The Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL) is an internationally recognised Level 5 qualification for people who want to begin a career in English language teaching.
The qualification combines teaching theory with practical classroom experience, helping you develop the knowledge and skills needed to teach English to speakers of other languages.
Trinity CertTESOL is recognised by the British Council and can support opportunities to teach English in the UK and internationally.
Who is CertTESOL for?
CertTESOL is designed for people who are new to English language teaching, including those who:
Want to begin a career teaching English in the UK or abroad.
Are considering a career change into English language teaching.
Have some informal teaching experience but want to gain a recognised qualification.
Want to develop practical teaching skills and an understanding of English language learners.
You do not need to have previous professional English language teaching experience to begin CertTESOL
.
What are the entry requirements?
Applicants must:
Be at least 18 years old when starting the course.
Have qualifications and/or experience that would allow entry into higher education.
Have English language proficiency at CEFR Level C1 or above.
Course providers assess applicants to establish whether they meet the entry requirements and are suitable for the course.
Contact a Trinity-validated course provider for information about its application and selection process.
What will I learn?
CertTESOL consists of five units covering essential knowledge and practical teaching skills.
| Unit | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Unit 1: Teaching Skills | Lesson planning, classroom teaching, observation of experienced teachers, teaching practice and reflection. |
| Unit 2: Language Awareness and Skills | English grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and language analysis. |
| Unit 3: Learner Profile | Understanding an individual learner's needs and planning appropriate learning activities. |
| Unit 4: Materials Assignment | Selecting, adapting, creating and evaluating teaching materials. |
| Unit 5: Unknown Language | Experiencing learning an unfamiliar language to develop awareness of the learner's perspective. |
The course develops your ability to plan lessons, manage classroom activities, assess learner needs and evaluate your own teaching practice.
How long does CertTESOL take?
CertTESOL has a total qualification time of 200 hours, comprising:
130 guided learning hours, including teaching practice, observation, supervised activities and tutorials.
70 hours of independent study, including reading, research, lesson preparation and assignments.
The course includes at least:
Six hours of observed and assessed teaching practice with English language learners.
Four hours of guided observation of experienced teachers.
The time needed to complete the course depends on whether you study full-time or part-time and the timetable offered by your course provider.
Can I study CertTESOL online?
Yes. CertTESOL courses may be available through:
Face-to-face learning.
Online learning.
Blended learning, combining online and face-to-face activities.
Full-time and part-time study options may also be available.
All courses must meet Trinity's requirements, including the practical teaching and assessment components.
Available formats vary between validated course providers.
How is CertTESOL assessed?
Assessment takes place throughout the course and covers all five units.
This includes:
Observed and assessed teaching practice.
Teaching portfolios and reflective journals.
Language awareness assessments.
A learner profile assignment.
A materials assignment.
An unknown language learning journal.
All five units must be passed to achieve the qualification.
Trinity's assessment arrangements include external moderation to ensure that qualification standards are maintained.
Is CertTESOL internationally recognised?
Yes. Trinity CertTESOL is an internationally recognised teaching qualification at Level 5 of the UK's Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
It is recognised by the British Council as an initial English language teaching qualification.
However, individual employers and countries may have additional requirements for teaching positions.
For more information, see Are Trinity TESOL qualifications recognised internationally?
How much does CertTESOL cost?
Course fees are determined by individual Trinity-validated course providers and may vary depending on the provider, location and delivery arrangements.
Contact your chosen provider directly for information about fees and payment arrangements.
How do I apply for CertTESOL?
CertTESOL courses are delivered by Trinity-validated course providers around the world.
To apply:
Find a Trinity-validated CertTESOL course provider.
Contact the provider to discuss available courses, fees, dates and entry requirements.
Follow the provider's application and selection process.
For more information, see How to find a Trinity-validated TESOL course provider.
Further information and documents
The following official Trinity documents provide more detailed information about the qualification:
CertTESOL factsheet – A summary of the qualification, course structure and key requirements.
CertTESOL Specification – Detailed information about the five units, learning outcomes and assessment requirements.
See also:
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