Which TESOL certificate to get?
When deciding which TESOL certificate to obtain, consider the following key factors to ensure it aligns with your personal circumstances, study style, and future teaching goals:
- Accreditation and Recognition: Choose a TESOL course that is accredited and widely recognized by employers worldwide. This ensures your qualification is respected and valued in the job market.
- Course Content and Length: Look for comprehensive courses that cover essential teaching methodologies, classroom management, and language concepts. The standard industry expectation is a 120-hour course.
- Mode of Learning: Decide between an online or in-class course based on your learning preference and schedule. Online courses offer flexibility, while in-class courses provide hands-on teaching experience.
- Provider Reputation: Research the reputation of the course providers. Opt for institutions with positive reviews and a track record of successful alumni.
- Career Objectives: Consider how the course aligns with your future teaching plans, whether teaching abroad, online, or in specific regions or settings.
By focusing on these criteria, you can navigate towards a TESOL certificate that best suits your needs and enhances your prospects in the field of English language teaching.
Table of Contents
How do I choose the right study method?
Does the course length matter?
What if I am planning to teach English online?
Should I also take additional TESOL courses?
How do I choose the right study method?
When choosing a TESOL course a good place to start is to decide what style of study will suit you best. If you have existing commitments that you cannot avoid, such as work, other study, or family responsibilities, then an online course might be the best option as you get to decide exactly when you study and for how long. An online course is also typically the cheapest method of study as it does not require any physical attendance at a training center and the overheads for the provider are relatively low.
For more information, take a look at our online TESOL course page.
Although an online course provides a very convenient and affordable study option, it typically lacks any real teaching practice. If the idea of walking into a classroom full of students for the first time without having any practice seems like a scary proposition, then you might want to consider an in-class TESOL course. With this option you get to practice all the theory of teaching you have learned during your course by undertaking several sessions of Observed Teaching Practice (OTP). By the end of the course you should feel confident in your teaching abilities and ready to set foot in the classroom on your first day in your first teaching role.
For more information, take a look at our in-class TESOL course page.
Does the course length matter?
If you decide that the in-class option is the right choice for you then you have nothing else to consider other than the location of the course, as in-class courses generally run on a set study schedule of four weeks of full-time study. However, if the online route is more to your liking, then the course length is something you do need to consider. Most TESOL course providers offer a range of options that often start at around 50 or 60 study hours and can go upwards of 550 hours or more. The key thing to remember here is that anything under 100 hours is generally aimed at volunteer teachers or teaching assistants, rather than mainstream classroom teachers. Around the world it is generally accepted by most employers that a TESOL certificate of 120-hours is the basic level of training required.
For more information, take a look at our 120-hour TESOL certification course page.
What if I am planning to teach English online?
If you already know that you want to teach English online rather than in a standard classroom, then you should seriously consider completing a course that has been specifically designed for this purpose. A standard TESOL course will cover all the basic teaching skills that cover every type of teaching scenario. However, any teacher who also has a specialized qualification in online teaching will have a clear advantage when applying for jobs and they will be better prepared to provide the type of lessons that online students need.
For more information, take a look at our 170-hour TESOL course with online specialization.
Should I also take additional TESOL courses?
Although a standard in-class or online TESOL course will provide all you need to get your teaching career off the ground, many trainees decide to take additional courses to further build their teaching knowledge and to gain an advantage in the ESL job market. Short-format specialization courses are very popular as they give you extra skills and knowledge on areas of teaching that are especially prevalent in many parts of the world. By adding specialized courses in teaching young learners, business English, or teaching online, you will greatly increase your level of employability. If you see yourself working your way up the ladder towards more responsibility and better pay, then an advanced-level course, such as a Diploma in TESOL, is certainly something you should consider.
For more information, take a look at our specialized TESOL course page.
Also, take a look at our Diploma in TESOL course.
