Course Description

Qualification No.: 610/0133/8

Level: 5 (RQF) | Total Qualification Time (TQT): 240 hours | Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 144 hours

Grading: Refer / Pass / Distinction

Minimum Age Requirement: 18+


Course Overview

The NOCN Level 5 Certificate in TESOL is a comprehensive, practical teaching qualification designed for individuals who wish to begin or advance their careers in the field of English language teaching to speakers of other languages. Whether you’re a new entrant to the profession or a current teacher looking for a formal qualification, this course provides the essential skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to teach English effectively in both classroom-based and online environments.


Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal for:

  • Individuals with no prior teaching experience who are entering the TESOL profession

  • Current ESOL teachers who lack a formal Level 5 qualification

  • Subject teachers transitioning into English language teaching

  • Returning ESOL teachers who wish to update their pedagogical practice

The qualification assumes no previous formal training in TESOL and is open to both native and non-native speakers of English with a minimum C1 proficiency across all skills.


Course Structure and Units

The course comprises 7 mandatory units (22 credits) and 1 elective unit (2 credits), including:

  • Theories and Principles of Learning and Teaching

  • Planning Effective Lessons

  • Classroom Management

  • Classroom Teaching Skills and Techniques

  • Learning Materials Design and Adaptation

  • Assessment and Evaluation

  • English Language Awareness

Elective topics include:

  • Teaching Young Learners

  • Teaching English for Academic or Business Purposes

  • Teaching in Low-Resource or Online Contexts

  • Intercultural Awareness


Teaching Practice and Assessment

Trainees complete at least 8 hours of observed teaching practice, including four 60-minute assessed lessons with real learners. These observations are spaced out to allow for developmental feedback and reflection. Assessment includes:

  • Teaching practice evaluations

  • Written assignments and reflections

  • A professional portfolio demonstrating competence across all units

Assessments are graded as Pass, Distinction, or Refer. Trainees can re-submit referred components to meet required standards.

Progression and Career Opportunities

Holders of this qualification can:

  • Apply for ESOL teaching roles in private language schools, NGOs, colleges, and online platforms

  • Work as teaching assistants or bilingual support staff

  • Progress to higher qualifications such as a Level 6/7 Diploma in TESOL, PGCE with TESOL specialism, or specialist certificates (e.g., Teaching Young Learners or EAP)


Delivery Format

The course may be delivered intensively (in no fewer than 5 weeks) or part-time, depending on the centre. Delivery can take place face-to-face, online, or through blended learning formats.

Awarding Organisation

This qualification is awarded by NOCN (National Open College Network), a UK-based, Ofqual-regulated awarding body and part of NOCN Group, an educational charity supporting access to education, qualifications, and employment pathways globally.

What will I learn?

  • Understand and apply key theories of language learning, acquisition, and assessment in classroom practice.
  • Design and teach well-structured, learner-centred ESOL lessons for various contexts and proficiency levels.
  • Assess Learner Progress Use a range of formative and summative assessment methods to monitor and support student learning.
  • Create a positive learning environment and apply appropriate classroom management strategies.
  • Select, adapt, and create high-quality materials suited to learners’ needs and lesson objectives.
  • Use accurate grammar, lexis, and pronunciation when modelling and teaching language.
  • Develop learners’ reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills using effective, varied activities.
  • Evaluate personal teaching performance and implement improvements through reflective practice.
  • Adapt teaching to online, in-person, young learner, business, academic, and low-resource settings.
  • Achieve a UK-regulated Level 5 TESOL certificate that enables international teaching and further professional development.

Requirements

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a native English speaker or demonstrate a minimum of C1 proficiency in all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing)
  • Have basic computer literacy and word processing skills
  • Attend 100% of guided learning sessions (face-to-face, online, or blended)
  • Participate actively in: input sessions, peer and self-evaluation tasks, group discussions, teaching practice
  • Trainees participating in online or blended courses must have: • A reliable internet connection • A laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and microphone • Access to a virtual learning platform (e.g., Google Meet, Zoom, Moodle) • Basic digital literacy to: • Submit assignments • Share screens • Use breakout rooms • Upload documents and videos

Frequently-asked Questions

It is a regulated teaching qualification designed to prepare individuals to teach English to speakers of other languages. It includes training in lesson planning, classroom teaching, English language awareness, and practical teaching experience.

• Newcomers to English language teaching • Unqualified or volunteer ESOL teachers seeking certification • Subject teachers transitioning into TESOL • ESOL teachers returning to the profession No previous teaching experience is required.

The course can be delivered: • Full-time (intensive) over a minimum of 5 weeks • Part-time or blended (online and in-person) over a longer period,

• 144 guided learning hours (GLH) • 8+ hours of observed teaching practice • Written assignments and lesson planning tasks • Seven mandatory units and one elective unit • Grading: Refer / Pass / Distinction

Assessment includes: • Observed teaching practice with real learners • Written assignments • A final portfolio of evidence • Assessment is internally conducted and quality assured by NOCN

You must complete: • At least 8 hours of observed teaching • Four 60-minute assessed lessons with real students • Two assessed lessons must meet the Pass or Distinction standard

Successful candidates will receive the NOCN Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), a UK-regulated qualification with the Ofqual code: 610/0133/8.

Yes. NOCN is a well-established UK awarding body regulated by Ofqual. This Level 5 certificate is increasingly recognised as the minimum requirement for teaching ESOL globally.

Graduates can: • Apply for English teaching positions worldwide • Work in public schools, private institutes, NGOs, or online • Progress to higher qualifications such as the Level 6 or 7 Diploma in TESOL, PGCE, or specialist certificates (e.g., Teaching Young Learners)

Elective units include: • Teaching Young Learners • Teaching English for Academic or Business Purposes • Intercultural Awareness • Preparing Online Content and Teaching Online • Teaching in Adverse Circumstances (large classes or low-resource environments)

Trainees who do not meet the required standard may resubmit assignments or reteach lessons after incorporating feedback. You do not need to retake the entire course if only part of your work is referred.

Courses are delivered by approved NOCN centres. Trainers must have a TESOL Diploma or higher and at least 5 years of experience teaching ESOL.

Shady Abuyusuf

Lead Teacher Trainer

In my professional journey, I've had the privilege of founding and leading Britishey Training Centre as its CEO, named Shady. My involvement in English Language Teaching began humbly in 2001, right after graduating from Damietta University. Since then, I've remained dedicated to learning and growth in this field.Expanding my horizons, I pursued a Foundation Certificate in Translation from the American University of Cairo in 2010, which laid the groundwork for my commitment to excellence in language studies. Subsequently, I furthered my expertise with a Diploma in English Language Teaching for Adults, the prestigious Cambridge DELTA, through English Language Assessment, which is part of Cambridge University.Fuelled by a genuine passion for empowering educators, I engaged in rigorous Teacher Educator Training with the esteemed TESOL International Association in 2015. This led me to a transformative journey in Barcelona, Spain, where I received training on how to become a CertTESOL tutor.In 2016, I took a significant step forward by establishing a CELTA center at Future University in Egypt, aiming to elevate the standard of ELT training. Concurrently, I refined my skills as a CELTA tutor through Cambridge University's trainer-in-training program.My pursuit of mastery also led me to obtain a certificate of proficiency in Received Pronunciation from the renowned dialect coach, Paul Meier, in 2016. This milestone reinforced my dedication to fostering linguistic excellence.Attaining the status of a certified CELTA tutor from Cambridge Assessment English in 2017 solidified my reputation as a proficient ELT educator. This dedication to academic excellence culminated in my graduation from the University of Leicester's MA in TESOL & Applied Linguistics program in 2018, underscoring my unwavering commitment to scholarly pursuits.The year 2022 marked a pivotal milestone as Britishey Training Centre received accreditation as a course-validated provider by Trinity College London, opening doors for me to serve as an assessor for the Trinity Certificate for Practising Teachers (CertPT).In 2023, I achieved a significant milestone by establishing Britishey Training Centre as a distinguished CELTA and CertTESOL center, offering top-notch training both online and at our premier facilities in Cairo and Damietta, Egypt. Furthermore, I spearheaded the establishment of Britishey Training Centre as the first international TQUK center in Africa and the Middle East, pioneering a new era of educational excellence.Throughout my career, I've had the honour of imparting knowledge and expertise through a diverse array of seminars for educators across the globe. From the United Arab Emirates to South Africa, and from France to Egypt, my journey underscores the profound impact of education in shaping lives and futures.

Input Sessions

0

Course Level

Level 5

Expiry Date

Lifetime

Certificate

Yes

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