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Thinking about a complete career change or considering a future in English language teaching? Whether you aspire to teach in Ireland or abroad, DCE can help you take the first step with our Trinity CertTESOL programme.
This intensive four-week course (9 AM – 5 PM, subject to change) provides the essential skills and qualifications needed to teach English worldwide. Recognized internationally, the Trinity CertTESOL is a prestigious English Language Teaching (ELT) qualification, enabling graduates to teach in face-to-face classrooms, online, or through blended learning formats.
The CertTESOL is accredited at Level 5 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), comparable to the second year of an undergraduate degree. It holds the same recognition as the CELT/CELTA, making it a valuable certification for aspiring English language teachers.
By enrolling in the Trinity CertTESOL, you will gain foundational teaching skills, a strong understanding of language learning principles, and practical experience in real classroom settings. The course introduces key teaching methodologies, lesson planning strategies, and an understanding of learner challenges while preparing you for your first role as an ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) teacher. Through teaching practice sessions (TPs), you will have hands-on experience in a real classroom, ensuring you feel confident and ready to embark on your teaching journey.
Take the next step towards an exciting and rewarding career in English language teaching with DCE.
33 Weeks Course Duration
25 Weeks Study Duration
8 Weeks Holidays Duration
IELT (TIE) Awarding Body
Twice a Month Full-time Learners
Every Week Part-time Learners
€1200
INCLUDES ALL FEES
4 WEEKS
FULL-TIME
1- Complete the Online Application Form
2- Interview
3- Registration
Trainees wishing to complete the Trinity CertTESOL course at DCE College are not required to have any previous teaching experience or training. The course is primarily designed for those with little or, more usually, no experience of teaching English. However, in order to complete the Trinity CertTESOL course at DCE College you will need to have the following entry requirements.
The completed application is then assessed by the course Director or a senior member of the teacher training department at DCE College. During the interview process following the application submission, candidate’s will submit a copy of their academic degree and (where relevant) a copy of English language proficiency certification.
The CertTESOL comprises a minimum of 130 hours of input, guided tasks, assisted lesson planning and teaching practice and is completed on a full-time basis over a minimum of four weeks. In addition, a further minimum of 70 additional hours study will be required for reading, research, lesson preparation and journal writing. (Total Qualification Time: 200 hours).
Trainees who complete this course of study with DCE College will also undertake at least six hours of observed teaching practice in the college with real learners then produce four or five reflective written assignments including a test of grammar and / or phonology for assessment. All of the assignments must be completed to the college set standards, but you will receive ongoing professional guidance and support throughout the process.
The five assessed CertTESOL units to be completed and passed, along with the guided learning hours per unit and the respective weightings, are the following:
| Unit | Number of Guided Learning Hours (out of total 130) | Assessment Details | Weighting – i.e., marks available to final result |
| Unit 1: Teaching Skills | 74 | Pass mark to be obtained for each of the three elements: Teaching Practice (45%), Teaching Practice Journal (10%) and Guided Observation Journal (5%) | 60% |
| Unit 2: Language Awareness (Grammar and phonology) | 20 | Pass mark of 60% to be obtained for test or exam | 15% |
| Unit 3: Learner Profile | 18 | Pass mark to be obtained for all sections of written profile | 10% |
| Unit 4: Materials Assignment | 8 | Pass marks to be obtained in line with Trinity’s external assessment (written work and face-to-face interview) | 10% |
| Unit 5: Unknown Language | 10 | Pass mark to be obtained for all sections of Unknown Language Journal | 5% |
The Academic Committee selected the following (per level/course offered);
Learners can buy the books from International Books Shop. Each book costs €40-€45 approximately (Subject to change).
It is recommended but not compulsory at this time for learners to purchase a course book (subject to change).
Our General English programmes are delivered using the DCE College online platform/ELMS. The platform is designed to track learner progress and enables learners to follow the lessons from home even if they miss class. Learners must have a functional device to access the online platform. A laptop or tablet is recommended.
Please familiarise yourself with our DCE College TESOL course handbook, policies and procedures before commencement of the course proper. Each candidate on registering for the course will receive an assigned password to access all course material.
When you successfully complete the four-week CertTESOL Certificate at DCE, you will have two choices for your future career, either stay and teach in Ireland (those who successfully graduate from the course will be offered the opportunity to teach at DCE College) or travel abroad and teach in an Internationally recognised English language school.
If your preference is to remain in Ireland and take up a teaching roll, your CertTESOL Certificate will allow you to teach in any recognised English language college/school.
Leaner will need to bring the following to the examination: (i) A pen, (ii) Photo ID (passport/driver’s license), (iii) The completed TIE application form.
Before your examination, ask yourself:
The TIE includes an oral and a written exam.
THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION:
Part 1: Prepared task – the learner must answer a question on either their chosen book or news story. The learner must answer one of two questions.
Part 2: Unprepared task – the learner must answer a question which they have not prepared for. The learner must answer one of two questions.
THE ORAL EXAMINATION (30-40 minutes): Usually 2 (sometimes 3) candidates
Part 1: Candidates introduce themselves.
Part 2: Candidates take turns presenting their investigation. Examiner asks questions and encourages the other candidate to also ask questions.
Part 3: Candidate A presents their news story. The examiner asks questions and encourages candidate B to do the same. Candidate B then presents their book, followed by questions from the examiner and Candidate B.
Part 4: Decision Making Task (DMT): Candidates are given 6 pictures and asked to discuss a question using the images to help them answer. The candidates interact with each other; the examiner does not participate in this part of the exam.