Once seen as a year off, gap years are increasingly being used as a strategic bridge between school and long-term career choices. Among the options gaining momentum is teaching English through the internationally recognised Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA). Unlike short online teaching courses, CELTA places strong emphasis on practical classroom training. According to her, a CELTA qualification is more than a certificate, it is a launchpad into an international teaching career. ‘Graduates don’t just get opportunities abroad; they can also teach English online from home,’ says McCall.