120-hour Esl Certification

Acronyms associated with English language learners include ESL, EFL and ESOL. They all essentially mean the same thing in that these are learners of English, whose first or native language is not English. The teaching of these learners produces a new set of acronyms which have ‘Teaching’ at the start. Hence we have TESL, TEFL and TESOL for the teaching acronyms. Most employers around the world require some form of teaching certification for you to be employed as a teacher. This is true of both government based schools, private language centers and many online teaching companies. There are three general routes to this type of certification, which are; These are taken at some location in the world, typically in a country where English is not the native language. They often require...  [Read more]

TESOL courses vary in length from a few hours over the weekend all the way to the pinnacle of educational certification, which is the doctorate level. Here we will briefly describe the different courses available, their content, and why you may wish to take them. Typical course duration: Five to fifteen hours Typical study components: An overview of TESOL. What a typical 120-hour certification involves. Employment opportunities by country. Introduction to teaching skills and language awareness. Use of certification: Can be used as ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) credit. Useful to get an idea of what TESOL involves without paying out for a full course. Typical course duration: Forty to sixty hours Typical study components: There are three generally recognized...  [Read more]

TESOL certification is a vital credential for those looking to teach the English language, as it is a prerequisite for most teaching positions. Yet, with no standardized regulations overseeing TESOL certification, choosing the right course can become a daunting task. Any online search will unveil a myriad of options, each varying in study duration and cost, adding layers of complexity to the decision-making process. A practical way to differentiate TESOL certification courses is by the average number of study hours they offer, often highlighted in the course title. On the shorter end, you will find economical courses that can be wrapped up in as little as 20 hours. While these might seem attractive due to their quick turnaround, they often fall short for many mainstream TESOL...  [Read more]

When it comes to choosing the best online TESOL certification course you need to consider all the main options, what you want the qualification for, and what you hope to achieve with it once certified. First we will look at all the main online course options. The different types of online courses are easily separated by the average number of hours they require to complete them. Weekend courses: These are often marketed as “taster courses” and are done mainly at weekends to give those who are already employed a chance to see what TESOL is about. Due to time constraints (they usually last about 10 hours in total) there is limited material covered in terms of teaching and learning, but they can be useful to help you decide if doing a full course would be worthwhile for you. Short...  [Read more]

The simple answer to this question is: Yes, a level 4 TESOL certificate is generally considered the minimum standard required to be eligible for the majority of good quality ESL teaching jobs worldwide. However, as it can be difficult to understand the different levels involved, we will first address how the levels are determined, the differences between each level and who each level is aimed at. Firstly, it is important to understand that there is not just one overall framework that is used to represent the different levels of TESOL certification. Some countries such as the USA, the UK, and Australia have their own system, as do other regions and organizations. However, whatever the framework, most are based on similar factors including the type of certification, the number of study...  [Read more]

Obtaining a TESOL certification is frequently a requirement set by employers worldwide when applying for English teaching positions. While there might be teaching opportunities available in lesser-known destinations without specific qualifications, a TESOL certification from a reputable institution is crucial for securing ESL teaching roles with competitive salaries and optimal working conditions. Many of the most popular countries for teaching English also now mandate a TESOL certification for work permit or visa purposes. Without this certification, you could find you are barred from legally working in these countries, many of which offer the most rewarding opportunities in the TESOL sector. By joining an ITTT-accredited TESOL program, you will gain the essential skills and expertise to...  [Read more]

Distance learning has become an increasingly popular form of study in many fields of education and ESL teaching is no exception. To ensure we continue to provide a high level of convenience and affordability we regularly add new course options to our online range. Our 120-hour online TESOL course covers virtually all the same theory subjects as our in-class TESOL course. The main difference between the two course options is observed teaching practice (OTP). During an in-class course trainees get to spend many hours practicing their teaching in a real classroom under the guidance of experienced teacher trainers. Because of this practical experience, in-class TESOL courses are generally seen as superior to courses that do not provide any practical training. However, while our in-class...  [Read more]

Yes, a level 5 TESOL should be more than enough to get your teaching adventure underway as courses at this level far exceed the minimum qualification standards expected by most international employers. However, navigating the different levels of TESOL certification can be a bit tricky, which is why we take a closer look at this area of ESL teaching in more detail below. The first thing to make clear when it comes to the different levels of TESOL is that there is not a single system that is used throughout the ESL teaching world. Individual countries, regions, teaching organizations, and TESOL course providers are all free to introduce their own system and many have. Despite there being multiple course level frameworks out there, most are based on the same factors: the type of...  [Read more]

You may or may not be aware that TESOL courses are often assigned to a certain level that reflects their position in the global scheme of ESL teacher training. Thanks to this classification it is much easier for teachers to compare all the options available to them and hopefully pick the best one to suit their personal situation. However, it is also necessary to know that there is not one set of TESOL course levels to be aware of as many countries and teaching organizations use their own system when setting course levels. While this might seem a little confusing, the good news is that they are all generally designed using the same criteria and are usually very similar. The main areas that are used to decide the level of a course include the type of study involved, the number of study...  [Read more]

A TESOL certification is the main certification required by ESL employers worldwide and the minimum level that most now expect is a 120-hour certificate. There are two main routes to obtaining such certification: in-class and online TESOL courses. As the name implies these courses are undertaken at some location in the world where English is being taught as a second language. Typically these courses require attendance of about four weeks. Due to the accommodation requirement of these courses they tend to be the more expensive of the two options. They do normally however include a teaching practice component that is a huge benefit when preparing to teach in the real world. These courses do not require attendance at any particular location and can be done at any pace from within your...  [Read more]

For some people, teaching English at home or overseas is just a short-term plan to try something new or to earn some extra cash during a gap-year adventure. If this applies to you, then a standard 120-hour TESOL certification course should be sufficient to get you the jobs you need. However, if you are planning to make teaching English a long-term thing or you simply want to have a more thorough understanding of life in an ESL classroom before you start, then one of our extremely popular TESOL course bundles could be the answer. ITTT has several course packages to choose from and each one offers a more in-depth introduction to the world of English language teaching, as well as great value for money. The two courses that make up this bundle offer the perfect introduction to ESL...  [Read more]

The Diploma in TESOL course is the highest ranked individual course currently offered by ITTT. This advanced-level course is rated as a level 6 on our course framework, which is a level that opens up a wider range of potential job options, many of which may include a higher level of pay and greater responsibility than most entry-level positions. However, if you choose to take the diploma course as part of our 550-hour Expert Package, your overall level of certification will be raised to level 7, the highest rating we have to offer. The Diploma in TESOL is an advanced course that has been specifically designed to follow on from the subjects covered in our standard 120-hour TESOL certification course. The good news is that the diploma course also includes this initial training course,...  [Read more]

This is actually an easy question to answer. A level 4 TESOL is certainly a good qualification to have for anyone who wants to teach English as it is generally seen as the starting point for new teachers entering into the world of teaching online or overseas. With a TESOL level 4 certificate you will be able to confidently apply for a wide range of ESL jobs knowing you have a high enough qualification to satisfy the majority of schools, language centers, and online platforms. The different levels of TESOL are designed to rank the many courses available into an easy to understand pyramid of qualifications. Potential teachers, and those with previous experience can use the table to compare their options and to make an informed decision on which courses are best suited to them and their...  [Read more]

A TESOL certification is typically one of the main requirements when it comes to applying for English language teaching jobs as it provides the teacher with all the basic skills and knowledge needed to plan and deliver quality lessons. Although the ESL world is largely unregulated, TESOL certification has become widely regarded by governments, schools, language centers, and individual employers as the standard qualification needed by educators in this specific part of the education industry. The best news is that TESOL is accepted by employers as a sign of competence in almost every country where ESL teaching takes place. Wherever you plan to live and work, it is almost certain that your TESOL certification will be accepted and welcomed by employers of all shapes and sizes. Although...  [Read more]

As TESOL courses come in a range of different shapes and sizes, the answer to this common question will vary depending on the one you choose. In order to meet the needs of all our trainees, ITTT has developed a set of unique courses that should cover every situation. As you will see below, each individual TESOL course has its own contents of study and its own overall timescale. If you are looking for the quickest turnaround when it comes to your TESOL certification, a short-format, introductory online course might be the way to go. At ITTT we have a 60-hour TESOL course that provides our fastest and most convenient route towards TESOL certification, although this option does come with caveats. Around the world many employers will expect their job applicants to have completed a...  [Read more]

If you have decided to pursue a career teaching the English language, it is time to figure out what you will need to get started. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching ESL, the following are the most commonly required qualifications to become a TESOL teacher: Although it may appear obvious, English fluency is required for TESOL instructors. We recommend that you look for another job if you don't speak, read and write English well. Non-native English speakers who are fluent in the language can find work in a variety of locations, including South and Central America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. Being a native English speaker, on the other hand, is almost a requirement in some parts of the world. Countries like China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia are probably not...  [Read more]

At ITTT, we pride ourselves on our meticulously designed array of courses that equip you with the essential tools and insights you need to excel in your training. Crafted by seasoned experts in the ESL field, our course content stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality. To bolster your educational journey, every course includes access to the expertise of seasoned tutors. Whether online or face-to-face, these professionals stand ready to guide, assist, and support you throughout your studies. We recognize the attraction of complimentary courses; however, it is important to understand that our courses are specifically tailored to impart the pivotal skills and insights required to achieve success in the world of English language teaching. The dedication and proficiency...  [Read more]

This common question is not easy to answer as it depends on the individual TESOL course you decide to sign up for. There are many different options to choose from, whether it is an online course, an in-class course, or a course that blends the two study methods. Each study method has a variety of courses and each one comes with its own average completion time. By choosing ITTT as your TESOL course provider you will have access to a wide range of courses with varying lengths, level of difficulty, and study method, which means you should certainly find something to suit your individual situation. In general, TESOL courses are classified by how many hours they take to complete on average. A quick online search will reveal a wide range of courses starting from around 50 hours or even...  [Read more]

Even a quick bit of online research will reveal that there are many different options for TESOL certification, all with a varying number of study hours. Unfortunately, as each course provider is free to design their own courses, it can be hard to know which course is the right fit for you. A good place to start is to decide what you want to achieve with your TESOL qualification? Many people are drawn by the opportunity to spend time helping others by volunteering as an ESL teacher. In many countries there is a need for qualified teachers to provide English language instruction that will help disadvantaged people to find jobs within the tourism industry or other local businesses. The skills and knowledge necessary for this type of position are covered in short-format TESOL courses. A...  [Read more]

In order to compare our range of TESOL courses with other qualifications we have developed our course-level framework which runs from level 3 to level 7. On this scale most employers will expect their job applicants to have completed a level 4 course as this includes at least 100 hours of course study. However, if you want to start your teaching journey further up the ladder, a level 5 course would put you in a level of certification that is above the average for TESOL qualified teachers worldwide. Unfortunately, there is no one single framework that represents the different levels of qualifications available within the world of ESL teaching. At ITTT we have developed our course-level framework using the same basic criteria as most other countries or organizations, i.e, what type of...  [Read more]