Teaching English as a second language in London

Diploma testimonials

WHAT DO OUR DIPLOMA STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE COURSE?

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Barbara HULL

Successfully completed 2005

I thoroughly recommend the SGI distance learning Diploma course for anyone whose other professional commitments make regular attendance at a course difficult. 
The workbooks are well conceived, interesting and relevant and the portfolio tasks are pertinent. The tutor support is second to none: helpful, constructive and prompt. Indeed when I met my tutor for the first time face to face at the practical block, it felt like meeting an old friend!
Although I had many previous years’ experience as a language teacher before the course, I still found much to learn and know that my teaching has improved as a result of this.  Since gaining the Diploma in 2005, I have been teaching at a UK university and have been appointed as a Cambridge examiner.

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Stuart Proudfoot

Successfully completed (with distinction) 2006

I was extremely impressed with the organisation of the course and never felt isolated, though obviously studying by distance requires a lot of discipline.  Naz, my tutor, was always on hand with advice and support, both during the distance component and on the two-week teaching block.  In particular, feedback on the internally assessed lessons was extremely useful and constructive, and the phonology component was fascinating.

Almost as soon as I passed the diploma, with an unexpected distinction, I was promoted to Director of Studies at Kaplan Aspect in Cambridge, having previously only taught there on a temporary basis.  Without the diploma and the support of SGI, I would not have been in a position to achieve this.  I would thoroughly recommend SGI and their courses as a stepping stone for anyone in the English teaching sector.

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CHERYL DUNKERTON

Successfully completed ( with distinction) 2004

“ Doing my Diploma with SGI was a very positive experience, both during the distance study portion and the exams in London. From previous experience, I know that studying by distance can be a very isolated experience, but I never felt it was with SGI for many reasons: here are my top five:

1. The registration process and administration were efficient - set texts and books and course units were always delivered promptly and in good time.
2. My tutor was extremely well-organised, gave concise yet constructive feedback on my coursework, and most of all, I found the level of personal support impressive - no matter how busy, she always found time to respond to my questions via email within a day or two, which I found very reassuring. I never felt that I was out on a limb because I was studying by distance.
3. The coursework itself was stimulating, thought-provoking and extremely good value for money. It really stretched my knowledge of ESL teaching and theory in different ways, through self study, required reading, coursework units and most of all the coursework portfolio. At the end of the course I really felt that I had been able to focus on and improve specific areas of my teaching.
4. The examination period was well-organised, and the staff all extremely friendly! I felt welcome right from the minute I arrived in the school. The tutor support during the observations was appropriate and always constructive.
5. Since getting my Diploma, I have found that I am eligible to apply for a much wider range of jobs in ELT. It is a qualification that employers recognize and take seriously. Before getting the Diploma, I had been working as an instructor in private schools in Canada and Japan - just one month after getting my Diploma, I gained my current post working as a teacher/lecturer/teacher trainer at the State University of Mongolia! I firmly believe that doing the Diploma has helped me gain the depth of knowledge that I need to fulfill my current role. I am now regularly lecturing teacher trainees in methodology, presenting at conferences, and conducting in-service training seminars.

The cost of the Diploma seems so minimal when you realize all that you can gain professionally from the experience. The course will help you get where you want to go in the ELT field - I thoroughly recommend both the course itself and SGI.”

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NAJAT BENCHIBA

Successfully completed 2000

“I completed my Trinity College London Diploma at Saint George International in 2000. I did a distance learning course as I was teaching in Casablanca at the time. Such flexibility enabled me to study as and when the time suited me.

Key aspects of teaching English were covered and I felt amply secure and confident in my capacity as a teacher. It's a great course with very supportive staff who are approachable and helpful.

Since graduating, I have taught in Saudi, London, Barcelona, Cairo and currently I teach Arabic part-time at SOAS, University of London. A few years after completing the Trinity Diploma TESOL, I went on and did an MA in Arabic Linguistics at SOAS where I am currently doing a PhD. ”

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Emma Watson

Successfully completed 2007

Although term-time was always busy at the independent boarding school I was working at when I undertook to prepare for the Trinity Diploma, I decided that I would rather do the background reading thoroughly, and complete workbooks over a longer period of time, than attempt to cram such a wealth of information into the summer holiday period.

I found that this gave me a comprehensive awareness of different teaching approaches, refreshed my memory of numerous grammatical points and enabled me to experiment in the classroom as I was working towards this qualification, preparing three particularly comprehensive projects on areas of particular interest to me for submission ahead of the final exams and teaching block.

By the time of the written exam, I had exchanged several phone calls and many, many more emails with my main tutor, Naz Sienkiewicz, in which she had offered me invaluable suggestions, advice and comments, answering my queries and, together with other tutors at SGI, providing prompt constructive and consolidating comments on completed workbooks that I submitted at intervals by post.

When I attended SGI for the two-week teaching block, I fully recognised that the amount of planning, preparation, teaching and reflection that I would need to undertake would be considerable, but I had not fully appreciated that the daily two-hour commute into London would take such a toll (it’s definitely advisable to be within a short commuting distance of central London!).  That said, I could not have asked for a more caring and supportive team of mentors, with such an in-depth knowledge of the intricacies of English Language Teaching.  I would recommend that anyone considering taking the Trinity Diploma course by correspondence look no further than SGI.

In terms of what gaining this qualification has meant to me, although I have now left the international language centre at which I had taught for over five years, I am looking forward to an extended break travelling around South America.  Who knows?  I may well find a position working within the ELT sector whilst I am over there.  In any case, I feel extremely well prepared for the next phase of my English Language Teaching career, many thanks to SGI!

Emma Watson

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IAN FARQUHAR

Successfully completed 2002

“I did my Diploma in 2001/2 six years after the Certificate. I was working as a freelance business English trainer in Germany and taking 2 months off to do an intensive Diploma course was not a convenient option. The distance Diploma course at Saint George International however, was and any worries I had about remote guidance and tuition were soon dispelled. Throughout my course and examinations I received prompt and professional administrative service and excellent advice and feedback on my course work.

Doing the Diploma has helped me both in terms of my professional knowledge and opportunities. I have moved from solely teaching into academic management, IELTS examining, British Council project participation and school ownership. Currently two of my staff are doing the SGI distance Diploma course and I am preparing for my next job, working for the British Council on a one year project in India.

I would not have had the chance to undertake any of this interesting professional development without the knowledge and qualification gained from the Diploma. The distance course at Saint George International allowed me the flexibility to complete it while continuing to work and without losing any of the personal service of an intensive course.”

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CLAIRE GOODE

Successfully completed 2006

Due to work and financial commitments, I couldn't sign up for a full-time course and needed (and wanted!) some flexibility. I found the distance-learning course through St George International in London and was accepted onto the programme. I started working on it in January 2005, took the written exam in November of the same year and completed a two-week practical block in London in March 2006. I had a fantastic tutor/mentor at St George's and we have stayed in touch ever since. At the start of July 2007 we were both invited to participate in the piloting of the new written exam at Trinity's Head Office.

The Trinity LTCL Diploma gave me a real sense of achievement. It was hard work but always interesting, and it gave me much more confidence in my abilities. It also gave me a better sense of direction - I would like to work as a teacher trainer in this field in the future. In September 2006, I began work at HMP Wandsworth, where I have been Head of ESOL for the past year. This enabled me to combine teaching with a middle-management role at the head of the ESOL team at the prison. It has been a fascinating year! I firmly believe that the renewed confidence I had gained, and the Trinity LTCL Diploma itself, helped me to secure this position.

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