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"This course provided me with exactly the foundation I needed before starting my CertTESOL qualification. The grammar and phonology sections were particularly valuable in building my confidence."

Recent graduate / TESOL Starter Course

Structured preparation for your TESOL journey

Starting a teaching career – or stepping up to an accredited qualification – can feel daunting. The TESOL Starter Course bridges the gap and elevates you to the knowledge level expected at the start of a Trinity CertTESOL or Cambridge CELTA.
 

In just 20 focused hours you will

  • Grasp the core language systems (grammar, lexis, phonology) that every effective teacher draws on.
  • Explore the most influential teaching approaches and how they play out in real classrooms.
  • Observe authentic lessons and analyse why they work.
  • Walk into Day 1 of the Trinity CertTESOL (or Cambridge CELTA) already speaking the professional language of trainers and peers.

Created by the very same trainers who lead our Trinity CertTESOL, the course equips you with the essential groundwork and a clear head start – so when the intensive qualification begins, you’ll be able to focus more of your energy on teaching practice and advanced theory rather than first encountering the basics. 

 

What you'll learn

Master essential language knowledge

  • Develop a solid understanding of English grammar from a teacher's perspective.
  • Learn to identify and explain parts of speech and sentence structures.
  • Decode the phonemic chart and describe English sounds accurately.

Understand teaching methodology

  • Explore leading approaches (CLT, TBLT, Lexical Approach, PPP) and their classroom applications.
  • Examine teacher roles and classroom management choices.
  • Discover how to engage mixed-level learners and keep motivation high.

Build practical teaching skills

  • Learn techniques for teaching vocabulary and clarifying meaning.
  • Understand the differences between receptive and productive skills.
  • Observe real lessons and identify effective teaching techniques in action. 

Prepare for further qualification

  • Get a realistic preview of CertTESOL assignments and assessment criteria.
  • Get insider tips from previous trainees on succeeding in the qualification.
  • Gain confidence in your readiness to undertake a Level 5 teaching qualification.

Treat this course as “Unit 0” of the Trinity CertTESOL. And because your TESOL Starter fee is fully deductible from our CertTESOL price, your investment today directly reduces tomorrow’s costs.

Begin your journey to a rewarding teaching career

Starting with the TESOL Starter Course positions you perfectly for success in your Trinity CertTESOL studies and beyond. This foundational knowledge will enhance your confidence when approaching the qualification, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on developing practical classroom skills during the intensive CertTESOL programme.

 

By mastering essential language and teaching concepts before beginning your qualification, you'll be able to approach your teaching practice with greater assurance and a clearer understanding of the theory that underpins effective language teaching.

 

Your TESOL Starter Course fee will be deducted from your Trinity CertTESOL course fee when you study with English for Asia, making this a cost-effective pathway to full qualification. 

Take the TESOL Starter Course to

Build confidence in your knowledge as you explore grammar, phonology and teaching methodologies in a supportive environment.

Make an informed decision about pursuing a full teaching qualification with clear insight into what it involves.

Get a head start on your CertTESOL studies by mastering key concepts before your course begins.

Save money on your qualification journey with your course fee deductible from the full CertTESOL fee.

Developed by experienced members of our Trinity CertTESOL training team to provide the perfect foundation for your teaching career.

Who should take this course?

Perfect for teachers who

Are preparing for a Trinity CertTESOL or Cambridge CELTA qualification.

Want to improve their knowledge of grammar, phonology and teaching methodologies.

Need a short introduction to what a TESOL course may involve.

Want to build confidence in their language awareness before starting a qualification.

Typical participants include

Professionals considering a career change to teaching.

Those who are planning a CertTESOL or CELTA in the future and want to get a head start on their studies.

People exploring whether a teaching career is right for them.

Curriculum

This 20-hour online course is designed for those considering a teaching career or preparing for a Trinity CertTESOL qualification. The eight comprehensive modules cover essential topics, from teaching methodology and grammar to phonology and skills teaching – all tailored to provide a solid foundation for your TESOL journey. 

What to expect

The course features engaging multi-modal content, including

  • Videos
  • Quizzes
  • Reflective tasks
  • Podcasts
  • Online lesson observations

By the end of this course, you'll have a solid foundation in English language teaching principles and be well-prepared to begin a Trinity CertTESOL qualification with confidence.
 

The modules are arranged in a clear, step-by-step format, and to earn your digital credential, you'll need to complete all modules and pass the final assessment. 

 

End of module quizzes

Each module concludes with a quiz designed to reinforce your understanding of key concepts. These quizzes focus on essential points covered in the module and allow you to review your answers, helping you identify areas that may need further study.

 

Final quiz

The course culminates in a comprehensive final quiz, testing your overall knowledge. You will need to achieve a score of 50% or higher to pass. Successfully passing the final quiz earns you a digital credential, which includes an e-certificate and a credential badge, verifiable on platforms like LinkedIn. 

Module 1: Essential TESOL Skills

In this module, you will

  • Explore current language teaching methodologies and approaches.
  • Discover what makes an effective teacher and different teacher roles.
  • Learn how to engage learners and adapt to different student levels.

Key units/topics

  • Your learning experience and motivation
  • Current teaching methods
  • Teacher roles and qualities
  • Engaging learners
  • Student levels  

Module 2: Learning About Grammar

In this module, you will

  • Develop a foundational understanding of English grammar.
  • Learn to identify and explain parts of speech.
  • Understand tense, aspect, form and use in English.

Key units/topics

  • Parts of speech
  • Time and tense
  • Aspect
  • Form and use
  • Error correction

Module 3: Learning About Vocabulary

In this module, you will

  • Understand what we can learn about words and which ones to teach.
  • Master techniques for clarifying meaning.
  • Explore practical approaches to vocabulary teaching.

Key units/topics

  • What can we learn about a word?
  • Which words to teach
  • How to clarify meaning
  • Textbook examples

Module 4: Learning About Phonology

In this module, you will

  • Understand what phonemes are and how they function.
  • Learn to use the phonemic chart as a teaching tool.
  • Explore consonant and vowel sounds and other phonological features.

Key units/topics

  • What is a phoneme?
  • The phonemic chart
  • Consonant sounds
  • Vowel sounds
  • Other features of phonology 

Module 5: Learning About Skills

In this module, you will

  • Differentiate between receptive and productive skills.
  • Understand the sub-skills involved in language learning.
  • Learn effective lesson staging for skills lessons.

Key units/topics

  • Receptive and productive skills
  • Sub-skills
  • Lesson staging
  • Textbook examples

Module 6: Observe Lessons

In this module, you will

  • Watch and analyse real reading and grammar lessons.
  • Identify effective teaching techniques in action.
  • Apply theoretical knowledge to practical classroom situations.

Key units/topics

  • Reading lesson observation
  • Grammar lesson observation
  • Analysis and reflection 

Module 7: Getting Ready for the CertTESOL

In this module, you will

  • Learn what to expect on your first day of the CertTESOL.
  • Understand the assignments involved in the qualification.
  • Get insider tips from previous trainees.

Key units/topics

  • Preparing for Day 1
  • CertTESOL assignments
  • Tips from previous trainees 

Final quiz

In the final quiz, you will

  • Review and consolidate your understanding of key concepts.
  • Assess your knowledge and readiness to apply what you've learned.
  • Reflect on your learning journey and future teaching approach.

Verify your skills with a digital credential

Complete the course

After completing the course modules, you will need to take the final quiz. You will need to achieve a score of 50% or higher to complete the course and immediately receive your digital credential. You can retake the final quiz up to two times (three attempts in total), and you can revisit any sections of the course to study up on questions that you find challenging.

Instant, verifiable credential

Your digital credential includes an e-certificate, which can be downloaded and printed, and a credential badge which can be displayed on your social media and LinkedIn profiles, allowing you to showcase your achievements.
 

Our credentials are incorruptible digital certificates encoded on blockchain, to ensure they cannot be altered or copied by anyone and can be easily verified by institutions. We use the same credential issuing platform as leading universities including Harvard, Oxford, Berkeley, and Johns Hopkins.

Get to know our trainers

Click thumbnail to view full trainer details

Laura Wilkes

Clare Voke

Allan Crocker

Laura Wilkes, Enjoys podcasting

Laura has worked in a range of TESOL settings for over eight years, from teaching students of all ages in China and training teachers in Russia, to developing and facilitating online courses for TESOL staff across the world. Having graduated with a distinction for her PGCE in Learning Technologies, she continues to research ways in which teaching and training can be enhanced through technology.

Cambridge CELTA, DipTESOL, PGCE Learning Technologies

Clare Voke, Enjoys learning Mandarin

Clare began began her teaching career in 2008 and has experience in various roles in the UK, Mainland China and Hong Kong. She lived and worked in the south of China as a Regional Trainer for Education First and is particularly interested in Chinese learners of English. Clare has written online teaching courses and content, as well as presenting at conferences all over Asia.

Trinity DipTESOL, MA in TESOL

Allan Crocker, Loves cooking Chinese food 

Allan started his ELT career in 2012 and has worked in the U.K, Germany, Austria, Mainland China and Hong Kong in a diverse range of management, consultant, training, and teaching positions, including as a Course Director for EfA. Allan's professional interests include andragogy, teacher identity, and using music in the classroom.

Trinity DipTESOL, Dip. L&D (CIPD)

Customer Reviews

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Anonymous
A good Starter Course that I've ever had

It's easy to follow, so I can see that I've had all that I need to practice at anytime, at anywhere. I'm sure I wouldn't minded to practice tons of time but it's worth every minute. A good start! Love it !

TESOL Starter Course
20 hours total study
Access for 3 months
Developed by experienced Trinity CertTESOL trainers.
Digital credential Digital credential
Immediate course fee rebate when you enrol on our Trinity CertTESOL qualification.
The essential preparatory module to the Trinity CertTESOL and Cambridge CELTA.
MOP$1,262.00
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MOP$1,262.00
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