Training Link Online

Home

Contact us

About us

Course information

Accreditation

Course fees

Sample material

Courses

Preliminary Certificate

Certificate (Ed. Studies)

Certificate in Phonetics

Cert ES & Business English

Cert TESOL & Bus. English

Business English

Certificate in TESOL

Advanced Certificate

Course downloads

Other

FAQs

A-Z index

Links

Teaching practice

Enrol

© Training Link 2008 by
Simon Winn-Smith

Advanced Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Pre-eminent in the ELT field the modular Advanced Certificate in TESOL is the ultimate initial teacher training course and the most complete package yet offered by Training Link Online.

Why an Advanced Certificate in TESOL? In the case of a 120/140-hour (4/5 week) recognised intensive certificate course, e.g. Cambridge/RSA, Trinity College or UK Universities there are requirements, not only to cover the theory and methodology of English language teaching, but also the practical components including 6 hours observed and assessed teaching practice. Such a course, however good, can do little more in 120/140 hours, than skim the surface. As a result there is a growing pool of teachers whose classroom management and teaching techniques are reasonably effective but who lack in depth knowledge.

Worse still, there are many unaccredited TESOL courses of rather limited academic input and practical coverage.

Why follow a programme with teaching practice?

1. You will feel more confident and relaxed when you come to teach for real, knowing that you are trained to help your students learn.
2. You will secure a better job with more pay.
3. You will become part of a professional community of English teachers.

Since the distance element of the course is accredited by ACTDEC (Level 3) it is possible to obtain an ACTDEC Certificate upon successful completion of the distance element of the course. Sample certificate.

A course generating higher levels of teacher skills leading to greater job opportunities

In the case of the two-part (350-hour) modular Advanced Certificate course, the professional training and in-depth coverage, offered over an adequate period, allows time to fully cover and importantly, absorb this substantial knowledge prior to teaching practice. As a result a high concentration of TP can be very adequately covered during the 75-hour two-week block. Costs are reduced considerably whilst the amount of time spent on practical training is greatly increased. The Advanced Certificate in TESOL course not only provides depth of coverage and substantial teaching practice but does so at a very competitive fee.

Course Aim

For the Advanced Certificate as a whole, the overall aim is to provide a combined course of distance training and face-to-face instruction in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages.

Course General Objectives

The general objectives require each student to be able to:

1. demonstrate a firm grasp of the main phonological, lexical and syntactical features of modern communicative English.
2. predict with reasonable accuracy the needs of ESOL students at various levels, to modify and update such a needs analysis in the light of observation and testing of the learners.
3. write instructional objectives and prepare effective lesson plans.
4. teach effectively structures, lexis and phonology at any level from beginners to advanced.
5. handle a reasonably extensive repertoire of lesson forms.
6. demonstrate an ability to prepare and teach successfully a series of assessed ESOL lessons at various levels
7. monitor his or her own effectiveness as a teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Course Structure

This modular course takes a hybrid form consisting of approximately 80% conducted in the form of distance-training and some 20% practical face-to-face work including substantial teaching practice.

Who the Advanced Certificate is for

The Advanced Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is an initial (degree level) advanced qualification. The course aims to provide a thorough, in-depth introduction to the teaching of English to speakers of other languages and to familiarise participants with the latest methodological approaches, classroom techniques, educational technology and teaching strategies. This advanced programme has been specifically designed for those wishing to undertake a wide-ranging and substantial course of professional enrichment prior to embarking on a career in TESOL or gaining a recognised professional ELT qualification.

Part I — Distance-training Element

Each of the five units above consists of between two and six separate modules.

Part II — Practical Components will be held in Sheffield UK and Gran Canaria Spain

Dates and centre details:

Part I — Distance-training Element

The following is a select list of the topics covered during the modular distance-training programme.

Study skills. General foundation introduction to linguistics. Background issues, e.g. reasons for learning a language, motivation, language acquisition and learning. Phonetics and phonology — the IPA and phonemic transcription, articulatory phonetics, word and sentence stress, vowel sounds and the articulation of vowels and diphthongs, linkage and intonation. English grammar and usage, e.g. word classes, aspects of grammatical structure, verb phrases, form and function, semantics, etc. Vocabulary — acquisition, presentation and practice. Lesson planning and writing instructional objectives — lesson preparation, the teaching-learning process, writing lesson plans, stages in a lesson, concept questioning, teacher and student activities, classroom organisation and management, teaching aids. Receptive and productive skills; teaching listening and reading; developing oral skills; encouraging and developing writing. Communicative activities, task-based learning, pair and group work; language drills; language games. Testing and assessment, error analysis, correction and remediation.

Part II — Face-to-face Element

The intensive practical component will be of a minimum two-week duration (75 hours). The following is covered through a series of workshops, seminars and other modes of input as appropriate.

Practical Components. The OHP and Magnetboard. Practical Phonetics Workshops. Grammar Workshops. Teaching Practice Preparation. Powerpoint presentations.

Classroom Techniques. Effective Chalk/White Board Work. The Cassette/CD Recorder/Player and its Effective Use. Skills Development. Classroom Management Skills. Task-based Classroom Activities.

Teaching Practice and Observation. Video observation and techniques of self-evaluation. Observation of classes, taught by qualified teachers. Peer teaching. Teaching practice with non-native speaker students.

Assessment

The examination for the Advanced Certificate in TESOL is in six parts.

Part 1. Distance-training Programme Assessment

Candidates are required to successfully complete all the assignments contained in the units and modules of the distance-training programme.

Part 2. Post Mid-Course Essay

Candidates are required to submit a post mid-course essay of approximately 1,500 words. A choice of topics is offered.

Part 3. Final Distance Assessment Paper

At the close of the distance programme the candidate is required to complete at home, within a given period of time a 'take-away' proficiency assessment paper.

Part 4. Videoed Lesson Observation Tasks

Candidates are sent a three-hour DVD video containing three lessons, a booklet of lesson notes and a worksheet for completion. This serves as an important pre face-to-face block of foundation teaching practice observation.

Part 5. Practical Project Assignment

Candidates are required to submit by post a practical teaching project during the final phase of the course.

Part 6. Classroom Teaching

This part of the examination is in three sections.

1. Pre-lesson assessment of lesson plans.
2. Six formally assessed lessons lasting 40-45 minutes each. Two of the lessons should be at two different levels.
3. A discussion lasting 10 minutes after each lesson.

A candidate is required to teach a minimum of six assessed lessons.

A copy of the candidate's lesson plan, setting out clearly and concisely the lesson objective(s) and the principal stages of the lesson, and indicating how it is (or would be) related to previous and subsequent lessons must be handed to the assessor for marking and comment prior to the lesson.

Candidates are required to discuss with the assessor after each lesson, the detail of his or her teaching procedures and to criticise them, favourably or unfavourably. They should be able to identify those parts of the lesson that were successful, and those which were less so, and to make constructive suggestions for improvement.

Course Timetable

Participants may commence the Part I distance-training programme at any time.

It is possible to pay for the entire programme in advance taking advantage of a very generous discount, or to pay now for Part I and later for Part II.

Remember to book your Part II face-to-face block early to avoid disappointment.

Duration of Distance-training Element (Part I)

No two people work at the same pace, have similar commitments or study time available. We try therefore, to be as helpfully flexible as we can. You can start the distance element as early as you wish but you will, of course, need to complete the Part I programme prior to the Part II residential block starting date. As a rough guide it is possible to complete the distance-training element within fourteen to sixteen weeks though some people tend to take a little longer. The Part I element takes an average of 275 hours to complete. Some people can devote only 6 - 10 hours a week to the distance programme whilst others, on a full-time basis, can find 20-25 hours weekly. Remember though, finding time to absorb the material and reflect on the content is important. On a purely part-time basis trainees need to find some 10 - 14 hours of study time each week. (These estimates of study hours are approximate since no two individuals work at the same pace.) If you allow yourself around five months to complete the distance element, you should be able to do so comfortably.

Award of the Qualification Advanced Certificate in TESOL

Successful candidates whose names appear on an official Pass List will be awarded the qualification of Advanced Certificate in TESOL at Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Eligibility

Applications for course participation will be considered from qualified teachers and graduates of all disciplines.

Consideration will also be given to applicants who have professional or other qualifications, are capable of communicating clearly, and who feel confident in their ability to bring a clear, analytical approach to the English language and develop a teaching style appropriate to learners with a wide range of needs. Such applicants will be expected to have a good general education up to the usually accepted level for university entrance.

Applications from non-native speaker graduates or teachers are very welcome. However, such applications must have attained a high level of English language competence in all four skills.

If you would like to know if your language levels are appropriate for course entry please refer to the Scales of Attainment for each of the four language skills. We would expect a candidate for the course to have attained the following minimum skill levels.

View the Scales of Attainment.

Course Start Dates

Enrolment is continuous and you can start as soon as you have enrolled and paid your course fees.

You may, of course, start in a later month. On the application form, choose the month in which you wish to start. We will assign you a course code upon enrolment (we use a course code purely for identification.)

Course Fees

Advanced Certificate in TESOL course fees.

Finding a job

See information about finding a job.

Teaching Innovation

See our Innovation page for fresh teaching ideas.