Can I teach English with a level 4 TESOL certificate?
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.
How are the different levels of TESOL certification determined?
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 hours, whether practical training is involved, and whether it is full or part time. At ITTT we have developed our own level framework based on a combination of these common factors.
What are the different ITTT TESOL certificate levels?
The ITTT level framework runs from level 3 to level 7.
Level 3 certification courses are generally considered to be insufficient on their own when applying for most good quality teaching jobs and are typically aimed at trainees who want to work as teaching assistants, teaching volunteers, or who simply want to get an insight into the world of ESL teaching. Level 3 courses can also be additional, specialized courses that can be completed after an initial higher level course in order to gain further understanding of specific areas of teaching, At ITTT we have three such courses: The Course in Teaching English Online (CTEO), the Course in Teaching English to Young Learners (CTEYL), and the Course in Teaching Business English (CTBE).
As mentioned, level 4 certification courses are widely accepted as the main entry point for people looking to teach English at home, online, or overseas. At this level, TESOL courses will have at least 100 hours of study, as that is the minimum level expected by most employers in all regions and formats. At ITTT our 120-hour TESOL certification course is more than sufficient to get your teaching career underway.
If you want to start your teaching career with an even better understanding of TESOL, you can look at level 5 courses. Our 170-hour TESOL course with online specialization includes the initial 120-hour course plus an extra 50-hour course that focuses on the unique areas of online English instruction (CTEO). At this level we also offer the 220-hour Master Package which starts with the 120-hour course and is followed by two specialized courses: the CTBE and the CTEYL.
At level 6 we have our advanced 370-hour Diploma in TESOL course. This high-level course is aimed at teachers who want to really hit the ground running from the start, as well as those who have gained some classroom experience and are looking to take their qualifications to the next level. With this option you first complete the initial 120-hour course, which is then followed by an in-depth look at the theory of teaching via the 250-hour Diploma section of the course.
Finally, at level 7 we have our highest ranked option: The 550-hour Expert Package, which includes six elements that will give you the ultimate start to your teaching career and ensure you are ready to apply for high-end jobs and promotions further down the line. The six elements are: The 120-hour TESOL course, the 50-hour CTBE, the 50-hour CTEYL, the 50-hour CTEO, the Diploma in TESOL, and an optional teaching practice component.
What is a level 4 TESOL qualification?
If you decide to go with the level 4 course (120-hour TESOL certificate), the qualification you will receive upon completion is the equivalent of a first-year university course. As mentioned, this level is perfect for finding teaching jobs online or overseas as it exceeds the 100 hours of study that is widely accepted as the minimum requirement by international employers.
Who is eligible for a level 4 TESOL course?
Anyone over the age of 18 who has a solid understanding of written and spoken English is eligible to take our level 4 courses. As the demand for TESOL qualified teachers is so high in many areas, there are more than enough jobs available for both native and non-native speakers.
