Trinity CertTESOL: Teacher Training Course in Japan

The CertTESOL is designed for those with little or no experience of teaching English as well as for those with experience who would like an internationally recognised initial teacher education qualification. This course will help you get a job with a good employer; it offers a high standard of training and an internationally recognised certification.

This course equips trainees with the basic skills and knowledge needed to be an English Language Teacher, it also gives an introduction to the theory and practice of ELT and an insight into the challenges facing learners and the role of the teacher.

The CertTESOL is listed as a Level 5 qualification appearing on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) laid out by the UK’s governing body for academic and professional qualifications, Ofqual. This means it is comparable to the second year of an undergraduate degree, and comprises a minimum of 130 hours, with an expected minimum of 70 hours further study required (Total Qualification Time: 200 hours). Credits are also awarded towards degree programmes offered by universities.

Course Length

The minimum course length is 130 timetabled hours per trainee, and 70 non-timetabled hours (a total qualification time of 200 hours). Timetabled hours must include:

• A minimum of 90 hours of supervised input
• A minimum of 10 hours of teaching and observation
• the remaining 30 hours for preparation and completion of assignments

The 70 non-timetabled hours will include: reading, research, assignment writing and lesson preparation.

Course Format

We offer both full-time intensive and part-time courses.

• The full-time course lasts for 4 weeks, Monday to Friday (including national holidays), from 10.00 to 18.00.
• The part-time course lasts for approximately 6 months, is held on Sundays (including national holidays) from 10.00 to 18.00.

Full-time attendance is expected for both courses although absences will be accepted under extenuating circumstances with prior notification to the Course Director.

Course Delivery

The course is delivered and assessed through five units. The work for units 1, 2, 3 and 5 are marked internally by the course tutors and moderated or sampled and checked by the Trinity moderator at the end of the course. The moderator externally assesses the work for unit 4.

During the course, you will:

• Teach a minimum of six hours assessed lessons. Qualified, experienced teaching practice tutors will give feedback on your lessons.
• You will keep a teaching practice journal, self-reflection on your lessons and use that information to produce a written report.
• Observe and report on a series of lessons provided by professional teachers.
• Be given input on specific grammatical and phonological features of English. This information will be measured through a language awareness test.
• Produce your own teaching materials. These are to be presented during moderation in the materials assignment interview.
• Undertake the ‘unknown language’ course to get a feel of teaching techniques that work and how learners feel. You will write up a journal on this experience.
• Interview, teach and plan a short course for a private learner of English. This will then be analysed in a written report.

Key Learnings

• Evaluate different teaching approaches, methods and techniques and use them in lessons.
• Describe significant grammatical and pronunciation features of English and use this language awareness to plan effective lessons.
• Evaluate the needs of individual and groups of learners and their progress.
• Plan lessons with clear, specific objectives appropriate to specific learners’ needs.
• Be aware of the available teaching resources for teaching and to select and adapt and develop your own teaching materials,and learn how to teach the meaning behind simple words and more complex sentences.
• Deliver lessons with attention to generating rapport, voice projection, classroom presence, sensitivity to culture, age, status; and qualities of execution, including maximising learner interest and participation, pace, focus, correction and ability to use language at the appropriate level.
• Experience what it is like to be a learner of a second language for the ‘unknown language’ project.
• Learn how to plan lessons with clear objectives appropriate to the needs of the learners.
• Learn how to identify and respond to the needs of learners both in a group and 1-1 situation.
• Evaluate lessons with a view to strengthening good qualities and developing areas which need improvement.
• Identify further opportunities for self-development.

Professional Development

Professional awareness and development are ongoing themes. Successful trainees will:

• Demonstrate an awareness of the needs of other colleagues in the team.
• Understand the importance of mutual support in the teaching, learning and training environment.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the need for professional development during and after the course, based on a constructive response to training input and feedback from tutors and peers.

The course is carefully designed to be collaborative and plenty of peer and tutor support is available. We are here to support you as much as possible. You are actively encouraged to take part in the discussions, activities, tutorials etc.

You will be given a timetable with required reading, basic session outlines and assessment information and schedules at the start of the course.