Is An Online Tesol Certificate Worth It

If you do a Google search for ESL teaching jobs, many that come up will include a TESOL certification of at least 100 hours among the criteria expected by the employer. This level of qualification is typically enough for first-time teachers to get on the job ladder in most countries around the world. If you then add a higher level qualification such as a Diploma in TESOL to your portfolio you will have even more options to choose from, including many management level positions. However, if you then go on to complete a Master’s in TESOL, there are very few jobs that will be off limits, including the highest paid jobs in the most sought after locations. At ITTT the highest level of qualification we currently provide is the Diploma in TESOL. However, we are more than happy to...  [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]

A Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certificate does not have an expiration date. Once you have earned your TESOL certification, it is valid for a lifetime. This means that you can use your TESOL certificate to teach English as a foreign language (EFL) or English as a second language (ESL) in various countries and educational settings for as long as you wish. Having a TESOL certificate demonstrates that you have received training in teaching English to non-native speakers. It shows potential employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively teach English language learners. While the certificate itself does not expire, it is important to note that teaching requirements and regulations may vary from country to country and even from institution to...  [Read more]

When looking for a teaching position, many teachers wonder if a 120-hour TESOL certificate is sufficient to teach in a classroom or online. It may appear that it is not enough time to become a competent teacher, but we assure you that it is possible. Most ESL employers and schools will require at least 120 hours of training before you can apply for teaching positions. Some employers may even require classroom experience in addition to the 120 hours of study. There are several TESOL courses that include this number of study hours as well as some level of classroom practice, making them ideal for jobs that require experience. A 120-hour TESOL course is a training program for English speakers who want to teach English abroad or online. The term "120 hours" refers to a 120-hour...  [Read more]

This is hard to estimate as it depends on many different factors, including your previous teaching history, relevant qualifications, and the platform you choose to work for. However, the usual hourly pay rate for online English teachers ranges from $15 to $30. It is also worth remembering that agencies that provide you with students and materials etc, may take a slice of your income in return for their services. Magic Ears: aimed at 4 to 12 year-old children across China, with a focus on fun and interactive experiences. Pay levels are up to 30% higher than the average at around $18 to $26 per hour. VIPKID: aimed at children of all ages right across Asia. Teachers must be US or Canadian citizens with a degree and a good internet connection. Lesson plans and materials are...  [Read more]

There are a few reasons why we think taking a TESOL course is more than worth it. Firstly, many employers all over the world now require their job applicants to be TESOL certified in order to qualify for their vacant positions, as they rightly believe that some form of training is required in order to give the students the best chance of reaching their goals. It is also increasingly common for whole countries to require potential teachers to hold a TESOL qualification to be eligible for an official work visa. Without a recognized qualification in these countries you will have no chance of securing a job legally. The other main reason why we recommend all teachers get TESOL certified is so they learn all the essential skills and knowledge needed to plan and deliver quality lessons...  [Read more]

Do you want to teach English, but are not sure if a TESOL certificate will be enough to get you where you want to go? The good news is, most countries do not require a teaching license to teach English, a TESOL certificate is usually enough. In some cases, a bachelor's degree might also be a requirement, but there are many places where this is not an issue. With a quality TESOL certificate from ITTT, you will be able to get ESL teaching jobs in most places around the world. While year-long training and a teaching license is typically required to become a standard teacher in most countries, it is incredibly easy to become a teacher for English as a foreign language in many countries around the world. With a TESOL certificate you can start a career in teaching English in many places,...  [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]

Only a few years ago a reasonable proportion of ESL employers still preferred their job applicants to possess an in-class TESOL course rather than an online equivalent. However, that number has grown less and less in recent times as the prevalence of online training has increased dramatically and many employers find it increasingly hard to fill their vacant positions. These days it is not only convenient and affordable to complete an online TESOL certificate course, it is also well worth it as your qualification will be welcomed by the vast majority of potential employers in most parts of the TESOL world. While online TESOL courses have become widely accepted by employers in recent years it is still important that you choose the right course to give you the best chance of securing...  [Read more]

If you have never taught a class of students before, it is worth taking a few moments to imagine your first lesson as an English teacher to a class of 30 students, none of whom are English speakers. Here are some fundamental questions to ask yourself before you start. If, at this very early stage of thinking about this process, you are imagining yourself to be totally out of your depth, this is a good thing, as you are probably being honest with yourself and you are probably right. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is not as easy as it may first appear. Being a native speaker of English does not qualify you to teach it. A TESOL course will give you a solid grounding into the areas of the English language that are commonly taught and an introduction to teaching...  [Read more]

For many ESL teachers a standard-level course such as the 120-hour TESOL certification course from ITTT is the only official teaching qualification they ever take. This level of certification will allow you to apply for a wide range of teaching jobs in countries worldwide. Some teachers also add one or more specialized TESOL qualifications to their portfolio in order to further their own understanding and to add more options to their job search. The next step up is an advanced-level certificate such as the Diploma in TESOL that takes an in-depth look at the theory side of teaching. Finally, teachers who want to rise to the very top of the ESL industry often sign up for university-level courses such as a Degree or even a Master’s in TESOL. Depending on the country you are in, there...  [Read more]

Teaching in the Middle East is often considered to be centered on countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, however, Oman is among those countries that are starting to challenge this outlook. The country is home to many attractions including a huge amount of pristine coastline, a wide expanse of desert, and rugged mountains. It is also considered to have a more laid-back atmosphere than some of its neighbors. Fully qualified teachers with a teaching licence can expect to earn around $2,000 to $3,000 per month in Oman. TESOL qualified teachers typically start on $1,000 to $2,000 per month, although this will vary depending on the employer and your previous experience. As these figures are tax-free and many jobs also include free housing, it is possible for most teachers to...  [Read more]

Every year tens of thousands of people from all over the world and from all different backgrounds choose to sign up for a TESOL certification course, and each one has their own personal reasons for doing so. Many are looking to change their whole life direction and intend to use English teaching as their new path, while for many others it offers a great way to earn some cash while traveling the world. For every one person that takes the leap there are many others who are still weighing up their options. If this applies to you, here are some of the most common reasons why we think it is time you made the move into TESOL. No matter what your job or career path, it is common to hit a point where it all becomes mundane and repetitive. What better way to make a change to the humdrum than...  [Read more]

Put simply, TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. You will also see the TESOL acronym used to refer to training courses that people take, and the certification they receive, that allows them to teach English in almost any country worldwide. ITTT has been providing these courses for many years and is known as the market leader in high-quality TESOL certification courses. Wherever you plan to work as an ESL teacher, you will most likely require a qualification known as a TESOL certificate in order to be taken seriously by employers. Unfortunately, there is no global standard when it comes to these courses which can make it difficult to know which course is right for you. By entering TESOL certification into a search engine you will quickly find many...  [Read more]

If you are looking to obtain TESOL certification as a teaching professional, there are various reputable institutions worldwide offering quality programs. It is essential to choose a program that suits your needs and goals. One of the most well-known and respected organizations offering TESOL certification is the University of Cambridge. Their Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) is highly regarded globally and provides a solid foundation for teaching English as a foreign language. Another popular choice is the Trinity College London CertTESOL program, which is also widely recognized and respected in the industry. Both the CELTA and CertTESOL programs are intensive and practical, providing hands-on teaching experience and valuable skills for educators. For...  [Read more]

When considering whether a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification is worth the investment, several factors should be taken into account. Here are some key points to consider before making a decision: 1. **Career Opportunities:** One of the primary benefits of obtaining a TESOL certification is the increased job prospects it can offer. Many schools and language institutes around the world require their English teachers to have a TESOL qualification. By having this certification, you may have access to a wider range of job opportunities both in your home country and abroad. 2. **Professional Development:** A TESOL certification is not just about gaining employment; it also provides you with essential skills and knowledge to be an effective English language...  [Read more]

VIPKid was, until quite recently, one of the top platforms for teaching young learners online. However, as of July 2021, the Chinese government changed the laws regarding online teaching and made it illegal to promote English lessons for Chinese students if the teachers are outside of the country. Essentially, if you want to teach young Chinese students online, then you now need to actually be in the country and not working from overseas. This shift in policy has had a big impact on VIPKid’s operations and they are no longer the major player they once were in this particular teaching environment. Despite the change in laws within China, VIPKid says it is to continue offering lessons for adult students in China from outside the country as this is not affected by the new legislation....  [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]

Choosing a TESOL certification course is rarely straightforward as there are no set standards that providers have to stick to. Because of this lack of guidelines there are a large number of companies that offer all sorts of TESOL courses in a wide range of styles and quality. The positive thing is that there are a few long established TESOL course providers that offer high quality courses that will ensure you learn all the skills you need to get your teaching career started. The best place to start is by looking at the length of the course. If you go online you can find courses of 40 hours or less and some in-class options that only take a weekend to complete. These courses will provide a decent introduction to ESL teaching, but they are unlikely to be sufficient for the majority of...  [Read more]

If you have a TESOL qualification and have been working as an ESL teacher for a considerable time, you might be ready to change direction. There are several options available to experienced teachers and one of them is to become a TESOL course trainer. TESOL trainers are responsible for ensuring that the next generation of ESL teachers are fully prepared for everything that the classroom has in store and it can be a very rewarding career. The pay can often be good and it can also be a route into management or even starting up your own language school. But what do you need in order to become a TESOL trainer? The most important qualification required is to complete a TESOL certification course. This will ensure you have a good insight into the training involved and all the skills and...  [Read more]