From Student to CELTA Tutor: Alyona’s Journey

For many teachers, the path into education is carefully planned. For Alyona, a teacher and CELTA tutor at London School of Languages, it happened much more naturally. “It was never a conscious decision,” she explains. “I was simply in love with the English language.”

Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Alyona’s journey began as a student at a local academy. Her motivation was simple: she wanted to understand her favourite movies and songs in English. What started as curiosity quickly turned into commitment. After completing all the available levels at the academy, one of her teachers recognised her potential and encouraged her to start teaching. “That’s how it all began,” she says.

Building a Career in Teaching

After gaining initial teaching experience, Alyona took the CELTA course in 2014, a turning point that would shape her professional future. She continued teaching for several years, but soon felt the need to grow further. “I felt I needed a new challenge,” she explains.

That next step came when she joined a large school in Kyiv, where many colleagues held the DELTA qualification. Being surrounded by experienced teachers pushed her to aim higher: “From the moment I started doing my DELTA, I knew I wanted to become a CELTA tutor.”

Now approaching her fourth year at London School, Alyona has come full circle moving from student to teacher, and now to teacher trainer.

The Intensity of CELTA Training

Becoming a CELTA tutor is no small task. Alyona describes the training process as both rewarding and demanding: “It was exciting, but I’m not going to lie, it was very intense.”

She completed her training during an intensive four-week CELTA course, where time management and discipline were essential. With strict deadlines and a clearly structured programme, every day required focus and commitment. “I always knew what I had to do each day, which helped a lot,” she adds.

The Challenge of Supporting New Teachers

One of the most complex aspects of being a CELTA tutor is not just teaching, but guiding other teachers through their own development. “The most challenging part is finding the fine line when giving constructive feedback,” Alyona explains.

Trainees are under pressure, working through a demanding course, and the tutor’s role is to help them improve without overwhelming them: “Everyone wants to improve, but at the same time, you have to be sensitive. They’re going through a lot, and so are you as a tutor.”

What Makes CELTA Stand Out?

According to Alyona, two factors make CELTA one of the most respected teaching qualifications worldwide.

First, its reputation:
“You don’t need to explain it to employers, everyone knows it. It’s very prestigious.”

Second, its practical focus:
“You learn new things in input sessions and then immediately have the chance to practise them in teaching practice. It’s extremely hands-on.”

When asked to describe the course in just one word, her answer is immediate: “Life-changing.”

Advice for Future CELTA Candidates

For those considering taking the course, Alyona’s advice is clear and direct: “Go for it. It’s absolutely worth every minute of your time and every bit of effort.”

However, she also emphasises the importance of commitment, as these are intensive courses: “Don’t have any other commitments. It will take all your time, so don’t try to work or do anything else alongside it. Just focus fully on one goal: CELTA.”

Looking Ahead

As Alyona prepares to train the next generation of English teachers, she feels both excitement and responsibility: “I’m very excited, but also a bit nervous,” she admits. “I know I’ve only taken the first step on this journey.”

Fortunately, she highlights the strong support system around her: “We have a great teacher training department, so I know I can always ask for help.”

With that combination of enthusiasm, experience, and support, Alyona is ready to take on her new role, helping future teachers begin their own journeys, just as she once did.

Ready to start your own CELTA journey?

If Alyona’s story has inspired you, this could be the perfect moment to take the next step in your teaching career.

Upcoming CELTA courses in San Sebastián (2026):

• July: Monday 29th June 2026 – Friday 24th July 2026
• August: Monday 3rd August 2026 – Friday 28th August 2026

Candidates should be over the age of 18 at the start of the course and have an awareness of language and a competence in English, both written and spoken, that enables them to follow the course and complete all assessed elements successfully.Places are limited for each intensive course, so we recommend booking early.

👉 Find out more about prices, entry requirements and the application process on our website or send us an email at teachertraining@london-school.com if you have any further questions about the course. Take the next step in your professional journey with CELTA today!

 

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