For more information about the SKOLA Group visit the SKOLA English website

S.T.Y.L.E.

Skola Trinity Young Learner Extension Course

Aim Of The Course

To develop participants’ awareness and application of approaches, methods and strategies for teaching Young Learners, aged 8-17.

Course Objectives

• To adapt and develop participants’ existing teaching experience and skills to the Young Learner context
• To develop participants’ confidence in working with Young Learners in the English language classroom
• To equip participants with practical approaches, methods and strategies for teaching Young Learners
• To raise participants’ awareness of language learning theory in relation to Young Learners
• To increase ability to draw up a sequence of lesson plans with clear and achievable aims, using appropriate methods for young learners with various needs
• To raise participants’ awareness of their own effectiveness as teachers and to work co-operatively as members of a teaching team or group

Entry Requirements

Minimum Age

Trainees to be a minimum of eighteen years old at the time of entry to the course – i.e. on the first day of the course.

Educational Background/Qualifications

Trainees to have at least qualifications for entry to higher education (tertiary level) in the UK or in the trainees’ home country or the equivalent in terms of demonstrated academic and study potential.

Teaching Experience/Qualifications

Trained to TEFLI standard or higher (or equivalent, i.e. minimum 120 hours tuition, and 6 hours observed teaching - most overseas teaching degrees should meet this requirement).

Competence in spoken and written English

The following tests and examinations will be used as partial benchmarks, subject to demonstrated competence during the selection process:

• Trinity graded examination in spoken English, Grade 10 or above
• Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English
• Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English
• IELTS band 7.0 (on all sub-scores) or above
• Pitman Advanced ESOL examination
• TOEFL score 550 (213 with computer-based score)

In considering candidates for whom English is a first language, we will ascertain that candidates’ levels of spoken and written English are of a sufficiently high standard to enable them to perform the function of role models as language teachers.

Language awareness

Ability to recognise and analyse features of language, including, Meaning, Form and Pronunciation. Ability to complete the pre-course task focusing on these areas.

Willingness to work cooperatively

Aptitude for working with young learners

How To Apply

All candidates will be required to complete the following documents:

• Application Form - doc
• Pre-course Task - doc

Interviews will then take place. Interviews will normally be face-to-face, and only exceptionally by telephone or online.

Where interviews are carried out by telephone or online, candidates must be warned in advance that they may be refused a place on the course on arrival if they are not then considered to meet the entry requirements set by Trinity and by the individual course provider.

After interview, an candidates will be informed of the outcome by email.

If accepted, full fees should be paid as soon as possible to guarantee a place on the course.

All candidates accepted will be expected to complete a Declaration form regarding suitability to work with children, and to complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

Criminal Record Background Checks

Skola will ask prospective trainees to reveal any criminal record.

Trainees successful on the YL Extension Course in the UK will be required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). Trainees will be expected to pay for this. This provides an exhaustive list of the individual’s known violations of the law. 

Having a criminal record does not necessarily bar an applicant from entry to the course.  However, trainees wishing to receive a STYLE Certificate will need to have a record that is free of any violation of the law relevant to the treatment of under-16s.

As trainees will be working with under-16s in the course of their training (i.e. during teaching practice), Skola will make the necessary enquiries as indicated above in all cases.

Special Needs

Course providers will make clear the arrangements for trainees with special needs. Prospective trainees with special needs will be encouraged to discuss their requirements with the Skola.  The means by which the trainee and Skola can make special provision so that the trainee will have the opportunity to follow the course and have a reasonable opportunity of completing the required assignments to the necessary standards.

Equal Opportunities

Skola Teacher Training’s Equal Opportunities Policy is available upon request.

Hours Of Study

60 timetabled hours
2 non-timetabled hours.

Sample Timetable - doc

Course Units

Unit 1 - 80%

Teaching Skills and Professional Development (including methodology, teaching skills, teaching practice and related journal, guided observation and related journal, coursebook and materials evaluation, and methods of assessment and testing in the classroom, as appropriate to young learners).

This unit includes Language awareness.
Content and evaluation of this unit available on request.     

Unit 2 - 20%

The Materials Assignment

Details available upon request.

Course Tutors

Stuart Pollard – Course Director
Andy Cossey – Course Tutor
Maryam Thawfeega – Course Tutor

Location

Full-Time Course, London

Primary - Skola International Community School,
4 York Terrace East,
London NW1

Secondary - Skola International Community School,
21 Star Street,
London, W2

Skola Central Office,
12 Porchester Place,
London, W2.

Full-Time Course (Residential), Suffolk
Alexander’s International School, Bawdsey, Suffolk.