How To Get An Esl Teaching Certificate

Many people find ESL jobs around the world with an online TESOL certification. The truth is, it is possible to find teaching jobs with no qualifications at all. The question you really need to ask is, can I get a job that pays well and offers good working conditions? Although the answer is still yes, you need to make sure that the course you choose is of the highest quality you can find. The unavoidable drawback of taking a TESOL course online is the obvious lack of any teaching practice. If your budget can stretch to a month-long in-class training course you will have many hours to practice the theory you have learned with real language learners in an authentic classroom environment. This type of course will open up a wider range of opportunities in many countries around the world....  [Read more]

In years gone by most training courses required attendance at some form of training center. However, since the explosion of the internet and the wide availability of internet connected devices, online training has gradually become more and more popular. These days online courses have largely become the norm in many fields and they have also become widely accepted by employers as a legitimate route towards qualification. Although there are a few areas where online courses might struggle to replicate their in-class equivalent, online courses are clearly here to stay. If you have made the decision to complete your TESOL training via an online course, the next decision is which one to choose? The first thing to remember is that TESOL courses are normally classified by the average number...  [Read more]

If you go online and search for free TESOL courses you will be confronted by a confusing array of results. You will find several free course options on offer and many more that are suspiciously cheap. Your initial reaction might be that these options seem like a great deal and you can save some of your hard earned cash to put towards your upcoming teaching adventure, rather than spend it on your TESOL qualification. However, we would recommend you think about a few things before you sign up for any of these so-called ‘great deals’. One common feature of free or suspiciously cheap TESOL courses is that they often do not come with any form of certification included. Once complete, you are then offered various certification options at any extra cost. These options might be a PDF...  [Read more]

If you choose to take an online TESOL course you will have the luxury of choosing exactly where and when you study. You can work through your course at home in the evenings and on the weekends, or you could fit in what you can during your lunch break or when traveling to and from work. This kind of flexibility is one of the main reasons why our online courses are so popular. However, if you choose to attend one of our training centers to complete an in-class TESOL course, you will also have plenty of options. Our in-class course is currently available in a number of different countries, in most corners of the world. You could choose the training center that is closest to your home location, or you could choose one that is located close to where you would most like to live and work...  [Read more]

Only a few years ago a reasonable proportion of ESL employers still preferred their job applicants to possess an in-class TESOL course rather than an online equivalent. However, that number has grown less and less in recent times as the prevalence of online training has increased dramatically and many employers find it increasingly hard to fill their vacant positions. These days it is not only convenient and affordable to complete an online TESOL certificate course, it is also well worth it as your qualification will be welcomed by the vast majority of potential employers in most parts of the TESOL world. While online TESOL courses have become widely accepted by employers in recent years it is still important that you choose the right course to give you the best chance of securing...  [Read more]

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. As well as the actual act of teaching English, the acronym TESOL is also used to refer to the courses that teachers take and the certification they receive upon completion of their training. In order to be eligible for most sought after teaching jobs, teachers with or without previous experience generally require a TESOL certificate. In this sense, a TESOL is most certainly a teaching certificate. There are generally three standard ways to obtain a TESOL certification: In-class courses, online courses, and combined (hybrid) courses. Any of these options will result in a TESOL qualification that is widely recognized by employers around the world, provided it is supplied by a reputable course provider such as ITTT....  [Read more]

Acronyms associated with English language learners include ESL, EFL and ESOL. They all essentially mean the same thing in that these are learners of English, whose first or native language is not English. The teaching of these learners produces a new set of acronyms which have ‘Teaching’ at the start. Hence we have TESL, TEFL and TESOL for the teaching acronyms. Most employers around the world require some form of teaching certification for you to be employed as a teacher. This is true of both government based schools, private language centers and many online teaching companies. There are three general routes to this type of certification, which are; These are taken at some location in the world, typically in a country where English is not the native language. They often require...  [Read more]

This common question is not easy to answer as it depends on the individual TESOL course you decide to sign up for. There are many different options to choose from, whether it is an online course, an in-class course, or a course that blends the two study methods. Each study method has a variety of courses and each one comes with its own average completion time. By choosing ITTT as your TESOL course provider you will have access to a wide range of courses with varying lengths, level of difficulty, and study method, which means you should certainly find something to suit your individual situation. In general, TESOL courses are classified by how many hours they take to complete on average. A quick online search will reveal a wide range of courses starting from around 50 hours or even...  [Read more]

Once you have completed your TESOL certification you will be ready to start applying for jobs all over the world, or just those close to home. However, while most course graduates end up in mainstream classroom teaching jobs, many others find themselves in less common positions. Below we look at some of the more common options beyond standard classroom teaching. Once you have gained some experience you may consider moving to a managerial role. Examples would be Head of English or Director of Studies. Your teaching time would often be minimal in these roles as you will be overseeing the whole department. If your TESOL course involved a tutor then you may have been able to ask them about their experience. Typically an online TESOL trainer will, depending upon the company they are...  [Read more]

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere it is likely that you have endured many years of cold, dark winters. If you would like the opportunity to experience living in a climate that is warm all year round, why not complete a TESOL certification course and start a new life living and working as an English teacher in the exotic tropical zone? Thousands of people every year take advantage of this opportunity and very few end up regretting their decision. All you need to do is decide which tropical country is right for you. Costa Rica is small in size, but it has a very large market for TESOL qualified teachers. Most teaching jobs are found in private language centers that are located in most of the larger towns and cities. Private tutoring of English students is also a popular way to...  [Read more]

Due to its widespread job market, high salaries and unique culture, Japan has long been one of the most popular teaching destinations in Asia. Although there might be a few other countries in the region with a better balance of high wages and a low cost of living, nowhere else can quite match the incredible mix of modern development and ancient traditions that Japan is so famous for. The requirements for gaining a work visa in Japan are not quite as stringent as some other countries as you simply need to possess a degree in any subject. The other essential qualities you need are to be fluent in English, to have a very professional approach, and a clear passion and desire for teaching in the classroom. Although a TESOL certification is not an official requirement, it is still...  [Read more]

Although Greece has been popular with ESL teachers for many years, the recent economic downturn has had a significant impact on the number of jobs available. Despite this, teachers continue to be drawn to the country due to the great climate, stunning beaches, and the general culture. As there are less jobs available than in the past, employers can afford to be a little more picky when it comes to the hiring process. Also, recent changes to immigration laws have made it harder for non-EU citizens to obtain the necessary work visa. As a consequence of these factors, many employers choose to only hire teachers with an EU passport. The basic requirements expected when applying for most teaching jobs are a university degree and a TESOL qualification. Greece has a large network of...  [Read more]

The Southeast Asia region continues to boom in terms of demand for foreign ESL teachers and Vietnam is no exception. In recent times the salaries being offered have begun to improve as schools look to attract more teachers to the country. Within just a few years, Vietnam is likely to become one of the most popular teaching destinations in the region. Official work permits for teachers in Vietnam are restricted to native English speakers who have a bachelor?s degree. It is also common for individual employers to insist on teachers having a TESOL certificate of at least 120-hours duration. Classroom experience might also be required when applying for jobs at the very top end of the pay scale, although these are small in number. Often you can bypass this requirement if you conduct a...  [Read more]

The Taiwan government has recently stated its ambition is for the country to become bilingual Chinese ? English by the year 2030, which is certainly going to provide a huge amount of opportunities for ESL teachers. As well as having a booming job market, Taiwan also offers high salaries, excellent benefit packages, a relatively low cost of living, and an international reputation as one of the world?s most friendly nations. In order to work as an ESL teacher in Taiwan you need to be a native English speaker from the USA, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia. You must also be over 20 years old and possess a degree in any subject. A TESOL qualification is not a legal requirement for finding a teaching job, however, the majority of employers expect their...  [Read more]

A large number of people every year choose Europe as their destination for teaching English abroad, the majority from North America. However, for many it can be quite daunting as very few employers look to hire their teachers in advance. Unlike in some other regions such as Asia and the Middle East, foreign teachers generally have to fly into their country of choice and then start looking for a teaching job by contacting potential employers in person. Although this approach works fine for most teachers, there are a few other options for those who want a job lined up in advance. Russia has seen a strong rise in demand for TESOL qualified teachers in recent years and average salaries have risen accordingly. It is also becoming more popular with teachers as a large proportion of...  [Read more]

With around 100,000 foreign teachers working across the country each year, China is now the world leader in ESL teaching jobs. This recent boom has been brought about by a buoyant economy that has given more and more families the financial freedom to provide a good education for their children. There are an estimated 300 million people currently learning English in China, so potential jobs are widespread and relatively easy to come by. As there is often a shortage of available teachers in many areas, schools are increasingly offering high salaries and other bonuses in an effort to attract teachers to their door. The exact figure you can expect to earn will vary considerably depending on the type of employer and the location you choose, but the average is between $1,000 and $2,500...  [Read more]

Hungary has seen a rapid increase in demand for ESL teachers in recent years as more and more local people see English language proficiency as a way to step up the job ladder. With a great location in the heart of Europe, a low cost of living, and a laid-back approach to life, Hungary also has much to offer TESOL qualified teachers. Due to a very high demand, it is possible to get a teaching position in Hungary without any qualifications or previous classroom experience. However, the more you have to offer, the better your chances of securing the highest paying positions. A TESOL certificate is certainly a real advantage as most good employers expect it, particularly a course that also included teaching practice. Native English speakers are also sought after, although non-native...  [Read more]

Turkey occupies a unique position at the junction between Europe and Asia and it is rapidly becoming one of the region?s boom destinations for ESL teachers. Jobs are easily found in major cities and popular tourist areas as the English language is becoming more and more vital in many types of employment. While it is still possible to land a job without any specific qualifications or experience, these positions are not likely to pay very well or offer the best working conditions. To ensure you are eligible for the most sought after jobs, a TESOL qualification is usually required. Some positions will also specify a degree and/or previous classroom experience. Many employers will give preference to teachers whose TESOL course included teaching practice over those who only have an online...  [Read more]

Having adequate health insurance is clearly an important issue wherever you are living and working around the world. Whether health insurance is covered by your employer or not is something that varies from one situation to the next so it is important to confirm this whenever you are interviewed for a teaching position. Here we take a brief look at health insurance within the ESL teaching world. In most of the big ESL job markets across Asia such as China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam, health insurance is typically included in a teaching contract. In most cases the cost will be fully covered by the employer, although a small sum might be deducted from your salary in certain situations. In other less developed markets, health insurance is less likely to be...  [Read more]

Thailand is one of the undisputed top destinations in Southeast Asia for ESL teachers. Jobs are relatively easy to find in many areas of the country, although the average salary is not as high as in several other countries across Asia. However, many teachers still flock to Thailand to enjoy the laid back lifestyle, vibrant culture, and extensive entertainment options. In years gone by it was common for teachers to work in Thailand without an official work permit, however, things have moved on and you will now need to meet the set requirements if you want to earn a good income. The main requirement for gaining a work permit is a university degree in any subject. A TESOL qualification is not officially required, although without one you may struggle to find a job with a reputable...  [Read more]