The Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL) is a TESOL/TEFL certificate designed for people with little or no experience of teaching English, and for those with experience who require an internationally recognised initial teacher education qualification.

Preparing for the Trinity CertTESOL equips trainees with the basic skills and knowledge needed to teach English effectively. The qualification is rated at Level 5 on Ofqual's Regulated Qualifications Framework, placing it alongside other UK Level 5 qualifications in terms of academic demand.

The course comprises a minimum of 130 hours, with an expected total qualification time of 200 hours. It covers both theoretical and practical aspects of language teaching, ensuring graduates are classroom-ready.

Assessment Units

The CertTESOL assessment is structured around several core units that evaluate a candidate's readiness to teach:

• Teaching Skills — observed and assessed teaching practice with real learners.
• Language Awareness — understanding of English grammar, phonology, and how language works.
• Learner Profile — one-to-one work with a learner to understand their needs and progress.
• Materials Assignment — evaluating and adapting teaching materials for classroom use.
• Unknown Language Journal — reflecting on the experience of learning a new language from scratch.

CertTESOL is awarded by Trinity College London and is accepted by language schools and employers worldwide. It is suitable for both new teachers seeking a strong foundation and experienced practitioners looking for formal recognition of their skills.