Descriptions of qualifications

Introduction to teaching programmes

As of September 2007 all initial teacher training courses include an introductory programme at the beginning which equips new teachers with the minimum skills and knowledge needed and a Licence to Practise in the lifelong learning sector.  This introductory programme may be a separate award, or may be integrated into the larger teacher training programme.  If awarded separately, it leads to the

1. Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) at Level 3 or 4 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). 

Awarding bodies: City & Guilds, OCNW, OCR, other awarding bodies and universities
Subject: generic teaching, or may be available in the context of literacy, numeracy or ESOL

All teachers will need to achieve further qualifications appropriate to the job role that they intend to carry out.

These programmes include the PTTLS and provide a first step towards qualifying to teach ESOL:

2. Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)
3. Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Cert. TESOL)

Awarding bodies: Cambridge ESOL (CELTA), Trinity (Cert TESOL)
National Qualification Level: 4
Subject: ESOL

This integrated ESOL and generic pre-service initial teacher training for new teachers includes 6 hours of practical teaching.  It may be possible to find ESOL teaching work on gaining this qualification, and it is recognised worldwide as an initial ESOL teaching qualification.  To be fully qualified as an ESOL teacher for the UK lifelong learning sector you will need to go on to complete further training, (see Full teacher qualification programmes - generic and Skills for Life below).

Subject-specific qualifications

These programmes provide the subject -specific qualification needed for teachers of literacy, numeracy or ESOL.  Taken together with a generic full teaching qualification they lead to full qualification for teaching these subjects.  This may be a pathway to qualification for people who are unable to find a suitable integrated programme or for teachers who already have a recognised teaching qualification but who have not yet gained a qualification in their subject.  They could also be useful for qualified teachers of other subjects who are interested in teaching literacy, numeracy or ESOL.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Description

These courses are for teachers who have already achieved their initial teaching qualifications and are interested in training to further develop their career.

Examples of qualifications

• Training the Teacher Trainers   
• Integrating e-learning   
• Coaching/Mentoring
• Assessment
• Embedding LLN
• ESOL
• ESOL/Lit
• Numeracy
• Literacy
• Employability
• Dyslexia
• Family Learning
• Workplace
• Action research
• Leadership & management
• Young learners (14-19)
• DELTA
• Trinity Diploma TESOL

Programmes leading to full teacher qualification

These programmes lead to full qualification for teachers in the lifelong learning sector who have a full teaching role.  On achievement of the qualification, teachers can use it to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.   

Teachers of literacy, numeracy or ESOL may take a integrated subject-specific teacher qualification (see 4 - 7 below), or will need to take an additional subject-specific qualification (see Subject - specific qualifications) to meet the full requirement.

Full teacher qualification programmes - generic

These programmes cover the PTTLS requirements as part of the course.

1 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS)

2 Professional Graduate / Certificate in Education (PGCE/Cert Ed)

3 Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) 

Awarding bodies: City & Guilds, OCNW, universities
Level: 4/5 to 7, according to the awarding institution
Subject: Generic

Full teacher qualification programmes - Skills for Life

These are integrated generic and subject-specific programmes which lead to full qualification for literacy, numeracy or ESOL teachers. 

4. Diploma for Teaching English (Literacy) in the Lifelong Learning Sector

5. Diploma for Teaching Mathematics (Numeracy) in the Lifelong Learning Sector

6. Diploma for Teaching English (ESOL) in the Lifelong Learning Sector

7. PGCE or Certificate in Education in adult literacy, numeracy or ESOL

Awarding bodies: City & Guilds, OCNW, universities
Level: 5 to 7, according to the awarding institution
Subject: literacy, numeracy or ESOL

Learning Support

A new framework and new qualifications for learning support are being developed. In the interim some of the pre-2007 awards are still available for subject support.

1 Certificate for Literacy Subject Support
2 Certificate for Numeracy Subject Support
3 Certificate for ESOL Subject Support

Awarding bodies: City & Guilds, OCNW, universities
Level: 3
Subject: Literacy, numeracy, ESOL

4 Award in Literacy, Language, Numeracy and ICT Awareness
5 Certificate in Learning Support

Awarding body: City & Guilds 9297
Level: 2

These programmes are for people who offer support to learners with developing their language, literacy and numeracy skills, or who offer advice and support to people wishing to improve these skills.

Find out more about the subject support role on the LLUK website.

Subject knowledge & skills

These offer a chance to brush up and develop your personal language, literacy, numeracy and ICT skills in preparation for going onto a teacher training programme.  For people interested in going on to train as teachers of literacy, numeracy or ESOL, courses are likely to be at Level 3.

Examples of qualifications

• English for teachers     
• Access to teaching
• Maths for teachers 
• Certificate for Subject Support - Unit