TESOL Certificate

TESOL Certificate

The TEFL International 4-week TESOL Certificate programme is the industry-standard entry level qualification needed to start your teaching career. The course is highly practical and places emphasis on the real skills and knowledge needed by classroom teachers.

Key Features

• 4-week / 120 hour intensive TESOL Certificate course
• Internationally recognised qualification
• Meets or exceeds international standards
• Emphasis on practicality
• Teaching practice with groups and individual students
• Experienced trainers
• Comprehensive course materials
• Ongoing support and career guidance
• 14 locations world wide with courses every month.

Course Content

TEFL International trainers adapt their training to the needs of individual trainees so each course will have a slightly different structure. During the course, you will be guided through the process of planning, preparation, delivery and reflection of a lesson and be given feedback on your performance at each stage.

The TESOL Certificate is divided into 5 key areas:

1. Teaching Practice:

Central to effective teacher training is classroom teaching practice and this is why online and distance courses are not accepted by many schools. During your course you will teach real students and see your teaching skills put into practice.

2. Language Awareness:

It is quite normal to be concerned about your knowledge of grammar before you start the course. We don't expect you to be an expert! The Language Awareness module will help you understand how the English language is structured and used.

The Language Awareness module covers 2 key areas:

• Grammar: in the grammar section you will learn about word classes, simple sentence elements, complex sentences and clauses, verb time and tense, aspect, conditional and modals among others.
• Phonology: in the phonology section you will learn about phonemics, word stress and intonation, rhythm and connected speech among others.

3. Teaching Techniques

This module introduces you to the techniques and methodologies of teaching English. As well as giving you the confidence to stand up in front of a class it will equip you with useful tips and skills that will help you teach with confidence.

The Teaching Techniques module covers topics such as:

• Modern approaches to language learning
• Effective lesson planning
• Classroom management skills
• Establishing & developing rapport
• Maintaining classroom discipline
• Creating & using materials
• Managing equipment & teaching aids
• Learner evaluation & testing
• Feedback & correction techniques
• Teaching receptive skills - reading & listening
• Teaching productive skills - speaking & writing
• Teaching beginners
• Teaching individuals
• Teaching Business English
• Teaching Young Learners
• Games & activities
• Songs & chants
• Teaching grammar & vocabulary.

4. Foreign Language Acquisition

The FLA module introduces you to an unknown foreign language. Being put in the position of a language learner will help you appreciate the learning processes that your future students will go through and help you reflect on how this might influence your teaching.

5. Student Profile

This module encourages you to think about the language needs of an individual student. To develop your rapport-building skills, as well as your error analysis and correction techniques, you will work closely with a student to asses their receptive and reproductive skills.

Course Materials

Throughout your course you will be given materials and resources that will provide the basis of your input sessions as well as supporting you in your individual studies. Key resources will include the following:

• Practical Teaching Skills & Concepts
• Language Awareness & Grammar
• Phonetics
• Classroom Management

Trainers will need an A4 folder which will be used to file handouts, notes, course records and additional resources. This folder should be professional in appearance and you will be advised on how best to organise it.

Recommended Reading

We recommend you are familiar with, or better still, have a copy of, the following publications:

• The Practice of English Language Teaching, J. Harmer, Longman
• English Grammar in Use, R. Murphy, CUP.

These books will provide an introduction to English Language Teaching and English Grammar. Both are easily available from major bookshops or Amazon.co.uk and will prove to be invaluable resources during your course and throughout your teaching career.

Course Assessment

In order to gain your TESOL Certificate you must successfully complete a range of assignments and tests. The teaching practice component is continually assessed and you will be kept informed of your progress by your individual tutor.

Course assessment is divided as follows:

• 50% Teaching Practice
• 15% Materials Development
• 5% Unknown Language Journal
• 10% Lesson Observation Journal
• 10% Grammar Test
• 10% Phonology Test.

On Site Support

TEFL International trainers and administrative staff will provide support on the ground throughout your course. Once you have completed your teacher training programme they are there to provide invaluable assistance in helping you find work or adapt to your new environment.