Assessment

There are two components to the assessment of the program:

•  Teaching Practice

•  Written Assignments

Trainee Teachers must pass both the teaching practice and the written assignment components of the program. As the Certificate in TESOL is designed to focus on the development of practical teaching skills, the final grade awarded is determined by the satisfactory demonstration of these skills. There shall be four classifications of pass in the overall assessment of the program for the Certificate awards: High Distinction, Distinction, Credit and Pass.

Teaching Practice

Participants teach nine lessons of varying lengths which total six hours of supervised and assessed teaching. The practice teaching assessment criteria are provided during the program. As the trainee teachers are developing and refining practical skills, the criteria expand as the program progresses. Each lesson is graded according to the criteria for that stage of the program. Lesson grades are:

•  Satisfies the criteria

•  Partially satisfies the criteria

•  Does not satisfy the criteria.

In the case of lessons that do not meet the criteria, the program tutors will highlight areas that need improvement.

Assessment is continuous and inclusive of all lessons taught. Although lessons taught later in the program will have more weight, tutors are looking at the individual's progress, development and response to feedback.

Written Assignments

There are 4 written assignments due at various points throughout the program. The titles are as follows:

1. Language analysis task; vocabulary and verb form,
2. Reflections on teaching
3. Language analysis task: concept, pronunciation and form
4. Use of authentic materials for teaching

The assessment criteria for each assignment is provided during the program.

Assessment and Examination

Students are required to attend all course sessions. Students who do not comply may be failed.

In determining a candidate’s final result in the program examiners will take into account assignments, attendance, participation, and delivery and presentation of practical teaching sessions.

A candidate who fails a course and who desires to take that course again shall, unless exempted wholly or partially there from by the Centre, again complete the required work in the course to that satisfaction of the teaching staff concerned.

A candidate who has twice failed may not resubmit except by special permission of the Director of Studies of the ELC and then only under such conditions as prescribed.

Trainee teachers must pass three out of the four written assignments in order to pass the written component of the program.