Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) – Level 5

Welcome to TESOL

The TESOL department at University Centre, Colchester has been delivering teacher training courses successfully for more than 40 years and has established a very good reputation with high pass rates. This particular course was established in 1988 so has a 30-year track record. We have been commended for our flexibility and high levels of individual support, which makes it easier for trainees to complete the course successfully.

We have an open-door policy, welcoming trainees into our classrooms to observe lessons whenever they want, not merely in order to satisfy the minimum requirements of the course. The tutors have wide and varied experience as teachers of EFL and ESOL and as teacher trainers, both in the UK and abroad.

Gemma English, TESOL Graduate

“The tutors are all seasoned professionals with a wealth of experience to draw on and as they taught the theory they demonstrated good practice. For me though, it was the chance to do classroom teaching practice which made all the difference. Working face to face with the students helps you to build rapport and really hones your communication skills. Yes, I found it daunting, but I felt thoroughly prepared and this gave me the confidence I needed to persevere."

Veronica Montoyo, TESOL graduate

"Studying at UCC was an amazing experience I will never forget. I enjoyed every minute of the course thanks to the genuine and constant support from my tutors and peers during the most challenging moments."

Monika, TESOL Graduate

“As a non-native speaker I found my teaching practice really difficult but thanks to the teachers on the course, I received a lot of support and feedback on how I could improve my performance. I could discuss all of my lesson plans with experienced teachers and after each session I received useful comments and a detailed list of things I needed to improve on, so I could focus on the most important problems. All these discussions were conducted in an honest and friendly way so I could ask questions ."

Gill, TESOL Graduate

“Teaching practice was absolutely vital- I learnt so much!! The organisation of the sessions was great and the observing tutors and their feedback were thorough and really helpful. This was definitely one of the main strengths of the course.”

Course enquiries: 01206 712777

Ask a question

Course IntroductionModulesEntry RequirementsAdditionalHow to Apply

The Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) course is an internationally recognised initial qualification for teachers of English as a Foreign Language, validated by Trinity College, London. (equivalent to Cambridge CELTA).

This course is the best thing I have ever done! JL, 2018

The Trinity Certificate in TESOL Level 5 course is intended for those with little or no teaching experience and provides a comprehensive practical introduction to Teaching English to others, however, it is equally accessible to experienced teachers.

It is delivered through taught sessions, discussions, workshops, tutorials, observations and teaching practice placements within the College.

A number of practical assignments will be set. Assessment is through portfolio and examinations. It is assessed internally and moderated externally.

Trainees are required to observe at least four hours of lessons taught by experienced teachers and to teach a minimum of six hours at two different levels, as well as a one-to-one lesson with an individual learner.

Undergraduate courses operate on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Each module is worth a specified number of credits, with most modules counting for 30/40 or 15/20 academic credits (depending on the programme), with each credit taken equating to a total amount of study time which includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.

Most full-time students will take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. A total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits are needed for an honours degree as a whole. Overall grades for the course and degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.

Our teaching is informed by research, professional practice and industry engagement and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline.

Course Content Career Opportunities Course Progression

Minimum entry requirements for this course are Higher Education level. Preferred applicants are those with a degree or equivalent qualification and/or work experience in a field where good communication skills are required. All applicants should have a high level of literacy and good educational background. Those whose first language is not English must demonstrate that they have sufficient competency in the language eg. hold the Cambridge Proficiency in English or IELTS Grade 8. Applicants who are invited for interview will be given a short language test and writing task to complete. There are usually between 8 and 12 participants on each course, with a maximum of 15. If you are successful in your application you will be required to pay a £200.00 deposit to secure your place on the course.

*UCAS Tariff points where shown, are for entry on to higher education programmes starting from September 2022.

International applicants

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Additional requirements for International Students:

You must provide evidence of having been in general education for at least 10 years and of having studied within the last five years
a face-to-face interview is required before an offer is made.

Programme Specifications

International standards of TESOL qualifications require that a valid course must contain at least 100 hours of study time; Trinity courses comprise 130.
Participants should have the opportunity to undertake observed and assessed teaching practice of at least six hours as part of the course.
The course is externally validated by a recognised validation body.

Observations & Teaching Practice

Trainees have the opportunity to observe experienced teachers working with classes of English language learners. Every attempt will be made to ensure that trainees are exposed to a variety of level of learners and to a variety of classroom approaches and techniques. For the purposes of teaching practice, trainees will be required to teach a minimum of six hours and will be allocated at least two different levels.

Teaching and Learning

A variety of teaching and learning methods is involved: taught sessions, discussions, practical demonstrations, workshops, peer teaching, tutorials, observation of experienced teachers, and teaching practice placements within Colchester Institute. There are also four foreign language classes in which trainees learn a language that is unfamiliar, in order to appreciate fully the situation of the foreign language learner and how the teacher can best meet their needs.

How to Apply

Complete the part-time application form, housed in the application section of the website, and return it along with a full CV and the application task below to:

UCC Admissions,
University Centre Colchester,
Colchester Institute,
Sheepen Road,
Colchester,
CO3 3LL,

Trinity Certificate TESOL Application Task

Write an account of your own language learning experiences at school or elsewhere. What, in your opinion, were the advantages and disadvantages of the teaching methods? How do you think languages are best taught and learnt? (500 – 1000 words)

For more details on the application process, contact UCC Admissions for the School of Education, on 01206 712110 or via email: uccadmissions@colchester.ac.uk

Apply Part-time

UCAS Tariff Calculator

Trinity Certificate in TESOL Level 5 - Part-time

Level	Level 5
Location	Colchester
Duration	19 Weeks
Course Code	ZT67491
Academic Year	2022-2023
Study Mode	Part-Time
Campus	University Centre Colchester
Start Date	September 2022
Fee(s)	TESOL: £1,500*

Course Content

Aims of a Trinity CertTESOL course

The Trinity CertTESOL is a pre-service teacher training course at Level 5 of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) designed for those who have little or no experience of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Course participants must have a high level of competence in spoken and written English, whether English is their first, second or additional language. The training equips them with the initial skills and knowledge needed to take up posts as ESOL or EFL teachers and gives them a firm foundation for self-evaluation and further professional development.

EFL/ESOL/TESOL/TEFL

EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language and broadly refers to the teaching of students who are studying English in their own country or in the UK or another English-speaking nation on a short term basis.
ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages and covers the teaching of those living indefinitely in an English-speaking nation (eg. immigrants, asylum seekers).
TEFL and TESOL refer to the teaching of these two groups, however, for the purposes of training, they are interchangeable.

The students we have at Colchester Institute are both EFL and ESOL students, and trainees are involved in teaching both groups, often mixed together.

Objectives of a Trinity CertTESOL course

Trainees will be expected to demonstrate the following learning outcomes on completion of the course:

Knowledge of the main grammatical, lexical and phonological features of standard English
Awareness of the learning needs of individuals or groups of learners, and of the motivation of learners in a variety of cultures and contexts
Ability to establish rapport and create and maintain learners’ interest
Ability to draw up a range of lesson plans with clear and achievable aims, using appropriate methods for learners with various needs
Ability to manage and stimulate active participation among a class of learners and provide a relevant learning environment and learning opportunities in relation to their learning objectives
Ability to evaluate, use and adapt published material and create simple teaching material, which may include using the internet, visual aids, audio, video and ICT
Broad understanding of the main advantages and disadvantages of various language teaching approaches
Ability to evaluate their own effectiveness as teachers and to work co-operatively as members of a teaching team
Awareness of the need to continue their development as ESOL teachers
Awareness of the means of finding a TESOL post after training and of the main issues relevant to employment in this area

Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) – Level 5 Component Units

Unit 1: Teaching Skills

This unit covers methodology, teaching skills, teaching practice and related portfolio, guided observation and related journal, course book and materials evaluation, methods of assessment and testing in the classroom. This unit is considerably larger than other units as it involves the assessment of skills, knowledge and understanding developed in all areas, but demonstrated in an integrated fashion as appropriate to a dynamic learning environment. As this qualification prepares the candidate specifically for the initial stages of the teaching profession, greater guided learning hours are attached to Unit 1 to ensure the vocational validity, relevance and professional integrity of the qualification in relation to the standards set by Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) and by other professional bodies internationally.