How Long Does Tesol Certification Take

Completing a TESOL certification online can vary in duration depending on the program you choose. Most online TESOL courses range from 120 to 150 hours of study. This can typically be completed in 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the intensity of the course and the amount of time you are able to dedicate to studying each week. The flexibility of online TESOL courses allows you to study at your own pace, fitting your studies around your existing commitments such as work or family. Some programs may have set start and end dates, while others may allow you to start at any time and complete the course within a certain timeframe. When choosing an online TESOL course, it's important to consider the accreditation of the program, the quality of the curriculum, and the level of support and feedback...  [Read more]

Securing a TESOL job after certification can vary depending on several factors. One of the key factors is the demand for English teachers in the specific location where you are seeking employment. In some countries where English language education is highly valued, such as South Korea, Japan, or the Middle East, there may be a high demand for English teachers, leading to quicker job placement. On the other hand, in countries where English language education is less prioritized, job placement may take longer. Another factor that can influence the time it takes to secure a TESOL job is your own qualifications and experience. If you have a bachelor's degree in English or education, relevant teaching experience, and a TESOL certification from a reputable program, you may have an easier time...  [Read more]

The main reason why people take a TESOL course is because it is generally expected by employers when applying for most English teaching jobs. People from all over the world and from a wide variety of different life experiences choose to take a TESOL certification course. Some of the other major reasons for doing this are outlined below. Depending on whether you want to teach in a physical center or teach online there is a certain amount of flexibility to ESL teaching which can lead to a whole new lifestyle. Teaching in a mainstream school you may have 30-35 contact teaching hours per week, Monday to Friday, giving you the evenings and weekends free to do as you choose. In a private language center, students come mainly from their jobs, so evening teaching is more common and you have...  [Read more]

When considering how long to commit to a TESOL teaching job, there are several factors to take into account. Firstly, it's important to think about your own career goals and personal circumstances. Some teachers may be looking for a short-term experience to gain international work experience, while others may be seeking a long-term career in teaching English as a foreign language. If you are new to TESOL teaching, you may want to start with a shorter commitment, such as a few months, to see if it is the right fit for you. This can also give you the opportunity to experience different teaching environments and age groups, helping you to determine where your strengths and interests lie. On the other hand, if you are already committed to a career in TESOL teaching, a longer commitment, such...  [Read more]

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere it is likely that you have endured many years of cold, dark winters. If you would like the opportunity to experience living in a climate that is warm all year round, why not complete a TESOL certification course and start a new life living and working as an English teacher in the exotic tropical zone? Thousands of people every year take advantage of this opportunity and very few end up regretting their decision. All you need to do is decide which tropical country is right for you. Costa Rica is small in size, but it has a very large market for TESOL qualified teachers. Most teaching jobs are found in private language centers that are located in most of the larger towns and cities. Private tutoring of English students is also a popular way to...  [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]

There is no reason why non-native English speakers should not be able to take and successfully complete a TESOL certification course. Due to the subject matter, you will require a high standard of English to work through the training, but not being a native speaker should not stand in the way of you embarking on a new career as an ESL teacher. As a non-native English speaker you might find there are actually some advantages when teaching English abroad. The simple fact that you have already had to go through the same learning process as your students is certainly a real bonus as this can create a good rapport among the class. Often students are less afraid of making mistakes in front of a non-native English teacher and they can feel a greater incentive when taught by someone who was...  [Read more]

These days, working online is a common occurrence in many walks of life and English language teaching is no exception. Opportunities for teaching in a virtual classroom are varied and accessible to people all over the world via a wide range of service providers. These online platforms offer the chance to teach English to international students without having to leave your own home. Teachers looking to take advantage of the huge demand in online English lessons can choose to set up their own business which allows you to be entirely independent and free to decide on your own lesson fees and working hours. However, you will probably need to set up your own website and it can take a considerable amount of time to find enough regular students to make a good living. For most people...  [Read more]

While preparing for your overseas TESOL adventure you will probably have plenty of things to think about and organize including travel arrangements, visas, vaccinations, and a leaving party or two. Even if the only thing you have to do is pack your bags, you still need to decide what to take with you and what to leave behind. Despite the fact that most people now own a mobile phone with a built-in camera, you might still want to consider investing in a separate, high-quality camera. Mobile phones are reliant on their battery life which can often be quite short if you are away from a powerpoint and taking a lot of pictures. It is worth remembering that during your time away you are likely to do plenty of exploring, often in areas that are short on mobile charging stations. One...  [Read more]

There is a very large market for ESL teaching books and all the major publishers have some amount of involvement in their production. These books fall into a number of different categories and here we will look at the three main categories. Every teacher will have come across a few different book series that have been specifically written for the ESL teaching market. This type of resource generally comes in five different levels: starter/beginner, elementary, pre-intermediate, intermediate, and upper-intermediate. Each series will also contain three types of book: the teacher book, the student book, and the resource book (or something similar). The teacher book is key as it outlines the syllabus covered and it also breaks each subject up into individual lessons. Each of the lessons...  [Read more]

As long as you are enthusiastic about the course and fully prepared to put in the effort required, there is no reason why you should not sail through your TESOL certification with flying colors. However, there are some small things you can do in advance that can really help to make the process a little bit easier. With our online TESOL courses you get to choose your own amount of study hours and when you want to do them. In this scenario it is a good idea to set yourself a study schedule so you can complete the course in a time frame that suits your future plans. By setting out a calendar with realistic weekly goals you can really help to keep your studies on track. After all, a TESOL course is a real investment in your future, so it would be a shame to let it slip away because of...  [Read more]

The list of potential teaching destinations for 2022/23 is long and exciting, with something to suit all preferences. The most important factor when choosing where to teach will vary from one person to the next as we all have different priorities. The most important factor for some is the salary on offer, while others are drawn by cultural attractions or even nightlife. We should also acknowledge the ever increasing popularity of teaching English online that has become even more prominent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of the possible options have pros and cons, so take a minute to read through this brief guide to the most common TESOL destinations. The simple answer to this common question is Asia. The Asian continent is vast in size and diversity and it is also home...  [Read more]

If you are considering Spain as a location for teaching English, you certainly won't be alone as it has long been one of the most popular destinations in Europe. However, before you buy a plane ticket why not take a look at Latin America as many teachers find that this amazing region is actually a better option for them. For many people, the opportunity to learn a new language is one of the great benefits of teaching English abroad. When it comes to learning Spanish, the assumption that Spain is the best place to do so is certainly a common one. However, in reality the type of Spanish used in Spain actually uses accents and slang terms that are vastly different to the language spoken in other Spanish speaking countries. In fact, many native Spanish speakers from outside of Spain...  [Read more]

Many people decide that an in-class TESOL certification course is the best way to prepare for life in a foreign classroom, however, is it best to take it within your home country or once you arrive at your ultimate teaching destination? Either choice has its pros and cons, but on this page we focus on the reasons why taking a TESOL course before you leave home might be the best option for you. If you are planning to head to one of the most popular teaching destinations there is a good chance that you can secure a job before you get on the plane. In areas where demand for teachers is particularly high, employers routinely advertise vacant positions online via job boards and recruitment companies. If your application is successful you will typically have an interview over a webcam...  [Read more]

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. As well as the actual act of teaching English, the acronym TESOL is also used to refer to the courses that teachers take and the certification they receive upon completion of their training. In order to be eligible for most sought after teaching jobs, teachers with or without previous experience generally require a TESOL certificate. In this sense, a TESOL is most certainly a teaching certificate. There are generally three standard ways to obtain a TESOL certification: In-class courses, online courses, and combined (hybrid) courses. Any of these options will result in a TESOL qualification that is widely recognized by employers around the world, provided it is supplied by a reputable course provider such as ITTT....  [Read more]

The timeline for becoming an ESL teacher will vary for each individual person. However, the journey always starts with a TESOL certification course that provides all the knowledge needed to plan and deliver high-quality lessons in whatever type of classroom you end up working in. Which type of TESOL course you choose to complete will have a big say in how long it will take you to become an ESL teacher. TESOL courses are usually classified by the average number of hours they take to complete, with some being as little as 50 hours or less. These short-format courses offer the chance to get a qualification very quickly, however, they might not be the best approach if you want to have a wide choice of well paid jobs to choose from. Generally speaking, employers of ESL teachers expect to...  [Read more]

There are always thousands of ESL teaching jobs vacant around the world at any one time, which ensures their are potential opportunities for almost every English speaker who wants to take advantage of them. So what qualifications, background and characteristics are necessary to take a TESOL course? The most important things you need when taking a TESOL certification course are enthusiasm, motivation and determination. These are all essential as the training requires a significant amount of commitment in terms of both time and effort. As long as you are fully committed to teaching in your home country or overseas, you should have no problems working through the course and becoming a qualified ESL teacher. The bottom line is that to be an effective English language teacher you need to...  [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]

In the world of English language teaching you will come across a number of abbreviations, some of which are very similar and easily confused. One common confusion is between the terms ESL and ELL. The simple answer is that ESL is an abbreviation for English as a Second Language, and ELL is an abbreviation for English Language Learner. The term ESL refers to the course or class, whereas ELL refers to the English student. ESL stands for "English as a Second Language." This term refers to programs designed specifically for ELL students. For example, many schools have an ESL class for ELL students. These classes frequently make use of ESL-specific programs and curricula. ESL is a broad term that refers to the tools and methods used to teach ELL students. ELL stands for "English Language...  [Read more]

  There is no simple answer to this question as it depends entirely on which type of TEFL course you choose to study. At ITTT we have a range of courses that are designed to suit the various needs of our trainees, each with its own time scale for completion. Please see below for a breakdown of our various course options. Online courses are often the quickest route towards TEFL certification. If you are in a real hurry a course such as our 60-hour introduction to TEFL may be a good choice as you can conceivably complete it in as little as five days. Even those who prefer to study at a slower rate should find they can complete the course within one month. However, it is worth remembering that the majority of employers worldwide insist on job applicants having a TEFL certificate of...  [Read more]