English

TESOL certificate

International certificates are the hallmark of any teacher worth their salt. They show that you are a constantly developing professional and that you know your stuff. After all, to be a good English teacher it is not enough to have a high level of the language, it is also important to have methodological knowledge.

  1. What is TESOL?
  2. Which TESOL certificate to choose?
  3. Benefits of a TESOL certificate
  4. The TESOL certification requirements
  5. Where to teach English abroad with TESOL?

What is TESOL?

Even though many teachers are familiar with English grammar, this does not necessarily mean that they can easily teach it to others. When it comes to teaching non-native speakers, things get more difficult.

The acronym TESOL, which stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, teaches teachers how to incorporate culture into English learning. In this case, only tangible objects can be used to explain the situation.

English class in the USA

TEFL vs. TESOL

Note that the content of TESOL and TEFL is largely the same. Both programs teach you how to communicate and teach effectively to students of all ages.
Although there is a slight difference:

  1. TEFL
    You can work as an English teacher in countries where English is not the native language if you have a TEFL qualification. Without having to worry about obtaining a TEFL certificate, you can travel abroad and work as a teacher in countries such as Thailand, China, Vietnam and Indonesia.
  2. TESOL
    TESOL, on the other hand, gives teachers the freedom to work and teach in English-speaking countries. It allows you to work in Canada, Australia, the USA and the UK.

Which TESOL certificate to choose?

It can be confusing with the variety of TESOL courses on offer. Let's examine the factors to consider.

Accreditation

Accreditation

If the courses you take to teach abroad are not accredited, the qualification will not be legally recognized.
Therefore, a list of criteria, including those for TESOL, is assessed by accrediting institutions when evaluating a particular course. An evaluation of these requirements is carried out every year. You can therefore be sure that the information you learn in the courses is up to date and useful.

Course duration

Course duration

It is recommended that you complete the course with at least 120 TESOL hours as the majority of companies - both overseas and online - require teachers to have these hours. Therefore, the ideal way to enhance your CV is to take a 120 hour course and add specific training in the areas you wish to explore. If a course requires hundreds of hours of tuition and doesn't meet your goals, there's no reason to take it.

International reputation

International reputation

This is closely related to accreditation. If the provider has the necessary accreditation, their qualifications need to be recognized worldwide.
Employers overseas or online may not have much credibility, and new courses are being launched all the time (sometimes at very low prices). Your best chance of getting a job is to choose a provider with a solid reputation in the field.

Tutor support

Tutor support

A good course should have the full support of the teacher. In addition, these trainers need to be highly qualified English teachers.
It is important to have access to input from people who know your industry throughout the course. And if you're learning online, this is crucial because without this help and feedback, you won't have any direction during the course and won't know if you're going in the right direction.

The TESOL certification requirements

English language skills are the only requirement for enrolment on a TESOL course. You must have at least a B1 intermediate level of English. There are no age or educational restrictions.

Depending on the company and country, there may be additional criteria when applying for a job, such as:

  • visa to work in that country,
  • degree (in any subject),
  • native speaker (which can be a barrier for some teachers) and nationality.
    If English isn't your first language, you can still teach English, but it's important to get a certificate of language proficiency when looking for a job. Non-native speakers often need a C2 level to work.
Student applies

Benefits of a TESOL certificate

Variety of options

Variety of options

You can develop new talents by looking for personal approaches to learning languages through culture. Broaden your mind and horizons by working abroad and making new friends and acquaintances. You can help people pass exams so they can study and work abroad if you are skilled in a few particular areas. You may be able to identify with your students who are trying to pass their citizenship exams because you are an immigrant living abroad. In other words, depending on the type of students you want to teach, there are different ways to use your teaching skills.

The wide recognition

The wide recognition

You can demonstrate your skills and expertise in teaching foreigners overseas by obtaining a TESOL certificate. Employers around the world will recognize that you have the experience to teach English as a second language by promoting yourself as such. In addition, you can make a positive first impression on a potential employer before the interview. You can say a lot with your CV and your resume. Many companies, private schools and public institutions require this qualification in order to hire qualified people. In some cases, TESOL is also required for private institutions in the US, so be sure to check their requirements before you apply.

Valuable skills

Valuable skills

The course will give you social skills as well as a professional understanding of teaching. Management, with its balance of jokes and practical exercises; Communication, with its need to find common ground even with those who are not immediately sympathetic; Patience, with its need to go back and forth to make a point.

A way to become a preferred candidate

A way to become a preferred candidate

The majority of companies around the world like to recruit candidates who have either TEFL or TESOL qualifications; having both is ideal. As a result, having at least one of these qualifications will give you an advantage over candidates who do not have them when it comes to getting a well-paid job. If you are applying for a job in some countries, such as Japan and China, where the labour market is quite competitive, this will become significant and obvious. What's more, some reputable course providers offer job placement services, so you don't have to worry about finding a job with these qualifications.

Traveling

Traveling

Because it offers incredible opportunities to travel and work overseas, TESOL training is becoming increasingly popular around the world. the aspirations of those who want to earn money while travelling. Although there is a long list of benefits to visiting and living abroad, most ESL teachers place a premium on cultural immersion. You'll gain a better understanding of human behaviour and live a more interesting life as a result. In many ways, living abroad is a great experience. You will travel to beautiful places, interact with fascinating people, and share cultural experiences with friends and acquaintances. Because the world is so big, it can be difficult to choose just one country to visit. When instructing students who are studying abroad, instructors should consider things such as the cost of living, social services, the workplace and the way of life of the locals.