CELTA to ESOL bridging course

Are you CELTA or Trinity-Cert qualified? Do you want to make a difference to those who are settled in the UK and are integrating into our society?
Do you feel prepared to teach recently settled learners who are living in the UK?
Do you want to make a difference to learners who have a wide variety of starting points and needs?

A new and original course by NATECLA. This semi-asynchronous course is designed for English language teachers who want to move into ESOL, recently started out in the ESOL field or want to deepen their understanding of this varied sector.

This course is accredited by the Association for Accredited Learning

Aims:

To prepare newly qualified CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL or equivalent teachers for the main differences between EFL and ESOL provision, teaching, learning and assessment.
To provide practical strategies for planning for an inclusive and adaptive classroom catering for ESOL needs.
To (begin to) develop a toolbox of activities and resources for teaching all levels of ESOL.

Target audience:

CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL* or equivalent qualified staff moving into ESOL.
Tutors recently qualified to AET level with some ELT experience.
Also suitable for other teachers supporting ESOL (Learning Support Staff, English tutors) with some ELT experience

*Some potential participants may have completed a CELTA or TESOL with a focus on ESOL content. Please contact course organisers for further advice on this.

Course duration and format

Content includes the topics that are core to ESOL programmes.

An 8-unit blended semi-asynchronous online course - via Zoom (live and self-study with recorded video presentations).

Participants are expected to complete course work and the end of course teachmeet assignment to obtain their certificate.

Course commitment time – 3 hours/week (24 guided learning hours).

Participants self-study via a Padlet of course resources (videos, reading and activities) and Community Space Padlet for discussions and homework/task submission.

Sessions will be led by ESOL trainers, specialists in these areas.

Course break mid-course to catch up on work.

Course fees

Members: for those who hold personal membership or who work for an organisation who hold membership - £149
Non-members:

Not a member yet? You can join here

“Every session is packed with strategies you can apply immediately in the classroom, alongside access to an exceptional Padlet resource library built from decades of expert teaching experience.”

— Sonni K.

Course schedule and contents

Format: Live session + self-study
Outline contents:
- The ESOL teacher.
- The ESOL learner.
- ESOL provision in the UK.
- Classroom challenges and mandatory requirements.
- Adult ESOL Core Curriculum.
- Working with agencies and partners and supporting progression.
- Attendance, retention and achievement.
Format: Recorded video session + self-study
Outline contents:
- Mixed ability classes & spiky profiles.
- Low literacy and study skills.
- Cultural differences and sensitive issues in the classroom.
- RORO courses.
- Behavioural and growth mindsets.
- Mixed aged groups and 16-19 provision.
Format: Live + self-study
Outline contents:
- Initial Assessment.
- ILPs, targets and reviews.
- Creating an inclusive classroom and supporting individual needs.
- Adaptive teaching and scaffolding.
- Learner autonomy.
Format: Recorded video session + self-study
Outline contents:
- Authentic materials.
- Low resource teaching.
- Localisation.
- Where to find useful TLA resources.
- Mention of methodology.
Format: Live session + self-study
Outline contents:
- All forms of assessment.
- Preparing for end assessment.
- RARPA & Tailored Learning.
- Re-cap on planning (S2).
- Monitoring learner progress.
- Feedback and feedforward.
Format: Live session + self-study
Outline contents:
- Learners new to ESOL/pre-entry.
- Supporting basic literacy needs.
- Focus on all skills areas.
- Teaching approaches and methods.
- Level-appropriate resources.
Format: Recorded video session + self-study
Outline contents:
- Common signs of trauma in the ESOL classroom.
- Practical strategies.
- Topics that may trigger.
- Vicarious trauma signs.
- Mental health and Wellbeing.
- Main neurodiversity types.
- Common challenges in the ESOL classroom.
- Practical strategies.
- Practical tools and resources.
Format: Recorded video session + self-study
Outline contents:
- VLEs and platforms.
- Digital technology in the classroom and AI.
- Progression and signposting learners.
- Employability and ESOL.
- More on working with agencies and partners and referrals.
- Intro to end of course task – teachmeet.

“I liked the interactivity of the lessons, the opportunity to communicate with colleagues and the teacher, and the digital tools that were recommended.”

— Katerina Velko