A Quick Guide to Choosing the Right TEFL Course

After deciding to pursue teaching English abroad, the next step is choosing your TEFL certification course.

There are so many options out there that it can be overwhelming, but don’t worry; by reading this guide, you’ll be able to figure out which TEFL course best fits your needs and goals!

Read on to find out more!

Things to Consider Before Signing Up for a TEFL Course

Before you sign up for a TEFL course, there are a few things you should take into consideration.

First, think about your budget and whether or not you can afford the course.

Second, research the different types of courses available to find one that best suits your needs.

Third, consider your schedule and whether or not you have time to commit to a course.

Fourth, check out reviews from past students to get an idea of what the course is like.

Finally, don’t forget to ask questions during your interview with the school’s representative.

The more information you have before signing up for a course, the better chance you’ll be satisfied with it in the end!

Besides, consider the following;

What Level Are You Working Towards?

The first step in choosing a TEFL course is understanding what level you are working towards.

If you are just starting out, you will want to look for a course that covers the basics. However, if you have some experience teaching, you may want to consider a more advanced course.

There are also specialized courses available if you have specific goals in mind, such as teaching English to young learners or business professionals.

What’s Your Budget? (Two sentences): The next step is considering your budget. Most certificates and online courses cost around $200-$500, but there are more expensive options available.

It’s important to choose something that fits your budget and lifestyle.

What Kind of Experience Do You Have?: In addition to deciding on the type of certificate you’re looking for, it’s important to think about what kind of experience you have with teaching and language learning in general.

If you don’t have any experience yet but are eager to learn everything from scratch, then an online course might be a good choice.

However, if you already know a lot about the process of learning languages and would like more focused instruction tailored to your needs, then an intensive workshop might be better suited for you.

Do you have an interest in Specialized Areas Like Teaching Business English, Teaching Young Learners, etc.?

If you have an interest in specialized areas of teaching, like teaching business English or teaching young learners, then you should make sure that the TEFL course you choose offers certification in those areas.

There are many different types of TEFL courses available, so it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re choosing the right one for you.

What Kind of Job Do You Want?: When deciding on a TEFL course, you also need to think about what kind of job you want.

For example, if you want a school-based position, a university-based position, or if you plan on working online as a freelancer or language teacher then there are specific courses designed for each type of job.

With all these options available, it can be hard to decide which course is best for you! Here is a brief overview of three popular options

1) The CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) focuses on classroom teaching, specifically at schools.

2) The DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) teaches specializations such as children and young adults, ELT (English Language Teaching), and EAP (English for Academic Purposes).

3) The Trinity TESOL Certificate focuses on freelance teaching positions and has more flexible hours than the other two courses.

Do you want Online Courses or Not?

There are many great reasons to take an online course. You can study at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home, and you don’t have to worry about attending class in person.

However, there are also some drawbacks. Online courses can be expensive, and you may not have access to the same resources as you would in a traditional classroom setting.

Some people prefer to interact with other students face-to-face, which is often easier with a physical course.

It’s worth considering what your individual needs are before deciding whether or not an online course is right for you.

For example, if you work full-time while studying then an online course might be better suited for you than one that requires attendance on campus.

For those who thrive when they’re around others and want to learn from their peers in a more interactive environment, then taking a course on campus might be the best option.

How Important Is it to Choose a Recognized Accredited Program?

The most important factor in choosing a TEFL course is finding one that is accredited and recognized.

This designation means that the program has been vetted by an external organization and meets certain standards.

While there are many non-accredited programs out there, it is generally not worth taking the risk on one of these courses.

What Are The Different Types of Programs? (three sentences): There are generally two types of TEFL courses: online and in-person.

Online courses can be completed from home but may lack a community feel or the opportunity for face-to-face interactions with instructors or other students.

In-person courses may offer more opportunities for hands-on learning and communication but may be more expensive than their online counterparts.

Which option you choose will depend largely on your personal preferences, needs, and goals as well as how much time you have available to dedicate to completing your coursework.

Do you Need Certification from the British Council or Other Organizations?

No, you don’t need certification from the British Council or other organizations in order to teach English as a foreign language.

However, some employers may prefer or require it. If you’re not sure whether or not you need certification, it’s best to err on the side of caution and get certified.

It will show that you are serious about teaching and put your students at ease. Certification can take anywhere from two weeks to four months depending on how quickly you study for the exams, so be sure to plan accordingly.

There are three types of qualifications: CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language), TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Delta Plus Certificate.

They are all recognized by employers around the world, but they vary in length and intensity.

CELTA courses typically last between six and eight weeks with an intense focus on practical teaching skills.

They involve 150 hours of contact time (lectures, seminars, workshops). You’ll also have supervised practice teaching sessions with real ESL learners.

TESOL courses are slightly less intensive with 120 hours of contact time over a period of five to six weeks; they do not include any supervised practice teaching sessions.

Is it OK if You Only Take Distance Learning Courses and Don’t Study in Person at All?

Yes, it is perfectly fine if you only take distance learning courses and don’t study in person at all. In fact, many people do this because it is more convenient and affordable.

However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you make your decision.

First, make sure that the program you choose is accredited. This will ensure that you get a high-quality education and that your degree will be recognized by employers.

Second, try to find out what kind of support system the school offers. Some programs offer live chats with tutors, whereas others just offer email correspondence with tutors.

Some schools even have on-campus support which means that they can help answer any questions you might have while you’re taking the course.

Distance learning courses typically require anywhere from 3-5 hours per week, but some students may need more time depending on their previous educational background.

If you need more than five hours per week to complete your studies, then an online course may not be a good fit for you and it would probably be better to study in person so that someone can guide you through the material.

Online courses also usually require no more than three years to complete. So, if you plan on graduating quickly, this may not be the best option for you.

That being said, if convenience is important to you and you can’t afford to go back to school in person, then distance learning might be the right choice for you!