If you happen to’re focused on teaching English overseas or on-line, there’s a very good likelihood you’ve heard about getting TEFL licensed.
For many in-person or on-line English instructing jobs, a TEFL certification is likely one of the primary necessities. However with dozens of corporations on the market to select from, it may be troublesome to know which one to join.
Having the coaching and abilities that include a high-quality TEFL certification may also help you’re feeling assured and ready whenever you begin your English instructing job.
I acquired my certification by means of International TEFL Academy and for me, having the help of ITA, and the group of fellow lecturers and alumni was actually essential.
Inquiries to Ask Earlier than Selecting a TEFL Course
These are the questions I requested varied on-line TEFL corporations earlier than deciding on one. It’s essential to have your considerations and queries answered earlier than going ahead. So, ask your self (and the TEFL firm!) these 10 questions and select a course that matches your wants.
1. Is The Course Accredited?
One of many first issues to contemplate when signing up for a TEFL course is accreditation. Reliable programs ought to have details about their accreditation listed clearly on their web sites.
Typically, solely certificates issued from accredited TEFL corporations will likely be accepted by employers.
It’s essential to be sure you’re selecting a verified program. Be cautious of extraordinarily discounted TEFL certifications on coupon websites as these generally lack accreditation.
2. What Are The Course Hours?
When signing up for a TEFL course, you’ll possible get to decide on what number of “Hours” you wish to take. The variety of hours refers back to the anticipated period of time wanted to finish all of the coursework.
TEFL certifications come in several increments.
For instance, with one firm you may have the ability to select a 60-hour certification, an 80-hour certification, a 120-hour certification, or a 160-hour certification. The upper you go, the extra in-depth data you’ll obtain.
Basically, your finest guess is to go along with a 120-hour certification or higher.
120-hours is the minimal you’ll have to qualify for instructing jobs in lots of international locations, so follow 120-hours or extra to make sure you have as many job alternatives as doable.
You may also see one thing known as a Level 5 TEFL Course.
Stage 5 programs are designed to match the rigor and depth of a CELTA and are spectacular to future employers. Stage 5 programs are regulated by Ofqual, a physique from the United Kingdom that handles instructional accreditation.
If you wish to have as many job alternatives as doable and are prepared to speculate extra vitality into a sophisticated certification, a Level 5 course is likely to be an incredible match for you. The TEFL Academy presents an inexpensive Stage 5 course, click here to be taught extra about that course.
3. Do You Wish to Be taught On-line or In-Particular person?
With most corporations, you’ll get to decide on the format of the course you’re taking. Relying in your schedule and private choice, you’ll be able to select from:
On-line Programs
These are probably the most versatile choice if in case you have a busy schedule.
Online TEFL Courses might be completed independently when it’s most handy for you. You’ll normally obtain a number of modules of instruction with quizzes or assignments to submit alongside the best way.
Typically, there’s a ultimate examination or undertaking on the finish of the course the place you’ll be able to present what you’ve discovered. As a result of there isn’t an in-person part, on-line programs are sometimes inexpensive than their onsite counterparts.
In-Particular person Programs in Your Residence Nation
Some corporations provide in-person TEFL coaching in your house nation.
For instance, for those who’re from the USA, you’ll be able to take the International TEFL Academy course onsite in Chicago or the Bridge TEFL course onsite in Denver.
If you happen to’re from England, you will get licensed by ITTT in London.
These packages final for a number of weeks and also you’ll go to a coaching location to take the course. You’ll obtain face-to-face instruction and steerage from an skilled teacher and consequently, you’ll normally end this system in a matter of weeks.
The advantages of this selection are that you would be able to get observe instructing in entrance of teams of individuals and get suggestions on lesson plans and educational strategies.
In-Particular person Programs Overseas
Maybe probably the most attractive choice for these with the journey bug is an in-person course overseas.
Similar to the native in-person programs, you’ll report for sophistication day by day for a number of weeks in a bodily location. You’ll obtain your instruction in individual and sometimes get the possibility to observe instructing with actual English learners.
The draw back to this selection is that it’s dearer than the others listed and also you is likely to be accountable for different prices like flights, lodging, and excursions.
That being stated, this selection provides you with the most effective style for what it’s actually like to show in another country and will help you lay some connections with future employers!
Some corporations even promote that they will prepare interviews for you and help together with your job hunt in-person.
If you understand the place you wish to teach abroad and might discover a TEFL course in that location, signing up might put you forward of the sport when it’s time to get employed.
Mixture Programs
Lastly, you may discover that some corporations provide “mixture” programs which have an internet part and an in-person part. Sometimes, you’ll begin by doing the web portion of the course at house by yourself schedule.
Then you definitely’ll e book an onsite coaching day or weekend in a metropolis close to you. Through the onsite coaching day, you’ll get hands-on instructing observe and loads of suggestions.
These programs provide the most effective of each worlds since you nonetheless get to do the majority of the course just about, however you additionally get in-person expertise.
This may additionally work out to be cheaper because you aren’t having to pay for lodging and dwelling bills for an prolonged time period.
4. What Is The Time Dedication?
One other factor to contemplate when selecting a TEFL firm is how a lot time the course will take you.
On-line programs are usually designed to be accomplished whilst you’re working or learning, to allow them to take anyplace from 6-12 weeks relying in your schedule.
You need to test to see if there’s a timeline in your on-line course. Some programs solely permit students to have entry to the supplies for a set period of time.
If you understand you’re going to be very busy and may not end inside their required timeline, select a distinct firm or wait till you might have extra availability.
Different occasions, the course is likely to be run on a rolling foundation with set deadlines.
Programs like this may typically have modules that have to be accomplished every week and generally even reside lectures. This selection is nice for many who choose extra construction. Simply be sure you’ll have the ability to meet all of the deadlines earlier than enrolling.
In-person TEFL programs might be accomplished quicker because you’ll be within the classroom a number of hours per day. Within the evenings, you’ll both work on homework or do scholar instructing observe.
With an in-person TEFL course, you’ll be taught lots of materials in a shorter period of time. It’s extra intense, however you’ll have the ability to begin instructing sooner.
5. Does the Course Embrace Palms-On Instructing?
Some TEFL courses embrace a hands-on instructing part and others don’t.
What you select will rely in your schedule and the quantity of coaching you need. If you happen to’re the kind of one that desires extra observe earlier than diving into one thing new, choose a program with built-in instructing observe.
This may be completed in just a few methods:
- Organize your personal scholar instructing alternatives and have your supervisor log out on the time you noticed or practiced instructing.
- Take part in a 1-2 day intensive coaching with the TEFL program
- Take part in lots of shorter instructing periods over a number of weeks with an onsite TEFL program
- Volunteer as a tutor or as an intern by means of your TEFL program
6. Are There Volunteer or Internship Packages Obtainable
If you happen to’re model new to instructing, you may wish to get some expertise within the area earlier than making use of to your first job overseas. Some corporations provide volunteer alternatives or internship packages that will help you make this occur.
Check out the internships and volunteer placements supplied by completely different corporations.
See if any happen in a area the place you wish to train. This expertise onsite may also help your utility stand out and will end in beneficial connections for in a while.
7. What Are The Necessities to Enroll?
For probably the most half, there aren’t strict necessities to enroll in a TEFL course.
You don’t need a degree or instructing expertise to enroll, although having these may make it simpler to get a job when the time comes.
Normally, you should be eighteen years of age or older to enroll. You additionally needs to be a local or near-native English speaker. Most corporations have their required English proficiency degree listed on their web site.
8. How A lot Does a TEFL Value?
The price of TEFL programs varies enormously. You will get extremely rated TEFL certifications for round $200 all the best way as much as $2000+.
Decrease-priced programs can nonetheless be prime quality however they typically don’t include as a lot hands-on help.
Larger-priced programs typically include options like job help, resume editing, interview preparation, and energetic alumni communities.
Take into consideration what’s most essential for you when deciding which course to decide on.
It helps to do not forget that in all instances, your TEFL certification is a one-time buy that can help you become profitable lengthy into the long run. Take a look at our list of affordable, legitimate TEFLs here.
9. What Form of Job Are You Trying For?
Take into consideration what sort of instructing job you’re searching for and see if the corporate has particular data that will help you get there.
Many corporations provide upsell programs about particular matters like enterprise English, English for youthful learners, or instructing on-line.
If you understand you wish to train enterprise English college students, contemplate signing up for a TEFL program that has an add-on for enterprise English.
If you happen to plan to teach English online, look for an organization that has extra coaching in on-line instructing.
You may as well use the corporate’s testimonials and social media presence to find out if their college students get the sorts of jobs you’re focused on.
For instance, for those who dream of instructing in China, have a look at the corporate’s social media accounts. See in the event that they speak about earlier college students getting employed in China.
If you wish to work at a world college in Latin America, learn by means of evaluations and alumni tales to see if anybody else has gone down that path.
This exhibits that the corporate adequately ready another person for the job you need. They’ll in all probability do it for you too!
10. Does The Program Embrace Job Placement Help?
Job placement help is a typical function of standard TEFL corporations. Because of this after you end the course, somebody from the corporate will help you to find your instructing job.
Whereas it’s not at all times assured that you just’ll discover a job, having somebody who’s knowledgable concerning the business to information you’ll be able to enhance your possibilities.
Once I was deciding which TEFL course to join, I appeared for evaluations that talked about supportive employees and alumni job help.
I needed to guarantee that as soon as I completed my on-line course, I had folks I might flip to for recommendation. Having that security web made me really feel safer as I ventured into uncharted territory.
Having a sturdy alumni group might be an interesting function.
For me, this was one of many deciding elements. I needed to get licensed with an organization that had plenty of comfortable graduates who have been instructing and touring.
With the ability to join with different lecturers and make buddies all over the world was essential to me so I picked International TEFL Academy, an organization that had a powerful alumni group. Learn our Worldwide TEFL Academy assessment here.
By means of the connections I made throughout my TEFL coaching and in alumni networking teams, I used to be capable of meet buddies all over the world.
Selecting The Proper TEFL Course For You
As a way to select the precise TEFL course for you, take into consideration your particular instructing targets in addition to the construction that works finest in your studying type.
Your finest guess is to select an organization that gives no less than 120-hour TEFL certifications and is absolutely accredited.
If you happen to anticipate needing assist with discovering a job, select an organization with job placement help. If a way of group is a precedence for you, select an organization with a big alumni presence on social media.
Perhaps, you simply have to get licensed shortly and inexpensively. If that’s the case, a no-frills on-line course is likely to be good!
On the finish of the day, you’re taking an essential step towards turning into a TEFL trainer and making a optimistic funding in your future.
With a TEFL certification that qualifies you for instructing jobs overseas, there’s no restrict to the place you may go. To be taught extra, learn our in-depth put up: 8 Best Online TEFL Courses For English Teachers
