PDA Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL SCQF level 10

The PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL at SCQF level 10 (GC3D 50) provides specialist professional development for ESOL practitioners. The primary focus is on adult ESOL learning. This qualification is relevant to you if you have an initial TESOL qualification (eg SQA PDA in TESOL, Cambridge ESOL CELTA, Trinity College, London CertTESOL) and wish to develop your professional practice.

The Scottish Government has recommended that the PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL at SCQF level 10 becomes the minimum benchmark for ESOL practitioners in Scotland.

This qualification has been withdrawn and will finish on 31/07/2025. 

This means no new centres may be approved to offer the qualification

Use the tabs below to open each section individually. Alternatively you can show all the sections.

The PDA in Applied Practitioner Studies in TESOL at SCQF level 10 is a specialist professional development qualification for ESOL practitioners. It can facilitate access to other higher level qualifications in this field at SCQF level 11 and above (such as internationally recognised TESOL Diplomas and related Masters qualifications). 

The qualification consists of the following Units:

Mandatory Units

  • FK8X 37 English Language Analysis for TESOL (2 HN credits – SCQF level 10)
  • FK8Y 36 ESOL Assessment and the Scottish Framework (1 HN credit – SCQF level 9)

Optional Units

(One Unit is required to achieve the PDA)

  •  FM1G 36 ESOL Syllabus Design (1 HN credit – SCQF level 9)
  • FK8W 36 Teaching ESOL Literacies to Adults (1 HN credit – SCQF level 9)

To achieve the qualification, you complete the two Mandatory Units and one Optional Unit. The Units will give you 16 SCQF credit points at level 10 and 16 SCQF credit points at level 9.

The qualification is designed to develop your range of specialist knowledge and skills relevant to the effective teaching of ESOL in a variety of contexts, with its cycle of planning, delivery, assessment and evaluation. This qualification provides opportunities to evaluate and reflect on your own teaching, and through this reflective approach, improve your future professional practice. The Units are also available on a freestanding basis, allowing practitioners to augment their existing qualifications by undertaking targeted professional development.

English Language Analysis for TESOL explores language issues (eg varieties of English, language and identity) which impact on English language teaching and learning. You will analyse features of the English language in-depth, explore learner difficulty in acquiring/using a variety of English language features, and apply this knowledge to an ESOL teaching context.

ESOL Assessment and the Scottish Framework develops knowledge and skills related to ESOL assessment and its application. You will reflect on the types and purposes of assessment, and develop knowledge, skills and strategies to assess ESOL learners effectively within the Scottish Qualifications ESOL Framework.

ESOL Syllabus Design develops knowledge and skills related to ESOL syllabus design and evaluation. You will explore theories and approaches to syllabus design and their application, to enable you to plan effective, coherent teaching and learning programmes for a diverse range of ESOL contexts.

Teaching ESOL Literacies to Adults focuses on knowledge and skills related to adult ESOL literacies, particularly within the Scottish context. You will explore issues and approaches linked to ESOL literacies teaching and learning, and develop strategies to work effectively with ESOL literacies learners.