IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission
Part of IGNOU Courses & Fees: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
| Detail | Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) |
|---|---|
| Programme code | CTE |
| School | School of Humanities (SOH) |
| Eligibility | Graduation or 3 years of B.EL.ED or 2 years PTT, ETT or 10+2 with 2 years teaching experience |
| Medium | English |
| Duration | 6 months minimum, 2 years maximum |
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs.2,900/- per Semester |
| Total credits | 16 |
| Admission cycles | January & July |
IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE): what the programme covers
The IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language is a 16-credit programme offered by the School of Humanities (SOH). The programme fee is Rs.2,900/- per Semester, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus. This programme focuses on the communicative approach to language teaching, aiming to improve teachers’ understanding of learners, the learning process, and the structure of English.
The curriculum helps teachers develop strategies for teaching listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The eGyanKosh study blocks for CTE 101 cover topics such as “The Language Learner” and “English and Its Varieties.” CTE 102 includes blocks on “The Nature of Text” and “Sounds of English.” CTE 103 focuses on “The Teacher in the Classroom” and “Language Testing for the ESL Classroom,” while CTE 104 addresses “Pupil and Teacher” and “Writing Skill.” CTE 105 covers “The Role of the Learner and the Teacher” and “Teaching-Learning Writing and Grammar.”
IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) eligibility: who can apply
The IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) requires specific academic qualifications or teaching experience. Candidates must hold a Graduation degree, or have completed 3 years of B.EL.ED, or possess 2 years of PTT or ETT. Alternatively, individuals with a 10+2 qualification are eligible if they have 2 years of teaching experience. The programme is offered exclusively in English medium.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
The IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language has a programme fee of Rs. 2,900 per semester for the July 2026 session. This fee is paid at the time of admission. Besides the programme fee, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 is required. A University Development fee of Rs. 400 is also payable at admission.
Learners who opt for soft copies of self-learning material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee. Printed self-instructional study material is provided as a print book or e-book. All self-learning material for over 3923 courses across 384 programmes is available on the eGyanKosh repository.
Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) fees, July 2026 session
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs.2,900/- per Semester |
| Registration fee (once, non-refundable) | Rs. 300 |
| University Development fee (once) | Rs. 400 |
| Term-end exam fee | Rs. 200 per theory course |
Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.
IGNOU student services
IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) duration and credits
The IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language has a minimum duration of 6 months. Learners can take up to 2 years to complete the programme.
The programme requires a total of 16 credits.
IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) syllabus: semester-wise courses
The IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) programme has a total of 16 credits. The programme fee is Rs.2,900/- per semester, as per the July 2026 prospectus. This programme is based on the communicative approach to language teaching.
The programme aims to enhance teachers’ understanding of learners, the learning process, and the nature and structure of the English Language.
The first course, CTE 101, focuses on the language learner and the nature of language learning. Its eGyanKosh study blocks include “The Language Learner” and “The Nature of Language Learning.” CTE 102 covers the nature of text and the sounds of English, with blocks such as “The Nature of Text” and “Sounds of English.”
CTE 103 addresses the role of the teacher and language testing.
Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I) Compulsory Courses | 3 courses | 12 |
| II) Optional Courses | 2 courses | 8 |
Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) I) Compulsory Courses
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTE 101 | The Language and the Learner | 4 | Compulsory |
| CTE 102 | The Structure of English | 4 | Compulsory |
| CTE 103 | Teaching Strategies | 4 | Compulsory |
Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) II) Optional Courses
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTE 104 | Teaching English-Elementary School | 4 | Optional |
| CTE 105 | Teaching English-Secondary School | 4 | Optional |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal
Applicants for the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language for the July 2026 admission cycle must apply online through the Samarth portal. The application process is fully online; no printed form needs to be sent to the Regional Centre.
IGNOU offers two admission cycles a year, in January and July. The current cycle open on the ODL admission portal is for July 2026.
IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language (CTE) exams and assignments
Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language. Tutor Marked Assignments go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre. If an assignment fails, it must be re-submitted. Once an assignment passes, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.
Term-end examinations for the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language happen twice a year, in June and December. These examinations take place at centres across the country and abroad. There are two sessions daily: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM, as seen in the December 2026 TEE schedule. Learners may write the exam in Hindi, even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes. The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course, according to the December 2026 TEE information. For project and practical exams, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits, applicable from the January 2023 admission cycle. Hall tickets are uploaded to the University website and are not sent by post.
Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
Common IGNOU Questions
What is the total fee for the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language?
In addition, a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 and a University Development fee of Rs. 400 are paid at admission.
What are the eligibility criteria for the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language?
Alternatively, 2 years PTT, ETT, or 10+2 with 2 years of teaching experience are also accepted.
How many credits does the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language have?
The IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language has a total of 16 credits. This includes 12 credits from three compulsory courses and 4 credits from one optional course chosen by the learner.
What is the minimum and maximum duration to complete the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language?
Learners can complete the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language in a minimum of 6 months. The maximum duration allowed for completing the programme is 2 years.
Which courses are compulsory in the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language?
Three courses are compulsory in the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language, totalling 12 credits. These are CTE 101 The Language and the Learner, CTE 102 The Structure of English, and CTE 103 Teaching Strategies, each worth 4 credits.
What are the optional courses in the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language?
Learners must select one optional course from two choices in the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language. The options are CTE 104 Teaching English-Elementary School (4 credits) or CTE 105 Teaching English-Secondary School (4 credits).
Where can I find the study material for the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language?
The self-learning material for the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language is available on eGyanKosh. For example, CTE 101 includes blocks like 'The Language Learner' and 'The Nature of Language Learning'.
Can I get a discount if I choose digital study material for the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language?
Yes, learners who opt for soft copies of the study material instead of printed books receive a 15% discount on the programme fee.
What is the admission cycle for the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language?
Admissions for the IGNOU Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second Language are conducted twice a year. Learners can apply during either the January or July admission cycles.