Course overview

Programmes are listed by their ACTDEC levels (1 — 3), then courses with teaching practice and finally specialist courses.

If you simply want to travel and teach the Preliminary CertificateJump to section is ideal and will give you the sound grounding you need. If you are an experienced teacher of ESOL and wish to take things a stage further look to the level 3 certificateJump to section.

If you already have the Level 2 or Level 3 certificate, you can build on this by doing our Teach Business EnglishJump to section component. If you have a TESOL/TEFL qualification already but feel you could benefit from more phonology knowledge, then you need the Certificate in Practical PhoneticsJump to section.

The Preliminary Certificate of Educational Studies in TESOL

Going abroad to teach English? It pays to be qualified...

This is a course for anyone seeking an excellent introduction to the world of TESOL. Even though it covers far more ground than many certificate distance programmes on offer, some schools and teaching institutions would not consider it a formal teaching qualification though a number of private schools and academies abroad find it perfectly acceptable.

Who it’s for: Backpackers, gap-year students, anyone seeking a taste of a teaching career, teaching assistants, any ESOL teacher seeking a value-for-money course to hone their skills.

What’s included in the fee?

  1. Internet delivered course material — 9 modules, Answer Keys & Worksheets [231 pages.]
  2. Course set books:
    • English Teachers Handbook (RRP £6.75)
    • Practice of ELT (RRP £21.60)
    • Grammar Practice Activities (RRP £17.20)
  3. Course Handbook, audio compact disc & document booklet
  4. Postage of books, audio CD, tutored worksheets, certificates
  5. Marking, grading and tutoring of all nine module worksheets with tutor written comment
  6. Registration for award of the Eurolink Examinations Board Certificate (value £20.00)
  7. Registration for award of the ACTDEC Level One Certificate (value £20.00)

This is an ACTDEC Level 1 programme and leads to TESOL Assistant status.

The Certificate of Educational Studies in TESOL

A thorough introduction to the world of TESOL (TEFL)

The Certificate of Educational Studies in TESOL uses home-study material tried, tested and regularly updated over a twenty year period. This programme is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the theory and practice of teaching English to speakers of other languages and may be seen as an initial step on a modular pathway towards a more advanced qualification. Those going abroad will certainly find they are able to obtain a teaching post with this recognised qualification.

Who it’s for: Keen gap-year students, teaching assistants, any ESOL teacher seeking a value-for-money course to hone their skills, anyone wishing to progress later to a level 3 or higher qualification.

What’s included in the fee?

  1. Internet delivered course material — 23 modules, Answer Keys & Worksheets [477 pages.]
  2. Course set books:
    • English Teachers Handbook (RRP £6.75)
    • Practice of ELT (RRP £21.60)
    • A Course in Language Teaching (RRP £18.55)
  3. Course Handbook, audio compact discs & document booklet
  4. Postage of books, audio CDs, tutored worksheets, certificates
  5. Marking, grading and tutoring of twenty two module worksheets with tutor written comment
  6. Registration for award of the Eurolink Examinations Board Certificate (value £30.00)
  7. Registration for award of the ACTDEC Level Two Certificate (value £25.00)

This is an ACTDEC Level 1 programme and leads to TESOL Assistant status.

The Certificate in TESOL — Cert.(TM)TESOL

Be an effective English teacher, take the Certificate in TESOL

This course aims to equip each trainee with the knowledge and skills necessary to function effectively as a teacher of English to speakers of other languages at a number of levels and in a variety of teaching situations.

This is a substantial course consisting of twenty-six modules comprising the following units: Study Skills and General Linguistics; the Practice of TESOL (covering the teaching of listening, oral skills, reading and writing), Phonetics, Language Awareness and Lesson Planning & Preparation. Each unit consists of between two and six modules.

Who it’s for: Any ESOL teacher seeking an excellent course to further their career.

What’s included in the fee?

  1. Internet delivered course material — twenty six modules, Answer Keys & Worksheets [568 pages.]
  2. Course set books:
    • Linguistics (a straightforward introduction) (RRP £9.99)
    • English Teachers Handbook (RRP £6.75)
    • Practice of ELT (RRP £21.60)
    • A Course in Language Teaching (RRP £18.55)
  3. Course Handbook, audio compact discs, document booklet and file cards
  4. Postage of books, audio CDs, tutored worksheets, certificates.
  5. Marking, grading and tutoring of twenty five module worksheets with tutor written comment
  6. Registration for award of the Eurolink Examinations Board Certificate (value £30.00)
  7. Registration for award of the ACTDEC Level Three Certificate (value £30.00)

This is an ACTDEC Level 1 programme and leads to TESOL Assistant status.

Advanced Certificate in TESOL

The ultimate initial teacher training course

This course aims to equip each trainee with the knowledge and skills necessary to function effectively as a teacher of English to speakers of other languages at a number of levels and in a variety of teaching situations.

This is a substantial course consisting of twenty-six modules comprising the following units: Study Skills and General Linguistics; the Practice of TESOL (covering the teaching of listening, oral skills, reading and writing), Phonetics, Language Awareness and Lesson Planning & Preparation. Each unit consists of between two and six modules.

The Advanced Certificate is the same as the Level 3 Certificate but with two weeks of observed intensive teaching practice.

Pre-eminent in its field the Advanced Certificate in TESOL is the ultimate initial TESOL teacher-training course. Accredited courses leading to this qualification take a hybrid form consisting of 275 hours distance-training in the theory and methodology of TESOL followed by 75 hours practical face-to-face work including substantial teaching practice.

Who it’s for: Any ESOL teacher seeking an excellent course to further their career, new entrants to the world of teaching ESOL.

What’s included in the fee?

  1. As Level 3 Certificate in TESOL, plus:
  2. 2 weeks of observed teaching practice

The ACTDEC Levels

Teach Business English Certificate

Each provider is graded according to the level indicated. Each may vary slightly in their approach but are required to cover the topics listed.

If you would lke more detailed information regarding the four ACTDEC Levels (and their NQF equivalents) please visit ACTDEC Levels External Link

This 50-60 hour course is available only to holders of a recognised Certificate or Diploma in TESOL/TEFL e.g. Eurolink or Training Link Online, CELTA/DELTA or Trinity College etc. It is a course about teaching business English rather than business itself.

Who it’s for: Anyone holding a Eurolink/Training Link Online Level 2 or 3 certificate wanting to specialise.

What’s included in the fee?

  1. Internet delivered course material – this programme is completed entirely online
  2. Continuous assessment
  3. Takes 4 – 6 weeks part time
  4. Detailed report

Certificate in Practical Phonetics

This 40-hour course is for new or practising teachers of ESOL who want to brush up their knowledge of phonetics and obtain the necessary background knowledge this programme provides.

The course has been written as an easy introduction to phonetics, the study of pronunciation. The programme aims to hold the teacher’s interest while leading him or her steadily onward. Plenty of practical examples and exercises are provided with regular tutor feedback.

Who it’s for: Any ESOL teacher wishing to improve their knowledge of phonetics and phonology.

What’s included in the fee?

  1. Internet delivered course material — 8 modules, Answer Keys & Worksheets [176 pages.]
  2. Audio compact discs
  3. Postage of audio CDs, tutored worksheets & certificates
  4. Marking, grading and tutoring of all eight module worksheets with tutor written comment
  5. Registration for award of the Eurolink Examinations Board Certificate (value £30.00)