What is the Trinity CertTESOL?
The CertTESOL is a Level 5 qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). It is an internationally recognised qualification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), and will give you a thorough grounding in teaching methodology, classroom techniques and language awareness. The course is highly practical; 60% of the assessment is based on your observed teaching practice.
We now have three Study Options, an Online Intensive 5-week course, a face-to-face Intensive 4-week course and a Part-time 15-week course:
- The Online 5-week course of 38 hours per week (with self-study time in week 5). This option leads to the same qualification as the face-to-face versions and will prepare you for a career in both online and face-to-face teaching. Full technical support is available throughout the course.
- The Intensive 4-week face-to-face course of 40 hours a week will prepare you to start a career as a TEFL teacher. You will be in the school from 9:00-18:00, Monday to Friday and have assignments to complete in the evenings and at weekends.
- The Part-time face-to-face course of 6-12 hours a week runs for 14-15 weeks (depending on timetable and time of year). This mode is suitable for people in full-time education or employment who live locally. It includes intensive weekend sessions and two evenings per week.
Why is it a useful qualification?
The CertTESOL is accredited by Ofqual and respected around the world. It is a Level 5 qualification, the equivalent of second year on an undergraduate degree. Having the qualification will help you to get a job with a good school in the destination of your choice.
How do I qualify for the course?
All applicants must possess the entrance qualifications for university in their country and complete an application form and interview process. Additionally, non-native speakers must have a C1 qualification that was achieved within the last two years.
How do I prepare for the course?
If you are accepted onto the course you will be sent the pre-course task (PCT) which you should complete at least a week before the course starts. The PCT is designed to familiarise candidates with the grammar, phonology and methodology that they will meet on the course.
What is the course composed of?
- 6 hours of observed teaching practice – with two levels of students, including evaluation and feedback with a qualified trainer
- 4 hours of observation of experienced teachers
- Preparation of a profile of an individual learner, including planning and delivering a 1-1 lesson
- 4 lessons of an unknown language which help you reflect on the learner’s experience and raise awareness of teaching tactics
- Practice writing lesson plans with tutor support and feedback
- Input sessions on grammar, phonology, methodology and how to build them into your teaching
- Specialist sessions on teaching young learners, teaching 1-1 plus teaching Business English
- Training in how to find a job in the UK or overseas
How easy is it to find a job when the course ends?
TEFL is a huge industry and there is always a variety of opportunities for qualified teachers.
ELA-Edinburgh has partnerships with English First and MyES, a school with branches throughout Italy. Your tutors will give you advice on jobs and career in a session towards the end of the course.
Your Trinity CertTESOL qualification will be respected worldwide. In busy markets like China, Vietnam, Italy, Spain and Eastern Europe it will help you to find the best employer.
Why chose ELA-Edinburgh?
ELA-Edinburgh boasts a course director with more than 25 years’ experience in teacher-training and fully qualified tutors.
Our modern facilities give you Wi-Fi access throughout the building, access to our computers and printers as well as use of our interactive smartboard.
Above all though, you will benefit from the attention and support that our tutors provide. This extra care helps to explain our 100% pass rate. After the course ends, you will have the opportunity to continue to develop your teaching skills with us and carry on teaching your students from the course.
Please note, you cannot book and pay online until you have gone through an interview process and have been accepted onto the course by the course director. Please email the course director at dos@elacademy.co.uk for more information or to book an interview.
TEACHER TRAINING FAQs
Here are some typical questions we get asked by people enquiring about our Teacher Training courses. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please feel free to contact our Director of Studies at dos@elacademy.co.uk
Can I do a TEFL course if I am not a native English speaker?
Yes. About 50% of the trainees on our courses are non-native English speakers. They make a tremendous contribution to our courses in terms of their knowledge of English grammar and empathy with the problems that English learners face.
Can I teach English if I can’t speak any foreign languages?
Yes. Modern teaching methodology does not rely on translation. We will teach you the skills you need to communicate effectively with students from all kinds of backgrounds without speaking anything other than English.
Can I do a TEFL course if I don’t know anything about grammar?
Yes. we will teach you everything you need to know about English grammar.
Is it possible to do a TEFL course fully online?
Yes. In the past year there has been a worldwide shift to online courses. The good news is that our online courses are all fully validated by Trinity College London and are equally valid for online and classroom-based teaching jobs.
Can I qualify as a TEFL teacher in one week?
No. Courses that advertise this are a scam. The shortest internationally recognised TEFL qualifications are CertTESOL and CELTA (both Level 5 on the RQF). These courses are for a minimum of 4 weeks.
Is it easy to find work?
The past year and a half have been difficult for language schools, but the good news is that there has been a massive shift to online teaching, and if you are suitably qualified you will find there is plenty of demand for your skills. If you want to work overseas, it’s worth focussing on the latest hotspots; East Asia and South America are good choices. If you decide to complete your TEFL training with us, we will help you find work through our network of international contacts that we have built up over the years.
What is a typical TEFL teacher like?
We’re all different! Some people start TEFL teaching to finance a gap-year or straight after finishing their studies; many others do it as a mid-life career change. A lot of TEFL teachers have language backgrounds, but you’ll meet plenty of people who have very different starting points. Creative people are very well represented; you’ll be surprised at how many artists, writers and actors you’ll find in a typical TEFL staffroom. One thing we all have in common is a love of travel and an interest in other cultures.
What is a typical TEFL teacher’s day like?
Busy! A typical day will include teaching different groups of students at different levels, some 1-1 lessons, lesson planning and marking. And if you work at a good school there will also be plenty of training workshops to attend.
Who are the students?
One of the great pleasures of TEFL teaching is that it gives you the chance to meet people from all parts of the world- even from places you might never have heard of. Especially if you are teaching in an English-speaking country or teaching online classes, you are likely to have a wide range of nationalities in the group. Ages range from pre-school children to pensioners, and you’ll meet people from all walks of life; university students, hospitality workers, scientists and business professionals are all well represented in the classroom.
Is TEFL a good career?
To be frank, a career in TEFL won’t make you rich. But if you’re looking for a career that is never boring and that gives you the opportunity to work in different places, it could be the right choice for you. Once you have a little experience, it’s worth finding a specialist area that will make your skills more marketable and give you a great sense of job satisfaction. We can help you with this through our Trinity CertPT courses in Teaching Business English, Teaching Medical English and Teaching Academic English.
Erasmus+ Funding
Erasmus+ Funding
Our TRINITY CertTESOL and In service Training and Development programmes for EFL teachers, as well as courses for CLIL teachers wanting to develop English language skills may be eligible for Erasmus+ funding. Please check with your National Agency. Erasmus + Lifelong Learning grants are obtained through the organization you are currently working with (school, university, training institute, etc.). The Erasmus+ Programme Guide lists very clear criteria you need to meet in order to be granted funding.
Training and Administrative Staff at the Centre
| Principal: | Olga Hutchins |
| Course Director: | David Birch |