Diploma in TESOL Barcelona, Spain

Trinity Distance Diploma in TESOL

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Important Information

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Please note that this course consists of a 6-month on-line component from either 4th February 2008- 22nd August 2008 OR 3rd November 2008- 5th June 2009 followed by a face-to-face component in Barcelona. This face to face component can be either 2 weeks or 4 weeks in duration, and would involve one of the following set of dates :

August 11th. 2008 to August 22nd 2008 (2 weeks)
July 28th 2008 to August 22nd 2008 (4 weeks)

May 25th 2009 to June 5th 2009 (2 weeks)
May 11th 2009 - June 5th 2009 (4 weeks)

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Course Details

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Course Description

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With a TEFL Diploma you can deepen your practical and theoretical knowledge of English Language Teaching and increase your career opportunities. The Trinity Diploma is one of two internationally recognised and externally validated advanced level qualifications in TEFL.

To apply for the Diploma course you need a minimum of 2 years full-time experience of English language teaching, with any kind of learners. A degree and a Trinity Cert. TESOL or CELTA are desirable, but not essential if you can demonstrate solid teaching and writing skills in the application process.

Assessment and examinations
The course has four components. The first and third parts are assessed by Trinity and the second and fourth by Trinity and the course provider together.

Part one
A written paper taken in Barcelona or other Trinity approved centre. It is 3 hours long and comprises a grammar section and choice of questions on the nature of language and practical teaching applications. The exam can be taken in May, August or November. Each of our courses aims to prepare you for an exact date, but you have the opportunity to choose a different date if you feel you need more preparation.

Part two
A coursework portfolio including project work. The portfolio consists of three obligatory tasks. The tasks involve observation of other trained teachers, reflection on one’s own teaching and a choice of projects related to the development of materials and academic management. You work on the portfolio throughout the course. It is assessed by your course tutors and moderated by a Trinity examiner.

Part three
An oral interview on phonetics and phonology (30 mins). This is conducted by a Trinity examiner.

Part four
Classroom demonstration of your teaching (60 mins), followed by a discussion of the lesson with the examiner (20 mins). You will also present a portfolio of documentation related to 4 previous lessons taught, which will have been observed and assessed by the course provider's tutors.

Parts three and four of the exam can be taken together at any time during the year, but will usually be taken at the end of May or at the end of August.


Course Contents
What the course covers and how it relates to the four areas of assessment for the Trinity Diploma.

For Part One - The written exam
To prepare for the written exam you will participate in input sessions and workshops designed to cover a variety of aspects of English language Teaching. Sessions are face-to-face or using our virtual classroom. The exact mix depends on whether you are doing summer intensive or distance/on-line Diploma. Input sessions include pre-reading, group and pair tasks, reflection on your teaching and short written tasks. In addition you will be required to do regular grammar and essay practice in preparation for the written exam, with feedback from tutors.

Here are some examples of the areas covered by questions in Part One of the Trinity Exam, which will be covered in your input sessions and reading.

Grammar
Linguistic analysis which will improve your understanding of learners difficulties and the nature of the English language and how it works, including an analysis of syntax, lexis and discourse.

Language Learning and Teaching
An in-depth look at the major theories of language learning and teaching which have influenced materials and teaching styles. An analysis of developments such as learner training, multiple intelligences, task based learning and the lexical approach, which encourages you to reflect on your own practice and work towards developing it. Sessions on teaching young learners are included here.

English in the World
Here you will develop your global view of English, looking at students´needs, economic and political influences on language use, models and varieties of English and issues relating to teacher training and development.


Personal and Professional Development
You will gain familiarity with published and on-line professional materials and basic principles of teacher education. Appropriate research methodology for classroom-based research. Theories and application of syllabus design. You will also be encouraged to attend teacher development workshops and professional conferences during the course.


Classroom Practice
Here we look at the nitty gritty of what we do in the classroom, including areas such as teaching the four skills, classroom management, error correction and teacher talk.


For Part Two - Coursework Portfolio and Project
There are three tasks here. The first involves you observing 10 hours of teaching by colleagues and other experienced teachers using observation and tasks, which you have devised. On summer intensive courses you will have the opportunity to do some or all of this at the centre.

The second task is a developmental record of your own teaching and requires you to monitor an aspect of your own teaching over a total of 15 hours of class time, with groups of 6 students or more from your regular teaching timetable (if you are only teaching small groups, you will need to discuss alternatives with us).

The third task is a short written project on a choice of themes relating to academic management, such as teacher observation, language policy or use of resources. You are guided through the projects with input sessions, and individual tutorials where the tutor discusses plans and rough drafts and prompts you with ideas and advises on background reading.


For Part Three - Phonology
Input sessions/workshops in this area of the course include the study of such areas as rhythm, stress, intonation, weak forms and individual sounds and how they relate to teaching. You will become "fluent" in using phonemic script and increase your awareness of teaching techniques and strategies. The 30-minute interview with the Trinity examiner to assess this area of the course will include the presentation of a prepared topic of your choice, as well as a discussion of phonology in theory and in the classroom.


For Part Four - Classroom Teaching
The course provider's trainers will observe your teaching and give you feedback during the course, encouraging you to develop your ability to reflect on your own teaching and provide constructive feedback to fellow teachers. Teaching practice groups will be foremed in the centre for this. This teaching will be observed and discussed with your tutor. Four one-hour lessons will be assessed by your tutors and a fifth one-hour lesson will be externally assessed by a Trinity examiner.

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School Details - Barcelona Diagonal

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This school is among the most highly regarded teacher training institutions in Europe. Last year more than 300 teachers gained their Tesol certificate in this centre. The Barcelona centre also provides language and skills training to the local and international business community as well as offering a full range of general English classes in the school itself.

The company’s philosophy has been the same since the first day: to provide high quality training in a friendly and professional environment. In fact we believe you can't have one without the other. Our trainees consistently mention the dedication and experience of the team, both pedagogic and administrative; they praise the support they receive and the open, relaxed nature of life in the school.
The school is centrally located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, with the Passeig de Gracia a 5 minute walk away.The area, like most of Barcelona, is commercial and residential. You will find no shortage of shops, bars and restaurants. There is a metro stop right next to the school and numerous buses stop outside.

The college occupies one floor of a typical 100 year old Barcelona apartment block with high ceilings and a bright, spacious feel. The 320 square meters contain seven classrooms, a large study area and a social area with coffee and cold drinks machines. There is a “chill out” room with sofas for relaxing. The study area contains a photocopier and computers (with internet connection) for trainees’ use. The study room is well stocked with EFL course books, resource material and magazines for creating your own materials. Overhead projector, video and cassette players are available for your use. The college is open from 9 am to 9.30 pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 9 am to 2pm.

Barcelona
Barcelona will go down in history as an essential all-time experience. Different people will be seduced by different things, so take your pick…will it be the almost arrogant individuality of a city with its own language and history, the effortless juxtaposition of Gothic and Renaissance, Byzantine and Romanesque, the dangerously inviting boutiques, or quite simply that old Spanish knack of bringing out lazy, sangria-filled lunches under a hot Mediterranean sun? Quintessentially Spanish yet unique in so many ways, make of Barcelona what you will. But whatever your vice, don't fight it - because you can be sure nobody else is.

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Help for Jobs

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Our two careers departments, in Spain and the Czech Republic, work closely together to provide you with the most up-to-date information to help you secure work. With our strong ties to local schools and links worldwide, we take a proactive approach to finding you work. We take pride in our personal approach, as we are very aware that not all language schools are the same and nor are all Trinity graduates. We aim to match the individual to the institution. You can expect the following from our career service: We offer advice on writing CV´s, covering letters and interview techniques; we e-mail your CV to appropriate schools on our database; we invite local Directors of Studies to be guest speakers; we maintain close local contacts with schools; we provide lists of useful websites schools worldwide; we provide prompt references for your new potential employer; we regularly up-date our jobs noticeboard; we maintain contact with our trainees after the course and offer ongoing advice and support.

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How to Apply

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1. Choose the start date which interests you. If you're still unsure, please choose an approximate date for now; you will be able to specify later.
2. Register your details with Cactus TEFL (1 minute) to help us track your application.
3. Download the application form and save it on your computer.
4. Complete it offline in your own time
5. Go back to www.cactustefl.com, sign in and submit your completed form.
6. We will keep you posted by email throughout the process.

You can also submit an application by email, fax, or post. We will explain how to do this on the application form. Please contact us if you would like us to post you an empty application form.

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Prices and Dates

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