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Trinity DipTESOL
(Delta equivalent)

Gain your Trinity DipTESOL qualification with the world’s leading course provider.
Now available fully online

What is the Trinity DipTESOL?

The Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Trinity DipTESOL) is equivalent to a Cambridge DELTA and is an internationally respected, prestigious qualification for experienced teachers of ESOL/EFL. In contrast to the Cambridge DELTA, the Trinity DipTESOL provides more of a focus on phonology and the option to base your projects on your own particular context.

It is ideal if you are looking for the next step in your ELT career and you are ready to gain an advanced qualification in ELT which will impress employers worldwide. The Trinity DipTESOL will transform your teaching and help you move into roles such as examiner, coursebook writer, teacher trainer or school manager. 

Even if you are working full-time, the flexible format of this course means it can be integrated into your busy life.

Why take this course with Oxford TEFL?

Since 1998, we have trained over 800 teachers on the Trinity DipTESOL course and become the world’s leading course provider. We are chosen by British Council centres and partners all over the world, including in Egypt, India, Hong Kong, Jordan, Mauritius, Morocco, Myanmar, Spain and Tunisia, as well as individuals looking for a high-quality and effective DipTESOL course.

Due to the extensive experience we have delivering this course, we have a deep understanding of the needs of the course participants, and the course content is updated regularly so that it remains fresh and relevant. We offer a unique level of personalised support to help ensure that participants stay on track, and assessments are passed. 

Our carefully selected, world-class team of tutors are well-known in the TEFL industry. They come from a variety of different fields within ELT and so will be able to pass on to you their vast amounts of knowledge that they have accumulated over the years. Our Course Director, David Young, and our course tutors, will be by your side from day one. We will get to know your goals, and your unique challenges, so that we can guide you towards passing the course successfully and enjoying the experience of learning.

Train with us, and we will help you reach your full potential and advance your career in ELT.

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FREE LIVE WEBINAR

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER
with the Trinity DipTESOL course!

Limited places available

Trinity DipTESOL Course Overview

  • Blended or Fully Online: Study 6 months online—then complete your teaching practice face-to-face or online via Zoom.
  • Practical: Emphasis throughout the Trinity DipTESOL course on developing teaching skills and applying insights to your classroom.
  • Phonology: Emphasis on teaching pronunciation unique to the Trinity DipTESOL course and highly valued by our graduates.
  • Flexible: Work at times to suit your weekly schedule and take up to 3 years to complete the course if necessary.
  • Professional: Learn from world-class full-time and guest tutors, including Lindsay Clandfield, Duncan Foord, Teresa Bestwick, Scott Thornbury and Adrian Underhill.
  • Supportive: Receive unlimited support via email and Zoom from our Trinity DipTESOL Course Director.
  • Transformational: Develop your teaching skills and improve your chances of finding some of the best positions in ELT via our careers service.
  • Recognised: Gain the Trinity DipTESOL, a prestigious, internationally recognised and advanced qualification in ELT.

The Trinity DipTESOL Course

The Trinity Diploma in TESOL is for English Language teachers (including primary and secondary school teachers) who:

  • have at least two years of full-time experience or equivalent (960 hours) teaching English to speakers of other languages.
  • work in the private or public sector with language schools, universities or teaching privately.
  • are looking for an advanced professional qualification in English Language Teaching.
Academic Background

Your application will be considered if you have a first degree (any discipline) or evidence of sustained academic study which would enable you to cope successfully with the requirements of the diploma.

An initial TESOL training qualification like the Cambridge CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL is highly recommended but not essential.

 
Teaching Experience

You must have two years of full-time ESOL teaching experience at the time of interview, the minimum for a year’s experience normally being at least 15 hours per week over 32 weeks. The minimum amount of teaching required for entry is therefore 960 hours of which 75% of these hours must be with classes.

The experience can be with any age group or teaching context (e.g., online or face-to-face).

We can also consider applicants who have acquired at least 960 hours of experience over a longer period (i.e., part-time teachers), but two years is still the minimum. It is not possible to meet this requirement by teaching 960 hours over a shorter period.

You should not have taken more than a year’s break from ESOL teaching prior to interview.

If you do not meet these requirements, we recommend our CELTA course.

 
English Proficiency

Due to the demands of the course, we ask that applicants have a C2 level of English.

You do not need a certification to prove your English level.

However, we have included a table below showing what score would be required to achieve a C2 level of English on different exams:

Cambridge C1 AdvancedCambridge C2 ProficiencyCambridge IELTSTOEFL iBT
Grade A and no less than 200 in any paperGrade A, B or C and no less than 200 in any paperOverall band score 8.5 and no less than 8.0 in any skillOverall score 115 and no less than 27 in any skill

Your English level will be assessed throughout the application process.

Wherever you are in the world, you can gain the Trinity DipTESOL qualification.

Choose from two ways to take the Trinity DipTESOL course:

 

Blended Option

Study phase: Online
Teaching practice: Face-to-face

Fully Online Option

Study phase: Online
Teaching practice: Online

Study phase

In both cases, the 6-month study phase is completed online via Moodle with weekly live lessons held via Zoom.

Once you have completed the study phase, you will be eligible to register for the Trinity assessments (units 1–4). These assessments can be taken in any order (see “Assessment Dates” below.

Unit 1
The Written Paper

Regardless of which option you choose, this 3-hour written exam is the only unit which must be completed face-to-face.

You can sit the exam at any institution, as long as they can provide a quiet room and an invigilator for the duration of the exam. Many candidates choose to take the unit 1 exam at the school where they are currently working.

Unit 2
The Portfolio

In both cases, you will receive tutor supervision online via Moodle. When you finish your projects, they are submitted via email.

Unit 3
Phonology Interview

In both cases, the 30-minute phonology interview is held online via Zoom.

Unit 4
Teaching Practice

If you would like to complete your teaching practice face-to-face, you have a couple of options:

  1. Oxford TEFL supplies adult learners for you to teach face-to-face at one of our schools in Barcelona, Cádiz, or Hong Kong.
  2. Teach your own face-to-face class in your current location and livestream it via Zoom.

If you would like to complete your teaching practice online, you have a couple of options:

  1. Oxford TEFL supplies adult learners for you to teach online via Zoom.
  2. Teach your own online class via Zoom.
The study phase:
  • Six months of online training with a group of fellow candidates and our team of tutors. Most of the work during this phase is asynchronous, so you can log into the course throughout the week to suit your own schedule.

  • Over the six months, you will complete 18 week-long modules (and some rest weeks in between) with different tutors depending on their area of expertise (e.g., Phonology, Lexis, etc.). 

  • For each module, you will:

    • Read journal articles and watch videos

    • Collaborate with other candidates in the Moodle forum

    • Attend a 45-minute live lesson via Zoom (these will be recorded if you are unable to attend)

    • Complete an assignment with tutor feedback. These assignments will be marked according to Trinity’s criteria so that you can track your progress.

  • In total, you will complete around 300 hours of online study and support during this phase (50 hours per month).

  • Start in January, April, or October.


What can I expect to learn during the study phase?

Our goal is to provide a course which is dynamic and practical and meets the needs of the participants, so your work in our virtual classroom will be backed up with tasks which get you to apply ideas in your own teaching context.

With a team of highly experienced and qualified tutors, the online modules will help you to deepen your theoretical knowledge and practical skills while preparing for the four Trinity assessments (see “What is the assessment phase like?“).

Once you have successfully completed the study phase, you will be eligible to register for the Trinity assessments (units 1–4):

  • Unit 1: Written Paper (face-to-face at any institution)

  • Unit 2: The Portfolio (online)

  • Unit 3: Phonology Interview (online)

  • Unit 4: Teaching Practice (online OR face-to-face)


These assessments can be completed in any order, and at your own pace:

  • Minimum: 1 year (6 months study phase + 6 months to complete the Trinity assessments)

  • Maximum: 3 years (6 months study phase + 2.5 years to complete the Trinity assessments)


For more information on the four units, see “How will I be assessed?” and “Assessment Dates” below.

There are several ways that you can complete the teaching practice (unit 4):

 OnlineFace-to-face / Remote
Teach your own studentsTeach your own students online via Zoom.Teach your own face-to-face class remotely and livestream it via Zoom.
Oxford TEFL supplies the studentsOxford TEFL supplies adult students for you to teach online via Zoom.Oxford TEFL supplies adult students for you to teach face-to-face at one of our centres in Barcelona, Cádiz, or Hong Kong.

Regardless of which option you choose, you will receive live support from our tutors (lesson plan discussions and post-lesson feedback). There are both part-time and full-time options available and various options for dates (see “Assessment Dates” section below).

 
Units 3 and 4 must be taken together

Because unit 3 (the phonology interview) and unit 4 (the teaching practice) require a live examiner, candidates must register for both units at the same time—it is not possible to register for each unit separately.

The teaching practice will be held over 4 weeks (full-time) or 14 weeks (part-time). Each day, you will either be teaching or observing another teacher. The phonology interview will take place in the final week.

 
What is the schedule like for the full-time option?

The timetabled sessions are held Monday–Friday over four weeks. The full-time option is very intensive—you can expect to spend a total of 40–50 hours per week.

Due to the high workload, you will need to clear your schedule. Candidates who have other commitments during the four weeks are less likely to pass their assessments.

Sample timetable for DipTESOL Units 3 and 4 (Full-Time)
The schedule below is only intended to be used as a guideline—your session will be different.
Meets Monday–Friday over four weeks
9:50–10:00Pre-lesson discussion with tutor
10:05–11:05Assessed teaching OR unassessed teaching OR peer observation*
11:10–12:10Assessed teaching OR unassessed teaching OR peer observation*
12:10–13:20Post-lesson interviews and feedback
13:20–14:30Break
14:30–15:00Lesson plan discussion with tutor
+15 hours/week**
(asynchronous)
Independent work: writing lesson plans, lesson evaluations, and teaching practice journal

*For the full-time option, trainees normally teach one or two assessed lessons per week (five assessed lessons in total). If you are teaching supply students, you will also need to teach some unassessed lessons (to meet students, get to know the group, etc.).

**This is only an estimate. The amount of time spent on independent work will vary.

 
What is the schedule like for the part-time option?

The timetabled sessions are held twice per week (e.g., Mon/Wed) over 14 weeks. You can expect to spend about 10–15 hours per week.

Sample timetable for DipTESOL Units 3 and 4 (Part-Time)
The schedule below is only intended to be used as a guideline—your session will be different.
Meets twice per week (e.g., Mondays and Wednesdays) over 14 weeks
11:50–12:00Pre-lesson discussion with tutor
12:05–13:05Assessed teaching OR unassessed teaching OR peer observation*
13:10–14:10Assessed teaching OR unassessed teaching OR peer observation*
14:10–15:20Post-lesson interviews and feedback
15:20–16:30Break
16:30–17:00Lesson plan discussion with tutor
+5 hours/week**
(asynchronous)
Independent work: writing lesson plans, lesson evaluations, and teaching practice journal

*For the part-time option, trainees normally teach one assessed lesson every 2–3 weeks (five assessed lessons in total). If you are teaching supply students, you will also need to teach some unassessed lessons (to meet students, get to know the group, etc.).

**This is only an estimate. The amount of time spent on independent work will vary.

Once you have completed the study phase and passed the Trinity assessments, you will be awarded the Trinity DipTESOL. This is an internationally recognised professional qualification for English Language Teaching. Many UK universities are now offering credits and/or exemptions on their MA and other courses for those who have obtained their Trinity DipTESOL qualification.

This qualification opens doors to other areas of the ELT profession. Our graduates have gone on to become:

  • Teacher Trainers
  • Coursebook Writers
  • Directors of Studies
  • Managers at major ELT publishers
  • School Managers and Owners
How will I be assessed?

Unit 1 – Written Paper

A 3-hour written exam consisting of a grammar section and two sections with essay questions about teaching and learning. This can be taken at any institution, as long as they can provide a quiet room and an invigilator for the duration of the exam. Many candidates choose to sit the exam at the school where they are currently working. The exam is offered three times per year: in May, August and November.

Unit 2 – The Portfolio

A coursework portfolio including three action research projects. The projects involve observation of other experienced teachers, reflection on your own teaching and a research project, where you collect data. Work on the portfolio will be completed during a 3-month course, with self-access materials and tutor support. These projects are submitted via email.

 

Unit 3 – Phonology Interview

In this 30-minute interview with a Trinity examiner, you will deliver a short presentation on a pronunciation activity you have designed and delivered, transcribe a short utterance into phonemic script and have a discussion of the theory and practice of phonology.  This unit is taken together alongside unit 4 (the teaching practice).

Unit 4 – Teaching Practice

Five one-hour assessed lessons, each preceded by a discussion of your lesson plan (5 minutes) and followed by a post-lesson discussion with the examiner (20 minutes). Four lessons are assessed by Oxford TEFL tutors, the fifth by a Trinity examiner. You can teach your own students, or Oxford TEFL can supply the students for your observed lessons. This unit is taken together alongside unit 3 (the phonology interview).

The Tutors

Our team of Trinity DipTESOL trainers are experts in their field and qualified to a minimum of DELTA / DipTESOL level, which means they are qualified to train teachers of English. They offer support every step of the way throughout your course and are active contributors to the TEFL industry. 

Course Dates

These are the next available start dates for the study phase of the DipTESOL course. 

2nd April
2024
Application deadline:
25th March at 12:00 noon (Spain time)


7th October
2024
Application deadline:
30th September at 12:00 noon (Spain time)


7th January
2025
Application deadline:
30th December at 12:00 noon (Spain time)


Course Fees

Oxford TEFL graduate discount: €100!

Trinity DipTESOL with Teaching Practice in Barcelona, Cádiz, or Online/Remote (Standard Option)

€400 EUR deposit to reserve your place + €2,300 EUR to be paid before the course begins.

2,700 EUR*

Trinity DipTESOL with Teaching Practice in Barcelona, Cádiz, or Online/Remote (Instalments Option)

€400 EUR deposit to reserve your place + 3 instalments of €800 EUR.

Instalments Option—Payment Deadlines

Course Starts
8th Jan 2024
2th April 2024
7th October 2024
Deposit (€400) by
3rd Jan
2nd Mar
2nd Oct
1st Instalment (€800) by
8th Feb
2nd May
7th Nov
2nd Instalment (€800) by
8th Apr
2nd July
7th Jan
3rd Instalment (€800) by
8th June
2nd Sept
7th Mar

2,800 EUR*

Trinity DipTESOL with Teaching Practice in Hong Kong

$10,000 HKD deposit to reserve your place.
$10,000 HKD before starting the study phase.
$10,000 HKD before starting the assessment phase.

$30,000 HKD*

Your Trinity DipTESOL course fees include:

*Please note: Aside from the Trinity DipTESOL course fees, the following will also have to be paid in order to complete the course:

  • Trinity Examination Fees — In 2024, the fees to submit all 4 units of the Trinity DipTESOL are a total of €569. These fees are to be paid at least two months before your first assessment. Full Fee Details in Terms & Conditions.

Required Books — There are 6 books you’ll be required to have in order to complete the course. Diploma Reading List

  • Unit 1 Invigilation Fees — These fees (if applicable) will need to be paid to the centre hosting your exam.


Some of those who take our Trinity DipTESOL courses are partially/fully financed by their schools, usually in return for a commitment to stay on with them after graduation. You may wish to ask your employer about any funding for development available.

Assessment Dates

Once you have completed the study phase, you can register for the Trinity assessments.
The assessments can be completed in any order.

Unit 1 : The Written Paper

You must complete the study phase before you can register for the unit 1 exam. 

This assessment must be completed in person—there is no online option. The exam can be taken at any institution, as long as they can provide a quiet room and an invigilator for the duration of the exam. Many trainees choose to sit their exams at the school where they are currently working.

When registration starts, we will email you to ask if/where you would like to take the exam.

Unit 1 Exam Dates
Registration Starts
Registration Deadline
Friday, 24th November 2023
Monday, 11th Sept
Friday, 6th Oct
Friday, 17th May 2024
Monday, 4th March
Thursday, 28th March
Friday, 9th August 2024
Monday, 27th May
Friday, 21st June
Friday, 22nd November 2024
Monday, 9th Sept
Friday, 4th Oct
Unit 2: The Portfolio

You must complete the study phase before you can start the unit 2 course.

Unit 2 is very much about developing your autonomy as a researcher in ELT. The Unit 2 course is a three-month programme that will help you plan and advance three projects on weekly basis. You will receive guidance, reading materials, and written tasks through Moodle, attend regular live events, and get individual feedback on your progress. Then you will work independently on completing your projects while staying connected to your tutor and coursemates via our VLE, seeking advice as needed.

How long it takes to complete the projects will depend on you, but course participants tend to aim for about 6 to 9 months from when they start the projects. You have the flexibility.

When registration starts, we will email you to ask if you would like to enrol in the unit 2 course.

Unit 2 Course
Registration Starts
Registration Deadline
January – March 2024
Monday, 18th Dec
Friday, 29th Dec
April – June 2024
Monday, 18th March
Friday, 29th March
July – September 2024
Monday, 17th June
Friday, 28th June
October – December 2024
Monday, 16th Sep
Friday, 27th Sep
Units 3 and 4: Phonology Interview and Teaching Practice

You must complete the study phase before you can register for units 3 and 4.

Because units 3 and 4 require a live examiner, candidates must register for both units at the same time—it is not possible to complete each unit separately.

When registration starts, we will email you to ask if/where you would like to attend.

Location(s)
Format
Dates
Registration Starts
Registration Deadline
Online/Remote
4 weeks, full-time
(Mon-Fri)
8th Jan – 2nd Feb 2024
Mon, 13th Nov
Thurs, 7th Dec
Hong Kong
OR
Online/Remote
4 weeks, full-time
(Mon-Fri)
1st–26th July 2024
Mon, 6th May
Fri, 31st May
Barcelona
OR
Hong Kong
OR
Online/Remote
4 weeks, full-time
(Mon-Fri)
5th–30th Aug 2024
Mon, 10th June
Fri, 5th July
Online/Remote
14 weeks, part-time (Mon/Wed
9th Sept – 11th Dec 2024
Mon, 15th Jul
Fri, 9th Aug
CELTA careers service

Careers Support

  • We are committed to providing our graduates with the best lifelong careers support possible. We work with you before, during, and after the course to help you secure a new job if that is your aim.
  • Since 1998, we have helped hundreds of our graduates find work all over the world. We have an Oxford TEFL Jobs Facebook page which is updated regularly with jobs around the world.
  • You can also stay in touch with our community of teachers, trainers and graduates by joining our Trinity DipTESOL Facebook group (exclusively for our teachers, graduates and trainers).

Find out how the Trinity DipTESOL compares to the Cambridge Delta

What do Trinity DipTESOL graduates say?

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Meet Rubens, one of our expert tutors, as he answers some of the most common questions about the Trinity DipTESOL course . Find out why this course is a great step in your ELT career.

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