TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. TESOL includes both teaching English as a foreign language (as in the case of China) and teaching English as a second language (TESL), which means teaching in a country where English is the primary language. Every year, the number of people learning English grows rapidly. According to the British Council, the number of English speakers and learners worldwide will reach a mind-boggling 2 billion by 2020. As this number grows, so will the need for skilled TESOL teachers. To know more about the TESOL certificate, keep reading this blog!
Full Form | Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) |
Hours Required | 120 hours of training minimum |
Cost | Ranges between $1,000 (82.3K INR) and USD 2,500 (2.05 Lakhs INR). |
Types | In-person and Online |
Requirements | B1 CEFR level |
This Blog Includes:
About TESOL Specialization
To effectively teach English, you must have a strong understanding of various language concepts as well as a set of skills to assist you in teaching these concepts to your students. The 8 modules taught in this course are given below
- Introduction: This is an introduction to the course which includes course orientation, techniques and teaching destinations.
- English words and Pronunciation: This module has an essential understanding of the English language which includes types of words used, punctuations, verbs etc.
- Sentences and Tenses: The third module gives an understanding of how these words are formed into various sentence structures. It includes teaching present, past and future tenses and Simple, compound, and compound-complex sentences
- Language Skills: This module teaches the techniques to build the various language skills of your students. It also teaches vocabulary memorisation, reading, writing and listening skills etc.
- Preparing for lessons: This module teaches you how to form fun and effective 60-minute lessons which include motivating your students and adding fun to your lessons.
- Managing your class: This module helps you to keep your students on track and deal with difficulties. It also includes Testing students and forming rules and dealing with problems.
- Teaching English online: The 7th module teaches you Specific skills and prepares you for teaching English online. It includes teaching how online teaching works, the use of props and realia and Demo classes and interviews.
- Final assessment: Your course evaluation – an online exam covering all aspects of the course. You will then receive your accredited TEFL certificate.
Benefits of a TESOL Certificate
There are numerous advantages to becoming TESOL certified. Many jobs require employees to speak English as the world becomes more globalized and businesses continue to move internationally for trade. English is quickly becoming the universal shared language – lingua franca. This means that there is a growing demand for qualified ESL teachers all over the world. This certification is an invaluable asset whether you teach English online or in the classroom. You may now go out and fulfil your goals of teaching English as a second language (both domestically and overseas) because you have a better understanding of how to get TESOL certified.
Requirements for TESOL
The only requirement for most online or in-person TESOL courses is that you have a sufficient level of English to succeed in the course. The recommended level for certification for non-native English speakers typically ranges from B1 to C2 CEFR (CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference, an internationally used standard for describing language ability level).
Each TESOL/TEFL practitioner will have its own set of requirements for the required English level, which will vary depending on the academic rigour of the course. Most of Bridge’s professional certification courses require a B1 CEFR level.
TESOL certification requires at least 120 hours of training, and many programmes will offer additional hours on top of this base precondition if you plan on gaining classroom teaching experience or specializing in any way (i.e. teaching native Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic speakers). Online courses enable you to finish these minimum number of hours as you have time, whereas in-person courses typically spread the classes out over a one-month training program.
Cost to Get a TESOL Certificate
Online courses are the less expensive option if you have to choose between offline and online courses. In-person courses can cost several thousand dollars, whereas online courses are only a few hundred. The affordability of different TESOL/TEFL programmes varies greatly, so take the time to research a variety of different options that will fit within your budget. The good news is that once you are TESOL certified, you can work in a salaried teaching position anywhere around the globe and quickly recoup your investment.
Expect to pay around $200 USD (16.4K INR) for a very basic online TESOL certification (around 40 hours) and near to $400-500 USD (32.9K – 41.1K INR) for a certification that lasts 100 hours or more. Tuition for university-level online training or a classroom-based TESOL course can be significantly higher – typically between $1,000 (82.3K INR) and $2,500 USD (2.05 Lakhs INR).
Top TESOL Certification Programs
In-Person Courses
- International TEFL Academy
International TEFL Academy is one of the world’s largest providers of TEFL training, with classes available in over 25 locations worldwide. This well-established organization certifies thousands of new teachers each year and connects graduates to 80 countries worldwide.
- International TEFL and TESOL Training
International TEFL and TESOL Training collaborate with major TESOL/TEFL providers to provide you with top-rated training courses from Brazil to Ireland to Thailand. They also provide graduates with professional guidance throughout their education journey.
- Maximo Nivel
If you want to combine your training with the opportunity to live and work in a Spanish-speaking country, Maximo Nivel is a great place to start. They provide a wide range of acclaimed programmes throughout Latin America, including TEFL certification courses.
- ITT International TEFL and TESOL Ltd
ITT International TEFL and TESOL provide accredited online TEFL/TESOL courses beginning at $65 (INR 5300). All of their courses include job and mentor assistance. Each module will include videos to stream and readings to read, followed by a quiz. You will have lifetime access to the material and will be able to log in and study whenever you want.
Online Courses
- UNI-Prep Institute
UNI-Prep Institute is one of the world’s most well-known and accredited TESOL and TEFL providers. Not only are their courses frequently the most affordable on the market, but they also include video lectures, tutor assistance, and free international delivery.
- University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is one of the world’s most prestigious universities, and its online TEFL training is designed by industry experts. Programs are available in 100-hour, 120-hour, and 150-hour lengths, with the option to specialize with each ascending length based on your specific ESL goals.
- i-to-i TEFL
i-to-i TEFL has coached over 150,000 instructors to teach all over the world since its beginning more than 20 years ago. Their online courses are fully accredited, and their job board regularly lists dozens of positions that you can apply to immediately after graduation anywhere in the world.
- Premier TEFL
Premier TEFL has over three decades of experience teaching English to second-language learners and now offers a variety of online programmes ranging in depth and cost. Programs are practical and manageable, with trainees having up to three months to complete all course sections.
- OnTESOL
OnTESOL offers two excellent course options: a 120-hour Advanced TESOL Certificate and a 250-hour TESOL Diploma. Which one is best for you will depend on your objectives! If you are looking for work during your gap year, you can choose the 120-hour course. If you are trying to attempt to establish a career as an English teacher, the diploma is a good option for you!
Certification Options
- TESOL Certificate only: If you want to teach children or adults outside of the public education system as part of a charitable organization or study abroad programme, this type of certificate may be useful.
- Bachelor of Arts in TESOL: English language history, linguistic theory, cultural anthropology, child development, advanced grammar, language development, and foreign language courses equivalent to a minor are all part of this degree programme. A professional education component, which includes student teaching, is also included.
- Education Specialist Credential in TESOL: An EdS degree typically requires more units than a master’s degree and is completed through a project or internship rather than a dissertation. Curriculum and assessments, teaching English grammar, writing and reading culture and diversity, leadership, and statistical research are all part of the coursework.
- Master of Arts in Education in TESOL: This programme includes courses in second language teaching methods, curriculum design and assessment, English grammar, reading and writing, and technology.
- Doctor of Education in TESOL: This Doctorate in TESOL programme builds on the skills learned in the master’s programme. Coursework delves deeper into language structure and development, reading, writing, and grammar teaching practices, listening and speaking to second language learners, and examining related social and cultural issues.
What Will You Learn?
In-person TESOL certificate courses typically last several weeks and are full-time. These courses emphasize both technical learning and the teaching of various language methodologies. Here are the key takeaways from this course:
- Know how individuals learn and how to best assist them.
- Learn how to create dynamic and innovative lessons while trying to implement them in interactive ways that make English learning fun!
- It will help you understand how language works and develop empathy for students learning a new language.
- Determine learner levels to make useful, productive, and supportive learning environments.
- Learn the best methods for teaching English.
- Learn about the link between culture and language.
- Enhance your teaching methods.
Differences: TESOL vs TEFT
TEFL | TESOL |
TEFL is more widely accepted | It is comparatively newer thus, less widely accepted |
The focus is more on the academic side | It has a more day-to-day life approach |
Prepares students to work abroad | Prepares students to teach in the USA |
Interchangeable use of TESOL and TEFL
Both TEFL (Teaching English as a second language) and TESOL are frequently used interchangeably because many of their core elements overlap and both are required to pursue a career in English academics. They both offer nearly identical opportunities for work and education. Their values, however, differ depending on the individual pursuing them.
Even though they are frequently used interchangeably, there are a few conceptual distinctions:
TESOL: For those who want to teach non-native English speakers to students living in an English-speaking country. This can include teaching English as a second language in primary and secondary schools, as well as to foreign adults living in the United States or the United Kingdom.
TEFL: For those who desire to teach English in countries where English is not the native language. For example, if you intend to teach English in countries such as China, Russia, or Brazil.
FAQs
A TEFL certification permits you to teach online or abroad and, generally speaking, has a higher value and reputation for ESL teaching. A TESOL certification will enable you to apply for jobs to teach English online effortlessly.
To be eligible for the majority of teaching jobs, most people opt to enrol in a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL course; part-time study of this kind would take around six weeks to complete. On the other hand, as they are intensive, full-time instruction, classroom-based TESOL courses are almost always four weeks long.
The terms TEFL, TESOL, and TESL are frequently interchanged.
There is a lot of crossover between TEFL and TESOL despite the fact that TEFL tends to concentrate more on the academic side of English learning and TESOL tends to concentrate more on daily living. The objective of TEFL and TESOL training programmes is to aid students in honing their English language skills.
Without a degree, obtaining a TESOL certificate is simple. A degree is not necessary to obtain a TESOL certification. However, there might be additional qualifications for instructors in other nations.
It is absolutely worthwhile to become certified if you intend to teach English, as nearly all institutions both offline and online appoint English teachers to require that they possess TEFL/TESOL certification among other credentials.
We hope this article helped you in making sure you should go for TESOL certification courses. To ensure you select the course which is right for you, it’s highly imperative to have clarity of things beforehand. Call Leverage Edu today and take the first step towards successfully enrolling for a TESOL certificate.