ACE - Access Certificate in English Language Teaching
This qualification forms a part of the International English Qualifications suite. It enables candidates to gain an initial language teaching qualification with an emphasis on communicative language teaching methods. ACE is designed to develop teachers´ language awareness and the knowledge of ELT methodology, teaching and classroom skills, as well as their confidence and ability in communicating in English. ACE has been jointly developed with the world-renowned Department of Language and Literary Studies in Education at the University of Manchester UK. The two well-established trainers and authors, Jeremy Harmer and Dr Diane Philips endorsed the project. ACE was piloted in different countries and launched in June 2000.
Target audience
ACE is aimed at:
- newcomers to the profession who want/need an initial teaching qualification
- practicing English language teachers who want/need an international recognition for their skills and experience
- teachers of other subjects who want to move into English language teaching
Syllabus
ACE consists of two constituent programmes:
1. Foundation of English Language Teaching (FELT) - a theory component
The aim of this programme is to develop an initial understanding of the practical features of English language teaching. It consists of 11 units covering the following areas:
- Ideas on what makes a good teacher
- An introduction to language systems and how they can be taught
- How to teach receptive and productive skills
- Effective classroom management
- Suggested teaching models applied to lesson planning
- Resources available to teachers and learners
- Appropriate teaching techniques
Syllabus objectives (11 units)
1. Learning and teaching: how to be a successful teacher - how to be a successful learner
2. Choices in the classroom: how to manage teaching and learning
3. Learning about the language: descriptions of language systems
4. Teaching the language systems: from understanding to practice
5. Teaching receptive skills: reading and listening
6. Teaching productive skills: speaking
7. Teaching productive skills: writing
8. Learning styles and learner training
9. Planning effective learning: teaching models and lesson planning
10. Resources available to the teachers
11. Teaching versus testing
Main resources:
- "How to teach English" by Jeremy Harmer (Longman: ISBN 0-562-29796-6)
- FELT support materials (a set of 11 instruction books) developed by the University of Manchester
Candidates need a minimum of 100 hours for this programme. The estimated time includes input sessions, tutorials, assignments and time spent on the support materials.
2. Supervised Teaching Practice (STP) - a practical component
The aim of this programme is to develop the practical skills of English language teaching. It consists of 10 units focusing on:
- Classroom management and procedures
- Techniques and methods
- Personal qualities
- Assessment and monitoring
- Use of language
Syllabus objectives (10 units)
1. Demonstrate effective classroom management
2. Demonstrate effective lesson planning
3. Utilise a wide variety of classroom techniques
4. Demonstrate ability to develop teaching materials
5. Display good student rapport
6. Demonstrate ability to work as a team
7. Assess and monitor learners' achievements
8. Provide feedback appropriately
9. Analyse language for teaching purposes
10. Provide an accurate language model
Main resources:
- "Teaching Practice Handbook" by Gower, Philips and Walters (Heinemann: ISBN 0435-24059-5)
Candidates need a minimum of 50 hours for this programme. The time includes the observed lessons, teaching practice, planning time for and feedback on lessons
Assessment
Assessment is subject to both External and Internal Verification. An External Verifier (an external assessor) is responsible for ensuring the consistency, reliability and validity of assessments on City & Guilds' behalf. They monitor that the standards of assessment are carried out by the staff and the results obtained are in accordance with the standards required for this award. An Internal Verifier is required to and responsible for monitoring assessment practices of the individual assessors.
In order to receive the full ACE, candidates are required to be successful in both programmes.
1. Foundation of English Language Teaching. This programme is assessed by an examination paper of 1 hour's duration (40 multiple choice questions). The test is sent to the UK and assessed by City & Guilds external assessors. A candidate will have to attain a pass mark of 65%. The examination is available on set dates four times a year.
2. Supervised Teaching Practice. The programme is assessed by the course tutor and moderated by External Verifier. The assessment is based on:
- Candidate's teaching practice. Each candidate is required to undertake between 10 - 20 lessons which are observed and given feedback by course tutors. 4 of the lessons are formally assessed.
- Candidate's portfolio. During the course each candidate is required to produce a portfolio of the set types of documents: lesson plans, observed TP sheets, teaching observation sheets, a teaching journal, 3 assignments: materials evaluations, a profile of a student, an evaluation of teaching practice.
Results: Pass (Grade A), Pass (Grade B), Pass (Grade C), Fail
ACE documents