A bit more about them:
The baseline qualification for teaching ESOL in the UK
Who is it for?
Anyone interested in finding out more about teaching ESOL
What is the qualification?
An example is Ascentis Award in English for Literacy and Language Teaching.
What do I need to do it?
Level 2 English (ESOL, Functional Skills, GCSE).
How long does it take?
Between 10 weeks and a year.
What can I do after?
Go on to further training and volunteering.
Example courses
Add links or course details here.
Who is it for?
If you are volunteering in an ESOL class and want to progress to paid work.
What is the qualification?
e.g. Certificate in Education and Training (L4)
What do I need to do it?
Level 2 English (ESOL, Functional Skills, GCSE). Working in a classroom teaching practice
How long does it take?
Normally 1 year p-t
What can I do after?
L5 teaching qualification
Example courses
Calderdale College
Who is it for?
If you want to get a job as an ESOL teacher
What is the qualification?
e.g. Trinity TESOL Certificate, Cambridge CELTA or Cert Ed
What do I need to do it?
L3 qualifications (eg A levels) + English at least at Level 2/CEFR C1
How long does it take?
Varies from 4 weeks intensive to 6 months p-t
What can I do after?
This is the baseline qualification level to teach ESOL in the UK.
Example courses
Bradford College
Who is it for?
If you already work as an ESOL teacher
What is the qualification?
e.g. Certificate in Education (Lifelong Learning)
What do I need to do it?
You need to be working as a teacher and have at least L3 (L5 for ESOL specific classroom)
How long does it take?
Normally 2 years part-time
What can I do after?
Develop your career in ESOL
Example courses
Wakefield College
Who is it for?
If you already work as an ESOL teacher OR a graduate interested in teaching ESOL
What is the qualification?
e.g. MA TESOL. Sometimes combined with L5 Trinity TESOL for practical skills.
What do I need to do it?
A degree in a relevant subject (eg English)
How long does it take?
1 year f-t/2 years p-t
What can I do after?
Develop your career in ESOL, or entry into teaching if relevant teaching practice included
Example courses
Hull University
Who is it for?
A graduate interested in teaching ESOL
What is the qualification?
PGCE 14+ with specialism in ESOL/Literacy PGDip w specialism in ESOL/Literacy
What do I need to do it?
A degree in a relevant subject (eg English)
How long does it take?
1 year f-t/2 years p-t
What can I do after?
Teach across the ESOL sector
Example courses
Bolton University, Bradford College
A bit more about them:
The baseline qualification for teaching ESOL in the UK
What does it mean?
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Who are the learners?
Those that have settled or are seeking settlement in the UK. Including refugees and asylum seekers
What do you do?
You teach English, but embedded in wider skills development, developing confidence, employability, and offering pastoral support to learners
Where do you teach?
FE colleges, Adult Learning Centres, Third sector community organisations
A typical learner
Niama is a 28-year-old, Arabic speaking, refugee woman from Sudan living in the UK. She needs to learn English for all parts of her life in the UK but would also like to regain her nursing qualification, already achieved in Sudan, so that she can work in the UK.
What does it mean?
English as a Foreign Language
Who are the learners?
Those interested in learning English in their own country, or while visiting the UK.
What do you do?
You teach English in a range of non-specific contexts, or in contexts such as English for Business
Where do you teach?
Private Language schools both in the UK and abroad
A typical learner
Mariko is a 45-year-old woman learning English in Japan. She wants to learn English to help in her career as a tour guide.
What does it mean?
English as an Additional Language
Who are the learners?
School-age children settled in the UK who need support to learn English. Includes Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)
What do you do?
You support learners with English to facilitate their integration into the mainstream school curriculum.
Where do you teach?
Primary and secondary schools
A typical learner
Morid is a 12-year-old Kurdish Iranian boy living in the UK. He attends secondary school where he needs support with English to help him take part in other lessons.
What does it mean?
English as a Second Language
Who are the learners?
ESL is a general term commonly used internationally (inc USA) or in academic contexts, to describe learning English in a country where it is the primary language.
What do you do?
Focused on English proficiency for academic purposes
Where do you teach?
Private language schools or institutions in English-speaking countries around the world
A typical learner
Teo is a young Spanish professional, living and working in Dublin. He needs to improve his fluency and make more friends in the city where he lives.
Frequently asked questions about ESOL teaching qualifications
What qualification do I need to teach ESOL in the UK?
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