Official Tesol Certification

Yes, in many cases, having a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification is required or strongly preferred for teaching English in government programs, especially those that are part of official language education initiatives. These programs often have specific requirements for their teachers to ensure a high standard of language instruction. Having a TESOL certification demonstrates that you have received training in language teaching methodologies, classroom management techniques, and understanding of language acquisition principles. This can be particularly important when teaching English to non-native speakers in government programs where the goal is to improve language skills for academic, professional, or personal development purposes. Government programs...  [Read more]

  There are many benefits to choosing ITTT as your TESOL course provider and one of those is that our graduates are able to issue their own certification to English language students that they work with. Once you have completed a set of lessons with your student you can give them a certificate of completion that includes their name, the level of the class they attended, and the amount of hours they studied with you. Each certificate has a unique identification number and a box where you can insert your own ITTT TESOL certification number. The great thing about these certificates is that the student, and any other party who has an interest in their English language ability, will have physical evidence that they have been taught English by a qualified ESL teacher. Having the option of...  [Read more]

Spain is popular with foreign ESL teachers for many reasons including the consistently booming job market, the easy going culture, the warm climate, and the great food. Jobs can be found all year-round in many areas, but are you eligible to work there legally? The simple answer is no, you do not require a degree in order to legally teach English in Spain. There are no government requirements for teachers to have any kind of academic background and the demand is so high in many areas that employers are equally unconcerned about your degree status. Generally speaking, schools in Spain prefer native English speakers in their classrooms as this is what most local students are looking for. However, they will not simply hire you on that basis without having completed some form of teacher...  [Read more]

As an ESL teacher you are likely to apply for multiple jobs and in most cases head overseas, both of which require a variety of documentation. Some things cannot be sorted out until you are actually in your country of choice, however, it is essential that you organize all the documents you can in advance so you have them to hand whenever they are needed during a job interview or when applying for a visa. In most cases, anyone traveling outside of their home country will need a passport that is valid for a minimum of six months or even a year. To avoid any problems while you are overseas the best advice is to make sure you have at least two years left on your passport before you head off. In some countries you also need to apply for an entry visa before leaving home, while some will...  [Read more]

It is probably a little known fact among many native English speakers that the Philippines has two official languages and one of them is English. English is taught in mainstream schools throughout the country and is widely used in government, the media, business, and education. As English is spoken by so many Filipinos across the country, it is no surprise to find that Filipino teachers currently occupy a large number of the ESL teaching jobs available in the Philippines and several other countries throughout Asia. Despite this, many ESL teachers from elsewhere also end up teaching English in the Philippines as it is a popular destination with plenty to offer its visitors. As the capital city, Manila is home to many language centers offering TESOL courses to local English speakers...  [Read more]

First, let's unpack the TESOL acronym. TESOL means Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It refers to the act of teaching English to non-native speakers. While TESOL is technically meant for teaching scenarios in English-speaking countries, it has been universally adopted to describe English language instruction in any setting. Additionally, TESOL is a term that encapsulates the teacher training programs and the certifications that aspiring teachers pursue. This certification is designed to meet the requirements set by most global employers seeking qualified English teachers. However, when applying for English teaching positions, many applicants might present a TEFL certificate instead of a TESOL. It is essential to understand that TESOL and TEFL, while having different...  [Read more]

The job market for TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) teachers in Africa varies depending on the country and region. Generally, there is a demand for English language teachers across the continent due to the importance of English as an international language for business, education, and communication. In countries where English is an official language, such as Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, there are often more opportunities for TESOL teachers, both in schools and language institutes. These countries have a growing middle class who are keen to improve their English language skills for better job prospects. Additionally, there is a need for qualified English teachers in international schools and universities. In other African countries where English is not an...  [Read more]

  After working hard for many years to ensure that our products and services are at the very top of the TESOL tree, it is always extremely gratifying to receive official recognition from respected organizations within the ESL world. Over the years we have been lucky enough to receive many different awards from various independent bodies and some of the most recent have been particularly special to us. In 2018 we were honored to be awarded Top TEFL Certification Organization by GoAbroad, who are one of the largest and most respected providers of overseas experiences online. The very next year we also received their award for Top Rated TEFL Organization 2019. Go Overseas is another large name in the online world of travel and adventure providers, so it was with great pride that we...  [Read more]

If you have spent any time looking into the world of English language teaching (ELT) you will probably have noticed that the industry has a fondness for acronyms. Terms such as TEFL, TESOL, ESOL, EFL, ESL, among others, are all regularly used when talking about teaching and studying English, as well as when referring to teaching qualifications. Here we will look at ESL and the first thing to make clear is that ESL stands for English as a Second Language. ESL, and any of the other acronyms mentioned above, are routinely used interchangeably when discussing scenarios where the English language is being taught to or studied by non-native English speakers. As previously mentioned, ESL and EFL are commonly used interchangeably within the English language teaching world. However, there is...  [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]

EPIK stands for the English Program in Korea. This government run scheme places foreign teachers into schools across South Korea where they work as English language instructors. EPIK is probably the most popular program of its kind anywhere in the world as it includes a good salary, several extra benefits, and the once in a lifetime chance to live and work in a unique cultural environment. If you are accepted by the program you will join the thousand or so others who head to South Korea each year via this route. If this is something you might be interested in, we recommend you contact our TESOL recruitment partner Reach To Teach. Reach To Teach is an official partner of the EPIK program and works with the Korean Ministry of Education during the recruitment process. Applicants for the...  [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]

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]

If you have a TESOL certificate and are looking to teach English in Sub-Saharan Africa, there are several opportunities available to you. Sub-Saharan Africa is a region with a growing demand for English language teachers, and your TESOL certification can open doors to various teaching positions in countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. In South Africa, English is one of the official languages, and there are many opportunities to teach English as a second language in schools, language institutes, and universities. Cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban have a high demand for English teachers, both for children and adults. You can also explore volunteer teaching programs in rural areas or townships to make a difference in underserved communities. Kenya...  [Read more]

Due to the ever growing popularity of English language learning, the number of TESOL certification providers is also increasing. Considering the fact that there is not much in the way of regulation in the TESOL industry, prospective applicants should be cautious when choosing one. Luckily, there are certain steps you can take in order to check the validity of a program you are interested in. In a nutshell, what you should look at in the first place is the course provider’s accreditation by an independent body. If a TESOL course is accredited by a third party institution, it means their academic standards have been thoroughly checked and recognized. When considering a specific TESOL course, try to carry out some proper research of the provider’s credibility. Start with their own...  [Read more]

Around the world there are a large number of countries and individual cities where the market for TESOL qualified teachers is particularly strong. In these areas it is common to find that the best jobs are oversubscribed with applicants, seriously reducing your chances of getting the jobs you really want. One of the best ways to combat this competition for jobs is to complete a higher level of training than the majority of the other contenders. Firstly, it is important to point out that there is no universal course level framework that covers the whole of the ESL teaching community. Many countries such as the USA, the UK, and Australia have designed their own unique systems, as have many other teaching related organizations and TESOL course providers. However, all of these...  [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]

The English teaching world is famous for its love of acronyms and TESOL and CELTA are two common ones that you are sure to have come across when researching English teaching overseas or online. Although these are both well known within the teaching community, they can still cause some confusion among new teachers in particular. So what do they stand for and which one is better? TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The term is used to refer to any training course or certification that is aimed at English speakers who want to teach English in their own country, overseas, or online. It does not refer to any individual course or certificate. A quick bit of research will reveal there are many different TESOL course providers out there and they offer a wide...  [Read more]

  If you choose an online TESOL course from ITTT your end-of-course certificate will be accredited by the Paris University of International Education (PUIE), a well respected body in the field of ESL teaching. The PUIE is a higher education institute that is recognized by the Paris Academy as a degree-granting organization. In fact, ITTT certificates are the only fully online TESOL certificates that are currently validated, accredited and credit bearing from an internationally-recognized university. The PUIE has evaluated our Online TESOL Courses and agreed that they successfully meet all the criteria they require in order to receive their full accreditation. If you decide that an in-class TESOL course at one of our international training centers is better suited to your plans, then...  [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]