Which countries accept TESOL?
TESOL certification is a universally recognized qualification in the ESL industry, accepted in nearly every country worldwide for English language teaching positions. This includes English speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom, as well as many popular destinations in Asia including Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. It is also valid right across Europe and South America.
TESOL certification equips educators with essential skills for planning and delivering quality English lessons, and is recognized by governments, schools, and language centers globally. Whether you are looking to teach in Asia, Europe, the Americas, or elsewhere, a TESOL certificate is typically a key requirement, highly valued by a diverse range of employers in the field of English language education.
Table of Contents
Does it matter what type of TESOL certificate I get?
What other requirements are there when applying for ESL teaching jobs?
Does it matter what type of TESOL certificate I get?
When considering a TESOL certification, the type and quality of the certificate significantly influence its acceptance by employers. While a TESOL certificate is a standard requirement globally, not all courses are viewed equally. Key factors include the course provider's reputation and the course's length. Courses under 100 hours are often seen as introductory and may not cover all topics needed for higher-paying teaching jobs. A minimum of 120 hours of study is the unofficial industry standard for a TESOL certificate that will open doors to standard teaching positions worldwide. It is also crucial to research the course provider to ensure they have a strong reputation in the teaching world and the certification aligns with your career goals and is accepted in your desired teaching location.
For more information on our standard course, visit our 120-hour course page.
What other requirements are there when applying for ESL teaching jobs?
While a TESOL certification of over 100 hours is usually required when applying for most ESL teaching jobs, there are also a few other requirements that you might need to take into consideration when choosing a suitable teaching destination, such as your nationality, age, educational background, and first language. In some countries, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, it is law that foreign teachers have to be native English speakers from certain English speaking countries. These are typically, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, the US, and South Africa.
Some countries and individual employers also require their teachers to have a full degree in any subject. While this usually has no real bearing on a person's ability to be a good English teacher, it is still set in law in some countries and is also a preference of other individual schools and language centers. Finally, age can sometimes be a factor as there is a mandatory retirement age that applies to all teachers in certain countries. This could be anywhere from 55 to 65. With all these potential requirements, it varies from one country to the next. To be sure you are eligible for teaching jobs in the countries that you have chosen as potential destinations, it is recommended that you research the specific requirements before booking a plane ticket.
