Frequently Asked Questions
The following are a selection of frequently asked questions. Please read them carefully and if your question is not answered here, please check the website or contact us with your query.
What's the difference between TESOL and TEFL?
TESOL (Trinity College Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is the name of the initial qualification. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is the name of the profession.
Can I do the course part-time?
Yes, but not at this centre. Our course is full-time for 4 weeks which means you qualify quickly and are ready to apply straight away for your first teaching post.
Do I need to have teaching experience before I start the course?
No previous teaching experience is required as this is an initial qualification for those who want to go into teaching. Previous experience can be useful but we do not presume that you have this as we will train you for your first job.
Can I do the course if I'm not English?
Absolutely. We welcome applicants to the course whose first language is not English. You will need to demonstrate that you have an advanced level of English before you start the course. Please send us any certificates or diplomas you have.
Is the course just for graduates?
No. You'll need to have a good standard of education such as 'A' levels or HND's or equivalent but your previous work experience will also be taken into consideration. However, it is important to know that if your highest qualification attained is lower than a degree (or equivalent) you may not be accepted to work at British Council recognised schools in the UK after you complete the course.
Does the course cater for trainees with special needs?
Prospective trainees with special needs are encouraged to discuss their requirements with us. The same standards of assessment apply to all trainees regardless of disability, however, allowances for special needs may be made in the conduct of assessment where appropriate. If the individual circumstances mean that time restraints are likely to be a factor, Trinity strongly recommends that those with special needs follow a part time course due to the intense nature of the full time course that requires candidates to work fast, consistently and collaboratively with others.
Do I need to speak a foreign language?
No. You may have experience of studying another language at school which will be useful and you may surprise yourself by how much passive knowledge you have. The course is about teaching using solely English in the classroom.
What is the interview process?
If you have successfully completed the application form and fulfill the entry requirements you will be asked to come for an interview. The interview will take about 2 hours, it is face to face and you will be asked to complete some language awareness tasks and short piece of written prose.
How do I prepare for the course?
We will give you a preparation pack – the 'pre-course task' - to take home which will raise your language awareness. This includes tasks such as tense labeling, phonology exercises and questions about teaching. There is also a list of essential resources for pre-course reading which will help you with the pre-course task. You will be expected to take approx. 10 hours over this task.
How much English grammar do I need to know?
If you are a native speaker, you will instinctively know what is right or wrong but you probably won't be able to put a label on things unless you have studied grammar at school. You will learn a lot about grammar on the course (although be aware that good teaching isn't just about knowing the grammar!) The grammar books in the Essential Resources list will help you lay a good foundation even before you start the course.
So, what is the course content?
This is a very practical course. You will have input sessions in the morning which cover things such as teaching skills (e.g. error correction, drilling), teaching pronunciation and vocabulary, teaching the four skills (reading, writing, speaking & listening), methodology and lesson planning, using resources (e.g. textbooks, video, computers) as well as teaching young learners and teaching business You will have 4 lessons in an unknown foreign language to experience learning a foreign language yourself. You will also observe our qualified teachers in action and you will teach in the afternoons across 2 levels. You are given support for your lessons as well as group and individual feedback at the end of every afternoon. Have a look at the sample timetable on our website for more details. The breakdown of hours is as follows: 90 hours of supervised input, 6 hours of observed assessed teaching practice, 4 hours of guided observation of experienced teachers, 30 hours timetabled for preparation and private study.
How is the course assessed?
You are continually assessed on all aspects of the course and there is an end of course external appraisal. Assessment includes the teaching practice, written assignments, language awareness exam and professional awareness and development. You will need to pass the teaching practice and the assignments to pass the course. An outside assessor will also come to the centre to assess each course so you can be assured of the quality. Trainers recommend a pass, a referral, or a fail based on the assessment criteria set out by Trinity.
Can I fail?
We would not accept you onto the course if we were not convinced that you had the ability to pass. There are tutorials throughout the course when we will keep you fully informed of your progress and what you need to do to pass the course. If you do fail we will give you a certificate to say you have taken the course and a detailed report stating your progress but you won't receive your certificate from Trinity.
Where do I look for a job after I complete the course?
During your course you will be given information and advice about how to find a job. We are not affiliated with any specific teacher recruitment agency which means we are free to give you impartial advice. We have a board which is packed with current teaching vacancies and we also give you comprehensive advice on finding the right school for you. At the end of the course we will give you a 'Teacher Survival Kit' which tells you about our experiences working in different countries, materials to take with you as well as career information.
Is this course recognised?
The Trinity TESOL is recognised all over the world and is often a requirement to gain employment in English language schools.
Can I get work in the UK?
Most people will go abroad when they complete the course and the opportunities for employment with the Trinity TESOL are wide and various. The UK is a competitive market but you are likely to get work over the summer months and with a bit of persistence, work at other times as well.
What are the career opportunities and career paths in ELT?
Most people will start by teaching abroad for a few of years. Then you might then consider taking the Diploma in EFL or Dip TESOL. After this, you could consider going into management and becoming a senior teacher, Assistant Director of Studies or Director of Studies. There are also various other paths such as teacher training, ELT publishing or taking a specialized teaching certificate such as teaching business English or younger learners. There are also numerous MA's in ELT.
Why should I choose British Study Centres?
We are serious about teacher training. You can rest assured that all our trainers are well-qualified, extremely experienced and have undergone extensive teacher trainer courses themselves. We do not believe in hidden extras and we do not charge you an academic registration or materials fee. We are a well-equipped, modern, friendly school, situated in the middle of Brighton and Hove, not far from the sea. You will have access to a good range of teaching materials, the student library, free use of the photocopier and Internet and access to our coffee-shop for delicious home-made lunches.