Trinity (CertTESOL) Teacher Training Nottingham - FAQs

Why should I choose a Trinity TESOL Teacher Training programme?

Because the Trinity CertTESOL course is a validated, internationally recognised teacher training qualification, it will enable you to teach anywhere in the world. Having the CertTESOL tells potential employers that you are able to identify the needs of your class, plan and deliver effective lessons to further your students’ knowledge, and have the professional standards required of an English teacher.

Which is the right TESOL programme for me?

You need to make sure that any programme you decide to follow is internationally recognised and validated, so you need either the Trinity CertTESOL or the CELTA qualification – these are the industry standard qualifications. Many courses claim to be recognised worldwide, but that is not necessarily the case, and in-house qualifications will not be recognised by other employers.

Make sure you choose a programme which includes actual teaching practice with real students – on the Trinity CertTESOL you get a minimum of 6 hours’ classroom teaching observed and assessed by highly qualified trainers.

Are your TESOL certificate programmes accepted internationally and do they meet all international standards?

Our course is validated and externally assessed by Trinity College, London, and is an internationally recognised qualification which will enable you to teach anywhere in the world. It is the key initial training qualification for teaching English as a foreign language, and recognised as such by employers such as the British Council and International House.

Where can I find TESOL teaching jobs with a TESOL certificate?

Basically, once you have qualified, you can teach anywhere in the world, from Asia to Africa, Europe to the Americas. The qualification will also enable you to teach ESOL in the UK.

What experience and/or qualifications are required?

We do not assume any teaching experience for you to get onto the course. We do ask for either a minimum of 2 A-levels or IELTS 7, and we insist that candidates for the course have an excellent standard of English in terms of grammar, spelling and punctuation – it is essential for both your assignments and your teaching practice.

Do I need to have a knowledge of any languages other than English?

It is not a requirement that you have any other languages, although it might help you understand the needs of language students a little better! However, one of the course assignments will put you into the shoes of a language learner starting from scratch, so you can get to see both sides of the language teaching process – teaching and learning!

Are there any age limits?

You need to be 18 or over to start the course. There is no upper age limit.

When is the best time to complete a TESOL course?

Many schools now recruit year round, so there are always opportunities for employment all over the world – even in countries such as Spain and Italy, which tend to follow UK term-times.

Can non-native speakers of English complete your TESOL programs?

Yes, they can. You would need an IELTS 7 score, and good writing skills for the assignments. All candidates, regardless of nationality, are required to undertake an assessed interview task.

Do you really need to do a TEFL course in order to gain employment?

Whilst you may find employment in certain countries without a recognised TEFL qualification, you might find it difficult to move to another, better-paid job without the certificate.

What is the application / interview procedure?

We ask all candidates to complete an application form, with a writing task. Once the application has been assessed we will contact candidates for an interview.

What does the interview consist of?

This involves a brief grammar and vocabulary task to assess your language awareness, as well as tasks to assess your writing and punctuation skills. We would then talk through the various course components and assignments.

What are the deadlines for registration for the course?

Ideally the registration deadline is two weeks before the course begins, to enable you to complete the pre-course grammar and phonology tasks to give you a head start on the course.

What level of English grammar is expected prior to enrolment?

As a teacher of English, it is essential that you are able to provide correct models for the students. We do not expect you to know all the terminology at the start of your teaching career, but you are expected to have a very strong command of the language, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

What is the pre-course activity?

The pre-course task is designed to get you up to speed on the terminology of English grammar and to help you to recognise the phonemic symbols which help your students to understand the complexities of English pronunciation. We will ask you to identify tenses, parts of speech (adverbs and adjectives, for example) and vocabulary meaning, as well as phonology.

Should I get a TEFL/TESL certificate, or go for a masters degree?

If you want to teach English, the certificate is your best option. And there are a lot more employment opportunities for teachers worldwide than there are academic posts.

Can you arrange accommodation for me in Nottingham during the course?

Yes, we can. We can organize homestay accommodation for the four weeks of your course. (more details here to outline benefits?)