What is TESOL?
The Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is awarded by
Trinity College London, and is recognised by the British Council and by language
schools worldwide as a suitable initial qualification for teaching English as a
foreign language. To gain the Certificate, candidates must follow a course at a
centre approved by Trinity College and satisfy the course tutors and a Trinity College
Moderator, who visits all courses and interviews all candidates personally.
Candidates are assessed continuously on their contribution to the course, their
teaching practice, their lesson planning and written work, and on a range of assignments including a materials project and a written profile of an individual learner.
The course leading to the Certificate is an intensive, 4-week course (minimum 130 hours), at the end of which candidates will have gained:
- a basic knowledge of the structure and use of English and the means of describing the language
- an introduction to the methodologies and materials for teaching English
- practical experience of teaching at least two different levels (all trainees get a minimum of 6 hours' teaching practice)
- an internationally recognised qualification leading to job opportunities in the UK and abroad, and an individual report from St Giles on each trainee's progress and achievements
Who is TESOL for?
This course is primarily for native English speakers. Non-native speakers must
have a very advanced level of English to be offered a place on this course.
The course is suitable for those with no experience of teaching English or with
limited experience of teaching this or other subjects. All applicants,
whether native or non-native speakers, must have an awareness of language and a
competence in English that enables them to follow the course. Applicants should
be at least 20 years old and have either a university degree or a standard of education
which would allow entry to higher education.
All candidates are interviewed personally by one of our teacher trainers.
This is a highly intensive, stimulating and absorbing course which usually makes
considerable demands on participants' time and energy, and we therefore recommend
that you keep other commitments to a minimum for the period of your training.
What does TESOL involve?
The Certificate in TESOL syllabus is designed to help candidates:
- develop an understanding of the structure, use and pronunciation of the English language
- gain an awareness of the contexts within which adults learn English, their needs and moti-vations, and the role of the teacher and the learner
- become familiar with the principles and practice of effective teaching to adult learners of English, and develop basic skills to apply these principles in the classroom
- develop familiarity with and evaluate appropriate materials and resources for teaching English to adults evaluate their own performance in the classroom and identify opportunities for their own future development as professional teachers
Teaching Practice
There is no substitute in learning to teach for real practice in the classroom.
Supervised teaching practice takes place in the afternoon and is followed by feedback
and the setting of teaching points. Trainees are divided into small teaching practice
groups and each trainee teacher teaches a minimum of six hours during the course at two
different levels. Feedback gives an opportunity to discuss the afternoon's teaching
with the course tutors and other members of the teaching practice group, and trainers
also provide written comments and observations.
Teaching practice lessons are given to classes of volunteer "practice students".
These students are well motivated and include some who attend regular morning lessons
at St Giles and wish to have extra practice in the afternoons. In order better to
understand the process of learning from the student's point of view, trainees are
themselves given a number of lessons in an un-known foreign language so they have
first-hand experience of the learners' situation.
What happens afterwards?
A qualification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages will open up
opportunities to live and work abroad and meet people from many different backgrounds
and cultures. You will find teaching can be challenging, rewarding and immensely
enjoyable. St Giles will provide successful candidates with advice and help in
finding jobs abroad and developing their future career. A small number of candidates
may be taken on as teachers at one of the St Giles colleges, for example in the busy
summer months, thus providing an opportunity to gain immediate first-hand experience
of teaching in a recognised international school.
Where can I study TESOL with St Giles?
St Giles offers intensive 4 week TESOL courses in two of its UK schools. Please click on the following location names to find out more about our schools there:
Both Colleges are located in attractive and spacious premises, with excellent facilities
and resources for students and trainees, including a language laboratory, computer room,
self-study room and dedicated teacher training library. Resources such as coursebooks and p
photocopying are included in the course fees, but candidates are also advised to buy one
of the grammar reference books recommended on our reading list.
Accommodation for course participants is available in the attractive college residence
located within the London Central school building, or at a range of homestay, hotel or guest house accommodation at either College.
The course tutors are all fully qualified teachers of English as a Foreign Language
with many years' experience of teaching both overseas and in Britain. They provide
a supportive educational atmosphere in which they can share their commitment and
enthusiasm for teaching. Trainees will benefit also from the chance to observe the
lessons of other experienced teachers at the college.
What next?
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