Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
Introduction
TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. TESOL qualifications provide initial training and professional
development for teachers and tutors who deliver ESOL teaching and learning. The terms TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
or ELT (English Language Teaching) are also used to describe these qualifications.
This guide provides information on TESOL qualifications available to ESOL practitioners in Scotland and contains the following sections:
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Background
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Professional Development Framework
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Professional Development Framework Explained
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Information on TESOL Qualifications (for Practitioners and Employers)
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Introductory Courses/Qualifications
Initial TESOL Qualifications
Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners
Other Information
SQA TESOL Qualifications Framework
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Pathway A
Pathway B
Pathway C
SQA PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL (SCQF 6)
SQA PDA in TESOL (SCQF 9)
SQA PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL (SCQF 10)
Information on Cambridge and Trinity TESOL Qualifications
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Certificates in TESOL (SCQF 8/9)
Diplomas in TESOL (SCQF 11)
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
 Glossary
Background
Scotland’s ESOL Strategy 2015-2020 reiterates the points made in the 2007 strategy around professional development in that
every practitioner involved in ESOL delivery in Scotland should have a relevant specialist qualification in the teaching of ESOL.
Building on this are the following objectives:
• ESOL practitioners are supported to enhance and develop their skills so that they effectively support ESOL learners to achieve
their learning goals
• in working with learners, ESOL practitioners will engage in career long professional learning to meet the changing demands and
contexts in which learners access provision
• volunteers are supported to be competent and confident in their support role to learners.
The Professional Development Framework was developed to identify a range of flexible learning pathways for practitioners. It sets
out learning opportunities delivered by Cambridge ESOL, Trinity College London and SQA TESOL Qualifications.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
Professional Development Framework for ESOL Practitioners
Professional Development Framework for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland (revised 2011)
SQA PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL (PDA: ITESOL) (SQCF level 6)
16 credits at SCQF level 6
Language and Learning in ESOL F43X 33
Developing ESOL Tutoring Skills F43W 33
Pathwa
y
Pathway
B
Cambridge ESOL CELTA
Trinity Cert TESOL
or equivalent
(Approximate value - 24 credits
@ SCQF level 8/9)
Cambridge ESOL DELTA
Trinity Dip TESOL
or equivalent
(Approximate value - 60 credits
@ SCQF level 11)
Pathway
C
SQA PDA in TESOL (SCQF level 9)
32 SCQF credits @ level 9
4 mandatory units:
ESOL and the Learners FE71 36
English Language Frameworks (TESOL) FE70 36
Language Skills (TESOL) FE6Y 36
ESOL Planning and Delivery FE72 36
SQA PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL
(SCQF level 10)
16 SCQF credits @ level 9,
16 SCQF credits @ level 10
2 mandatory units:
English Language Analysis for TESOL (level 10; double unit)
FK8X 37
ESOL Assessment and the Scottish Framework (level 9) FK8Y
36
1 unit from options:
ESOL Syllabus Design (level 9) FM1G 36
Teaching ESOL Literacies to Adults (level 9) FK8W 36
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
Professional Development Framework Explained
The first qualification in the Framework is the SQA PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL (ITESOL) at SCQF level 6. This provides an
introduction to the area of tutoring ESOL. It may be taken prior to undertaking an initial TESOL qualification (in pathway A, B or C).
However, this is not a requirement.
The Framework then identifies 3 interconnected pathways (A, B, C) that practitioners may follow. These pathways are not exclusive (ie
practitioners can take the qualifications which most suit their professional development needs).
Qualifications are mapped to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. Where the qualifications are not credit rated on the
SCQF, a rough equivalent is provided. The SCQF Interactive Diagram provides details of SCQF levels.
Pathway A
ESOL practitioners take a TESOL Certificate (such as Cambridge ESOL CELTA or Trinity College, London Cert TESOL) followed by a TESOL
Diploma (such as Cambridge ESOL DELTA or Trinity College, London Dip TESOL).
Pathway B
ESOL practitioners take a TESOL certificate (such as Cambridge ESOL CELTA or Trinity College, London Cert TESOL) followed by SQA
Units leading to the PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL. Practitioners may then choose to take a Diploma in TESOL. The PDA in
Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL provides a bridge between Certificate level and Diploma level qualifications.
Pathway C
ESOL practitioners take the SQA PDA in TESOL followed by Units leading to the SQA PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL.
Practitioners may then wish to take a Diploma in TESOL. The PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL provides a bridge between
Certificate level and Diploma level qualifications.
Practitioners who already hold a Diploma in TESOL may choose to take individual Units in the PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in
TESOL relevant to their professional practice.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
Information on TESOL Qualifications (for Practitioners and Employers)
Introductory Courses/Qualifications
There is a range of short courses available for people wishing to learn the basics about teaching ESOL/EFL. Many of these courses are
taken online, part-time or even over a weekend. These are usually not qualifications, but the centre/organisation providing the course
may provide a certificate. It is unlikely that the course will offer any assessed teaching practice. However, in some of the short face-toface courses, ‘peer’ or ‘micro’ teaching takes place. These courses can be useful in helping prepare people for an initial TESOL
qualification but should not be viewed as evidencing teaching competence.
The first qualification in the Framework is the SQA PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL (ITESOL). Unlike other introductory courses in
TESOL, the PDA: ITESOL is a nationally recognised qualification, which sits on the SCQF at level 6. This qualification was designed to
meet the needs of volunteers and tutor assistants, and for those who wish an introduction to this field before deciding whether to take
an initial TESOL qualification. It may also be relevant to teachers of other subjects with ESOL learners in their classes, or people with an
ESOL-related remit in their work, who wish to develop an understanding of issues related to English language development for ESOL
learners. In this qualification, candidates work with ESOL learners to complete a tutoring portfolio. An experienced practitioner
supports them during this process.
Further information is provided in the SQA TESOL Framework section.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
Initial TESOL Qualifications
Initial TESOL qualifications are usually taken as pre-service qualifications. The trainee (or candidate) will normally take the
qualification prior to working with ESOL learners or at an early stage in their careers. They may also have experience in the area of
teaching English but have no qualifications. The British Council has set out criteria for ‘TESOL initiated’ or ‘Certificate’ level English
Language Teaching (ELT) qualifications:
 Be externally validated by a reputable examination body
 Contain at least six hours’ supervised teaching practice (ie teaching practice
where the trainee teacher is observed and assessed teaching genuine ESOL
learners, and given feedback on his or her performance).
 Include at least 100 hours of ELT/TESOL input.
 Be accredited by the QCA at level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework
(NQF) (roughly equivalent to level 8 on the SCQF).
QuiTE (the association for the promotion of Quality in TESOL education) provides a useful guide on what to look for in an initial TESOL
qualification.
Relevant qualifications identified in the Framework (which meet the above criteria) are:
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SQA PDA in TESOL G91E 46 (SCQF level 9)
Cambridge ESOL CELTA - Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (QCF level 5 – roughly equivalent to SCQF level 8/9)
Trinity College London Cert TESOL - Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (QCF level 5)
It is recommended that practitioners in Scotland hold one of these qualifications (or an equivalent) as the minimum entry requirement
for employment to publicly funded ESOL provision in Scotland. While some organisations accept this level of qualification, others will
expect higher level qualifications in this field.
It is further recommended that practitioners are signposted/provided with opportunities to professionally develop in the TESOL field
through undertaking further qualifications which develop in-depth subject specialist knowledge and skills.
More information on SQA TESOL qualifications can be found on their website.
More information on Trinity Certificates can be found on their website.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
More information on Cambridge CELTAs can be found on their website.
Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners (Advanced TESOL Qualifications)
Once practitioners have completed an initial TESOL qualification and gained experience in this field they may take further TESOL
qualifications as professional development. These qualifications are usually taken as in-service qualifications (ie when already
delivering ESOL). It should be recognised that the initial TESOL qualification does not provide the subject knowledge depth and breadth
required to be fully effective as an ESOL practitioner.
Relevant Qualifications identified in the Framework are:
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SQA PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL (SCQF level 10)
Cambridge ESOL DELTA - Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (QCF level 7 – equivalent to SCQF level 11)
Trinity College, London Dip TESOL - Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (QCF level 7 – SCQF level 11)
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
The Scottish Government has recommended that ESOL practitioners in Scotland should hold, or be working towards, the PDA in Applied
Practitioner Studies in TESOL (or a subject specialist qualification at an equivalent or higher level, such as the Cambridge ESOL DELTA
or Trinity College, London Dip TESOL).
The Professional Development Framework for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland maps the PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL as
a benchmark of professional competence for practitioners who already operate within the range of public sector ESOL delivery contexts.
The Units within the Award provide professional development opportunities for these practitioners, providing breadth and higher-level
knowledge and skills, in recognition of the specialist subject nature of ESOL theory and practice.
It is recommended that the PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies (SCQF 10) becomes the minimum benchmark qualification for ESOL
practitioners working in Scotland.
This qualification provides professional development in specialist ESOL-related areas. Not all these areas will be covered in the
Cambridge or Trinity Diplomas. Diploma holders may wish to undertake specific Units to augment their existing qualifications. The
specialist areas within this PDA allow the practitioner to make direct connections between theory and their own teaching and learning
contexts:
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English Language Analysis for TESOL develops the subject specific knowledge in the area of English language analysis with its
application to an ESOL teaching context
ESOL Assessment and the Scottish Framework develops the knowledge and skills required to assess ESOL learners, particularly
within SQA’s National Qualifications ESOL Framework.
Teaching ESOL Literacies to Adults provides opportunities to develop (and deliver) a learning programme, with a one-to-one focus
in the specialist area of ESOL literacies learning.
ESOL Syllabus Design gives the practitioner the opportunity to design a learning programme for a particular group of learners in a
context of the candidate’s choice (eg for citizenship, employability, specific exam training etc; within the workplace, communitybased, school setting etc).
More information on SQA TESOL qualifications can be found on their website.
More information on Trinity Diplomas can be found on their website.
More information on Cambridge DELTAs can be found on their website.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
Other Information
Practitioners may also be required to take qualifications related to the sector in which they are employed. In Scotland’s college sector,
for example, lecturers are often required to undertake the TQ (FE) –Teaching Qualification in Further Education. This qualification is
usually taken while employed in a college. This qualification is not TESOL specific, but candidates may be given credit for the TESOL
qualifications they already hold. They should contact the provider regarding this prior to undertaking their course.
The Professional Development Framework recommends that ESOL practitioners have achieved the PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies
in TESOL (or the Cambridge/Trinity TESOL Diplomas) prior to undertaking TQ (FE) to ensure that subject specific knowledge and skills
of an in-depth nature have been acquired.
Three universities in Scotland currently deliver TQ (FE) - Aberdeen, Dundee and Stirling. For more details on providers and content see
the TQ(FE) section on the PLDF (Professional Development and Learning Forum) Scotland website.
There are also opportunities to take Masters level qualifications in TESOL related areas. Courses such as Masters in TESOL, Applied
Linguistics, Language Teaching, and Education are available throughout the UK, both in face-to-face and distance delivery modes. Many
universities may offer credit transfer for holders of TESOL Diplomas.
NB. Diploma qualifications and Masters sit at the same level (SCQF level 11). They are not, however, equivalent qualifications. The
Masters is unlikely to contain the teaching practice of a Diploma; it is more academic than practical. The Masters qualification will be
larger in terms of learning hours.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
SQA TESOL Qualifications Framework
National research commissioned by the Scottish Government’s Lifelong Learning Directorate, through the National ESOL Panel, found a
need for a new, flexible qualification pathway set within the Scottish Framework, which addressed the needs of current and future ESOL
practitioners
The Scottish Qualifications Authority now offers a Framework for the professional development of ESOL practitioners in Scotland
through a range of Professional Development Awards:
PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL (PDA: ITESOL)
(G91E 46) 16 SCQF credits at SCQF level 6
PDA in TESOL (GA53 49)
32 SCQF credits @ SCQF level 9
PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL (GC3D 50)
16 SCQF Credit Points @ SCQF level 10
16 SCQF Credit Points @ SCQF level 9
The SQA PDAs in TESOL have been designed to meet the needs of ESOL practitioners and employers. Some of the features of the PDAs
include:
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Potential for blended/open learning and delivery
Underpinned by social practice/learner-centred principles
Opportunity for teaching practice (TP) in a range of settings
Set within the Scottish ESOL landscape
Potential for delivery as freestanding units
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
SQA PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL
PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL (PDA: ITESOL)
SCQF level 6
2 Mandatory Units:
Language and Learning in ESOL F43X 33
Developing ESOL Tutoring Skills F43W 33
16 SCQF Credit Points at level 6
The PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL G91E 46 (validated in 2008) is aimed at volunteers and tutor assistants who wish to enter the
ESOL field. The PDA: ITESOL develops the candidate’s knowledge of the English language and provides the skills to apply this
knowledge when tutoring ESOL learners. This is an introduction to the area of tutoring ESOL. Unlike other introductory courses in
TESOL/TEFL, the SQA PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL is a nationally recognised qualification, at level 6 on the SCQF Framework.
Structure
The qualification consists of two Mandatory Units.
• Language and Learning in ESOL
• Developing ESOL Tutoring Skills
The Unit Specifications are available on the SQA TESOL Website.
Centres
All SQA Centres wishing to deliver this PDA must seek approval from SQA.
Centres approved to deliver the PDA: Introduction to Tutoring ESOL:
1. North East Scotland College (former Aberdeen College and Banff and Buchan College) Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate Centre,
Gallowgate, Aberdeen, AB25 1BN, 01224 612000, www.abcol.ac.uk
2. West College Scotland (former Clydebank College, Reid Kerr College, James Watts College - Inverclyde) Clydebank Campus, College
Square, Queens Quay, Clydebank, G81 1BF, 0141 951 7400, http://www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk/
3. New College Lanarkshire - Coatbridge Campus, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge, ML5 3LS, 01236 422316, www.coatbridge.ac.uk
4. Dundee and Angus College (former Dundee College and Angus College) Kingsway Campus, Old Glamis Road, Dundee, DD3 8LE,
01382 834834, www.dundeeandangus.ac.uk
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
5. Edinburgh College (former Stevenson College, Telford College and Jewel and Esk College), Granton Campus, 350 West Granton Road,
Edinburgh, EH5 1QE, 0131 669 4400, www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk
6. Forth Valley College, Grangemouth Road, Falkirk, FK2 9AD, 01324 403000, www.forthvalley.ac.uk
7. Falkirk Council Community Learning and Development, Falkirk Community Education Community Services, Municipal Chambers
Bo'ness Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8AF, 01324 504450, http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/places/general-offices/municipal-chambers.aspx
8. Inverclyde Council Community Learning and Development, Inverclyde Council, Municipal Buildings, Greenock, PA15 1LY,
01475-717171, www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/community-learning-development
9. Glasgow Kelvin College (former North Glasgow College, John Wheatley College and Stow College), Flemington Street
Glasgow, G21 4TD, 0141 630 5000, www.glasgowkelvin.ac.uk
10. Midlothian Community Learning and Development, Midlothian Council, Midlothian House, Buccleuch Street, Dalkeith, EH22 1DN,
0131 270 7500, www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/284/adult_education_and_community_learning
11. Perth College, Crieff Road, Perth, PH1 2NX, 01738 877000, www.perth.uhi.ac.uk
12. TLI Ltd Edinburgh, 48 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5DE, 0131 226 6975, www.tlieurope.com
13. Workers’ Educational Association, 1st Floor Riddles Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PG, 0131 225 2580,
http://www.wea.org.uk/scotland
If you are an approved centre and would like be listed, please email info@esolscotland.com to have your organisation added here.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
PDA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
PDA in TESOL
SCQF level 9
4 Mandatory Units:
ESOL and the Learners FE71 36
English Language Frameworks (TESOL) FE70 36
Language Skills (TESOL) FE6Y 36
ESOL Planning and Delivery FE72 36
32 SCQF credits @ SCQF level 9
The PDA in TESOL GA53 49 (validated in December 2010) provides initial TESOL training. Its aim is to develop the knowledge and
skills required to plan and deliver ESOL effectively and independently to diverse learner groups across a range of contexts. This
qualification meets the criteria set out by the British Council for a ‘TESOL initiated’ or ‘Certificate’ level ELT qualification.
Structure
The qualification consists of four Mandatory Units:
• ESOL and the Learners
• English Language Frameworks (TESOL)
• Language Skills (TESOL)
• ESOL Planning and Delivery
The Unit Specifications are available on the SQA TESOL Website.
Centres
All Centres wishing to deliver this PDA must seek approval from SQA
Centres approved to deliver the PDA in TESOL:
1. West College Scotland (former Clydebank College, Reid Kerr College , James Watts College - Inverclyde), Clydebank Campus, College
Square, Queens Quay, Clydebank, G81 1BF 0141 951 7400 www.westregionmerger.com
2. New College Lanarkshire - Coatbridge Campus Kildonan Street, Coatbridge, ML5 3LS 01236 422316 www.coatbridge.ac.uk
3. Edinburgh College (former Stevenson College, Telford College and Jewel and Esk College) Granton Campus, 350 West Granton Road,
Edinburgh, EH5 1QE 0131 669 4400 www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
4. TESOL Training Scotland, Aberdeen Telephone: 01224 279883 http://tesoltrainingscotland.co.uk
5. TLI Ltd, Edinburgh, 48 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5DE 0131 226 6975 www.tlieurope.com
If you are an approved centre and would like to be listed here, please email info@esolscotland.com to have your organisation added here.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL
PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL
SCQF level 10
2 Mandatory Units:
English Language Analysis for TESOL (SCQF level 10) – double unit FK8X 37
ESOL Assessment and the Scottish Framework (SCQF level 9) - FK8Y 36
1 Optional Unit from:
ESOL Syllabus Design (SCQF level 9) – FM1G 36
Teaching ESOL Literacies to Adults (SCQF level 9) – FK8W 36
16 SCQF Credit Points at level 10
16 SCQF Credit Points at level 9
The PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL at SCQF level 10 (validated - May 2011) is aimed at practitioners who already hold
an initial TESOL qualification, and wish to develop their knowledge and skills through engagement in specialised professional
development. This qualification is designed to equip ESOL practitioners with in-depth subject specific knowledge and a range of skills
relevant for the work they undertake within Scotland’s diverse ESOL teaching and learning contexts.
The Scottish Government has recommended that the PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL becomes the minimum benchmark
qualification for ESOL practitioners working in Scotland.
Structure
The qualification consists of Mandatory and Optional Units. Both Mandatory Units and one of the Optional Units are completed to achieve
the PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL
The Mandatory Units are:
 English Language Analysis for TESOL
 ESOL Assessment and the Scottish Framework
The Optional Units are:
 Teaching ESOL Literacies to Adults
 ESOL Syllabus Design
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
The Unit Specifications are available on the SQA TESOL Website.
Centres
All Centres wishing to deliver this PDA must seek approval from SQA
Centres approved to deliver the PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL:
1. West College Scotland (former Clydebank College, Reid Kerr College , James Watts College - Inverclyde), Clydebank Campus, College
Square, Queens Quay, Clydebank, G81 1BF 0141 951 7400
2. Edinburgh College (former Stevenson College, Telford College and Jewel and Esk College) Granton Campus, 350 West Granton Road,
Edinburgh, EH5 1QE 0131 669 4400 www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk
3. TESOL Training Scotland, Aberdeen 01224 279883 http://tesoltrainingscotland.co.uk
4. TLI Ltd, Edinburgh 48 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5DE 0131 226 6975 www.tlieurope.com
If you are an approved centre and wish to be listed, please email info@esolscotland.com to have your organisation added here.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
Information on Cambridge ESOL and Trinity College, London TESOL Qualifications
Certificates in TESOL
Certificate level qualifications (from Cambridge ESOL and Trinity College, London) are initial qualifications in Teaching ESOL (See also
SQA PDA in TESOL).
Cambridge ESOL - CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) Find out more here
Trinity College, London – Cert TESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Find out more here
Diplomas in TESOL
Diploma level qualifications (from Cambridge ESOL and Trinity College, London) are qualifications for experienced ESOL practitioners
(See also SQA PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL). Normally, people taking these qualifications already hold an initial TESOL
qualification and have gained experience in teaching ESOL.
Cambridge ESOL - DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) Find out more here
Trinity College, London – Dip TESOL (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Find out more here
Practitioners wishing to undertake Masters qualifications in this field may be able to receive credit for their Diploma qualifications.
Please contact the university or learning provider to which you would like to apply.
Cambridge ESOL and Trinity College, London Certificates are accredited by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation
(Ofqual) at Level 5 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) for England. At present these qualifications are not credit rated on
the SCQF but the QCF level is roughly equivalent to level 8/9 on the SCQF. TESOL Diplomas sit at Level 7 (Masters level) on the QCF.
The QCF level is equivalent to level 11 on the SCQF.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
Glossary
TESOL
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
TESOL usually refers to the teaching of English in a country where English is the main language. It is also used as an
umbrella term for all English language teaching (ELT).
TEFL
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TEFL usually refers to the teaching of English in a country where English is not the main language. It can also refer to
teaching programmes designed for learners who come to the UK to learn English on a short-term basis.
SQA
The Scottish Qualifications Authority
SQA is the national accreditation and awarding body in Scotland.
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The SCQF is the framework which sets out the level and credit value (amount of learning) of qualifications in Scotland. The
equivalent framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland is the QCF.
SCQF
PDA
Professional Development Award
PDAs are SQA qualifications designed for those entering or working in a specific career or vocational area.
Ofqual
Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations
Ofqual is the regulator of qualifications and assessments in England, and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.
QCF
Qualifications and Credit Framework
The QCF is the new framework which sets out the level and credit value (amount of learning) of qualifications in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland.
NQF
National Qualifications Framework
The NQF sets out the level against which qualifications are recognised in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many
qualifications on this framework are now being transferred to the QCF.
QCA
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
Ofqual now undertakes the QCA role.
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Professional Development for ESOL Practitioners in Scotland
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