CertTESOL FAQs

Individual course providers set their own course fees. A moderation fee payable to Trinity will be charged to every trainee by the training organization in addition to the course fee. Trinity does not keep a record of the individual course costs; the course provider should be contacted directly for this information. To find a centre's contact details refer to the find a course page.

The course is a minimum of 130 hours of study and can be taken on a full-time basis over a minimum of four weeks or on a part-time basis over a longer period, usually anything between three months to a year. There are a few university institutions who build in a Trinity CertTESOL to a BA Degree in TEFL or Languages over a longer period.

Our find a course page allows you to search for validated course providers and their contact details in your area.

Different course providers will have their own application procedures: contact the centres for details.

Different centres will run courses at different times throughout the year; you will need to speak to a specific centre for its course dates.

Some institutions receive government funding towards the CertTESOL programme and are therefore able to charge lower than average fees. 

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, TEFL for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and TESL for Teaching English as a Second Language.

TEFL is mostly used in the UK and has traditionally been applied to the teaching of English to people for whom English is a foreign language and who will use English largely for short-term study, work or leisure purposes. TESL has traditionally been applied to the teaching of English to people for whom English is a second language in their home country, or people who are settling in an English-speaking country. TESOL is an umbrella term that now usually incorporates the other two acronyms.

Trinity stipulates that the course must contain at least 130 hours of training and some centres do combine face-to-face with some online learning. There are also elements of work that you need to do before the course (a pre-course task) and outside of the daily course content. Check with the centres for local details.

Course providers set their own entry requirements but as a minimum Trinity states that all trainees must have sufficient educational qualifications to gain entry to higher education (i.e. university or equivalent).

Trinity requires that all trainees be at least 18 years old but individual course providers may set a higher age limit. Trinity does not stipulate an upper age limit for the course.

The course is designed for those with little or, more usually, no experience of teaching English.

English does not have to be your first language, but you must be able to demonstrate a high level of English language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, whether it is a first, second or additional language for you.

Yes, it is recognised as a qualification for English language teaching in the UK and internationally. The CertTESOL is accepted by the British Council as an initial TESOL or TEFL qualification for teachers in its accredited teaching organisations in the UK and in its own teaching operations overseas. Many other state and independent sector teaching organisations also accept the qualification.

Credits are also awarded towards degree programmes offered by universities in the UK. There are many jobs available for those who hold a reputable certificate in TESOL or TEFL in the UK and worldwide.

Trinity’s TESOL qualifications are accredited on the qualifications framework as follows:

  • CertTESOL: Level 5
  • Diploma TESOL: Level 7

Teachers hoping to teach in mainstream education (primary, secondary, tertiary) should always check the requirements of that particular sector, per country, before embarking on a training course.

Trinity's TESOL qualifications are accepted by most employers worldwide. They are welcomed by the British Council for new and experienced teachers in their accredited teaching organisations in the UK, and in their own teaching centres worldwide.

Trinity is a member of professional language organisations worldwide, including:

  • European Association for Quality Language Services (EAQUALS)
  • European Associating for Language Testing And Assessment (EALTA)
  • International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL)
  • Quality in TESOL Education (Quite)
  • The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE)

Each course provider has their own list of recommended reading for their course, which includes the Trinity CertTESOL Companion, written by award winning author Jason Anderson.

You will have to produce four or five written assignments during the course and these may include a test of grammar and/or phonology. You will also have to complete a minimum of six hours teaching practice with genuine learners of English. All the above will have to be completed to the recognised standard but you will be given lots of professional guidance and support.

The course provider will let you know your result on the last day of the course. This is after the external moderation and assessment confirms your result. Certificates are then issued to course providers 4-6 weeks after the end of the course.

We take complaints very seriously and want to make sure that courses and assessment run according the Trinity’s requirements. Trinity requires every centre to have a centre complaints process. In the first instance, you should speak to your tutor / course director or centre manager/principle about the complaint. They will be able to advise you about the complaint.

For the CertTESOL, if your complaint is about the delivery or assessment of Unit 1 (Teaching Practice), Unit 2 (Language Awareness & Skills), Unit 3 (Learner Profile) or Unit 5 (Unknown Language), then you need to go through your centre’s complaints process. If your complaint does not get resolved after following this process, you can let Trinity know by following our complaints procedure and we will do our best to help.

If your complaint is about Unit 4 (Materials Assignment) or the conduct of the moderator, please follow our complaints procedure to ensure that we can correctly log and act upon your complaint.

The teaching of young learners, especially those aged between 7 and 12 years old, requires more specialised methodology, materials and means of assessment. You can learn more about specific Young Learner pedagogy on the TYLEC (Teaching Young Learner Extension Certificate). If you are teaching in private schools, the CertTESOL should be sufficient to secure you a job. Should you wish to teach in state schools you would need to have a PGCE qualification or equivalent, or you could work as a teaching assistant without PGCE. You should check with government representatives in the country where you are planning to teach

It is not Trinity policy to promote one validated course over another. You should obtain literature from several course providers in your area and call them direct for further details. They will vary in timing of courses throughout the year and timetabling details so it is likely that one will suit you better than the others

CELTA is a similar teacher training qualification to the CertTESOL and is offered by Cambridge ESOL. Although similar in its content, mode of delivery and assessment, the two courses differ in terms of more specific components and types of moderation and assessment. Trinity lays great emphasis on reflective journal writing, professional development and self-evaluation for trainees. Both courses are accepted by the British Council as initial TESOL or TEFL qualifications for teachers in its accredited institutions in the UK and in its own teaching operations overseas.

 

In order to run courses for any of our TESOL qualifications, a centre must first become a validated course provider.

We welcome applications from centres and institutions globally, and support them throughout the validation process. Further details on this process can be found on our Become a validated TESOL course provider page.

Validation withdrawal from Woods James (United Arab Emirates, Dubai and Kuwait, and also Iran)
CertTESOL courses run by Woods James (United Arab Emirates, Dubai and Kuwait, and also Iran) starting on or after 1 January 2010 ceased to be validated by Trinity on 31 December 2009.  If there is any change in the school’s validated status by Trinity, an announcement will be made on this website.


Validation withdrawal from Prague Schools (Prague)
Please note that the TESOL courses offered at the school known as Prague Schools in Prague ceased to be validated by Trinity College London on 31 August 2008 and have not therefore been subject to Trinity regulations since that time, nor do they lead to a Trinity certificate.

The TESOL courses offered at Oxford TEFL Prague (at Národní 25 B) have been validated by Trinity College London for almost ten years and continue to be validated. Their courses are therefore subject to Trinity regulations and successful course participants are awarded a Trinity certificate.


Validation withdrawal from Windsor Schools (London, Windsor and Madrid)
Trinity College London withdrew validation for its CertTESOL courses on 31 December 2006. Courses are no longer subject to Trinity regulations or lead to a Trinity certificate.

Trinity’s TESOL qualifications are accredited on the qualifications framework as follows:

  • CertTESOL: Level 5
  • Diploma TESOL: Level 7

Teachers hoping to teach in mainstream education (primary, secondary, tertiary) should always check the requirements of that particular sector, per country, before embarking on a training course.

Trinity's TESOL qualifications are accepted by most employers worldwide. They are welcomed by the British Council for new and experienced teachers in their accredited teaching organisations in the UK, and in their own teaching centres worldwide.

Trinity is a member of professional language organisations worldwide, including:

  • European Association for Quality Language Services (EAQUALS)
  • European Associating for Language Testing And Assessment (EALTA)
  • International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL)
  • Quality in TESOL Education (Quite)
  • The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE)

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