There are so many TESOL certification online programs available that it cannot be easy to decide which one is best and right for you. After all, how much is a good course worth? Is and can a free one be good? Should you go for an accredited or internationally recognized TESOL or TEFL certificate or does this not matter?
You may have too many questions; we’ve put together this article to help you make the right decision. We are sure you don’t want to spend $500 or more on a course only to find out that it doesn’t live up to its name and that you don’t get what it promised.
What Is a TESOL Certification Online Program?
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is a growing industry, with thousands of new teachers completing TEFL or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certifications and applying for jobs all over the world.
More importantly, the number of online TEFL certifications being offered are increasing and more and more employers are looking on this form of qualification more favorably, especially if it is provided by an accredited and internationally recognized institution, such as Cambridge University and the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL).
So, a TESOL certification is a qualification you earn by completing an online course that teaches you about TEFL and how to teach English to non-native English-speaking students in both countries where English is the official language and where it isn’t. For example, you could teach English to Chinese students who are studying in the USA or doing a summer program, or teach Thai students English in Thailand. Most people also use ‘TESOL certification’ synonymously with ‘TEFL certification’, ‘TESL certification’, and a ‘CELTA’.
Types of TESOL Online Courses
There are quite a few types of TESOL courses that you can do online and these very much depend on who is providing them; some of the ones you may come across are:
Introductory TESOL certificates:
- Basic TEFL/TESOL Certificate:
- An introduction to TEFL principles and concepts, covering the role of the teacher and learner, language learning methodology, classroom management, language systems and skills, and culture in the EFL classroom
- 40 hours
- Education TEFL/TESOL Certificate:
- More in-depth than a 40-hour TESOL certification online course. Includes modules from the Basic TEFL certificate plus teaching receptive skills (listening and reading) and productive skills (writing and speaking); how to teach grammar, phonology, and vocabulary; and how to plan lessons
- 60 hours
International TESOL Certificates:
- 100+ hours TEFL Certificate
- These may range from 100 to 150 hours
- More hours may mean more in-depth training and a higher cost
- Some of these courses may be a qualification equivalent to A level or a Foundation Degree
- Here is an article that might interest you – Best TEFL Certification: 3 Things You Need to Know
- CELTA:
- The Cambridge CELTA online course is a flexible way to do the CETLA; however, while you can complete a number of units online, you will need to travel to a CELTA centre in order to complete the teaching practice part of the qualification.
Looking for an internationally recognized international 120-hour TESOL certificate? Have a look at our courses on offer.
Specialists or Add-on TESOL Courses:
- Teaching Young Learners – Looks at useful lesson ideas, activities, and resources for young EFL learners as well as young learner teaching methodologies
- Teaching Teenagers – Looks at the cognitive, physical, and social aspects of teenagers, motivation, planning and executing successful lessons, and useful activities for teenagers in the EFL classroom
- Lesson Planning – A short course that delves deep into lesson planning and covers topics such as what makes a good and successful lesson, lesson planning criteria, lesson reflection, creating a syllabus, and assessing progress
- Teaching Business English – Includes differences between teaching General English vs Business English, identifying student needs, using authentic materials to create effective lessons, teaching methodology, and assessing progress
- Become an IELTS coach – Looks at the content and structure of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam and how to mark these papers, strategies for teaching
- Awareness of Grammar or other grammar-related courses – Teaches you all you need to know about grammar
- Become an Online Tutor – Includes the technical elements of teaching online, designing effective lesson for online TEFL, teaching on a one-on-one basis, how to assess students, and how to find students and advertise your online TEFL services
- Teaching English One-on-One – Looks at the differences of one-on-one teaching vs teaching a group, discipline and behaviour, successful lesson planning and measuring progress, syllabus creation, and professional development
Requirements for TESOL Online Courses
In general, you:
- Need to be at least a high-school graduate and over 18 years of age
- May need a college degree, but this isn’t always a must-have
- Don’t need to be a native-English speaker; if you aren’t, you will need to submit proof of your proficiency level
- You own or access to a computer
- A reliable internet connection
Final Thoughts
There you have it, all the information you need about what is a TESOL certification online course, the kinds of courses that are available, as well as the general requirements.