how to choose tefl course and not get ripped off

Before jumping for the cheapest TEFL course you find, pay good attention to how many hours you’ll spend learning. Even if you have a jam-packed scheduled, it’s better to draw out your TEFL course over a longer period of time, than to choose a course with under 120 recommended hours.

Full Answer

Are there any really bad TEFL courses out there?

Most countries will take a government regulated course with 120hrs or more on it. Yes there are bad courses out there but also many great ones, this is nothing more than someone writing a contrary title to a blog to grab traffic. Really bad article written by someone who does not know TEFL.

What to look out for when choosing a TEFL course?

Things to look out for include courses that are very cheap, being asked to make payments in the names of people rather than schools, and a lesser-known qualification being almost as expensive as the CELTA. Alex Case is the author of TEFLtastic. Alison – what rot. Writer’s clearly v. experienced in the TEFL world.

Is it worth it to take a Lineline TEFL course?

Line courses can be amazing! What a terrible article, grounded in opinion and bias. If you are looking to teach abroad TEFL can be a great, cheap, fun way to do this. Most countries will take a government regulated course with 120hrs or more on it.

What is TEFL and how does it work?

What is TEFL? TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and is the most popular type of course to take for teaching English abroad because that’s exactly what it targets: teaching English to those as a foreign language.

What is a legitimate TEFL course site that I can look at to get my TEFL certificate?

International TEFL Academy This is one of the largest and reputable international TEFL program providers. Pros: Alumni teach English in 80 countries, so the world is your oyster!

Which is the best TEFL certification program?

Best Overall International TEFL Academy International TEFL Academy (ITA) courses are consistently rated highly by both students and independent reviewers. ITA's academic rigor and international reputation are why it earned our top spot overall.

Does it matter where I get my TEFL?

Make sure the course is accredited by a recognized, independent body within the field. It will help verify that your TEFL class meets certain quality standards with regards to its curriculum, hours of training, practice teaching, and level of instruction.

Who should TEFL courses be accredited by?

Recognised by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the DEAC awards AQC (Approved Quality Curriculum) status only to providers who meet their stringent standards. Our 120-hour Premier Online and 168-hour Level 5 Online TEFL courses are DEAC AQC approved.

Is an online TEFL certificate worth it?

If you want to be an ESL teacher, either in a classroom, online, or both, getting TEFL certified is certainly worth it. And now is a perfect time to focus on professional development via an online TEFL course that you can complete from anywhere around the globe.

How do you know if a TEFL course is legit?

Another great way to find out which TEFL courses are legitimate is to check out where the alumni are teaching. If alumni went on to find great TEFL jobs with reputable schools and language institutes, then you know that the course is legitimate.

Is a Level 5 TEFL worth it?

While a Level 5 qualification can help to boost your CV and make it easier to secure work it won't give you a salary bump. Salaries in the TEFL industry are typically determined by experience, so entry-level teachers can expect to earn the same, whether they have a 120-hour, Level 5, or CELTA qualification.

Is it better to do TEFL online or in person?

If you're working full-time or a full-time student, an online course may be the better option. However, if you are determined to travel and have a lot of flexibility in your schedule to take off time to go abroad, then in-person may be a great choice for you!

What level is a 120 hour TEFL course?

Level 3 TEFL courses are typically 120 + hours long and equivalent to an A-Level qualification. They are recognised worldwide and are a great entry level qualification for people who want to teach and travel, volunteer abroad or teach English online.

Is CELTA better than TEFL?

TEFL refers to any certification program that trains an English speaker to teach their language to others. CELTA, on the other hand, is an intensive ESL teaching certificate, designed by Cambridge University. It is considered one of the most prestigious qualifications for teaching English abroad.

Are TEFL courses on Groupon legit?

They're not adequately accredited. There are lots of hidden costs. Lack of quality course content. Tutor support is minimal or non-existent.

Is free TEFL certificate legit?

In all honesty, you need to be careful about “free online TEFL certification courses”, because more often than not, they're not trustworthy, accredited, or legitimate.

What is TEFL?

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and is the most popular type of course to take for teaching English abroad because that’s exactly what it targets: teaching English to those as a foreign language. You may also have heard of TESOL ( Teaching English as a Second Language) which is more popular for those who wish to teach English to those who are in an English speaking country and need to learn English.

How many hours do you need to teach TEFL?

And lastly, I always advise people to take the 120-hour course. Usually, schools will only ask for a minimum of 100 hours, but the 120-hour course offers a bit of extra information that I found very useful while teaching. With either, you’ll be able to find TEFL jobs abroad easily and be teaching English overseas in no time!

How Much Does a TEFL Cost?

The cost of TEFL courses varies greatly. You can get highly rated TEFL certifications for around $200 all the way up to $2000+.

What Are The Course Hours?

The number of hours refers to the expected amount of time needed to complete all the coursework.

Does The Course Include Hands-On Teaching Components?

Some TEFL classes include a hands-on teaching component and others don’t.

What Kind of Teaching Job Are You Looking For?

Think about what kind of teaching job you’re looking for and see if the company has specific information to help you get there.

Does The Program Include Job Placement Assistance?

This means that after you finish the course, someone from the company will assist you in finding your teaching job.

Is The Course Accredited?

One of the first things to consider when signing up for a TEFL course is accreditation. Legitimate courses should have information about their accreditation listed clearly on their websites.

Why are TEFL courses so cheap?

One reason that some TEFL courses are so cheap is that they are not taught by truly qualified professional instructors. 4.

How To Choose The Best TEFL Certification School?

If you're looking to get your TEFL certification in order to teach English abroad, choosing the best TEFL school can quickly become daunting. There are a lot of schools out there. Don't worry, we're here to help you navigate the TEFL industry and get a better understanding of which TEFL school is best for you.

How many hours does a TEFL course take?

Is the TEFL / TESOL certification course at least 120 hours? The minimum standard for accreditation is 100 hours of academics and 6-20 hours of live practice teaching to actual ESL students (not class peers). Most of the reputable employers with the highest standards, tend to be the best places to work and will not recognize any lesser certification. A standard in-person International TEFL Course is 4 weeks long (20 classroom days). A comparable part-time class or interactive Online TEFL Course with structure will typically take 2-3 months part time.

How much does a tefl class cost?

When looking at different schools and different TEFL / TESOL courses, ask yourself: Does this price/offer sound too good to be true? Can I really expect to receive a professional-level certification and high quality job placement assistance from a $200 course, or even a $500 TEFL class? The typical cost of a professional TEFL / TESOL 120 hour certification course will range from $1,600 - $2,000 USD depending on operating costs (real estate, paying highly qualified instructors, etc.).

What degree do you need to teach TESOL?

A university-level, professional training class should be taught by a highly qualified instructor with the equivalent of a master’s degree in TESOL or a related field or equivalent training and experience (i.e. a DELTA or degree in Education and ESL endorsement, etc.), and many years of experience teaching English as a foreign language.

How many hours is a 100 hour course?

A standard amount of time for a full-time 100 hour course is 20 classroom days (4 weeks). A weekend class of two days or 20 hours is simply one tenth the minimum standard for a certified teacher to obtain, and even a TEFL course spread over three or four weekends will not meet international standards.

What is job search guidance after certification?

Jobs search guidance after certification: The school’s ability to assist you in actually procuring employment overseas and online as an English teacher.

How to choose the right TEFL course for you

If you are thinking about teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), you should first identify what TEFL course you’d like to take. Why? Because taking a TEFL course is an important stepping stone into the world of TEFL. They also happen to be very useful when it comes to teaching English to non-native speakers!

What to look out for when choosing your TEFL course

So we all know know that taking a TEFL course and getting TEFL certified is a good idea, now comes the tricky part of deciding what course you should pick. If you’ve started researching already, you’ll know that there are hundreds of TEFL courses all around the world in many different countries.

So why is taking a TEFL course so important?

Generally speaking, having a TEFL course under your belt is essential if you want to get a job in TEFL teaching English at home or abroad. There will be some exceptions to this. In some cases just the fact that you are a native English speaker is enough to get you a job.