Professional development opportunities for English language teachers

Trinity College London offers a range of qualifications, courses and learning resources to support English language teachers at different stages of their careers.

Whether you are beginning your teaching career, developing specialist skills or looking to progress into more advanced roles, you can explore opportunities that suit your experience and professional goals.

Explore professional development options

Starting a career in English language teaching

If you are considering becoming an English language teacher, Trinity offers introductory learning opportunities and formal qualifications.

Teach with Trinity provides free introductory courses for people interested in exploring teaching-related topics.

For those seeking an initial teaching qualification, the Trinity CertTESOL is a Level 5 qualification combining teaching theory, practical training and assessed teaching practice.

For more information, see Trinity CertTESOL – Qualification overview and requirements.

Developing specialist teaching skills

Teachers who want to develop expertise in a particular area can explore Trinity's specialist qualifications.

Teaching young learners – TYLEC

The Teaching Young Learners Extension Certificate (TYLEC) supports teachers in developing the skills needed to teach English to young learners aged 7–16 or very young learners aged 3–6.

It focuses on understanding learners' developmental needs and applying appropriate teaching approaches.

Teaching English online – CertOT

Trinity Teach English Online is a 30-hour self-study course designed to develop practical online teaching skills.

Teachers who wish to gain a formal qualification in online teaching can undertake the separate Certificate in Online Teaching (CertOT), a Level 4 qualification involving four assessment tasks.

Developing classroom practice – CertPT

The Certificate for Practising Teachers (CertPT) is a Level 6 qualification designed to support professional development through practical work on teaching resources.

It focuses on evaluating, adapting and creating resources that meet learners' needs in particular teaching contexts.

For more information, see Trinity CertPT – Qualification overview and requirements.

Advanced professional development – DipTESOL

The Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (DipTESOL) is Trinity's Level 7 qualification for experienced English language teachers.

It develops advanced professional knowledge and skills, including research-informed teaching, phonology, classroom practice and critical reflection.

The DipTESOL may be relevant to teachers interested in professional progression, including teacher education, mentoring, academic management and other senior roles.

For more information, see Trinity DipTESOL – Qualification overview and requirements.

Do I need to complete the qualifications in a particular order?

Not necessarily. Trinity's qualifications support different professional development goals, but they are not all compulsory stages in a single progression route. For example, teachers do not need to complete CertPT before undertaking DipTESOL, although CertPT may provide useful preparation for further advanced study. Each qualification has its own entry requirements, which should be checked before applying.

For guidance, see Which Trinity TESOL qualification is right for me?

Free resources and professional learning

Professional development does not always require studying for a qualification.

Trinity also provides teaching resources and opportunities to explore ideas in English language teaching, including:

• Free classroom resources and teaching ideas.

• Articles and professional learning content.

• Teach with Trinity introductory courses.

• Initiatives such as Future of ELT and Transformative Teachers.

For more information, see Free Trinity resources for English language teachers.

How do I enrol on a Trinity TESOL course?

CertTESOL, TYLEC, CertPT and DipTESOL courses are delivered by independent Trinity-validated course providers.

Providers manage their own course dates, fees, delivery arrangements and applications.

Find a Trinity-validated TESOL course provider

CertOT follows a separate online registration and assessment process. For guidance, see Trinity Teach English Online and CertOT – Course and qualification guide.