Trinity CertTESOL
SEDA is pleased to offer the Trinity College London accredited CertTESOL course as a fully in-person teacher development programme, delivered in both our Dublin and Cork colleges.
Why choose the Trinity College London CertTESOL?
The Trinity College London CertTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is designed for those with little or no previous experience in the field. This practically-oriented course provides you with the essential skills and internationally recognized accreditation needed to teach English to adults in Ireland, the UK, and overseas.
Accreditation and Recognition
Trinity’s CertTESOL is fully accepted by QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland), the British Council, and other leading international institutions. In Ireland, this qualification—or its recognized equivalent—is a mandatory requirement for teachers working with adult learners on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
Global Standards
The CertTESOL is regulated by Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) in England, CCEA Regulation in Northern Ireland, and Qualifications Wales. It is widely regarded as one of the gold standards for initial teacher training worldwide.
Our 5-week, fully in-person programme consists of 130 contact hours and is designed to provide flexibility through an afternoon and evening timetable.
The course provides an introduction to teaching English to adults and develops the knowledge, skills and practical experience needed to begin a career as an English language teacher.
Entry Requirements
Candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission to the course:
♦ Education: A QQI-recognised Level 7 qualification or equivalent undergraduate degree.
Please note: A Level 7 qualification or equivalent is normally required to work as an English language teacher in Ireland. Candidates who do not hold a Level 7 qualification may be considered for admission where they can demonstrate relevant experience, skills and aptitude. However, completing the CertTESOL does not in itself meet the qualification requirements for employment as an English language teacher in Ireland.
♦ Minimum age: 18 years old.
♦ English language proficiency: C1 level or above. Candidates whose first language is not English should normally be able to demonstrate CEFR C1 English proficiency.
♦ Language awareness: Candidates should have the ability to analyse and explain features of the English language.
♦ Collaborative working and feedback: Candidates must be willing to work effectively as part of a group and respond constructively to feedback on their performance.
♦ Course demands: Candidates should demonstrate the potential to manage the demands of both practical teaching and academic study.
♦ Selection process: Candidates must successfully complete a pre-course task and an entrance interview as part of the admissions process.
♦ At SEDA you will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience of teaching English to multilingual adult groups.
♦ SEDA College is a recognised exam centre for Trinity College London ISE exams and a recognised training centre for the CertTESOL.
♦ SEDA is also accredited by EAQUALS, the leading professional association for language education throughout the world.
5-week programme
Initial Teacher Training course
♦ 130 timetabled hours of classes and teaching practice
♦ 90 supervised hours of instruction, observation and feedback
♦ 6 hours of teaching practice
♦ 4 hours of guided teaching observation
This is an intensive course with a high level of input and feedback. Places are limited to a maximum of 15 trainees.
1. Knowledge of the main grammatical, lexical and phonological features of standard English.
2. Awareness of the learning needs of individuals or groups of learners, and of the motivation of learners in a variety of cultures and contexts.
3. Ability to establish rapport and create and maintain learners’ interest.
4. Ability to draw up a range of lesson plans with clear and achievable aims, using appropriate methods for learners with various needs.
5. Ability to manage and stimulate active participation among a class of learners and provide a relevant learning environment and learning opportunities in relation to their learning objectives.
6. Ability to evaluate, use and adapt published material and create simple teaching material, which may include using the internet, visual aids, audio, video, and information and learning technology (ILT).
7. Broad understanding of the main advantages and disadvantages of various language teaching approaches.
8. Ability to evaluate your own effectiveness as a teacher and to work co-operatively as members of a teaching team and group.
9. Awareness of the need to continue your development as ESOL teachers.
10. Awareness of the means of finding a TESOL post after training and of the main issues relevant to employment in this area.
Course Dates and Study Timetable 2026
For information on our course dates, please contact us at [email protected]
COURSE FEES
Course Fee: 1300€
This includes the Trinity College London moderation fee and the CertTESOL Companion training guide
If a place on the CertTESOL course is cancelled fewer than 14 days before the commencement of the course, the full course fee will be charged.
Deposit €400 (Non-Refundable) payable on successful completion of the entrance interview.
Course Assessment
This course is assessed both internally by SEDA College and externally by Trinity College London. The Trinity College London classification of the certificate is pass/ fail. Additional certification from SEDA is provided using the following criteria.
Assessment Method by Unit
Teaching practice, lesson planning, classroom teaching, reflection on teaching, and observation of experienced teachers. Trainees complete at least 6 hours of supervised teaching practice with real learners.
Knowledge and understanding of English language systems and skills, including grammar, phonology and language use, assessed through a test.
Analysis of an individual learner’s language needs, including identifying strengths and areas for development and using this information to plan appropriate teaching.
Ability to identify learners’ needs, set appropriate linguistic objectives, design/adapt materials, anticipate difficulties, and explain and evaluate how the materials are used. This unit includes written work and an interview with a Trinity moderator.
Reflection on the experience of learning an unfamiliar language and what this reveals about the learner experience and the language-learning process.