For teaching jobs abroad, qualifications vary from employer to employer but among the basic requirements include a bachelor degree (on any subject), TEFL certificate and must be a native speaker. Not all employers require a TEFL certificate but it would be a big help if you are serious in pursuing your teaching career overseas.
The biggest misconception about teaching English is not because you are a native speaker doesn’t mean you know how to teach the language. That is true! This is where the TEFL certification comes in. Online and on-site TEFL courses not only make you a better teacher but also help you get a higher salary offer. It’s very interesting, right? Read on as we share more information about which TEFL certificate you need to have.
Which TEFL Certificate Do You Need?
Mostly, employers look for teaching applicants with a 120+ hours TEFL course certificate. You may also find some online training courses that are 140, 150 and 320 hours long.
The 140-hour course combines online learning and weekend activities with an experienced tutor in a classroom while the 150-hour course is a comprehensive TEFL training. If you want to stand out in the crowd and take your teaching career to a new height, you can also consider an extensive TEFL course with 320 hours.
Bottom line, if you are just starting out, you will be fine with just the basic 120-hour online or on-site course. In case you want to take the course online, we recommend getting any of this: MYTEFL, ITTT TEFL, Premier TEFL or i to i TEFL.
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How to Choose the Right TEFL Course?
There are a lot of TEFL courses available online and on-site and finding the right one can be overwhelming. To help you out, we put up a short guide you can follow to determine which TEFL course is right for you.
- Find out if the TEFL certification is accredited.
Do a background check, if the TEFL provider is officially recognized by a reputable accrediting body. Look for reviews or ratings online from the recent course takers. You can also visit their website to learn more about their offers and teaching standards.
- Decide if you want to take the course online or on-site.
You can find several high-quality TEFL courses online and on-site and both can train you on methods, effective planning, etc. However, an online course allows you to learn at your own pace, anywhere and anytime while the on-site course is more intensive with practice teaching involves.
- Know how many hours are required.
A 60-hour course can be finished in a short period of time at a cheaper cost but the standard requirement of most recruiters and employers is a 120-hour TEFL certification. This may cost a little high but if you want to ace the job application, this is worth investing for.
- Check what is included in the entire course.
Before enrolling, you need to check what covers the whole course. Are the areas you want to improve included such as grammar and pronunciation? Some offer a job assistance after completing the course, this is something you might be looking as well.
- Know the cost.
Frequently, on-site courses are more expensive than online courses. If you prefer to do it on-site in another country, you will need to spend at least a month abroad and pay for all the expenses. On the other hand, if you choose to do it online, you can save $500-$1000 than enrolling abroad.
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Do TEFL Certificates Expire?
A TEFL certificate is for a lifetime. You can use it as many time as possible in all your overseas teaching job application as you want. No additional training needed to renew it.
