Cambridge Academy of Translation UK – TESOL Certificate

Overview

Cambridge Academy of Translation-Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CAT-UK TESOL) is an international TESOL certification program under the accreditation structure of Cambridge Academy of Translation UK, an independent academic body that is dedicated to building bridges across languages & cultures.

CAT-UK TESOL sets standards and evaluation criteria for international Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages to increase their professionalism through TESOL assessment & certification.

CAT-UK TESOL Certificate is developed by and granted through the TESOL committee under Cambridge Academy of Translation UK, is recognized internationally, and is chartered under the laws of the United Kingdom.

Vision & Value

Based on international standards of excellence in TESOL pedagogy with instructional practices that serve specialized local needs, the CAT-UK TESOL promotes a balance of global and local. The ideal TESOL educator must be equipped with best practices that are theoretically rich, research-based, and professionally recognized. At the same time, the most effective TESOL educators are able to adapt to real-life contexts, individualize for multiple learning styles, and scaffold from diverse student backgrounds.

Theory & System

CAT-UK TESOL bases its training structure largely on Bloom’s Higher Order Learning (1956), Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences (1983), Krashen’s Comprehensible Input Model (1987), and contemporary research and theory published from international professional associations such as TESOL.org (2018).

Online & Offline

Using a hybrid format, CAT-UK TESOL combines the strengths of both online and offline learning modalities. The online course allows students to participate from around the world while guaranteeing the same high standards and quality. As many of our students have full-time professional and personal responsibilities, offline training offers the flexibility to complete the required readings and assignments in their own time.

Special Recognition with TEFL in China

CAT-UK has special recognition with TEFL in China, a certificate program offered by the Foreign Talent Research Center (FTRC) under China’s Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST). TEFL in China is in accordance with CAT TESOL in the vision of sticking to international criteria, serving specialized local needs.

Anyone successfully completing TEFL in China course can go for CAT-TESOL certification by completing the teaching demo and TESOL interview, exempt of CAT-TESOL training course.

CAT-UK TESOL Certificate

CAT-UK TESOL Certificate consists of 3 parts:1) TESOL Training; 2) Teaching Demo; 3) TESOL Interview.

Part 1: CAT-TESOL Training Course (30%)

CAT-TESOL requires coursework that concentrates on three dimensions: 1) English communicative skills which is usually achieved through public speaking or immersion; 2) TESOL theory which focuses on the internationally popular practices in pedagogy, and 3) TESOL practice which guides teachers to turn teaching theories into teaching practices. Courses must be a minimum of 120 hours in length.

-candidates will complete the training through a course of self-study using an online VOD course

-various textbooks will be used for the course, including “Teaching and Learning in the Language Classroom” by Tricia Hedge

-7 assignments to be completed by candidates during training, each around 300 words in length

Part 2: CAT-TESOL Teaching Demonstration (50%)

CAT-TESOL Certification requires the submission of a teaching demonstration based on a lesson plan and self-reviewed through a critical reflection essay.

-candidates will draft a TESOL lesson plan as instructed

-based on the lesson plan, candidates will record a TESOL lesson (30 minutes in length)

Part 3: CAT-TESOL Interview (20%)

CAT-TESOL Interviews will be conducted one-on-one with a professional TESOL examiner. The interview will be approximately 20-30 minutes in length, with a minimum of three in-depth interview questions, testing candidates’ English competence, their knowledge of TESOL theory, and their ability to apply knowledge to real-life classroom situations.

-candidates will be interviewed one-on-one, in person or online (20-30 minutes)

-three types of questions will be asked by the examiner: a) English competence; b) TESOL theory; c) classroom application

CAT-UK TESOL Certificate Wordlist:

1) read the assigned textbook

2) provide proof of completing the VOD lessons (through a registered center)

3) submit a PDF file containing all 7 assignments

4) create a lesson plan with selected class material attached

5) record a 30-minute teaching demo film using the lesson plan created

6) attend one-on-one interview, in person or online

Certification:

-A CAT-UK TESOL Certificate is granted to a candidate who meets the requirements and passed the test.

-A Reference Letter is issued to the candidate alongside with the certificate, to support job placement and degree program application.