LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
The idea of teaching English abroad attracts a variety of people from all corners of the English speaking world, from university students taking a gap year, long-term travellers to those who have decided to change their careers (and their lifestyles) and those who have retired. The opportunities to travel and teach are endless. There are English language schools all over the world. The most popular destinations for teachers are: South America, Eastern Europe, Asia and South East Asia. Teaching English overseas is an unforgettable experience and will give you the rare opportunity to immerse yourself in a foreign culture, and to learn about a country and its people while travelling and earning money.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is a satisfying and rewarding career. There are positions available to teach various levels and age groups: from kindergarten to Business English. Most ESOL classes are student centered, communicative and activity-based so that the students are given the opportunity to interact and learn English in a stimulating and interesting environment while having fun. The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) course will prepare you for a career in English language teaching.
Who is the course suitable for?
What are the entry requirements?
To be registered as a trainee on the Wits/INTESOL TESOL course you need to fulfil all the requirements below:
What are the aims and objectives of the course?
On completion of the course, candidates will:
How is the course structured?
In the input sessions, our trained and experienced teacher trainers will cover theoretical aspects of the course, such as: language awareness, teaching methodology and the basic principles of the teaching and learning of ESOL. The teaching practice offers trainees the opportunity to plan and present lessons to English language students from the local community. These teaching practice sessions are observed by an experienced team of trainers who provide constructive feedback and help you to develop your teaching skills. In addition to the input sessions and teaching practice, trainees are also provided with the opportunity to observe language classes.
What approach is used?
The course aims to develop basic practical awareness and skills to equip trainees with the confidence, resources and knowledge that they will need in order to teach as well as to continue their development as teachers. The TESOL approach involves participatory learning, where trainees are very much involved in the learning and teaching process. Most input sessions will focus on trainees discovering new concepts and information in teaching English through discussions, research, activities and presentations. Trainees are required to contribute to their groups by sharing and completing duties. Trainees will be provided with a course file. There are additional books available for purchase.
What will the course include?
How long is the course?
The TESOL course is a 120 hour course which includes 6 hours of observed and assessed teaching practice. The full-time TESOL Certificate is an intensive 4-week course and it is advisable that you have no outside commitments during this period. The full-time classes run Monday – Friday from 08:00 to 17:00. The part-time course is offered two evenings per week and on Saturday mornings, running over a period of twelve weeks. The evening classes are held from 18:00 to 21:00 and the Saturday classes run from 09:00 to 13:00.
What are the methods of assessment?
Assessment is continuous and there is no final exam. Trainees are assessed on their practical teaching as well as a portfolio of written assignments. Assessment is based primarily on performance in teaching practice, but trainees are also required to pass all of the written assignments.
What certification is issued?
Both a University of the Witwatersrand TESOL certificate of competence and an INTESOL certificate are awarded on the successful completion of the course.
About INTESOL
INTESOL was founded in 1993 in Bristol, England by Lynda Hazelwood. An INTESOL course is recognised by language schools internationally. Wits Language School meets the strict quality requirements required to offer TESOL training. INTESOL Worldwide LTD Head Office Website is: www.intesoltesoltraining.com.
Recognition
Accreditation Accreditation is recognition from an external body that an organisation and/or Certificate course meets a particular standard. The Awarding Body which accredits your TESOL qualification is of paramount importance, consider it carefully. Quality Assurance INTESOL has attained the NCFE Investing in Quality Licence (IIQ) which means our courses have been independently accredited by NCFE. If you wish to confirm our status under the IIQ accreditation scheme you can do so by emailing info@ncfe.org.uk NCFE As the leading provider of quality TEFL/TESOL courses across the world INTESOL is proud to bring you qualifications which have been accredited as being at NQF Levels 4 and 5 by NCFE. NCFE is regulated by Ofqual (Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator). If the accrediting body which accredits your course is UK based and is not on the Ofqual register it is not government regulated. To check that NCFE is on the Ofqual register please click on the following link: http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/Organisation/Details/RN5156 Knowing that the TESOL/TEFL qualification you seek to obtain will be internationally recognised is important. Before deciding on the TEFL/TESOL course you will study it is essential that the course provider can satisfy you with answers to the following questions: Is the course provider independently accredited and inspected? Can potential employers check directly with the independent authority responsible for accreditation? Are contact address, name, phone number and contact email address provided? Does the advertising and promotional material give a clear and truthful account of the courses offered, especially regarding level? Is a course syllabus available? Is tutor support of high quality and consistent throughout the provision and do all the tutors have appropriate qualifications and experience? Is the prospective learner made aware, prior to enrolment, of all the terms and conditions of the course? Can prospective learners talk to a responsible person at the provider institution and ask any questions they wish? Is there adequate course documentation describing the goals, scope, nature and procedures of the course to enable participants to make informed decisions about enrolment? Is assessment linked to accreditation by nationally recognised bodies? Studying an NCFE accredited qualification with INTESOL What This Means to You, the Student! It means your training is of the highest quality. It means your qualification fits into the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), a requirement often asked for by potential employers worldwide. It means your course is moderated and the procedures are checked by an external body. It means you will receive 2 certificates, one from INTESOL and one from NCFE with no extra expense to you. It means you will receive a Candidate Unit Summary from the accrediting body showing what you have studied. It means that employers worldwide will know that your course is of a high academic standard. It means your course provider is inspected annually. It means your course provider and your accrediting body are investing in quality and will give excellent service. It means we don’t just pay an annual fee to an association so we can put their logo on our website – we take accreditation seriously - so should you!.