| u’re muttering this question to yourself, the | | | | fluently. However, Trinity courses also ask that you |
| chances are you’re serious about teaching | | | | prove you have qualifications for entry into higher |
| English abroad, but you’ve spent so much time | | | | education within the UK (or the equivalent if you're not |
| scouting TEFL sites and eavesdropping on forums that | | | | from the UK). |
| you’re more baffled than ever about the | | | | A Trinity course provider will also invite you along for |
| training you need. All you want to do is find a decent | | | | an interview to confirm that you meet the above |
| course so you can get out there and teach, right? | | | | criteria and to ultimately decide whether you’re |
| The truth is, although TEFL and Trinity courses have | | | | suitable for the course. Unfortunately not all Trinity |
| their differences, their fundamental similarity is more | | | | course applicants are successful, so if you’re |
| important: they offer the same end result. Complete a | | | | looking for an easier application process, TEFL |
| reputable TEFL course or a Trinity course and | | | | courses can be more lenient. |
| you’ll gain a golden ticket to the best teaching | | | | Course Content – the ‘nitty gritty’ |
| jobs across the world – it’s that simple. | | | | Inevitably TEFL and Trinity courses do differ, but the |
| So what’s a TEFL course? | | | | handy thing is they’re both designed for all |
| TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) | | | | students, whether novice or expert, so whichever |
| courses are designed to train you with all the skills you | | | | course you choose you’ll gain all the skills you |
| need to teach English to foreign students – both | | | | need to ensure you breeze through teaching your first |
| abroad and in your native country. | | | | class. |
| And what’s a Trinity course? | | | | Weekend TEFL courses |
| A Trinity course is a TESOL (Teaching English to | | | | Most weekend courses include: |
| Speakers of Other Languages) qualification | | | | * Teaching practice |
| that’s validated by the one of oldest | | | | * In-depth study of English teaching methods |
| examinations board in the world – Trinity College | | | | * Experienced TEFL tutors |
| London. The Trinity TESOL course is often referred to | | | | * Grammar training |
| as a Trinity CertTESOL, short for The Trinity College | | | | * Job contacts |
| London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of | | | | * Employers reference |
| Other Languages. | | | | Online course: |
| So which course is for me? | | | | Most comprehensive online courses offer more |
| Only you can decide which course is best for you. We | | | | in-depth training than a 20-hour weekend course (but |
| understand that it’s hard to make the right | | | | it's often better to combine the two): |
| choice without all the facts, so to help you make the | | | | * 40 hours of online TEFL training |
| decision that suits you, here’s a rundown of the | | | | * 20-hour online grammar module |
| most important considerations when choosing a | | | | * 40 hours of specialist training across 8 certificates |
| course. | | | | * Some offer free jobs abroad placement services |
| Course requirements | | | | Trinity courses |
| The good news is that neither course has ridiculous | | | | The Trinity course consists of written assignments and |
| requirements. You do need to be 17 or 18 or older for | | | | at least six hours’ real teaching practice with |
| TEFL courses and at least 18 to do a Trinity course, | | | | students. |
| while both courses require you to speak English | | | | |