TESOL Teachers’ Refresher Course: Dublin, Ireland
Teacher Training in Dublin, Ireland
TESOL Refresher Course Participants Requirement
The TESOL Teachers' Refresher Course offered during the summer in Dublin is a 2 week full time course designed for primary and secondary school English language teachers whose first language is not English and who wish to refresh their English language skills while at the same time, explore new methodologies and different approaches to teaching a language. It is also hoped that participants will forge new professional relationships with their peers from other countries which will provide an ongoing network of support and stimulation.
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
The level of English required to be able to take the course is a good intermediate level of English, this is equivalent to a B2, First Certificate, IELTS 5.5, TOEIC 790, TOEFL 90, or similar.
TESOL Course Methodology
The course is designed by the Dublin Teacher Training Department, based on the Communicative Approach. This approach forms the basis of both our English language instruction to learners and our instruction to teachers. As such, sessions are designed to be interactive and inductive. Lesson frameworks are presented through demonstration lessons which form the basis of discussion. It is hoped that teachers will benefit from the methodological discussions and from the various tasks which are used in sessions, selected to be useful to teachers in their own teaching contexts. Teachers will be able take home lots of practical ideas and activities to use with their own students.
TESOL Refresher Course Content and Structure - Dublin
There are 4 courses available during Summer 2012.
The courses runs over a period of two weeks and it is a 25 hours per week course.
The following is a selection of modules typically covered on the TESOL course:
| Teaching Modules | Language Awareness Modules |
|---|---|
| ESOL methodologies | Modal auxiliary verbs |
| Using course books | The perfect aspect |
| Learner training | Narrative tenses |
| Phonology | Future forms |
TESOL Daily Timetable:
09.00 - 13.30 Monday to Friday
14.30 - 15.45 Monday to Thursday
Sample timetable
Week One
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Getting to know you activities | ESOL methodologies | The perfect aspect | Concept checking | Narrative tenses |
| Presenting new language | Visual aids and board work | Teaching reading skills | Phonology: The phonemic chart, sounds | Course books, low/no materials |
| Teaching listening skills | Cultural visit | Error correction | Cultural visit | Drama and improvisation workshop |
Week Two
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditionals | Vocabulary (incl the lexical approach) | Assessment: formal and informal | Future forms | Recycling and revision workshop |
| Writing (incl process writing) | Teaching speaking skills | Modal auxiliary verbs | Using authentic materials | Learner training |
| Phonology: intonation and connected speech | Cultural visit | Music and song | Cultural visit | Review |
TESOL Refresher Course Assessment - Dublin
Assessment is largely continuous and informal. Tutors comment on the content of presentations made during sessions. Suggestions for alternative means of exploiting materials may be offered. Tutors also offer linguistic feedback following the principles of error correction established by the Communicative Approach (as presented in the Error Correction input session).
Throughout the course, participants are encouraged to reflect on the content of the sessions and to specifically relate them to their individual teaching contexts; materials and student ability need to be taken into consideration. The week one review helps participants to achieve this aim; participants will be asked to share with the group the particular tasks which they feel will be most helpful to them. Participants may also be asked to re-visit their statements of their philosophy of teaching and reflect on any changes that may have taken place in light of the course.
TESOL Refresher Pre-Course Preparation
Before arrival for the course, we suggest participants read Jeremy Harmer’s The Practice of English Language Teaching. We also ask that they prepare in advance short statements of expectation so that they are better able to articulate their needs and interests to the course tutors. In preparation for the course participants are encouraged to articulate their own philosophy of teaching in advance of the course. Additionally, teachers should come prepared to discuss tasks they have used successfully; a short list of task names and descriptions is suggested for this. We ask teachers to prepare a short introduction about their school for the first day of the course.
TESOL Teachers' Refresher Course Dates and Fees - Dublin
| Course duration: | 2 weeks |
| Start dates 2012: | 2nd July / 16th July / 7th August / 20th August |
| Hours per week: | 25 hours tuition per week |
| Course time-table: | 09.00 - 13.30 Monday to Friday 14.30 - 15.45 Monday to Thursday |
| Fees 2012: | 2 week course: €785 |
TESOL Follow-up
Teachers who take part on the courses are welcome to stay in touch with their tutors after the course has finished for follow-up advice and evaluation. Participants are also encouraged to establish electronic links with the other teachers on the course to foster increased co-operation.
Comenius Recognition – EU funds
The course is recognised by the European Union Leonardo and Socrates Programmes and is therefore eligible for EU funding under the COMENIUS scheme. For further information, you should contact your Socrates National Agency.