Teaching English as a second language in London

The Diploma

THE TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON LICENTIATE DIPLOMA (LTCL) IN TESOL

If you are not sure about any of the points we raise — or if we have not covered something which concerns you personally — please do not hesitate to contact us. Ask to speak to one of our Teacher Training Course Advisers who will be pleased to help you.

When you are ready to apply, you can complete the booking form online.

QUESTIONS

What is the Licentiate Diploma?

How is the Diploma awarded?

How widely and well recognised is the Trinity Licentiate Diploma?

Who can take the course?

How well established is Saint George International?

Who are the tutors of the Trinity Diploma Course?

What exactly does the Saint George International Distance Training Programme set out to do?

What does the Saint George International D.T.P involve?

What about the classroom teaching part of the examination?

Can you tell me more about the Workbooks?

How long can I take to do the series of Workbooks?

Do I have to do all 8 Workbooks?

Can you tell me something about the Coursework Portfolio?

Do I have to complete the Coursework Portfolio?

Isn’t this a very isolated way of studying?

Where can I do the written exam?

What if I can't come to the UK to do the written exam and there is no Trinity approved centre where I am based?

When are the examinations held?

Is the Saint George International D.T.P. for me?

ANSWERS

What is the Licentiate Diploma?

The Licentiate Diploma is an advanced qualification for TESOL career teachers. It recognises your command of English and awareness of issues involved in teaching English to speakers of other languages; your understanding of language acquisition and learning; your knowledge of a variety of teaching approaches and procedures; and also the practical application of your knowledge in the classroom.

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How is the Diploma awarded?

The Diploma is awarded when a candidate successfully completes all 4 parts of the examination. The pass mark is 50%. Part 1 is the written paper, Part 2 consists of course work, Part 3 is based on phonetics and phonology and Part 4 examines classroom teaching.

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How widely and well recognised is the Trinity Licentiate Diploma?

Over the past 100 years Trinity College has developed a world-wide reputation for academic excellence. The Diploma in TESOL is recognised by the British Council as a FULL qualification for teaching English as a foreign language. Holders of the Diploma are thus regarded as fully trained and capable of holding positions of responsibility. Language schools both in the UK and abroad recognise that holders of the Diploma in TESOL are experienced teachers capable of being academic managers and teacher trainers. Additionally. It is accredited in England by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority at Level 7 of the UK National Qualifications Framework: the standard of work and understanding required for the LTCL is comparable with a Master's degree.

Please click here to see University Credits for holders of Trinity TESOL Diploma

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Who can take the course?

The exam is open to native and non-native teachers of English with a first degree or equivalent and at least 2 years full-time experience of TESOL prior to a Licentiate Diploma preparation course.

NB. Full-Time is interpreted as the equivalent of 32 or more weeks of class teaching a year of 15 hours or more lessons per week.

NB. Non-native teachers of English have to provide substantiated proof of their command of English. A minimum of Cambridge Proficiency or equivalent is expected.

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How well established is Saint George International?

Saint George International is one of the longest established English language schools in central London. Founded in 1962, we have evolved over the years to become a centre of excellence for English language teaching and teacher training. Our popular Trinity Certificate and Diploma courses have a 96% pass rate and enjoy a good reputation for both the quality and thoroughness of the training provided.

Our English language teaching is accredited by the British Council and we are also a member of ARELS, a professional association of accredited schools.

See our main website at www.stgeorges.co.uk for more information.

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Who are the tutors of the Trinity Diploma Course?

The reputation of a language school depends above all on the quality of the teachers. We have a team of experienced and qualified teachers who have been selected for those personal qualities which make them particularly suited to meet our students' needs.

Similarly we have selected for the TRINITY DIPLOMA COURSE a team of trainers who have extensive experience of teaching and teacher training. Naturally all hold Diploma level qualifications themselves and first or second degrees which are language-related such as a Masters in Applied Linguistics.

Above all they are a team of professionals whose enthusiasm in their chosen areas of interest has ensured our DIPLOMA preparation course is a lively and stimulating one.

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What exactly does the Saint George International Distance Training Programme set out to do?

The Saint George’s Distance Training Programme (D.T.P) ensures that a candidate for the Licentiate Diploma exam, parts 1, 2 & 3, is fully prepared and capable of successfully passing those parts of the exam.

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What does the Saint George International D.T.P involve?

You, the trainee, are sent a series of 8 WORKBOOKS over a period of time. You are also sent a PORTFOLIO GUIDE to cover Part 2, the coursework component. The workbooks and portfolio guide ensure preparation for Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the examination: the written paper, the coursework portfolio and the interview. When you have completed a workbook or coursework assignment, you return it to the school where it is marked and then sent back to you. During this period you are in frequent contact with your assigned tutor.

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What about the classroom teaching part of the examination?

We have devised a TWO WEEK PRACTICAL BLOCK which ensures preparation for the classroom teaching part of the examination (Part 4). The PRACTICAL BLOCK, which takes place at Saint George's, consists of classroom teaching with regular observations leading to the actual practical examination at the end of the second week. There is also preparatory work related to the interview (Part 3) by way of tutorials and mock interview. The Trinity INTERVIEW would take place on the same day as the examined CLASSROOM TEACHING and COURSEWORK PORTFOLIO moderation.

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Can you tell me more about the Workbooks?

Each workbook is broken up into sections of the TRINITY stipulated syllabus, e.g. "Main Features of English", "Phonology and Phonetics", etc... Within each section there are a number of exercises/activities you are expected to complete. These exercises/activities include: reflecting on a given point, giving an opinion, matching/completion exercises, classroom research, reading for both information and preparation, ranking exercises and analysis of given information. Every workbook also includes exam questions from a past paper which you must answer.

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How long can I take to do the series of Workbooks?

The beauty of the Saint George International D.T.P is that you can work at your own pace. Some people work best to tough deadlines and others, perhaps due to busy schedules, or their own preferred learning styles, work best to a more flexible deadline scheme. To cater for both types of trainee we have devised the following system:

A workbook can be realistically completed in 4 weeks. With 8 workbooks to complete you could therefore do the entire Saint George's D.T.P. easily within one year.

Alternatively, a trainee is permitted to take up to 8 weeks to complete a workbook. This means you could take up to 2 years to complete the Saint George's D.T.P. The preparation for the Part 2 requirement needs to take place in the nine months directly preceding the Practical Block.

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Do I have to do all 8 Workbooks?

No, but we strongly recommend that you complete all 8 before doing the actual examination. Only in exceptional circumstances do we recommend that an individual sit the examination having completed less than 8 workbooks.

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Can you tell me something about the Coursework Portfolio?

The coursework portfolio consists of three sections: teaching with a developmental focus, documenting observations of other teachers and a written project of between 1000 and 2500. Detailed guidance will be provided by us for the completion of the various tasks. The portfolio will be assessed by tutors at St George International and moderated by Trinity.

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Do I have to complete the Coursework Portfolio?

Yes, you would have to complete all three sections of the Coursework Portfolio (Part2) before you come onto your Practical Block.

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Isn’t this a very isolated way of studying?

It can be, but there are 2 measures we have taken to ensure you do not feel isolated on the course.

You are just an email or telephone call away from YOUR ASSIGNED COURSE TUTOR whom you can contact at any time during the working week. In addition, once every fortnight your assigned tutor will initiate contact with you to ascertain that the course is progressing smoothly.

You are also NETWORKED to other course participants through an e-mail discussion group so in this way you are able to "swap notes" and help each other out.

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Where can I do the written exam?

In the revised Trinity syllabus there is only one, three hour, written exam. This can be taken at St George International in London, which is now an examination centre for Trinity. It can also be taken at a number of Trinity approved centres within and outside the UK. Further details on this will be given nearer the time.

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What if I can't come to the UK to do the written exam and there is no Trinity approved centre where I am based?

Don't worry! Arrangements can be made whereby you do the written exam overseas in the city where you work. This is usually at a local British Council Office. There will be a charge by the British Council for this service.

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When are the examinations held?

The written exams can be taken on a number of fixed dates over the year (see application form). The practical exams can be held on dates suitable to you. Registration along with exam fees is:
at least 2 months before written exams
at least 6 weeks notification for practical exams

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Is the Saint George International D.T.P. for me?

The Saint George International D.T.P. is particularly suitable for:

• Teachers who work abroad or in the UK and who want or need to continue working while taking the Diploma.

• Teachers abroad or in the UK who do not have access to other types of Diploma courses such as an intensive or part-time evening course.

• Teachers who would like to work from home and do not want or feel a need to do a Diploma course within a traditional "face to face" format.

• Teachers who would appreciate a degree of flexibility with regard to course completion.

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