If you have done any research on TEFL or TESOL online courses, you may know that there are many pros and cons to completing one of these programs, in addition to companies and schools not delivering on promises and charging exorbitant amounts of money.
We’d like to answer any question you may have on this topic as well as dismiss some myths surrounding online TEFL courses. Let’s get started.
What Is an online TESOL Course?
TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and a TESOL certificate is a qualification in the field of English Language Learning and Teaching (ELT). A TESOL course is recommended if you would like to teach English to non-native English-speaking students in both English-native and non-native countries.
This means teaching foreign students English in an English-speaking country, such as the UK and the US, as well as teaching English too, for example, Chinese students in China.
Here is an article that might interest you: TESOL Certification Online: What You Need to Know
Are TESOL Online Courses Legitimate?
Yes, they are. There are quite a number of telltale signs to determine whether a TESOL online course is legitimate, reputable, and accredited.
There are numerous universities that offer high quality TESOL courses – some of these are available online. These are recognized by language schools.
Private companies also offer online courses that are accredited and internationally recognized. Their websites should give you an idea of the quality of the course and the “About Us” section should give you lots of information about the company.Furthermore, you should also contact them and ask if they can put you in touch with any past graduates so that you can follow up on the quality of the TESOL course yourself. Online reviews are also a good starting point.
What Does Course Accreditation Mean?
If a TESOL course is accredited, it means that the course on offer has been recognized by a reputable organization, such as the British Council, the Accreditation Council for TESOL Distance Education Courses (ACTDEC), World TEFL Accrediting Commission (WTEFLAC), the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL), and a few others.
If you are looking for a reputable TESOL course, have a look at these offerings.
What Kind of TESOL Course Is Worth It?
There are many different kinds of TESOL online courses available and deciding which one is worth it may not be easy. In addition to the free and paid-for courses on offer, there are also beginner or foundation ones (called 40-hour or 60-hour TESOL courses) and then the professional ones (usually 100-hour or 120-hour TESOL courses).
You also get specialized courses that will teach you all about how to teach EFL to young learners and teenagers and Business English. These are usually add-on courses or ones you can complete once you have your TESOL certificate.In figuring out what kind of TESOL course is worth doing, remember the 100-hour rule. Language schools in the TEFL industry have agreed that 100 hours of coursework should be the minimum for an accredited TESOL course.
Are There Any Admission Requirements?
Yes, there are. Admission requirements are not the same for every language school, but here are general prerequisites:
- You have to be at least 18 years of age. However, this is usually at the school’s discretion, and most commonly, only 20+-year-olds are accepted.
- You need to be either a native-English speaker or have a C1 or above level of English proficiency based on the Common European Framework (CERF).
- Some courses may require that you have a university degree. It is important to note that some countries will require you to have a degree in order to teach EFL there.
How Much Does A TESOL Online Course Cost?
Courses prices vary quite a bit, but a reputable and accredited TESOL course should cost you ±US$1,000. However, there are private companies that price their accredited TESOL online courses at US$100 and above. For on-site courses, you will most likely pay ±US$2,000 and most CELTA courses go for ±US$2,500.
If you do an online TESOL course, you won’t have to worry about any accommodation and travel costs. You can also complete the course in your own time, which is great if you are looking for something flexible.