TESOL Course

Course Overview:

This is an intensive 4 week (full time) or 6 week (part-time) preparation course for practical English Language teaching.  It is based on the most current theory and methodology of effective language learning. The course includes fundamental techniques for sound and stimulating language teaching and materials selection, which can be applied in a variety of contexts. It is a practical course consisting of lecture input, workshop sessions, video observation and teaching practice.  Graduates can gain improved language awareness and skills, as well as an internationally recognised TKT qualification.

Skills Developed in the Course include:

• Context & concept modelling (structure & phonology)

• The principles of effective planning, teaching & motivation

• Integrating text & production (reading / writing; listening / speaking)

• Planning & delivering four core lesson types to learners from different age groups & cultures

• Current popular texts & how to evaluate & adapt them

• Creating lessons quickly without materials or using authentic materials

• Confident classroom management for managing the teaching & learning process

• Warmers, icebreakers and other group work

• Use of Modern media in the classroom

• English for academic purposes

• Student profiling

Student Assessment will be Based on the Following:

Demonstration of understanding of student teaching styles and needs, and of knowledge of current methodology and teaching practice techniques through:

• Development of student interview sheets, needs analyses and profiles

• Development of feedback criteria, and demonstration of ability to give constructive feedback on observed lessons and considered feedback on own teaching style, strengths and weaknesses

• Development of own teaching materials in two areas of teaching

• Demonstration of knowledge of the principles of effective planning and teaching in planning and delivery of four lessons to ‘real students’

• Building a portfolio incorporating all of the above as well as a small selection of favourite materials the students may wish to use in the future and literature review of three favourite texts

Special Features of the Course:

• All programs are delivered by dedicated, qualified and experienced teacher trainers

• Courses includes practical demonstration lessons incorporating four core lesson types followed by practice and feedback sessions

• Authentic teaching practice throughout, including ‘real’ students during the final week

• Increased language awareness and a framework for language analysis

• Rapid English language improvement

• Improved presentation skills and confidence with groups

• Written report on assignments, teaching performance and overall professionalism

• Improved employability through possibility of passing the internationally recognized Cambridge University TKT examination (see below)

An Overview of the Cambridge University TKT Examination

Cambridge University has long offered the widely recognised and prestigious practical language teaching qualifications for native speakers. They also offer ESOL examinations taken by over 1.5 million people in 135 countries each year. They have now introduced an examination for non-native teachers. It is a written test of knowledge of teaching methodology. Those who take the Cambridge TKT exam receive up to 3 graded certificates on the teaching areas of:

• Language and background to learning and teaching

• Lesson planning and resources

• Managing the teaching learning process

Each module contains 80 questions. It should be noted that TKT tests teaching knowledge rather than teaching ability and that language proficiency, e.g. listening, speaking and extended writing, are not tested. The TKT can be taken at any stage in a teacher’s career and offers candidates a step up in their professional development and enables them to move on to higher-level teaching qualifications and exposes them to professional support materials such as journals about English language teaching (ELT). See www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/teaching-awards/tkt.html for more information.