TESOL: How long?
The duration of TESOL courses varies based on the type and depth of the program. The most common format is the 120-hour TESOL course, which is widely recognized and often considered the industry standard. This course can typically be completed in 4-6 weeks if pursued full-time, but may take longer if done part-time or online at a self-paced schedule. ITTT offers a variety of TESOL courses tailored to different needs, each with its own specific duration. From intensive short courses designed for rapid learning to extensive programs for in-depth training, ITTT's range ensures there is a suitable option for every aspiring ESL teacher, regardless of their time constraints or learning preferences.
Table of Contents
Which TESOL course can be completed in the quickest time?
Will a longer online TESOL course provide more benefits?
What about in-class TESOL courses?
What about specialized and advanced TESOL courses?
Are there any time limits for completing a TESOL course?
Which TESOL course can be completed in the quickest time?
The quickest TESOL course to complete is typically a short-format, introductory online course. These courses are designed for rapid certification and can be ideal for individuals looking to quickly gain a foundational understanding of TESOL principles. However, it is important to note that many employers globally prefer candidates with a minimum of a 120-hour TESOL certification, as this duration ensures comprehensive coverage of essential teaching skills and knowledge. Short-format TESOL courses, which may be completed in a significantly shorter period, are generally suited for those planning to teach voluntarily or serve as teaching assistants, rather than full-time professional ESL teachers.
Will a longer online TESOL course provide more benefits?
In order to meet the widely accepted minimum study length that is attached to most mainstream teaching jobs, we would recommend our 120-hour TESOL certification course. This is our most popular online option as it covers more than enough content to satisfy the majority of employers and to prepare you for everything that your first few days and weeks in the classroom will have in store. If you want to get your teaching career moving at pace, this option can realistically be completed in under two weeks. However, in order to get the most out of the training we would recommend somewhere around the average completion time of six to eight weeks.
What about in-class TESOL courses?
In contrast to our online courses, the in-class TESOL option has a fixed timetable that runs for four weeks straight. The theoretical content of the course will be largely the same as the 120-hour online course, with the addition of observed teaching practice that will allow you to practice everything you have learned in a real ESL classroom. Trainees who choose the in-class course will have dozens of great locations to pick from, in every corner of the world. Upon completion of your studies you should be fully prepared to set foot in your very own ESL classroom.
What about specialized and advanced TESOL courses?
On top of the courses mentioned above, ITTT also provides a number of specialized and advanced online courses that are designed to add extra weight to your teaching knowledge and job applications. We currently have three 60-hour specialized courses that can be completed in as little as a week if you are able to study full time, although three or four weeks is probably the average. These are: the course in teaching English to young learners (CTEYL), the course in teaching business English (CTBE), and the course in teaching English online (CTEO). Our advanced-level course is the online Diploma in TESOL which can be completed in around a month if you are highly motivated, although the average is around eight months.
Are there any time limits for completing a TESOL course?
As we have already covered, the in-class TESOL course runs on a fixed schedule of four weeks. Within this timeframe you will complete all sections of the training. Our online course options are completely different as they do not have any fixed schedules. Every trainee gets to decide for themselves what pace of study to go for. However, in order to ensure you are still familiar with the early parts of the course by the time you get to the closing stages, there are maximum time limits for each course. Our 120-hour course must be completed within six months of the start date, while the Diploma in TESOL has a maximum limit of one year.
