25 Years of Teaching Experience
Course Structure: Initial TESOL training is of four weeks’ duration and is extremely intensive. There is no scope for outside commitments whilst on the course and a large amount of written work is issued for completion in the evenings and at weekends. Prior to attending the course, participants will be expected to complete a distance learning package and will have Moodle access.
Courses are run across the year, with dates published in advance.
The programme is very practically based, and a great deal of emphasis is placed on performance in the classroom. From a very early stage, participants are expected to deliver classes to non-native English speakers. Approximately half of each day is spent either teaching in the capacity of a volunteer, preparing or observing peers teaching. The remainder (15 hours per week) is devoted to input sessions on Language awareness, phonology, methodology etc.
A minimum of six assessed lesson hours is required to demonstrate competence. The main components are:
Assessment is on-going throughout the programme.
Support (Why LT&D?): LT&D is a year-round centre for the provision of English as a Second Language for the DWP / European Social Fund and therefore has permanent, highly qualified and experienced training staff:
David Gorbutt – As well as tutoring on the Cert TESOL programme, David is a Moderator for Trinity College London and inspects / examines at other Trinity centres.
Marianne Csigi (Course Director) – Marianne holds an MSc from Oxford University in research into Language Acquisition. She has also run teacher training courses in China and India, training local teachers, on secondment from LT&D.
Phil Davies – Phil has acted as a Consultant on the Government’s Skills for Life Agenda.
Bran Ebsworth – Bran completed both her CertTESOL and DipTESOL with LT&D. She formerly ran a chain of I.T training centres.
Wyn Middleton – Wyn taught for several years in the Far East with the British Council.
Bethan Wade – Beth is the newest member of staff and took her Diploma in TESOL with LT&D in 2016.
Brigitta Bessenyei – Brigitta acts as an Educational Consultant in Hungary.
We have a normal maximum in each group of 12 candidates, giving ample opportunity for small group and one to one support, particularly in preparing lessons. Candidates receive feedback on every assessed lesson.
A pre-course self-evaluation and development pack is supplied which, when used in conjunction with the recommended background reading, allows candidates to prepare themselves in the areas of language awareness and phonology.
This investment of time prior to attendance considerably eases the workload of those less familiar with the intricacies of English form and structure.
Candidates are able to teach additional lessons should one or more of their original lessons be deemed unsatisfactory. The high level of support means that almost no candidates, who complete the full programme, do not achieve their qualifications.
LT&D is an official training provider, running other teacher training programmes on behalf of the UK government.
Qualifications (Why Trinity College London?): The Trinity College London Certificate and its equivalent the Cambridge CELTA are recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (OFQUAL) and British Council giving them status and credibility world-wide for both the ESOL sector (those learners wishing to integrate into an English-speaking community) and the EFL sector (those learners visiting an English-speaking country or learning English in their own). Please bear in mind there are other courses on the market that do not carry this quality assurance. The Certificate in TESOL and the CELTA are seen as benchmark qualifications internationally because of their insistence on face-to-face provision and assessed teaching practice.
Further Education: For those working in, or who obtain a position in Further Education (e.g. the College Sector) the Trinity Level 5 Certificate can be extended through additional teaching practice, carried out in the workplace, and some additional written work to satisfy the requirements of the new Further Education Teachers’ Awards. LT&D have recognition for these awards, which can be bolted on, and details are available separately.
Professional Development: After 2 years’ full-time teaching candidates may wish to enrol for the Level 7 Trinity College London Licentiate Diploma in TESOL, a qualification which is also delivered by LT&D, for those wishing to refine and expand their awareness of language and methodological issues. The award of the Trinity Diploma indicates that the holder is considered to be a fully competent and effective practising member of the profession.
Resources: LT&D uses interactive whiteboards and a virtual classroom for those studying at home.
Candidates are also recommended to obtain, for background reading, use during the course and as tools in their future work, these books:
Jeremy Harmer - The Practice of English Language Teaching - Longman
Raymond Murphy - English Grammar in Use - C.U.P. (Intermediate level, Blue)
Michael Swan - Practical English Usage – OUP
Jim Scrivener- Teaching English Grammar: What to Teach and How to Teach it (Macmillan)
Jobs: LT&D has a wide network of contacts, which we can use to help candidates in finding employment. We have been very successful to date with most candidates finding a suitable role within a few weeks of completion.
Application, Selection Procedure and Eligibility: Candidates should satisfy LT&D that they are capable of coping with the intensity of the training and the academic standard required. Candidates are ideally expected to qualifications equivalent to 'A' Levels but the most important consideration is the candidate's level of commitment. This could be demonstrated through experience in any professional field.
Those interested should submit a C.V. with covering letter, ideally by email to: philip@ltd-oxford.co.uk
Languages Training & Development
Suite 1, Windrush Court, 56A High Street, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 6ET
Tel. (01993) 708 637
Candidates will be invited to attend an interview where the course will be explained in more detail. Where this is impossible, for example because of disability / distance, a phone / skype interview may be arranged. Trinity retains the right to have sight of qualifications so it is best if you can bring the original certificates with you. Where this is impossible, there is a small chance that these will be requested later.
Witney: Witney is a small, quiet market town, just west of Oxford and next to the Cotswold Region of Outstanding Natural beauty. It is what many people think of as the ‘typical’ English town. Our centre is in the middle of town with buses to Oxford, Cheltenham and the Cotswold villages.
These will vary according to level of funding accessed, which is dependent on eligibility. In all cases LT&D accesses the funding on your behalf, broadly:
LT&D has been running mobilities as part of its CertTESOL programme since 2014, formerly through the Erasmus Scheme.
It has now been successful in its application for the UK Government’s replacement Turing Scheme, which is open to all UK citizens or those legally resident regardless of age or disability. Attendance on mobility is a condition of accepting funding and the whole period must be attended. Flights to/from Hungary and accommodation are covered.
Our Turing partner is:
Bonyhádi Petőfi Sándor Evangélikus Gimnázium - www.pseg.hu
This is an attractive Grammar school based in Bonyhád, a small town in Southern Hungary. Bonyhád is within easy reach of the larger cities of Pecs and Budapest and you will have time to visit these if you wish.
During mobility you will be allocated a group to teach and a 1:1 learner to carry out the learner profile (see above). You will have the opportunity to observe your group before teaching them. Learners are young people (typically 15+) who study English as part of the school curriculum and you will take over the class from the local Hungarian teacher, who will advise you. Classes will be assessed in the usual way by LT&D staff, who will accompany the CertTESOL group.
You will have access to the school catering during weekdays.
Passports: In order to book flights, we will need your title and name as it appears on the passport, we will, therefore, need to make a copy at interview (or you may scan it immediately thereafter). Please ensure that your passport (or National I.D if an EU citizen and you elect to use this to fly) are valid before you start the course. We will also need your National Insurance number for registration purposes.
Bank Details: Fees / deposits should be paid to:
HSBC Winchester
Sort Code: 40 46 39
Account Name: Genius Solutions Limited trading as Languages Training & Development
Account Number: 31365797
(Please include your name in the message line of the on-line transfer)
Insurance: We will purchase insurance on your behalf to cover you for the mobility to Hungary, however you will also need to obtain a Global Health Card (if a UK citizen). This is free and can be obtained from https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/ normally using your National Insurance number. If you already hold a European Health Card (EHIC) this is valid until expiry. Please bear in mind that it may take some time for the health card to arrive by post, so ensure you are covered immediately on accepting a place on the course. We may require a copy of the health card on the first day.
COVID 19: There are currently no restrictions to entering Hungary or quarantine requirements for those who are fully inoculated. There are very few restrictions operating at a local level and infection rates are minimal. Any testing required will be covered.
For the next available programme dates please get in touch with Philipphilip@ltd-oxford.co.uk or 01993 708637.