A TEFL/TESOL certificate is usually seen as a license, a pass to securing prestigious jobs and postings as teachers of English as second language. The use of the word 'usually' is a hint that the statement is not 100% accurate. Actually, with so many TEFL/TESOL training courses just mushrooming anywhere and everywhere, the standard of the programs has certainly deteriorated. All the same, the search for a truly valid TEFL certificate is not all that daunting and you can even blindly choose a TEFL course or a TEFL certificate in England .
TEFL Certificate In England
A TEFL certificate in England is a certification program. A course that is assessed and validated externally by some officially recognized body. Thus, the two most widely acknowledged TEFL curriculums being offered in England - Cambridge CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL - are adjudged by external authorities. Cambridge CELTA is certified by UCLES ( University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate ) and the Trinity CertTESOL is authenticated by the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA).
TEFL Certificate In England
The Cambridge CELTA
The Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) is beyond any doubt the most widely accepted basic teaching qualification for teachers teaching English to non-speakers of the language, the standard TEFL certificate in England as well as elsewhere.
TEFL Certificate In England
The CELTA course is an intensive, practical training program for teaching English (of course, as a foreign language) to adults. The full-time course lasts four weeks with over 120 hours of practical training. Trainees not only perfect their English pronunciation and grammar, etc., but are also made to pick up the basic teaching techniques and trade tricks under the supervision of qualified instructors with extensive EFL teaching experience. Onsite (held in various TEFL campuses) practical teaching sessions, where the trainees give English lessons to foreign students also form a part of the CELTA certification program.
The CELTA TEFL Certificate curriculums are monitored very carefully. The trainees are assessed on their speaking and writing prowess. The most significant part of the assessment program is the evaluation of the teaching ability of individual program participant as demonstrated throughout the practice sessions. Successful candidates are awarded certificates issued by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate in England .
TEFL Certificate In England
The English Language Schools and Institutes following the CELTA TEFL course provide prospective job assistance to the students enrolling in these certification programs.
Trinity CertTESOL
The Trinity certificate in TESOL is yet another popular TEFL Certification program. With the course standard at par with the Cambridge CELTA, the acceptance of this TEFL Certificate in England (as well as in other nations) is massive, sweeping. In fact, it has earned the approval of British Council as an initial qualification for English language teaching assignments in UK and abroad.
TEFL Certificate In England
Like the CELTA curriculum, the course participants are given thorough training in grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, etc. by highly accomplished and experienced EFL teachers. Written assignments also form part of the program. The curriculum lays emphasis on advanced communicative language teaching techniques and the students are judged (at least 50% of the final grade) on their teaching ability based on their performance during the teaching sessions.
Other Certification Programs
Other Certification programs being conducted in England include:
TEFL Certificate In England
- CELTYL ( Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners) - it is specialized curriculum for teaching younger learners.
- DELTA (Cambridge Diploma in Language Teaching to Adults) - is a higher-level course (say for management positions or for writing EFL materials).
- Trinity Licentiate Diploma in TESOL - yet another high-level course.
When you are teaching English as a foreign language, you are empowering the non-English speakers with a powerful tool of communication and in lieu, you get to soak in their unique ideals and beliefs.