Literally it means 'Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults' (although if we spoke English properly we would call it a 'Certificate in Teaching Adults the English Language', but CTAEL doesn't look so good and we must remember that it's the aesthetics and not the language that count.) By implication CELTA means so much more than this though, CELTA is an acronym burned onto the damaged hearts of many a young and aspiring globe-trotter. Stop interrupting with this annoying question/answer format: all shall be revealed.