TEFL certification
What is TEFL certification?
TEFL certification is an academic qualification that is typically required when applying for English language teaching positions in most countries worldwide. While it may still be possible to find teaching jobs without any relevant qualifications in a few of the less popular destinations, a TEFL certification from a reputable course provider is an essential ingredient when looking for TEFL jobs that pay a good salary and offer comfortable working conditions.
Table of Contents
What does TEFL certification mean?
Should I get a TEFL or TESOL certification?
What are the requirements for TEFL certification?
How do I get TEFL certification?
Which TEFL certification course should I choose?
How much does TEFL certification cost?
Can I get free TEFL certification?
Should I get TEFL certification online?
Is there TEFL certification near me?
What is the best TEFL certification?
Many of the most popular countries for teaching English abroad also now require teachers to hold a TEFL certification in order to qualify for a work permit or visa. Without this certification you will be unable to access jobs legally in these countries, many of which are home to the highest paying employers within the TEFL world.
With the help of an ITTT accredited TEFL certification you can acquire all the specialist skills and knowledge required to become a qualified teaching professional in your home country or almost anywhere else you choose.
What does TEFL certification mean?
The globally recognized standard qualification for teaching English to non-native speakers is known as either a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate. These terms are often used interchangeably, but technically speaking TEFL refers to teaching English in countries where English is not the native language and TESOL refers to teaching English in countries where English is the native language. However, both versions involve the exact same training and result in the same level of qualification that is valid for English language teaching jobs in all corners of the world.
Should I get a TEFL or TESOL certification?
Either a TEFL or TESOL certificate will be accepted by employers when applying for teaching positions. Despite their small technical differences, the training and qualifications involved in both versions are identical and with ITTT you get to choose which you have printed on your certification. It is best to base your choice on which acronym is more commonly used in the area where you plan to teach. Once you know where you would like to be, simply do a quick online search to see whether TEFL or TESOL is more popular in that country.
If you plan to stay and work in your own English speaking country, then a TESOL certificate might make sense as you will probably be teaching English as a second language to refugees or immigrants. If you plan to head overseas to teach in a non-English speaking country, then a TEFL certificate might be more suitable as you will be Teaching English as a Foreign Language. If you change your employment plans at a later date, no problem, as both TEFL and TESOL certificates are valid and sought after by employers globally.
What are the requirements for TEFL certification?
The most important quality required to teach EFL is the desire to embrace new experiences, other than that there are few limitations. In order to gain a TEFL certification with ITTT you need to be at least 18 years old, however, there are no upper age limits. As long as you are open to new ideas, you are welcome to join the many thousands of trainees of all ages and backgrounds who have gained their TEFL certification through us.
All our TEFL certification programs are open to native and non-native English speakers, as there are plenty of employment options available no matter where you come from. You also do not need to be familiar with any language other than English as our courses are based on the communicative approach to language teaching that ensures that English is the only language used in the classroom. Finally, as it is not necessary to possess a university degree to teach English in many areas of the world, we do not require our trainees to have completed any specific level of education.
How do I get TEFL certification?
TEFL certification can be obtained via online courses, traditional in-class courses or a hybrid combination of the two. We also offer a range of great value course bundles that will give you a broader knowledge of the EFL world and extra qualifications that will attract the attention of potential employers, no matter which countries you dream of working in. We recommend you first browse all of our individual course options and multi-course packages before deciding on the right format to suit your individual situation.
Once you have made a decision on which course is best for you and your future plans, simply visit our course registration page and follow the instructions. Your initial course registration is free of charge and does not commit you in any way. Once registered you will receive our free e-guide to TEFL which includes a wide range of information covering the TEFL world, our training courses, preparing to go abroad, and basic job information for all the main teaching destinations.
Which TEFL certification course should I choose?
When choosing a TEFL certification course the most important thing is to ensure that it is adequate for your own individual needs. Many course providers offer short-format TEFL certification that can be completed in 40 study hours or even less. Essentially these courses are designed to provide an insight into EFL teaching, which is perfectly adequate if you plan to teach on a short-term voluntary basis.
There are many worthy causes all over the world who are in need of knowledgeable voluntary teachers and these opportunities can often provide an amazing cultural experience. However, if you are planning on a longer-term adventure that provides a solid income, then you should seriously consider a more in-depth qualification.
The internationally accepted minimum qualification for most English teaching jobs is a TEFL certification of at least 120 hours. These courses typically cover a range of important topics, including classroom management, assessment strategies and English grammar. If you choose an in-class course you will also have the major benefit of real teaching practice in a real EFL classroom. With ITTT we also offer the chance of optional teaching practice with all our online courses.
How much does TEFL certification cost?
As online courses have few overheads they are typically the cheapest option, however, it is not recommended that you choose your TEFL course based purely on the price. Make sure it includes everything you need to get your teaching journey off to a great start. At ITTT our most popular online TEFL course is the 120-hour TEFL certification that is very competitively priced at less than $250. Don’t forget to also check out our great value course packages that provide multiple qualifications at discount prices.
Despite the convenience and low cost of online study, many trainees still choose to complete their course at a training center. One of the many benefits of this approach is that they are taught by highly experienced professionals who have many years of teaching and training behind them. Another highlight is the social side of an in-class course as you get to share your experiences with like-minded people both inside and outside of the classroom. Prices for a 4-week in-class TEFL course start at around $1,395.
Can I get free TEFL certification?
As our main TEFL certification courses are of such high quality we are unable to provide them free of charge. However, we do all we can to keep the overall costs to a minimum and we do offer free additional TEFL courses when signing up for certain course options. Our free options include courses in teaching business English, teaching young learners and teaching English online. If you plan on following any of these specific paths in the future or you simply want to broaden your teaching knowledge, one or more of these free additional courses will look great on your CV/resume. We also offer the advanced-level Diploma in TESOL course for free when you join an in-class or combined TEFL course.
Should I get TEFL certification online?
Due to their flexibility, convenience and value for money, online training courses have become increasingly popular across all fields of education, including within the world of English language teaching. Obtaining a TEFL certification online has many advantages:
- As they are studied via 100% distance learning the overall cost of an online TEFL course is considerably less than for an in-class course.
- Online TEFL courses can be completed in your own time from any location with an internet connection.
- All our online TEFL courses come with online tutor support.
- Most of our online TEFL courses include a range of informative videos to complement the written materials.
As well as our main 120-hour online TEFL course, we also offer an advanced online Diploma in TESOL that is designed to further increase your teaching knowledge and to open the door to higher-level teaching jobs. The Diploma course is also completed 100% online and can be taken immediately after your initial TEFL certification course.
For more information on all our online TEFL course options, please visit our online TEFL course page.
Is there TEFL certification near me?
If you prefer to study in a traditional classroom rather than online, our in-class TEFL course might be perfect for you. This intensive course option is held over a four-week period at one of our international training centers (there may even be one in your country or local area). The major benefits of this option are:
- Direct classroom-based instruction by experienced, professional teacher trainers.
- The opportunity to practice your teaching skills with genuine language learners in an authentic classroom environment.
- Immediate feedback and constructive criticism on your lessons.
- Training in-class can often lead to job opportunities in the local area.
- When not in the classroom you can explore the local culture and make new friendships with your classmates.
At ITTT we offer our in-class TEFL course in dozens of locations around the world. We have many options throughout the USA and Canada, plus training centers in some of the most popular destinations for teaching EFL, including:
- France
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
- Spain
- Thailand
- Vietnam
For more information, please visit our in-class TEFL course page.
What is the best TEFL certification?
At ITTT we believe we offer the very best range of TEFL certification as we have options to suit all situations. Our courses vary in duration, cost and method of study, however, regardless of your choice you will receive the same high-level of study materials and first-class instruction. All our teacher trainers, whether online or onsite, are experienced teachers who have lived and worked in a variety of countries. Their in-depth knowledge and dedication to your study goals can often be the difference between a normal training course and a life changing experience.
As well as the very best tutors and study materials, ITTT also provides extensive post-course job support to ensure you have the best employment options to choose from. And if that isn’t enough, we will provide our job services for as long as you remain working within the field of TEFL. One other way that you can be sure you will receive the best TEFL certification with ITTT is that we are affiliated to and accredited by some of the leading individuals, institutes and schools in the language teaching field.
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