A quick rule of thumb: the homeowners who avoid problems are the ones who get everything in writing, verify licensing and insurance before work starts, and never rely on a verbal promise for anything that matters. If a detail is important enough to ask about, it is important enough to have in the written quote or contract.
— WikiQuestions editorial guidance
Getting your TEFL certification can be a life-changing decision, it can lead to a new online work-from-home or exciting travel opportunities. With the right TEFL, you’ll be able to apply for teaching positions anywhere in the world teaching English, so it’s a great career move if you’ve always wanted to travel the world but didn’t want to stop working to do it.
Table of Contents
What is TEFL?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and this is the qualification you need to teach English abroad, no matter your current career status. You have the option to choose to do your TEFL certification in-person or online, but what do you need to know before choosing a course and provider?
Here are the questions you should ask before you choose your TEFL course.
Is it better to do an in-person or online TEFL course?
The decision to do an in-person or online will come down to a few different factors, such as:
- How much time you have to dedicate to the course
- Whether you want in-person support
- How much you’re prepared to pay for your course
- Whether there is a center near you where you can do your TEFL
Cost: How much does a TEFL course cost?
An in-person TEFL course can cost upwards of $1,000, while an online certification can be gained for as little as $100. If you’re planning on only using the qualification for a short period, like a year or two, $1,000 can seem like a big investment, but you will find that you get what you pay for.
Cheaper courses are likely to mean that the teachers do not have qualifications or even sufficient experience to teach you and the hours will be insufficient to make you attractive to potential employers.
You should always investigate which qualification you get for your money so you can ensure you get a qualification that will set you up for the right position. It’s also worth investigating if the provider of your TEFL has any schemes that will help you find a placement abroad after, if that’s your plan.
Flexibility: Can I do the course whenever I have the time?
One of the most significant benefits of choosing an online TEFL course is that it will give you the flexibility to study when and where you like, and you can continue to have a full-time job as you study. Full-time in-person courses do not have this flexibility but you may be able to find a part-time in-person course that better suits your lifestyle, such as being taught in the evenings only.
Support: What will I get out of my course?
It’s hard to argue that you could learn the same amount in 20 hours online as you can in 4 weeks in a classroom, and this is why some people will find it preferable to attend an in-person course. In addition to your theoretical learning, most in-person courses give you the experience of standing up in front of real live students and teaching, since that’s what you’ll be doing when you start your new career.
Many employers place great value on the practical teaching element of a TEFL course and so it can be very important to take an in-person course if you feel these are skills you’ll need to land the position you want.
However, it is often said that the ‘real’ learning starts when you get your first job, so a good quality online course could find you just as prepared as an in-person course, it usually depends on the individual and how they like to learn, and how they are able to adapt to different teaching methods.
Is the TEFL course accredited?
Online TEFL course accreditation
If you decide to take an online course it is worth choosing one that has a reputable accrediting body behind it, so you can feel confident you are getting a qualification employers will be happy with.
The difficulty with TEFL courses is that there isn’t one international accrediting or regulatory body, which means that anyone can create a TEFL course, market it, and sell it. They can even make up their own accrediting body and say that it is properly accredited, even without real substance.
The most genuine, reputable organization that accredits online TEFL certification programs is International Accreditation of TESOL Qualifying Organisations (IATQuO), which is specific to TEFL but you will find other genuine organizations that accredit both TEFL courses and all other types of online learning. Just make sure you look for a mention of accreditation on the course provider’s website and research that organization as much as you can.
In-person TEFL course accreditation
The same is true when you look at an in-person course, and you should check in the accreditors of those courses in the same way.
There are two TEFL certificates that are internationally recognized and accepted: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) and Trinity CertTESOL. The content of these is usually the same no matter what country you take them in, and most importantly they are recognized and accepted by almost every employer worldwide.
All accredited courses will include at least 6 hours of observed, assessed teaching practice, this is what employers are looking for and why some employers will not take someone with an online qualification. If an in-person course offers less than these 6 hours it is probably not an accredited course and you should steer clear.
How long is the TEFL course?
Most employers who are looking for someone with an in-person qualification will expect 120 hours (or longer) of study. Shorter in-person TEFL courses do exist, but these might not be recognized and accepted where you want to teach so it is best just not to choose these.
Generally, for online courses, the longer the course, the more in-depth your study will be and it is really up to you but it is worth bearing in mind that a longer course might make you feel more prepared for when you start work.
Consider how many hours you have available and look at the required number of hours you must study both to get your qualification and to land a job in your preferred country or countries.
Is the TEFL certificate recognized where I want to teach?
It’s important to be aware that employers in different countries have different requirements. In some countries, an online certification will be enough for most employers, and often any certificate will be suitable, but in others, only an in-person certificate will be accepted. If you have already decided you want to work in a particular country you will need to make sure that you take a TEFL course that most employers will accept there.
Where is the TEFL course?
You also have the option to take your course either in your home country or in the country you want to work in. For in-person courses, location is important.
If, for example, you’re thinking of teaching in Spain then taking the course there could give you access to local contacts and your course provider may be able to give you specific advice when it comes to finding a job. Your teacher might even be able to dedicate a session or two specifically to working in TEFL in that country which could give you an advantage over people who have studied in their home country. It would also give you the chance to visit employers directly and get a feel for the place you might work and the local area. Just be aware that you may not have the guarantee of a job when you’re qualified.
On the other hand, taking the TEFL course in your home country may be more beneficial to you. You might not be sure where in the world you want to start teaching, there may be a training center in a convenient location near you, or you may choose to work at the same time as studying if there is a part-time TEFL course available to you.
If you plan to teach online, a course that’s in a convenient location for you will likely be the no-brainer option. If you choose an online course, see whether they combine it with an in-person exam or if the whole thing takes place online.
Is it a reputable TEFL course?
Finding a reputable TEFL course is not only related to its accreditation and you should research the course provider extensively. Here are a few points you should cover:
- Look at reviews online, you may find one or two negative reviews about a course or the provider, but use common sense to gauge these are from students like you. If it is a reputable TEFL course and provider, the positive reviews will outweigh the negative.
- Check out the website of the provider. Ask yourself if it seems professional, whether the text is written using good English and look at their accreditation.
- Look at the full content of their course and compare it to that of a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL course. These courses are the most extensive, so even if you aren’t able to take one of these qualifications, look for a course with a similar curriculum.
- Check out the trainers and their qualifications or, if they have no formal teaching qualifications, at least make sure that they have plenty of relevant experience.
- Simply, trust your instinct. If you get a bad feeling about a course or provider, take them out of consideration, you’ll probably find your instincts are right.
Conclusion
When choosing which course provider you want to get your TEFL qualification with, keep these questions in mind. Don’t rush into your decision; there is a lot to consider and if you take your time to choose exactly the right course for you, you will be much happier and get the best training you need to start your career in teaching English as a foreign language, which can be an incredibly awarding, flexible, and exciting career if you set yourself up for success!
All images used from unsplash.Com