CertTESOL

Trinity CertTESOL

Whether you are learning to teach for the first time, or looking to improve your teaching credentials, you want to be sure that your TEFL course and qualification will have practical value and be recognised and accepted by schools internationally.

English for Asia is Trinity's largest TESOL course provider outside of Europe and the only dedicated TEFL/TESOL centre in Hong Kong.

Over 99% of trainees pass our CertTESOL, with 92% receiving A or B passes.
EfA is the Trinity National Representative for ESOL and Drama examinations in Hong Kong, Macao and Mainland China.
We work with over 1000 schools and organisations in the region, including the Hong Kong EDB, Macau DSEJ and Beijing Education Examinations Authority.

Download information brochure

Why take a Trinity CertTESOL?

You want to be sure that your TEFL course and qualification will have practical value and be recognised and accepted by schools internationally.

English for Asia (EfA) is Trinity's largest TESOL course provider outside of Europe and the only dedicated TEFL/TESOL centre in Hong Kong.

Over 99% of trainees pass our CertTESOL.
EfA is the Trinity National Representative for examinations.
We work with over 1000 schools and organisations in the region, including the Hong Kong EDB, Macau DSEJ and Beijing Education Examinations Authority.

Download information brochure

Why take a CertTESOL? (view video)

Why take a Trinity CertTESOL?

The Trinity Certificate in TESOL (CertTESOL) and the Cambridge CELTA are the benchmark certificate level TEFL qualifications, being by far the most highly regarded and widely accepted in the industry and providing a foundation for better job opportunities and further study options. Whether you are looking for short-term or long-term experience as a teacher, the Trinity CertTESOL enables you to travel, meet interesting people from around the world and effectively help your students to achieve their goals.

The CertTESOL is accepted as a suitable teaching qualification by Hong Kong immigration and global English Language Teaching organisations such as the British Council, International House. It is recognised by the Hong Kong Education Bureau as an accepted TESL/TEFL qualification for Primary NET teachers. Scroll down for more information on CertTESOL recognition.

Useful reading:

Guide to choosing your first TEFL course from The Association for the Promotion of Quality in TESOL Education (QuiTE)

Getting into TEFL by EnglishUK

The Trinity Certificate in TESOL is scrutinised by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. The CertTESOL is registered under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance (Course Registration 250562). It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.

Who is it suitable for?

The Trinity CertTESOL is designed for those with little or no experience of English Language Teaching and is also highly beneficial for experienced teachers and tutors looking to move into an English Language Teaching position.

Typical trainees on our courses are university graduates or professionals of any age who are attracted to the ELT profession, either as a long-term career or for a shorter period to help them travel the world and experience life in different cultures. Some of our trainees are also experienced teachers who are teaching English in private or state sector schools, and want to integrate specific language teaching methodologies into their classroom practice

Our courses comprise a diverse mix of ethnicities and nationalities, including native English speakers and non-native speakers with a very high level of spoken and written English. We welcome applicants of all ages and backgrounds, though it is important that course attendees hold the minimum qualifications required for entry onto the course.

Most of our graduates go on to find attractive teaching positions in Hong Kong

'It was a very useful course for developing my future career. The trainers are very qualified and were helpful in discussing all kinds of topics... not just how to ‘teach’, but also how to manage a career path as a teaching professional. The course was very challenging but well worth it.'

Hear from our previous graduates, and their tips for success on the CertTESOL!

Key Features

Flexible: 4-week full-time and 12-week part-time study options are available

Relevant: a qualification which reflects modern-day approaches to teaching theory and practice

Learner-focused: explores ways of orienting teaching to learners, and includes foreign language classes at beginner level, to put you in the learners’ shoes

Reflective: develops self-evaluation and reflection techniques to ensure informed development throughout the course

Practical: authentic teaching practice in a real classroom setting

Valuable: immediate work opportunities for graduates in Hong Kong and overseas

'The course was well-structured and covered all the aspects that someone coming from a non-teaching background requires. By the end of the course I felt confident that I could go directly into a teaching role.'

Find out more about the difference between face-to-face courses like CertTESOL and online alternatives.

Recognition (CertTESOL)

Recognition

The Trinity CertTESOL is accepted and recognised by most English schools in most countries around the world. It gives you a good basis to train to teach English in the Lifelong Learning Sector in the UK (further and adult education and other programmes funded through the government), and is accepted as a suitable teaching qualification by Hong Kong immigration.

Trinity is a member of professional language organisations worldwide, including the European Association for Quality Language Services (EAQUALS), the European Associating for Language Testing And Assessment (EALTA), the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL), Quality in TESOL Education (Quite) and The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE).

In addition, Trinity has agreements with a number of leading universities for the transfer of credit points. Holders of the CertTESOL are granted 10 Open University points as credit towards a BA or BSc degree.

British Council

Why is it important that the British Council accept your qualification?

The British Council is an international organisation that works to build learning opportunities and lasting cultural relationships between the UK and countries around the world. The British Council runs accredited English language schools in over 100 countries worldwide, employing English language teachers in a respectable working environment with good pay. The CertTESOL is one of only two TEFL qualifications that are listed by the British Council as an acceptable introductory teaching qualification that meets their standards and requirements.

By obtaining a TEFL/TESOL certificate that is accepted by the British Council, you will be able to apply for teaching positions in any British Council language school in the world. Hence, a British Council recognised qualification will lead to greater job opportunities in well-established, reputable schools in a wide range of different countries.

The British Council only recruits teachers that meet their requirements.

UK Ofqual

In the UK Trinity College London has corporate recognition from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), and its respective partners in Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Trinity CertTESOL is accredited by Ofqual at Level 5 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Level 5 is regarded as comparable in difficulty to the second year of an undergraduate degree in the UK.

Trinity is also recognised by QuiTE (the association for the promotion of Quality in TESOL Education).

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the CertTESOL is registered under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance (Course Registration 250562). It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.

In order to obtain and maintain this registration, the CertTESOL course undergoes an annual scrutiny by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) to ensure that we can meet the criteria for registration.

This registration ensures that local employers and government departments are able to verify the qualification (including HK Immigration Department, for work visa purposes).

The Trinity CertTESOL is an accepted TESOL qualification for entry onto the Hong Kong Education Bureau’s (EDB) Primary NET scheme, approved as meeting the requirements of an EDB-recognised qualification in Teaching of English as a Foreign Language or a Second Language (TEFL/TESL) qualification at least at certificate level.