Certificate in (the Theory and Methodology of) TESOL with Business English

An ACTDEC level three course

Finally, a Certificate level course from the well-established and highly acclaimed Eurolink Teacher Training programmes. Now available for the first time online.

This 250-hour modular online course leads to the award of the Certificate in (the Theory and Methodology of) Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages — Cert.(TM)TESOL.

Successful completion will almost certainly enable you to obtain teaching posts abroad but the programme does not include any teaching practice though TP is available, following course completion, through the ACTDEC TP Portfolio scheme.

This online programme is a substantial one consisting of twenty-seven modules comprising the following units:
Certificate in TESOL units

Each unit consists of between two and six separate modules.

This affordable, in-depth, fully accredited professional distance-training programme uses home-study material, tried, tested and regularly updated over a twenty-five year period. The course adopts a systematic approach which is simple, yet thorough, easy to read, follow, and understand.

The all-inclusive fee includes course material, set books, audio cassettes/CDs, registration and certificates, return of all tutor-assessed worksheets with written comment.

This is also an ACTDEC Level 3 programme and leads to Accredited Teacher status.

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This TEFL qualification programme leads to a long-established and well recognised professional qualification in the field of TESOL — Cert.(TM)TESOL. As an ACTDEC Level 3 qualification it leads to Accredited Teacher Status.

This in-depth comprehensive, distance-training course consists of twenty-seven modules; comprising Study Skills and an introduction to General Linguistics, Background Reading — The Practice of TESOL (covering the teaching of listening, oral skills, reading and writing), Practical Phonetics, Language Awareness and Lesson Planning & Preparation. Each unit consists of between two and six modules.

Course Aim

This internationally accredited 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.

Course Objectives

The general objectives will require each student to be able to:

demonstrate a firm grasp of the basic phonological, lexical, and syntactical features of modern communicative English.
identify the needs of ESOL students at various levels, and to modify and update such a needs analysis in the light of observation and testing of the learners.
write instructional objectives and prepare effective lesson plans.
handle a repertoire of lesson forms.

Course Content and Approach

This online course is designed to provide a systematic approach which is simple yet thorough, easy to read and understand. Each module follows a series of simple steps with plenty of examples and guidance leading to practical self-assessment exercises followed by tutor-assessed activities. Facilities for guided self-revision are built in.

The opportunity to work with others following the course is provided, as are opportunities to contact your unit tutors regularly. Through these arrangements one need never feel isolated or alone during the programme.

Who the Certificate Course is for

The online Certificate course aims to provide a thorough introduction to the theory and methodology of TESOL. Successful completion of the course will almost certainly guarantee a suitable teaching post abroad. Schools seek really well qualified English language teachers. Both the Eurolink Examinations Board and ACTDEC certificates provide detailed course descriptions on the reverse of the certificates, providing written proof of the professional standing, depth and scope of the course.

Career Development Loans

Students considering this course (with the legal right to reside in the UK) are eligible (subject to status) for a DfES loan.

Duration

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. As a rough guide it is possible to complete the online Certificate course within fourteen to sixteen weeks though many people tend to take a little longer. The Certificate takes an average of 250 hours to complete. Some people can devote only 6 - 10 hours a week to the course 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.)

Teach Business English

Course designed and written by
Dr Brenda Townsend Hall of
Teach Business English.

Because the input modules and worksheet format of 'Teach Business English' is different from the Training Link Online format the Business English programme is completed entirely online.

The course covers the main issues in teaching English for business so that you can transfer your newly acquired TESOL expertise to this new field. It includes:

the approaches and techniques needed to deal with specific business activities —
telephoning, meetings, negotiations and presentations, written communications;
the relationship of the trainer to the client, group dynamics and ways of interacting to provide constructive feedback and supportive instruction;
the linguistic component of courses with emphasis on cross-cultural awareness and the social elements of business English training;
preparing and evaluating materials;
the needs of one-to-one students;
how to increase your knowledge of business terminology.

Modules and competencies

The five modules are:

Why Teaching Business English is Different
Spotlight on telephoning
Making Presentations
Business Meetings
Materials, Negotiating and Evaluation

The competencies dealt with on the course, either directly or indirectly are:

Identify differences in motivation and attitudes between general English students and business English students.
Be aware of main learning styles
Identify key qualities needed by business English trainers
Improve knowledge of the business world
Identify desirable features of a business English training room
Know how to gather the information needed to plan a course
Know how to relate language items to practice activities
Understand the significance of intercultural awareness
Know how to raise clients' awareness of their own culture
Can help clients understand the implications of working with people from different cultures
Understand the elements that combine to make communication effective
Can evaluate published material in the light of the needs of your clients
Can select appropriate authentic material
Can devise suitable materials
Can use the Internet for both materials and as means of giving clients support before, during and after their course
Can adopt appropriate styles of teaching
Can integrate reading, writing and oral practice
Can set up preparation, practice and feedback stages of a session
Can adapt activities for one-to-one students
Understand how the issues concerning vocabulary are different for business English students from learners of general English
Have a good grasp of the techniques needed to help clients acquire new vocabulary
Can advise clients on how to organise their learning and continue to acquire new vocabulary after their course
Can help clients devise various learning and compensation strategies that will help them gain confidence
Be aware of the key issues related to pronunciation and its practice
Can offer supportive feedback in a professional and non-threatening manner
Know how to encourage fluency
Understand how people use language to manipulate people and situations and recognise some of the ways in which this can be done
Can set up a full-group role-play
Understand the importance of evaluation and can write an informative report on your clients' performance
Be informed about the main external examinations in this field and can advise your clients which ones suit their needs
Understand why telephone calls can be more difficult than face-to-face conversations
Identify kinds of telephone calls made in business
Identify key stages of a telephone call
Identify key language items associated with telephone calls
Identify main language functions associated with telephone calls
Can prepare participants to handle difficult calls
Can work with clients to identify key stages of a presentation
Can plan lessons to help clients prepare and practise key stages of a presentation
Can set up role-play activities to help students prepare for the various types and stages of meetings
Can devise reading and writing activities that feed into preparation for handling meetings
Have a good grasp of the appropriate language to use at the different stages of a meeting
Can help your clients improve their ability to build rapport for negotiating partners
Understand the key stages in a negotiation and can devise appropriate sessions to give students the practice they need to handle each stage effectively
Understand the main forms of written communications in business and the styles appropriate to each

Validation

The Business English Course is formally validated as an add-on programme to a recognised TESOL course by ACTDEC.

End of Business English Course Certificate and Report

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate noting the level of pass achieved. You will also receive a detailed report on your work based on the competencies covered in the course.

View a sample Business English Certificate.

View sample Business English course material.

Assessment for the Certificate Course

Examination is by means of continuous assessment.

A continuous assessment mark for the distance-training tutor-assessed worksheets (26 in total).
An assessment mark for a post mid-course essay of 1,500 words approximately. (A choice of assignments and titles is given — see course handbook)
An assessment mark for a practical project submitted during the final phase of the course. (A choice of assignments is given — see course handbook)
An end of course (take-away) assessment paper (completed at home within a strictly specified time limit).

Award of the Cert.(TM)TESOL

Award of the certificate is restricted to those who successfully complete the distance course and all assessment assignments. Certificates, sent approximately three weeks following course completion, will be graded in the following manner:

Distinction Excellent Very Good Good Pass

A formal description of the course as well as detailed assessment procedures, is printed on the reverse of the certificate.

Certificate holders are entitled to use the postnominal designation Cert.(TM)TESOL. They may also use the ACTDEC level 3 Accredited Teacher qualification status title. This can be particularly useful when applying for teaching posts.

magnifying glass sample certificates

New Entrants to the Profession and Teaching Practice

For those without teaching experience finding employment, albeit abroad, is very easy when armed with the internationally recognised Cert.(TM)TESOL.

For anyone without teaching experience it's now possible to undertake a two month teaching development practicum.

Eligibility for the Cert.(TM)TESOL course

Applications are welcomed from teachers and graduates of all disciplines. For this TEFL Certificate programme a candidate needs to have a good general education up to the generally accepted level for university entrance. 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 to develop a teaching style appropriate to learners with a wide range of needs.

Should you have any queries regarding eligibility for either qualification; simply with to talk things through, or just seek friendly advice please telephone Eurolink Teacher Training on 0114 262 1522 during weekdays.

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.)

Regulations and Syllabus

A copy of the formal regulations and syllabus for the Cert.(TM)TESOL is available separately.

Course Fees

Cert.(TM) with Business English course fees.

Finding a job

See information about finding a job.

Teaching Innovation

See our Innovation page for fresh teaching ideas.