Through its validation and moderation process, Trinity ensures that all DipTESOL courses follow the same mandatory components.
Candidates are examined according to the following four units. Some components are externally assessed by Trinity's panel of examiners; others are internally assessed by the course provider and externally moderated by Trinity.

There are four distinct units consisting of:

• Unit 1: Language, Teaching and Learning
• Unit 2: the Teacher as Developmental, Reflective Practitioner
• Unit 3: Phonological Theory in Classroom Practice
• Unit 4: Teaching, to include learner analysis, preparation, delivery and self-evaluation

Units 2, 3 and 4 are usually taken together in the first instance and candidates have up to three years to complete any failed units or parts of units. The syllabus places a strong emphasis on the application of theory in the classroom and also on teachers reflecting on and evaluating their own practice.

Blended course

Our course is very flexible. You will combine an online phase of 7 months with 4 weeks face-to-face teaching practice and assessment in Hong Kong, Barcelona or Prague.


For the online phase we use a virtual classroom to provide an interactive, supportive environment where all the course content is stored in one place.

You will be in small groups, maximum 16 participants to ensure ample tutor support. The online classroom offers us opportunities to share experiences and ideas with each other and the option to participate in live chats and webinars.

There are weekly modules which you are expected to contribute to regularly, but the interaction is not scheduled so you can log into the course to suit your own working day.

The online phase is divided into 3 or 4 week units with rest weeks in between. The modules help prepare you for the different assessment areas.

Teaching and Learning 1 Teachers Learners Methodology Professional Development

Teaching and Learning 2 Lesson Planning Syllabus Design Teaching Young Learners Technology

English in the world English as an international language EAP and ESP Culture

Phonology The Phonemic Chart Vowels and consonants Word and sentence stress Features of connected speech

Grammar Describing language Word grammar and sentence analysis Grammar teaching Discourse

Assessments

The Diploma course has 4 components:

Part one

A 3-HOUR WRITTEN EXAM, CONSISTING OF A GRAMMAR SECTION AND TWO FURTHER SECTIONS WITH ESSAY QUESTIONS ABOUT TEACHING AND LEARNING.

The exam can be taken on any of 3 dates annually, in May, August and November. To help you prepare, the modules in the online phase will cover a wide range of areas on teaching and learning and we include grammar and essay practice throughout the course with detailed written and verbal feedback from tutors, as well as 2 mock exams. There are 4 grammar modules on the course.

Part two

A PORTFOLIO OF 3 ACTION RESEARCH PROJECTS.

These involve observing other teachers, reflecting on your own teaching and a research project on an area of ELT that interests you.

To help you prepare, you will be given group and individual guidance and support from our online course director with regular Skype tutorials and plenty of guidance and feedback on how to plan and carry out the projects. There is a module dedicated to part 2 in the online phase to establish expectations and learn more about action research.

Part three

AN ORAL INTERVIEW ABOUT PHONOLOGY CONDUCTED BY A TRINITY EXAMINER.

To help you prepare we dedicate 3 modules to phonology and provide ongoing support, testing and practice. We also include further phonology workshops and mock interviews during the face to face part of the course.

Part four

CLASSROOM DEMONSTRATION OF YOUR TEACHING.

You will be assessed by our tutors on four 60 minute lessons, and then there is a further external assessed lesson observed by a Trinity examiner. You will also present a portfolio of documentation related to the 4 internally assessed lessons, which includes your plans, materials and profiles of the learners.

To help you prepare we make the course practical in nature giving lots of opportunities to try things out in class and reflect on outcomes with your colleagues and tutors throughout the online phase. You will be asked to create lesson plans, discuss lessons and record teaching diaries. You will have guidance, observation and feedback on your teaching from tutors before the formally assessed lessons.

Parts 3 and 4 are usually taken together and we aim to prepare you to do these parts in the face-to-face block. Part 2 is usually submitted at the same time but can be submitted separately.