How do I become ESL certified?
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) provides a great opportunity for English speakers to earn a good living in almost any country worldwide. However, in order to be eligible for most good-quality jobs you will need to have a TESOL certification on your CV/resume. A TESOL course will give you all the necessary skills and knowledge required to get started in the field of ESL teaching. The only qualification you will need to sign up for a TESOL course with ITTT is to be a native or fluent English speaker who is over 18 and keen to learn what it takes to stand in front of a class of students and achieve results.
What TESOL qualification do I need?
If you want to become TESOL certified it is best to take a course of at least 100 hours of study, as this is the level of training that most international employers are looking for. Anything less is generally aimed at volunteers or teaching assistants, rather than full-time classroom teachers. The main decision is whether to take your course online, in a traditional classroom, or as a hybrid type course. All three options will result in the same level of qualification, so it is really down to your personal preference and individual learning style. Once TESOL qualified, many teachers also go on to take other specialized teaching courses or advanced level courses that are designed to take you further up the employment ladder.
Which type of TESOL course is right for me?
The choice of whether to take an online, in-class, or combined TESOL course is entirely up to the individual trainee as all three result in the same qualification, although the study method will be very different with each one.
In-class TESOL course
This is the most traditional route towards TESOL certification and it is still seen by many as the most thorough method of study due to its intensive design. The course runs over a set four-week period, at a training center that is staffed by highly experienced teacher trainers. You get to choose the location that suits you best and for many this is in or near the country or region where they are keen to find a teaching job once qualified. One reason why people choose this option is that it includes several hours of observed teaching practice where you get to practice what you have learned in real life ESL classrooms, under the supervision of your course trainers. If this sounds like the right study method for you, you are able to choose from a list of amazing locations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Take a look at our in-class TESOL course page
Online TESOL course
If you have limited time to study due to work, family, or other commitments, an online TESOL course might be best for you as you get to choose your own study schedule. This convenient option can be completed 100% online, from any location with an internet connection. There are no online classes to attend or any specific times when you have to be online, so it is open to anyone, no matter what their situation. The other major highlight of an online course is that it has fewer overheads than an in-class course, making it significantly cheaper. For many people, the lower cost and flexible schedule mean that an online course is the most convenient option for them.
Take a look at our online TESOL course page
Combined TESOL course
For some trainees, the benefits offered by both of the above study options can be combined into a hybrid type course. With this option you study all the theory of teaching online, in the same way as a regular online course. However, once complete, you then attend one of our centers to complete the course and to gain some invaluable teaching practice. The combined course results in the same certification as an in-class course, but the attendance at a training center is only for 8 or 10 days, rather than the full four weeks. Although the in-class section of this course is not available at all of our centers, you can still choose from some of our most popular locations, such as Bangkok, Phuket, New York, Paris, Rome, and Barcelona.
Take a look at our combined TESOL course page
