Trinity DipTESOL
(Delta equivalent)

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:

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:

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):

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.

*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.

*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