TESOL courses for non native English Teachers: London, UK

Teaching Methodology and Professional Development courses, London, England

TESOL Course Introduction

Around the world, most English lessons are taught by teachers whose first language is not English.  If you are a non native English speaker teaching English in your home country or you are about to enter the profession, you can deepen your knowledge of the subject and develop your teaching skills by choosing one of our TESOL courses for non native teachers of English.

Our TESOL courses are designed to provide modern, relevant, enjoyable training for teachers whose first language is not English. Each course covers the latest classroom theories and management thinking.

In London, the Teacher Training Centre offers 2 different types of TESOL courses for non native English teachers, which can be combined if you wish to do so:

• TESOL - Creative Methodology Course (2 weeks, 20 lessons per week)
• TESOL - Professional Development Course (2 weeks, 20 lessons per week)

Both courses are eligible for European Union's Comenius and Grundtvig funding, which are part of the EU's Lifelong Learning Programme.

Back to top

TESOL Courses – Funding: Comenius / Grundtvig funding

These courses are eligible for EU Socrates Comenius-Grundtvig Funding through the Lifelong Learning Programme.

Comenius (named after the educationalist) and Grundtvig (named after the writer and educator) are strands within the European Union’s Lifelong Learning Programme.

Comenius focuses on first stage education (from pre-school/primary to secondary) and Grundtvig on adult education. They exist to promote links between teachers and schools in the different countries of Europe, and to enhance the European dimension of learning and teaching.

Amongst other activities, they provide funding for teachers to take part in activities for their professional development in any of the 31 participating countries, with the aim of sharing teaching knowledge, refreshing language skills and forging lasting links between teachers from different European countries.

Step by Step Guide to applying for Comenius or Grundtvig funding:

1. Choose the course and dates and check availability with us.
2. Contact your national Comenius/ Grundtvig agency who can answer your questions and provide you with an application form for the funding. Alternatively, visit their website and download the form.
3. Complete the Training Centre London registration form; we will reserve a place on the course for you when we receive it.
4. You will receive a letter of acceptance for pre-registration, course information and an (optional) pre-course bibliography and preparatory task, from the Training Centre London.
5. Apply for funding by completing the Comenius/Grundtvig application form, attach our acceptance letter and course information and send it to your national agency.
6. Contact us as soon as you hear whether funding has been granted and we will confirm your place on the course*. There is no cancellation fee if you do not receive funding.

*Please note: we can reserve your place until 4 weeks before the start of your course, after that you may need to re-apply.

For further information about these and other Lifelong Learning Programmes, please visit the European Commission’s website: www.ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/llp/index_en.html.

You can also find general information about Comenius at the British Council website: www.britishcouncil.org/comenius.htm and about Grundtvig at the Grundtvig National Agency for the UK website:  www.grundtvig.org.uk/

Back to top

TESOL courses for non native English teachers - Entry Criteria

All applicants for the Overseas Courses in London must:

• Be an English Teacher with or without experience whose first language is not English
• Have a minimum level of English: Upper Intermediate is required as minimum level.

Back to top

TESOL Courses - Structure & Content

Duration of each course: 2 weeks (or 4 weeks if you combine a Creative Methodology with a Professional Development course).

• Starting date: See starting dates below, courses start on Mondays
• Timetable: Mondays to Fridays, 09:00 – 13:30 (20 hours per week)

Both courses comprise 15 hours of class tuition (including up to 30-minutes break per day), and 5 hours of varied activities including observation of the Training Centre’s teachers, TOTAL 20 hours per week, and this amount of total hours will be reflected in the Certificate you will be given at the end of the course.

You will work with an international group of fellow professionals (max. group size 16), discussing issues in language teaching and looking at materials/activities to give you practical ideas for your classroom.

In the classroom observation sessions you will have the opportunity to see how our Training Centre’s teachers put techniques we discuss into practice.

Sample topics of the Creative Methodology Course and the Professional Development Course

1. Creative Methodology Course:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This session focuses on the development of the principles relating to the theory and practice of English Language teaching and learning from the early days of the grammar translation approach to task based and lexical approaches, and explores the idea of an “eclectic approach”. These factors are then considered in relation to our own teaching and how we can use elements of them in our classrooms.

Task Based Learning

It has often been said that we learn language best when we actually use it, and this is the basis of task based learning. In this session we look at the TBL framework and how it can be implemented in the classroom, considering its implications for both teaching and learning.

Lexis and Collocation

This session looks at the Lexical Approach and the effect that it has had on English language learning and teaching, especially in recent years. We will also consider some activities and strategies that we can use to help students to develop their lexical range and use.

Teaching Speaking

This session covers a range of activities to encourage both fluency and accuracy in speaking, using a variety of language functions. It will also focus on approaches and techniques to help students develop their ability to interact naturally using English.

Teaching Pronunciation

Course books do not often focus very much on pronunciation, even though learners are often very concerned that they cannot be understood by others because of their “accent”. This session will look at the techniques and activities we can use to help learners with their pronunciation in a practical way, so that they can feel more confident about their spoken English.

2. Professional Development Course:

Classroom Management

How can we foster a productive learning environment where students actually want to come to class and enjoy learning English? This session will discuss how to manage a classroom effectively to make the teacher’s life easier and the students’ time in the class more productive and enjoyable.

Learner Styles / Neuro-Linguistic Programming

It is important to identify what type of learner our students are in order to help them to gain more from their lessons. This session will provide teachers with the tools to be able to do that, and will also suggest some games and activities which will make the most of their students’ learner style.

Lesson Models and Lesson Planning

This session will consider different lesson models such as PPP, ARC and ESA and their practical implications in the classroom. It will also suggest ways that teachers can better plan their lessons in order to ensure that aims are met and skills are integrated and balanced.

Teaching with ICT

In this session we will consider how teaching with the Internet and school intranets can be both stimulating and challenging for learners, and we will examine the latest developments in ELT software.

Teaching English through British Life and Culture

This session gives teachers the chance to learn and understand something about British culture and way of life, including the educational system in place in the UK. It also gives some practical ideas for activities which develop learners’ knowledge of British culture to be used in the classroom.

Back to top

TESOL Courses Syllabus – London

1. Syllabus of the Creative Methodology TESOL Course:

The Creative Methodology Course syllabus includes approaches and methods (e.g. silent way, task-based learning, visualisation, multiple intelligences, lexical approach), classroom techniques (e.g. Harmer’s ESA teaching model, Scrivener’s ARC teaching model), classroom management (e.g. instructions, eye contact, interaction, use of L1, discipline) and correction techniques (e.g. error analysis, recent changes in spoken British English).

Your observation of multilingual classes will give you the opportunity to explore the roles of observer and ‘observee’, to chart lesson stages and to see classroom management and techniques in practice. All course participants receive a pre-course bibliography which they can refer to prior to the start of their course (although the reading of these texts is not a requirement to complete the course).

Participants who are already practising teachers are also invited to complete a brief selection of self-observation sheets to encourage them to analyse their own classroom performance in their own teaching situation, prior to the start of their course. These self-observation sheets are submitted to the Course Director at the start of the course, helping him or her to gain more insight into the teachers’ backgrounds and to better anticipate the teachers’ needs during the course.

2. Syllabus of the Professional Development TESOL Course:

The Professional Development Course syllabus includes library research, project work, autonomy and independent learning, teaching with IT, observation of teaching, staffroom collaboration and continuing professional development (CPD). Examples of syllabus content include activities for teaching English literature, conducting a cultural awareness survey, adapting to different learning styles and needs, promoting learning outside the classroom, teaching with internet and intranet, analysing didactic business English materials, career development and portfolio-building.

All course participants receive a pre-course bibliography which they can refer to prior to the start of their course (although the reading of these texts is not a requirement to complete the course). Participants who are already practising teachers are also invited to complete a brief selection of self-observation sheets to encourage them to analyse their own classroom performance in their own teaching situation, prior to the start of their course. These self-observation sheets are submitted to the Course Director at the start of the course, helping him or her to gain more insight into the teachers’ backgrounds and to better anticipate the teachers’ needs during the course.

Back to top

TESOL Courses Aims - London

These short intensive TESOL courses are aimed at practicing, or recently qualified, teachers of English who have already achieved a good standard of English and who wish to update their knowledge of contemporary issues in teaching methodology, to encounter new ideas and activities to enhance their classroom teaching and to share experience with teachers from other countries.

The Creative Methodology course also gives trainees the opportunity to examine aspects of English in greater depth to refine their understanding of key concepts, and develop their knowledge of current didactic materials.

1. Central objectives of the Creative Methodology TESOL Course:

• To help trainees focus on professional practice and knowledge
• To enhance trainees’ professional status, both within their teaching institutions and within the profession as a whole

Specific objectives include:

• Fostering an in-depth awareness of latest theory and practice in ELT, in terms of approaches to teaching, techniques and lesson models
• Promoting professional collegiality
• Encouraging experimentation and creativity in teaching methodology

2. Central objectives of the Professional Development TESOL Course:

• To help trainees focus on professional practice and knowledge
• To enhance trainees’ professional status, both within their teaching institutions and within the profession as a whole

Specific objectives include:

• Fostering an in-depth awareness of latest theory and practice in the specialist ELT areas of IT, literature, business and UK culture
• Promoting professional collegiality
• Fostering an awareness of learner autonomy and independence

Back to top

TESOL Courses Benefits

Studying a Creative Methodology Course and / or Professional Development Course at the Training Centre London adds credibility to any teacher!

Back to top

TESOL Courses for non native English Teachers - Certificates

Gaining this Certificate will improve your skills while improving your CV or resume.

Back to top

TESOL Course Dates & Course Fees - London

Please note: If you wish you can combine the Creative Methodology TESOL Course with the Professional Develompent TESOL Course, you just need to consider the corresponding starting dates below:

Apply now!

Back to top

How to apply – TESOL London

1. If you believe you cover the minimum requirements to be considered as a candidate for any of the courses mentioned above, ask for the application package of the course that interests you.
2. NOTE: The demand for vacancies on these courses is very high. Applicants are advised to apply well in advance before the start of a course, although, occasionally, there could be places available due to last-minute cancellations.
3. Prospective trainees must complete the application form (with or without Comenius-Grundtvig funding), including a completed English test and return this document to the Programmes Coordinator long time in advance prior the course starting date. These documents can be emailed as attachments to the Coordinator.
4. Applicants who have satisfactorily completed the English task will be accepted on the course as long as there is availability on the desired starting date.
5. Successful applicants will receive an offer of a place on the course of their choice immediately, if there is a place available.
6. After receiving a payment request from the School, the deposit must be paid within 7 days of the place being offered in order to secure your place. On receipt of your deposit the Training Centre will send you further information.
7. The balance is due 4 weeks, at the latest, before the course starts.

Contact us

Back to top

How to Pay

Payments (deposit & balance) can be made directly to the School via Bank Transfer (add £15 for bank charges) or debit / credit card (there is a 3% surcharge for credit cards) – all major cards accepted, except Diner’s Club and American Express.

Back to the top

TESOL Courses for non native English Teachers in London - Terms and Conditions

Please note that enrolment on our courses is subject to the following:

Course Terms & Conditions

• The course fees and deposit are valid only for the person, courses and dates specified on the Enrolment Form.
• The Registration fee is non-refundable.
• If you cancel your course before arrival due to visa refusal or you are refused entry to the UK, we shall refund your course fees in full minus a £100 cancellation charge. We need to see the original refusal letter in order to give you a refund. You must apply for refund within six months of refusal date. If you cancel your course before arrival for any other reason, no refund or credit will be given. If you cancel your course after arrival, leave it early, or miss any lessons, no refund or credit will be given, including in case of sickness.
• The timetabling of the afternoon lessons is subject to possible changes between 12.30 - 15.30 each day.
• When necessary, the Training Centre reserves the right to alter the timetable and/or transfer students from one class or course to another, from one time of study to another, and to merge small classes or cancel classes and courses.
• Class sessions have total breaks of up to 30 minutes.
• During July and August, the Training Centre London may use additional classrooms in local colleges / universities.
• There is no reduction in fees where there is a UK public holiday.
• You are strongly advised to organize medical and cancellation /curtailment insurance before travel.

Accommodation Terms & Conditions

• In arranging accommodation, the Training Centre London is acting as the supplier’s agent.
• The Accommodation Arrangement fee is non-refundable.
• The accommodation rent is valid only for the person and dates specified. Any changes of dates must be notified to us by email at least 2 weeks before the arrival date.
• We reserve the right to allocate alternative accommodation without prior notification.
• It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the accommodation address before travelling to the
• United Kingdom.
• Two weeks rent is non-refundable except in the case of a visa refusal.
• If students in Homestay wish to leave earlier than the dates they have booked, they must give seven days notice to their host.
• Confirmation of accommodation is subject to full payment of fees.
• In July and August, the minimum booking period for Homestay is 2 weeks.

Back to the top