Is TESOL level 5 equivalent to a degree?
A Level 5 TESOL course, while highly regarded in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages, is not equivalent to a degree. The TESOL course-level framework, which ranges from level 3 to level 7, indicates the depth and complexity of each course. A Level 4 course typically involves at least 100 hours of study and is often the minimum expectation for many employers. A Level 5 TESOL course goes beyond this, offering a more advanced level of training and certification that exceeds the average qualification for TESOL teachers globally. While it represents a higher standard within TESOL certifications, it should be noted that it doesn't equate to an academic degree, which usually involves several years of comprehensive study at a higher education institution.
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What are the different levels of TEFL certification?
What is a level 5 TESOL qualification?
What are the different levels of TEFL certification?
Unfortunately, there is no one single framework that represents the different levels of qualifications available within the world of ESL teaching. At ITTT we have developed our course-level framework using the same basic criteria as most other countries or organizations, i.e, what type of certification is it, how many study hours does it require, is any practical training included, and is it full or part time? Using this straightforward system you can contrast and compare all our course options with other courses in the same genre or with courses from other types of education.
Check out our course levels page for full details of our framework.
What is a level 5 TESOL qualification?
To answer the original question, TESOL qualifications at level 5 are considered to be at the same level of difficulty as a CELTA certification or a foundation degree. In order to study at this level a good understanding of written and spoken English will be required, however, the course is open to native and non-native speakers alike. As there are so many vacant teaching positions waiting to be filled, most employers are more concerned about your ability to teach rather than what language you first learned to speak.
By completing a level 5 TESOL qualification you will learn everything you need to get started as an ESL teacher, plus plenty more that the average first-time teacher does not have in their locker. Right from the start you will be ahead of the competition when applying for jobs and once you have added some classroom experience to your portfolio there will be nothing to stand in your way, no matter how high you set the bar.
Level 5 TESOL courses at ITTT
At ITTT we currently have two great course options that are rated at level 5: The 170-hour TESOL course with online specialization and the 220-hour Master Package.
If you are thinking about teaching English online either straightaway or sometime in the future, then the 170-hour course is a very popular choice. This option kicks off with the initial 120-hour course that covers all the basic teaching knowledge that novice teachers are expected to know. This part of the course covers fundamental subjects such as classroom management, teaching methodologies, testing and evaluation, and a variety of English grammar topics. Once complete, you then move onto the 50-hour course in teaching English online which covers all the specialist skills that you might require when working in this unique area of language teaching.
If you decide that the 220-hour Master Package is more suitable for you, then you will receive three individual courses that provide a solid introduction to teaching all types of students in all types of environments. Once again, this package starts with the initial 120-hour certification course. This is then followed by two 50-hour specialized courses in teaching business English and teaching English to young learners. These two extra courses cover two of the most popular areas of ESL teaching that you are likely to come across, no matter where you plan to live and work. Both of our level 5 courses cover way more than a standard training course, giving you a head start on your fellow teachers and a clear advantage in the international job market.
