English Language Teacher Training and Development at Aberystwyth University

To gain the qualification, you must successfully complete:

• 1^st Year Module: IC13420 - Language Awareness for TESOL
• 2^nd Year Module: IC23420 TESOL Approaches, Methods and Teaching Techniques.
• Teaching Practice Summer School (July following your second year)

The qualification opens up exciting opportunities to teach, travel and meet new people. You can complete the qualification in the summer following your second year - ideal if your degree includes a year abroad, and you will be ready to land a job straight after graduating.

As well as making you more employable and enhancing your CV, completing this qualification during your degree gives you lots of transferable skills to take into any work situation.

You will save money too - a comparable standalone TEFL/TESOL course typically costs approx. £1,300 or more.

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. These two terms tend to be used interchangeably today.

You will learn to analyse language and understand how it works, how to teach it, and how to support language learners. You will explore a variety of approaches to teaching and learn about some of the many teaching methodologies. The modules are practical and there will be opportunities to try out techniques on your peers and work with international learners of English. During the Summer School you will practice teaching groups of international students, with plenty of support and guidance from your tutors.

The modules will count towards your degree, like any other module you take. After successfully completing the modules and the Teaching Practice Summer School you will get a separate Certificate in Teaching Speakers of Other Languages.

This certificate is additional and separate to your degree.

Your certificate will show that you are qualified to TEFL-i level - the recognised qualification level for new TEFL/TESOL teachers.

Many departments in Aberystwyth University allow you to take a 20-credit module each year in another department. Ask your department at Registration, consult your degree coordinator or tutor, or check your department webpage.

If you are going into your first year, sign up for the module IC13420 Language Awareness for TESOL, at Registration.  

If you are a first year student and choosing options for your 2^nd year, sign up for IC23420 TESOL Approaches, Methods and Teaching Techniques at Pre-registration for modules in year 2.  If you miss signing up at Registration, email tesol@aber.ac.uk for advice.

The 2-week Summer School happens in July after your second year. Guided by expert TESOL/TEFL tutors, you will have opportunities to teach international students for a minimum of six hours during the course. You will get detailed feedback on your teaching, and you’ll have opportunities to watch both expert teachers and your peers delivering classes. Be prepared for hard work and great fun!

Yes. You will be assessed on 6 hours of observed teaching practice and a portfolio of lesson plans, materials, feedback, observation notes, self-evaluations from teaching practice and lesson observations.

You can take any of the TESOL modules without doing the Teaching Practice Summer School. You might take the modules because you are interested in languages or education, or just because you want to learn something different. However, you must successfully complete the Teaching Practice Summer School to get the additional Certificate in Teaching Speakers of Other Languages.

Don’t worry. You can pass the modules without doing the Teaching Practice Summer School – it is completely separate from your degree. In the unlikely event that you don’t succeed on the Summer School, this won’t affect your degree in any way.

There is no extra fee for the TESOL/TEFL modules - these are included in your degree.

The Teaching Practice Summer School and the Certificate in Teaching Speakers of Other Languages are separate to your degree. There is a registration fee of £200* for the Summer School.

*If you are enrolled on an English Studies with TESOL degree, there is no charge for the Summer School.

The International English Centre (IEC) runs the modules and summer school. The IEC is part of Aberystwyth University and is accredited by the British Council as a centre for teaching English. The IEC has been running English language courses and teacher training courses for over 25 years, and our expert and friendly teachers are ready to support you.

Contact the IEC tesol@aber.ac.uk - we will be happy to arrange for you to chat with our course convenor, Jo Eastlake, or one of our tutors.