Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Trinity Licentiate Diploma in TESOL?
2. How does the course help me to develop my career?
3. Who can apply?
4. How many people are on each course?
5. What is the workload?
6. Why should I do the course with Oxford House College?
7. What do we do in the face to face block?
8. Two weeks or four weeks face to face? What is the difference? Which should I choose? When do I decide?

1. What is the Trinity Licentiate Diploma in TESOL?

The Trinity Diploma has four components. Part one and three are assessed by Trinity and parts two and four by Trinity and OxfordTEFL together.

Part one

A written paper taken in Barcelona or other Trinity approved centre. (There are centres in most parts of the world). The paper is 3 hours long and consists of grammar section and choice of questions on the nature of language and practical teaching applications. The exam can be taken in May, August or November. Each of our courses aims to prepare you for a specific date, but you have the opportunity to opt for a different date if you feel you are not ready.

Part two
A coursework portfolio including project work. The portfolio consists of three compulsory tasks. The tasks involve observation of other trained teachers, reflection on one’s own teaching and a choice of projects related to materials development and academic management. You work on the portfolio throughout the course. It is assessed by your course tutors and moderated by a Trinity examiner.

Part three
An oral interview on phonetics and phonology (30 mins). This is conducted by a Trinity examiner.

Part four

Classroom demonstration of your teaching (60 mins) followed by a discussion of the lesson with the examiner (20 mins). You will also present a portfolio of documentation related to 4 previous lessons taught which will have been observed and assessed by OxfordTEFL tutors. For this part of the exam you will be teaching students at OxfordTEFL.

Parts three and four of the exam can be taken together at any time during the year, but will usually be taken at the end of May or at the end of August.

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2. How does the course help me to develop my career?

This qualification is listed by the British Council as a full qualification under the terms of their course validation and recognition schemes. The Licentiate Diploma will help you to develop your practical and theoretical knowledge of ELT, making you stand out from other teachers. It opens the door to more senior teaching posts such as Director of Studies, Teacher Training posts and so on. Click here for feedback from our graduates.

3. Who can apply?

For entry to this course, candidates must have at least 2 years full-time teaching experience and a university degree or equivalent level of education. The course is open to native and non-native speakers of English.

To apply for the course you will need to complete written tasks, supply a reference, and have an interview in person or on the phone/skype. The procedure is designed to assess your ability to use written and spoken English effectively, to demonstrate an awareness of language and language teaching and learning gained from experience and training, as well as assess your overall   aptitude and motivation to complete such a course.

You will only be admitted to the course if we feel you are equipped and ready to deal with the challenges it provides. For this reason our pass rate is very high (around 90%).

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4. How many people are on each course?

Individual attention, help and advice is vital on this course and, in order to ensure this, the size of group is limited to a maximum of twelve. For teaching practice, during the face to face block, you will work in small groups.

5. What is the workload?

Summer intensive Diploma

• Full-time attendance (about 20 hours a week) in July and August (8 weeks) includes input sessions and teaching practice.
•   Background reading and work on projects and assignments of around 20 hours a week.
• Pre-attendance online component in May and June (10 hours a week).
• Trinity assessment in August (written paper and practical exams).
• Teaching practice with classes at Oxford TEFL.
•   A very intensive course, you should have no other committments.

Distance Diploma

• Virtual/online component from February to July or November to April (10 hours a week).
•   Full-time   attendance in Barcelona (about 20 hours a week) in August or May (2 weeks) includes   teaching practice with work on projects and lesson preparation of around 20 hours a week.
• Trinity assessment in August or May (written paper and practical exams).
• Teaching practice with classes at Oxford TEFL.
• The distance component is compatible with full-time teaching, though we recommend you aim to reduce your teaching committments if you can.

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6. Why should I do the course with Oxford Tefl?

Our goal is to provide courses which are practical and dynamic and above all meet the needs of participants. In order to do this our team of trainers aim to be flexible and supportive as well as provide expert guidance and our course is structured and designed with your needs and objectives in mind.

Preparing for the Diploma is demanding and you will feel under pressure at times. We aim to reduce unnecessary stress as much as possible by making sure you have the personal support you need and the focus and direction necessary to ensure your work time is well spent. Click here for 6 reasons to do your course with Oxford Tefl

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7. What do we do in the face to face block?

The face to face block in Barcelona is 4 weeks ( or two weeks if you choose the express option ). You will be teaching and studying full time in these four weeks. Your workload will include:

- Individual tutorials with a tutor to give you support with project work
- Practice written and phonology exams with feedback
- Group input sessions with tutor to prepare the phonology exam
- Teaching practice, including lesson planning, observation and feedback from tutors. Time working individually and with support from tutors.
- External assessment of phonology and teaching practice with Trinity examiner
" The Trinity written exam ((Friday of week 2)
" Group input sessions with tutors to prepare for the written exam.

The last two items are not included in the express option. In this case you sit the exam in Barcelona on the Friday before you start your course. Preparation is done online

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8. Two weeks or four weeks face to face? What is the difference? Which should I choose? When do I decide?

As you can see there is a lot of work to be done in the face to face block. If you choose the express option you will be condensing this work further. For example, your four internally assessed lessons will be spread over two weeks rather than four, giving you less time to spend on reflection and preparation. You will have less time to make final adjustments to your projects and you will sit the written exam without the benefit of face to face revision sessions with a tutor.

To compensate for this candidates are required to work on line for the two weeks prior to their face to face block to maximise support and readiness for assessments

What is the difference?

Basically you cover the same ground, but with the express option you cover it more at distance and less face to face

Which should I choose?

We recommend four weeks if you have the time. Two weeks is an express option for people who:

- Want to minimise the time they spend in Barcelona for work or personal reasons
- Are confident that they can work under pressure and with less face to face contact with tutors

When do I decide?
You will be required to decide three months prior to attending whether you are opting for two or four weeks attendance.
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