's because they don't yet meet its entry requirements, they're unsure whether CELTA (or English language teaching as a career) is the right fit, or they want to know if they can handle its intensive pace before committing to it.
Your English isn't yet at the level CELTA requires (non-native speakers typically need CEFR C1/C2, or IELTS 7.5+) and you want to build up to it
You're undecided about whether CELTA, or teaching English as a career, is right for you
You'd like a lower-pressure introduction to teaching before taking on CELTA's demanding, fast-paced course
You have little or no prior teaching experience and want a gentler starting point
Current Teachers
Ideal for teachers who want to strengthen their understanding of teaching methods, lesson planning, and classroom practice.
Aspiring Teachers
A strong option for individuals preparing to begin a teaching career and looking for a recognised qualification to build confidence.
Education Professionals
Suitable for education and training professionals who want to validate their teaching knowledge with an internationally recognised credential.
You'll also need to be at least 18 years old to enrol.

What Will You Learn?

You'll strengthen your own English language proficiency, get introduced to key English-teaching methodologies, develop core teaching skills like lesson planning and classroom management, and build the language awareness needed to teach effectively. The course also familiarises you with the CELTA syllabus and assessment criteria, so you know what to expect.
Teaching Foundations
Build a clearer understanding of essential teaching concepts and classroom practice.
Language Learning Principles
Build a clearer understanding of essential teaching concepts and classroom practice.
Lesson Planning
Build a clearer understanding of essential teaching concepts and classroom practice.
Classroom Management
Build a clearer understanding of essential teaching concepts and classroom practice.

Course Content

TKT includes three core modules and specialist options that allow candidates to focus on different aspects of teaching knowledge. The core modules cover language and background to learning, lesson planning and use of resources, and managing the teaching and learning process, while specialist modules include CLIL and Young Learners.
Module 1
Language and background to language learning and teaching
Module 2
Language and background to language learning and teaching
Module 3
Language and background to language learning and teaching
Module 1
Language and background to language learning and teaching
Module 2
Language and background to language learning and teaching
Module 3
Language and background to language learning and teaching

Registration Process

Submit Application
Submit your application through ICD's online form. Shortlisted candidates receive an offer letter.
Payment & Enrolment
Pay the course fee and share the payment receipt to confirm enrolment.
Access Portal
Once enrolled, you'll receive your login details by email to begin coursework on ICD's portal.
Each of the four annual intakes (Jan, April, July, October) runs for 3 months.
Register here

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FAQs

What is CELTA Foundation?
A preparatory programme designed for candidates who plan to take the official CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) course. It builds the language proficiency, teaching knowledge, and confidence needed before starting CELTA.
Is CELTA Foundation a Cambridge qualification?
No. CELTA Foundation is ICD's own in-house preparation programme — it is not accredited or awarded by Cambridge Assessment English. CELTA itself, which Pre-CELTA prepares you for, is the Cambridge-accredited qualification.
Do I need to take Pre-CELTA before CELTA?
It isn't a formal prerequisite for CELTA, but it's recommended if you want extra preparation — particularly if your English level or teaching background is closer to the CELTA entry requirements than comfortably above them.
What English level do I need?
A minimum of C1 to join Pre-CELTA. Note that CELTA itself requires a considerably higher level for non-native speakers (CEFR C1/C2, or IELTS 7.5+) — Pre-CELTA is designed to help you build up to that standard.
Do I need prior teaching experience?
No. A strong interest in teaching English as a foreign language is what's needed — not prior experience.
What happens after I complete CELTA Foundation?
You'll be better prepared to apply for and succeed on the official CELTA course, which ICD also offers.

Enquire Now

Take the next step in your teaching journey by registering your interest with ICD. Submit your enquiry online to receive guidance on modules, preparation options, registration, and payment process.
Lahore

Teaching Qualifications & Courses

Karachi

Teaching Qualifications and Preparation Classes

Islamabad

Teaching Qualifications and Preparation Classes

Meet the Team

Our tutors bring a wide range of expertise across teaching qualifications, language training, corporate development, and academic instruction. Below is a selection of our current instructors.

Syeda Alishbah Zehra

Founder & CEO of IWZ International

Aminah Ali

English Language Educator & Teacher Trainer

Warjil Augustine

IELTS Trainer

Sadaf Iftikhar

Instructor

Syeda Alishbah Zehra

Founder & CEO of IWZ International

A CELTA Certified Trainer from the University of Cambridge, Syeda Alishbah Zehra serves as a Pre-CELTA Interview Examiner, Cambridge Speaking Examiner and Train-the-Trainer at the Institute of Career Development (ICD), Karachi. She previously dedicated five years to Beaconhouse Defence Campus as Cambridge O Level English Language and Global Perspectives Subject Specialist, contributing to academic development and student learning.

Today, as the Founder & CEO of IWZ International, Zehra has built an education enterprise dedicated to international English education and learning opportunities. She is a British Council Trained IELTS Trainer. Under her leadership, IWZ received two distinctions from the British Council: Best Emerging Partner – South Region (2024) and Highest Volume Contributor (2025–26). IWZ operates as an official British Council IELTS preparation and registration centre, reflecting her commitment to accessible, internationally recognised education.

Her professional association with the British Council continues through IWZ’s partnership, alongside her recently completed contractual tenure as a Professional Qualifications Examinations Officer for Sindh and Balochistan, where she supported the secure administration and quality assurance of international examinations.

A distinguished Gold Medallist of the Pakistan Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (PITHM), Batch of 2017, Zehra earned the highest marks among all the students in her batch, receiving recognition from the Minister of Culture & Arts, Sindh. She began her professional journey in hospitality, gaining experience at Marriott International, Karachi, before establishing herself as an entrepreneur and education leader.

In 2024, Zehra represented Pakistan as an IMI delegate at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during an official month-long visit associated with the 68th Commission on the Status of Women. Her engagement reflects her commitment to women's representation and the advancement of equality and quality in education for all.

Guided by the principles of UN Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 10: Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities, Zehra is committed to advancing equitable access to quality education for all, regardless of social or economic background. Through her entrepreneurial leadership, educational initiatives and international engagement, she champions inclusive learning opportunities that empower individuals, bridge inequalities and make education a pathway to greater opportunity.

Aminah Ali

English Language Educator & Teacher Trainer

Aminah Ali is a Cambridge CELTA-certified English language educator and teacher trainer with over ten years of experience. She holds an MPhil in American Studies and an MSc in Applied Linguistics. She currently teaches at National Defence University and Bahria University, Islamabad, specialising in EFL, ESP, academic writing and business communication. At AlBasir, she designed and delivered workplace English programmes for software professionals. At the Institute of Career Development, she trains aspiring teachers on the Advanced TEFL programme. Her expertise includes curriculum design, language assessment and communicative language teaching across academic and professional contexts.

Warjil Augustine

IELTS Trainer

Warjil  is an educational leader, master trainer, and language assessment specialist based in Karachi, Pakistan. Serving as School Principal at Pak British Schooling System, he brings advanced qualifications in international pedagogy and curriculum design.

His expertise spans institutional governance, Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), and faculty development workshops. Additionally, he specializes in high-stakes test preparation for IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE, and the Duolingo English Test, delivering strategic masterclasses and tailored instructional frameworks.

Sadaf Iftikhar

Instructor

About Sadaf

Sadaf Iftikhar CELTA certified TESOL Professional | Cambridge Certified Tutor | Teacher Trainer | English Lecturer | Tutor & Assessor. Extensive experience in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), including instruction and administration in ESL programs in primary, secondary, higher, adult, and continuing education environments. Active in TESOL professional organizations.

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Aya Badr

Instructor

About Aya

Aya Badr is a Cambridge CELTA Main Course Tutor, freelance Teacher Trainer with the British Council, and experienced IELTS Trainer. She is an edupreneur, educational consultant, and Academic Director at Teachers College, where she leads the development and delivery of professional teacher education programmes. Aya holds a Level 7 DipTESOL from Trinity College London, alongside Cambridge qualifications in Train the Trainer and Educational Leadership and Management. With extensive experience in teacher development, academic leadership, and language education, she is passionate about empowering educators and creating meaningful, high-quality learning experiences.

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Anna Hasper

Instructor

About Anna

Anna Hasper Teacher Development Specialist ▏CELTA/DELTA Trainer & Assessor⚡ Empowering ELT teachers to enable better learning ▏SEL, IELTS & YLs ▏Course & Materials designer ▏Educational consultant ▏ELT author▏

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Hina Tehman

Instructor

About Hina

Hina Tehman CELTA certified/Teachers Trainer/Academic Coordinator at LGS

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Peter Lucantoni

Instructor

About Peter

Peter Lucantoni is the author and co-author of a range of popular course books for students, including Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language and Introduction to English as a Second Language. He is also co-author with Matthew Ellman of From Teacher to Trainer, all published by Cambridge University Press. Peter regularly speaks at ELT conferences and trains teachers internationally in both the public and private sectors.

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Alexandar Makarios

CELTA Instructor

About Alexandar

Experienced teacher trainer and educator with expertise in Cambridge CELTA, DELTA, and Train-the-Trainer courses. Extensive background in designing and delivering EFL lessons across diverse contexts, managing teacher training programs, and collaborating with Cambridge for course standardization. Proficient in staff mentoring, test development, and client communication, with international teaching experience in Greece, South Africa, and China.

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Danilo Garrido

Instructor

About Danilo

Danilo Garrido is a doctoral candidate in Language Studies at PUC-Rio with extensive experience in English language teaching, both face-to-face and online. He is a CELTA tutor, ELT materials editor, Cambridge speaking examiner, and a professional translator between English and Brazilian Portuguese