Trinity
What is the difference between training courses?
TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Teachers of ESOL are employed to teach those for whom English is a second or foreign language. Trinity qualified teachers may themselves be speakers of English as a first, second or foreign language.
Is it easier to find a job in a large city or a small town?
There are more than a thousand language schools in Italy. In provincial towns these may be well-organised institutes that fulfil an important social role in the community. They teach all ages and have many students who take classes year after year progressing through the levels from elementary to advanced. Lessons will probably take place from early afternoon to late evening and many students will be following examination courses. In the larger cities there may be some schools like the above but the majority tend to be dependent on both private students and company contracts which means that the pattern of work can be very varied. Teachers may have early morning lessons on-site followed by lunchtime courses back at the school for example. Some teachers may not even work at the school at all and spend their whole week at the client’s offices.
A high percentage of the English teaching in Rome is on-site in companies, ministries or other government institutions, consequently the demand for qualified teachers is high and more or less constant throughout the year. The remaining work is based in language schools with the focus being on children’s courses or preparation for exams. These courses are seasonal and follow the more traditional academic year from October to June. Large language schools will generally offer teachers both types of work.
How many schools are there in Rome?
There are approximately 150 language schools in Rome. Most of these are privately owned and range from the prestigious ones that have a full academic and administrative staff, classrooms, language laboratories and a well-equipped teachers’ room to the small one-roomed apartment with a photocopier and not much else. Aside from these there are also Italian and foreign universities, NGOs and other institutes that organize language programmes and hire teachers directly.
The demand in provincial towns is mainly from September to June and applications should normally be made in June or July. Interviews will often take place by phone or through an agent abroad. In larger cities it is more common for schools to hire locally all year round. Teachers may not receive long term contracts but can be more or less guaranteed a steady flow of work.
What career possibilities are there in EFL?
The first step is to get out and begin teaching, after which the ever-expanding world of EFL offers many different directions. For example some past Byron teachers have pursued a more linear teaching path completing their Trinity Diploma after two years and going on to become specialised in Business English and now work freelance. Others have become teacher trainers or Director of Studies. While still others have gone into the materials production side of EFL either by authoring books and lessons which are published regularly on the internet or have become book representatives for publishing companies.
Does Byron provide assistance finding a job?
Byron Language Development gives you assistance both in the preparation of your CV and interview technique in the form of two input sessions towards the end of the course. We will also give you the details of schools that regularly hire our graduates together with more general lists of schools in the Rome area. If you so wish we can put your details in our database that is accessible to other schools and from where a list of teachers will be sent out on a regular basis to schools who subscribe to this service.
How easy is it to find employment after the course?
The chances of finding a job in Italy after the course are excellent. The demand for well-trained, qualified teachers far outstrips supply. Byron Language Development is part of a network of independent schools that rely on the training course as a source of new teachers. If you particularly wish to remain in Rome there are over a hundred schools and agencies that hire Trinity trained teachers.
Are you expected to know a foreign language?
This course focuses on the many different skills and techniques required in teaching multi-national groups where the teacher is not expected to use any language other than English. Familiarity with a foreign language could be of some advantage at the beginning of the course, but certainly is just one small part of the total skill base that will be developed during the programme.
Do you accept older candidates?
Yes, we have had trainees from both ends of the age spectrum. The most important factor is a willingness to learn new things and to work with other people.
Is it possible to take the course without having had any teaching experience?
Yes. This course is designed for people who have absolutely no former experience in teaching. It covers all the basic classroom techniques and most essentially provides a considerable number of Teaching Practice sessions with feedback from course tutors.
I am not mother-tongue English. Can I still do the course?
We welcome speakers of other languages and some of our most successful graduates were not mother-tongue. If English is not your first language you need to be able to demonstrate that you have a level of competency that would enable you to actively participate in the in-put sessions and carry out assignments in English. The following tests and examinations should give you an idea of the level required: • Trinity graded examination in spoken English, Grade 10 or above • Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English • Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English • IELTS band 7.0 (on all sub-scores) or above • Pitman Advanced ESOL examination • TOEFL iBT score 110. If you do not have one of these qualifications you would be assessed on the basis of your interview and selection task. In either case you would still need to pass both the interview and selection procedure.
Do I need to have a university degree to take the course?
No, but you need to have at least met the entry requirements for University, such as ‘A’ Levels or High School Diploma or have the equivalent in terms of demonstrated academic and study potential.
I’ve never studied grammar before. Will this be a disadvantage on the course?
You are not expected to have any prior knowledge of grammar. The pre-course interview and task are designed to help you understand if you have the potential to develop in these areas. A major part of the course is dedicated to language awareness which looks at grammar in context.
Will I need to take out insurance?
We strongly encourage you to take out a private insurance which covers health and theft.
If you are an EU citizen you will not need a visa. If you are from a non-EU country you can normally stay in Italy for three months on a tourist visa, but you are strongly advised to check this at an Italian consulate, because visa requirements can easily change.
What is the purpose of the pre-course interviews?
The questions asked at the interview are designed to help you reflect on the level of commitment and skills that this course requires so that you do not make the wrong decision. We feel it is important for you to sample the type of subject matter that you will be dealing with on a daily basis throughout the course. You will not be asked to pay any money until you have completed the interview and the selection task.
What do I need to bring on the first day of the course?
We will provide all the stationery and material for you to follow the in-put sessions and carry out Teaching Practice and assignments. There are computers and free internet at the school but bringing a portable computer would give you extra flexibility and is recommended if you want to work outside school hours.
Are the course fees refundable?
Once you have been formally accepted on to the course and paid your deposit you are expected to take up your place. If you change your mind a month before the start of your course we will refund the balance but not the deposit. After the 30 day period and up to 14 days before the course we will refund 50% of the balance but not the deposit. After this time we cannot give you a refund. Should you wish to transfer to a different course, this is possible but you will have to pay a transfer fee.
Can I begin the course without any ELT pre-reading tasks?
No. Before attending the programme there are three books that you must read as part of the pre-course assignment. In addition you can find an extensive bibliography of useful books that will help you prepare.
What will I receive if I pass the course?
You will receive an official certificate from Trinity College London together with a letter from Byron Language Development outlining the course content and your performance on the course.
Can I get a job without a TESOL certificate?
Yes, you can, but remember that a school which is serious about its standards will naturally want its staff to be well trained and qualified. If you don’t need a qualification to work in a school, it may well mean a job with a lower pay rate. Some schools offer an internal training course but this is generally for their own specific methods which would only permit you to work for their schools on their conditions. Other than this there are not many parts of the world where a qualification is not required but given the choice even the least scrupulous school would prefer a certified teacher.
Is the Trinity Cert. TESOL an internationally recognized qualification?
Yes, the Trinity CertTESOL is recognised worldwide. It meets and exceeds international guidelines.
Why should I choose the Trinity Cert. TESOL?
The Trinity CertTESOL can guarantee the highest standard because the course is externally moderated by Trinity college London and recognised by the British Council. We are regularly inspected and all our trainers have to be approved, as does our programme and any material that we produce relating to the course. If you wish to pursue a career in TESOL it is wise to have a strong base upon which to build which is what this particular course this course provides.
Why are there so many different ways of referring to teaching English such as TEFL and ELT?
There are many different acronyms that have developed over the past thirty years or so to describe the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages(TESOL). The variations exist as different boards and organisations have tried to differentiate themselves or place emphasis on one particular aspect (for example, whether or not the learner is abroad or living and possibly working in an English-speaking country).
How can I decide which teacher training course to take when there are so many being advertised?
If you are seriously considering TESOL as a career you should choose a course that offers you the widest recognition. Bear in mind that in Britain many accredited schools can only employ teachers who have passed a course which is recognised by the British Council. At the moment there are only two certification courses which meet their criteria: Trinity CertTESOL and CELTA. Any course that professes to train you for teaching should include teaching practice, which means that many on-line courses cannot really prepare you adequately for the classroom unless they offer practice with feedback as well.
What facilities are there at the Centre?
The Byron centre has two rooms with computers for trainees. Our computer ratio is one computer to two trainees Trainees have access to modern resources and technology for teaching and material design – projector and laminating equipment . The Byron centre is spacious enough for trainees to have their own individual area in the training room to keep their personal items, files and assignments for the duration of the course. Although we finish training at 6.30 pm, the training centre stays open until 7.30pm every evening.
Byron offers a free USB Key lending service for the duration of the course. Our USB keys come with templates for all the assignments and job/career information for each trainee to access during the course.
What materials & stationary does Byron provide?
Byron offers a free file lending and divider service so you don’t need to bring files or dividers to submit your assignments.
Byron offers a free welcome lunch on the first day so trainees can get to know each other.
Byron offers pre and post-course wiki access to all trainees and graduates. The wiki helps new trainees gain access to important information before the course, and allows graduates to keep in touch with their course mates after the course. In addition, the wiki has teaching ideas, new resources, TEFL news and photos of all our trainees and courses.
Our two head trainers have 15 years of teaching and training experience between them.
Byron had a 100% pass rate for 2009 – everyone on our courses passed the external assessment by Trinity College London and are now fully qualified EFL teachers.
Assessment is both formal and informal throughout the course. Your written work will be assessed by the tutors, though the materials assignment will be assessed by an external moderator from Trinity. There will be a language awareness exam covering grammar and phonology at the end of week 3. Your teaching practice sessions will be assessed by a tutor who observes your lesson and has a feedback session with you afterwards. Professional awareness and development are also taken into consideration. Written assignments are assessed according to a points system based on the objectives of each assignment. Spelling, punctuation and usage are also considered in assessing written work.
How much written work is there?
The course work is spread out throughout the programme so as not to overburden you. The first assignment, for example, is due on Monday of week 2 and the last is due at the end of week 4. You have to complete four assignments involving the observation of experienced teachers, four additional observations based on the unknown language lessons along with a summary of that experience, a language-teaching materials assignment of approximately 1000 words which is assessed by an external moderator, self-evaluation tasks for each of the teaching practice sessions, and four peer observation tasks. These are generally one-page assignments based on pro formas. In addition, you will have to prepare lesson plans (assisted by tutors, especially at the beginning of the course).
How soon into the course will I be expected to teach?
You will begin teaching on Friday of week 1. This will be only a 20-minute lesson taught along with your training partners – each person doing one part of an hour¬long lesson. This first lesson will be set out for you by the course tutors, but following this you will become increasingly independent in your lesson preparation. The next lesson will be on Monday or Tuesday of Week 2, this time a 40-minute lesson. The next five lessons you teach will each be one-hour in length, usually scheduled every other day, though some trainees will have to teach two days in a row at times. Each lesson you teach will be observed by a course tutor and there will be a feedback session afterwards to help you examine the strengths and weaknesses of your performance so you can make the most of this experience and grow as a teacher each time.
What goes on during an input sessions?
The input sessions are informative and fun! You will be taught using the same methodology that you will then be applying to your own teaching. The approach is very much a learning by doing one involving group and pair-work, games and activities – the sort of things that should take place in a language class.
What happens in a typical day?
The mornings are dedicated to input sessions and workshops and the afternoons to Unknown language lessons or teaching practice. The approach is cumulative so that you will only start teaching once you have had sufficient practice and information.
Our tutors are all highly qualified EFL teachers who have been selected for their special interest and ability to develop other teachers. They have many years experience both in EFL and other forms of training and teaching.
Trainees must bear in mind that the full-time four week formula is very intensive but it is a tried and tested workload that is heavy going and at the same time is invigorating and builds up momentum as the course progresses. The Teaching Practice is spread over the course as are the assignments culminating in the final week with an exam and the presentation of work and the assessment interview. A typical day begins at 9.30 and ends at 6.30.
The pre-course task consists of approximately 11 hours of exercises aimed at developing your language awareness before you come to the school. These exercises are based on the core reading list (Jeremy Harmer – The Practice of English Language Teaching; Sound Foundations – Adrian Underhill; and Practical English Usage – Michael Swann). It is necessary to purchase these books to do the pre-course task. Carrying out this task will give you the best possible preparation at the start of the course so that the input sessions can be as effective as possible and we can get you into the classroom by the first Friday with a solid foundation.
What type of person can I find on the course?
Typical trainees come from all walks of life. Some are fresh out of college while others are mid-life career changers. We encourage a mix of ages, nationalities and backgrounds as we find it brings interest and new ideas to the programme.
Who are the practice students?
Your Teaching Practice lessons are open to anyone over sixteen who wishes to get extra English language practice. In general these students are either still at university or have recently graduated. Mostly they are Italian but more recently we have had participants of different nationalities as word spreads beyond the university circles.
Since the course is held in a working language school we prefer you to dress in smart casual clothes. Strapless or backless tops and short shorts are not really appropriate in Teaching Practice.
