The Trinity Certificate for Practising Teachers (CertPT) is a qualification that supports the professional development of English language teachers.
Promoting the development of pedagogical knowledge and skills, the Trinity CertPT enables practising teachers, including those with language proficiency below CEFR Level C1, to access specialist training and certification that can transform their teaching practice.
Trinity certified professional development
The Trinity CertPT is for teachers seeking to update, improve and enrich their professional teaching practice. It draws upon qualified TESOL teachers’ existing knowledge of teaching practice and theory, while promoting the acquisition and refinement of the specialist skills needed to develop and use effective teaching resources.
Course participants develop their ability to evaluate, adapt, create and reflect on the use of context-specific teaching resources. Teaching contexts include, for example, teaching young learners, teaching English for specific or academic purposes, or teaching within CLIL (content and language integrated learning) settings. The Trinity CertPT is a Level 6 qualification, which is between an initial Level 5 teacher education certificate and an advanced Level 7 diploma qualification.
Innovative assessment model
Depending on course provider arrangements, teachers can learn through face-to-face, online or blended courses. Because the CertPT assesses pedagogical skills rather than language ability, they have the option of submitting their written assignments solely in English, or bilingually in English and Spanish or English and Mandarin Chinese. Allowing the submission of assessment tasks in these languages extends access to Trinity-certified professional development to practising teachers working in a range of different local teaching contexts.
Key features
- Flexible course delivery:
Face-to-face, online or blended courses, depending on course provider - 100 hours total qualification time:
30 hours guided learning (minimum) plus 70 hours self-study - Four assessment tasks:
Evaluate, adapt, create and reflect on the use of resources, informed by knowledge and insight - Bilingual options:
Training and assessment options solely in English, or in English and Spanish or English and Mandarin Chinese
Assessment criteria for each task are listed within the CertPT Specifications and Validation Requirements.
As with all Trinity qualifications, there is a strong emphasis on context, personalisation, practical application and critical reflection.
Download a factsheet (English)
Download a factsheet (Spanish)
Download a factsheet (Chinese Mandarin)
The Trinity TESOL suite of qualifications
The CertPT is designed as a standalone continuing professional development qualification that can be taken independently of other teacher education qualifications. The CertPT is also part of Trinity’s TESOL qualification suite and is a suitable progression step from the Level 5 CertTESOL that can also be beneficial in preparation for the Level 7 DipTESOL.
TESOL qualifications table
Register interest in becoming a centre
Prospective course providers interested in offering this qualification should email tesol.admin@trinitycollege.com to express their interest. More details about how to become a validiated centre can be found in the CertPT Specifications and Validation Requirements document.
