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. Colchester Institute has been accredited by the British Council for over 25 years, ensuring that ESOL/EFL lessons observed by trainees will be of a high standard. This course could change your life!
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.
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.
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.
The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Each module is worth a specified number of credits, with most modules counting for 30 or 15 academic credits, 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.
Compulsory modules enable you to cover key subject knowledge whilst and optional allow you to develop your own interests. The number of optional modules you can take depends on the number of core modules at a given level. Our teaching is informed by research, professional practice and industry engagement and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline.
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. If you are successful in your application you will be required to pay a £200 deposit to accept your place on the course.
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:
- 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.
Career Opportunities
After successful completion of the course, many trainees have found teaching posts throughout the world. There are numerous opportunities to teach full-time, abroad, and some openings in the UK, although these are mostly part-time or temporary. Voluntary work abroad is also a possibility. Others have found work in the UK, in particular taking up temporary posts in summer schools, offering ‘homestay’ or working with migrant workers and asylum seekers in the local community.
Course Progression
Students may progress to study the Trinity Diploma or Cambridge DELTA after several years’ teaching experience.
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.
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.
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.
Disclaimer
All Fees and prices shown on the website are for courses starting in the 2017-18 academic year and correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes. Fees for courses starting in the 2018-19 academic year will be added to the website from June 2018.
The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.
The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.
