Trinity CertTESOL: Syllabus & Assessment Overview

Understand the structure, content, and evaluation methods of our internationally recognised TEFL program.

The Trinity CertTESOL is a comprehensive teacher training program that blends theoretical knowledge with practical teaching experience. At Shane Training Centre, we provide a structured, supportive learning environment to help you meet the course’s academic and practical requirements with confidence.

This page outlines the syllabus, key learning outcomes, and assessment methods to give you a clear picture of what to expect.

Course Syllabus

The CertTESOL syllabus is designed to equip you with the essential skills, knowledge, and experience to excel as an ESL teacher. The course is divided into five core units:

Unit 1: Teaching Skills

  • Principles of effective lesson planning and delivery.

  • Classroom management strategies.

  • Practical teaching practice with real ESL students (6 hours observed teaching).

Unit 2: Language Awareness

  • In-depth understanding of grammar, phonology, and lexis.

  • How to teach language points effectively.

  • Exploration of common challenges faced by ESL learners.

Unit 3: Learner Profile

  • Conduct an in-depth case study of an individual ESL learner.

  • Identify their learning needs and preferences.

  • Design and deliver personalized lessons to address their goals.

Unit 4: Materials Assignment

  • Create and evaluate teaching materials for a specific context.

  • Reflect on their effectiveness and potential improvements.

Unit 5: Unknown Language

  • Experience learning a new language to understand the challenges faced by ESL learners.

  • Develop empathy and insight into the learner’s perspective.

Assessment Overview

The Trinity CertTESOL is assessed through a combination of practical teaching, written assignments, and oral exams. Here’s how your performance will be evaluated:

1. Practical Teaching Practice

  • 6 hours of assessed teaching with real ESL students.

  • Feedback and evaluations provided by trainers and Trinity College examiners.

2. Written Assignments

  • A series of reflective and analytical tasks based on the five syllabus units.

  • Examples include the Learner Profile and Materials Assignment.

3. Language Awareness Test

  • A written test assessing your understanding of grammar, phonology, and language teaching principles.

4. External Moderation

  • An external Trinity College examiner will assess your teaching practice, assignments, and overall performance to ensure quality and consistency.

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you will:

  • Be equipped to plan and deliver effective ESL lessons.

  • Have a solid understanding of grammar, phonology, and teaching methodologies.

  • Gain practical teaching experience with real students.

  • Develop skills to create and adapt teaching materials for diverse learners.

Support Throughout the Course

At Shane Training Centre, we are committed to your success. Our expert trainers provide:

  • Regular feedback on your teaching practice.

  • Guidance on completing assignments.

  • Ongoing support to ensure you feel confident every step of the way.