How Long Does It Take To Get A Teaching Degree

The simple and straightforward answer to this question is: No, you do not need a degree to take a TESOL course or to land a teaching position abroad. While it is true that having a degree means you will have a wider choice of job options, those without one still have plenty of great options available in a wide range of countries across the world. Whatever your academic background, teaching English in your home country, overseas, or online is still a very realistic option. Whether a degree is required to teach English is usually determined by the authorities of each individual country. Some countries where ESL teaching is very popular have imposed restrictions on foreign teachers that insist they have a degree in order to qualify for an official work permit. In these situations,...  [Read more]

With a population of 1.4 billion people spread throughout a huge geographic area, China always has a vast amount of opportunities for foreign ESL teachers. However, there is one question that teachers continue to ask: The answer to this question would have been yes until quite recently. Although individual schools are still not concerned with whether their teachers have a degree or not, it is government restrictions that have made the difference. It is now an official requirement for teachers to have a degree in order to be eligible for a Z (work) visa. As every teacher needs this visa to work legally, the answer is no, you cannot teach legally in China without a degree. If you don?t qualify for a Z (work) visa, you can visit China on another type of visa such as an L (tourist) visa...  [Read more]

Japan is often regarded as one of the major world destinations for teaching English abroad due to the large number of potential jobs on offer and the large number of people who want to fill them. People come from all over the world to live and work in this most unique of environments and you can join them providing you meet the criteria necessary to gain a work visa. Whether you are drawn by the history and culture, the safe and friendly atmosphere, or the sheer number of things to see and do, Japan is unlikely to disappoint. If you think Japan could be the right choice for you, read on to see what requirements you need to meet. The following represent the basic requirements for teaching English in Japan. However, it is important to know that some of these requirements are not set...  [Read more]

At any time you will find a huge number of vacant ESL teaching positions available in countries right across the world. Because of this very strong demand there are always plenty of opportunities up for grabs for anyone who wants to take advantage of the situation. All you really need is a TESOL qualification. Below we take a look at what prospective ESL teachers need in order to be eligible for a TESOL course with ITTT. It almost goes without saying that the most important attribute required when taking a TESOL course is a solid understanding of the English language. However, it is certainly not necessary to be a native English speaker as there are plenty of employers around the world who are happy to employ non-native speakers with a TESOL qualification. As long as you are fluent...  [Read more]

Qatar is a country that has blossomed from a largely unknown stretch of desert into a popular international destination in just a few decades. This rapid growth has attracted large numbers of foreign workers who now make up around 90% of the population. Qatar is a safe, modern, comfortable place to live and work which ensures it is increasingly popular with ESL teachers. As is the norm throughout much of the Middle East, Qatar offers teachers the chance to earn a very competitive salary. Tax-free monthly earnings of around $2,000 to $4,000 are typical, depending on your previous classroom experience and your teaching qualifications. Most of the best jobs will also include a healthy benefit package that includes return flights from your home country, free housing, and full medical...  [Read more]

There are many different systems for ranking educational qualifications by their level of difficulty and many are unique to individual countries. If we look at the system used in the UK, for example, you will see that there are nine levels of courses. While this system is specific to the UK, it is fairly representative of many other systems in use around the world. The UK system for ranking qualifications by their level of difficulty (including examples of real UK courses at each level): As different National Qualification Frameworks (NQF) can vary in design, you might find ITTT’s most popular, entry-level 120-hour TESOL certification course rated as level 2 or level 3. If you were to start at this logical level of qualification, you could then work your way up through the levels...  [Read more]

If you have discussed teaching English abroad with friends and family, it is likely that you have heard remarks such as ?that sounds like fun, but what will you do when you get back?? Unfortunately, teaching English as a foreign/second language is seen by some as not really a ?proper job?, just something that young people do for a bit of adventure before settling down to a real job. Although many ESL teachers do only teach in the short term and some are only in it for fun, there are many others who take it seriously and go on to enjoy a long and lucrative career as an English language teacher. YES, you can certainly choose to make a long-term career out of teaching English. Most people?s TESOL journey begins with the idea of seeing a bit of the world while earning some money in the...  [Read more]

One of the reasons why Mexico is an increasingly popular teaching destination is the fact that it is possible for most foreign teachers to get a work visa. Also, there is no requirement for you to possess a degree or to be a native English speaker in order to apply for one. As long as you possess a TESOL certification from a reputable provider, you are eligible for a work visa in Mexico. The great news for foreign ESL teachers is that there are very few restrictions on who can apply for a work visa for teaching English in Mexico. The only nationalities that are not eligible to apply are those from North Korea and Iran and there are no age limits either. A TESOL certificate is required, but there is no need to have a college degree or any previous teaching experience. The only other...  [Read more]

  Teaching English in South Korea has become increasingly popular over the last decade and it is no secret that the country offers some of the best salaries for foreign teachers to be found anywhere in the world. English teachers in Korea can expect to earn between $1,500 and $3,000 US per month and it is certainly possible to save up to half of this depending on your lifestyle. On top of the basic salary you can also expect other benefits such as paid airfares, free housing and an end of contract bonus. Unsurprisingly, the high salaries and good benefits on offer have led to a high level of competition for the best jobs. If you have any teaching qualifications and experience in the classroom, you will find you have the pick of the available jobs. However, thanks to a continually...  [Read more]

With its fusion of all things Asian and Western, there is always something to see and do in thailand’s bustling capital city. You can join the locals on the bank of the Chao Phraya River for a morning session of Tai Chi before heading off to explore one of the floating markets. Then grab a bite to eat from a street vendor or dine out at one of the many world class restaurants that call Bangkok home. You’ll soon see why Bangkok was named one of the world’s Top Ten Cities by Travel + Leisure and the number one visited city by Global Destination Cities Index. Whether you’re interested in exploring the exquisite Buddhist temples or in finding the best place to party at night, there is something for you in Bangkok. Our TESOL training centre in Bangkok incorporates a working English...  [Read more]

The USA has long been a destination of choice for immigrants, migrant workers, business professionals, and international students from every imaginable corner of the world. While all these different groups have their own reasons for choosing the U.S., one thing is generally the same among them all, i.e, the need to improve their English. Whether it is just a short-term visit or something more permanent, the countless numbers of new arrivals means there are always plenty of opportunities for TESOL qualified teachers in cities and towns across the country. One thing it is important to know is that a university degree is typically required if you want to teach English in the USA. If you want to teach within the public school system, you will most likely also require a state teaching...  [Read more]

Jordan is known to have one of the most progressive school systems in the Middle East. The country has stated its aim is to become a fully bilingual country as soon as possible and that is probably not very far away. There is a particular demand for teachers who are experienced in working with young learners as nearly a third of the country?s population is under the age of 15. Although you will not be offered the same level of pay that you would get in countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, teachers in Jordan will benefit from a lower cost of living that means your income will go much further. Standard tutoring jobs typically pay between $800 and $1,500 a month, although teachers with the relevant qualifications can apply to international schools that pay up to $3,000 a month...  [Read more]

ITTT is dedicated to assisting you throughout your TESOL training and to providing you with a means of support during your ensuing teaching career. If you have any questions regarding our courses, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section below. Our TESOL FAQs should be able to answer most of your questions, but if you have any other queries do not hesitate to contact us by submitting them using the form at the bottom of this page. What does TESOL mean?   The acronym TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The term is commonly used when referring to certification courses that provide the skills necessary to teach the English language to non-native speakers in your own country or abroad. Read more What is the difference between TESOL...  [Read more]

If you are planning on taking a gap year, need a break from the nine to five, or want to start a whole new life and career, gaining a certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is one of the most popular ways to go about it. Every year, many thousands of people just like you complete a TESOL qualification and head overseas to teach English in classrooms of all shapes and sizes, in countries right across the world. In order to join them, whether it's for a limited time or for the long term, an internationally accredited TESOL certificate from ITTT is the best place to start.   By gaining this qualification you will have access to a huge number of jobs all over the globe and learn everything you need to confidently start your first teaching role, no matter...  [Read more]

The basic answer to this question is No, it is not necessarily easier to teach English to any particular age group. Anyone who has spent time in different types of classrooms will know that there are many clear differences between teaching adults and teaching young learners. Different age groups have different reasons for being in the classroom, levels of motivation and discipline can vary considerably, and learning styles can also differ. Due to these differences, each age group will require a teaching style that is tailored to their needs. Below we look at some of the main differences between teaching young learners and teaching adults. One of the most important factors when teaching young learners is to keep them interested and motivated in whatever the day’s lesson is focused...  [Read more]

In some situations, ESL teachers are recruited from within their own country via an interview using a phone or webcam. However, in many countries employers prefer to interview potential teachers in person within their own school complex. Although every interview is likely to vary to some degree, there are a few simple rules you should stick to in order to have the best chance of success. It is commonly believed that people form a first impression of someone within the first seven seconds of meeting them. With this in mind, it is very important that you get a few basic interview techniques right to avoid ruining your chances before you have even started answering any questions. It may seem obvious, but being late for the interview has been the downfall of many job hunters. Once you...  [Read more]

Our TESOL facility in northern thailand is located in Chiang Mai, the former capital of the Lan Na Kingdom and accepted capital of North thailand. Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s oldest cities, dating back to the 13th century and prides itself on its very individual, independent cultural traditions. It is set upon a beautiful backdrop of mountains, forests, valleys and waterfalls, all stemming from the foothills of the Himalayas. If you are looking for a different experience from your tesol course in Thailand, then Chiang Mai is the location for you. Covering an area of 200,000 square meters, 300 meters above sea level, Chiang Mai is considered an essential part of any trip to Thailand. It can boast over 300 temples, 121 of which are in the municipal limits. This amount is up there with...  [Read more]

India is currently undergoing an economic boom in many areas including information technology and customer service outsourcing, which are two areas that provide opportunities for TESOL qualified teachers. Despite English being an official language in India, the level at which it is taught in mainstream schools is generally very poor. Because of this, there is a strong demand for ESL teachers in many areas of business across the country. Unlike many other countries in Asia, good salaries are thin on the ground in India. Many people opt for volunteer positions that often provide accommodation and meals and the chance to gain some classroom experience, while also providing some much needed English language skills that help people get into better jobs. Paid positions do exist, although...  [Read more]

  The simple answer is no, you do not need to have any knowledge or experience of languages other than English to take a TEFL course or to become an EFL teacher. The ability to speak other languages is not required as the vast majority of TEFL classrooms around the world rely on the communicative approach to English teaching that specifies that English is the only language used in the classroom. In multilingual classrooms where the students could have a dozen or more different first languages, being able to communicate in one or two of them would obviously be of no particular advantage. In monolingual classrooms you may also find that students are more inclined to revert to their mother tongue during the lesson if they are aware that the teacher can understand what is being said....  [Read more]

ITTT’s TESOL training center in Ecuador is located in the beautiful city of Loja, the capital of Loja province in the south of the country. Loja is a city with a rich history in the arts and is known as the Music and Cultural capital of Ecuador. Loja city center is littered with fine examples of colonial architecture and you are sure to find some kind of musical or cultural event happening in the city squares. Cycle paths run along the Rio Zamora and Rio Malacatos rivers and there are a number of free gyms in the city parks. Nearby is the Podocarpus National Park which is a large cloud forest where you can take hiking and camping tours. The park is known as the “Botanical Garden of America” due to its diverse plant and animal life. Loja has a population of around 180,000 and is one...  [Read more]