tefl course what is it

by Jess DuBuque 10 min read

TEFL is an acronym that stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Essentially, it involves instructing non-English speakers in how to read, write, and speak English. And typically, in order to secure a position teaching English you need TEFL certification.Apr 22, 2019

What did a TEFL course ever do for US?

The main benefit of completing a TEFL course in the USA is that you can learn without simultaneously having to adjust to a new culture. TEFL courses in the USA provide expert guidance and training from native English speakers and will equip you with the skills you need to become a great teacher. A TEFL course in the USA is also cost-effective.

What qualifications do I need to take a TEFL course?

  • An accredited 120 Hour TEFL qualification
  • Ideally a native English speaker
  • Being fluent in English
  • Having a degree helps but isn’t essential
  • A sense of adventure!

How do I choose a TEFL course?

Which TELF course is best for you?

  • Budget. How much are you willing to spend on a course? I definitely overpaid for mine ($600 USD) and there are some that are even more expensive.
  • Location. This is closely linked to your budget decision as where you take your course will greatly affect how much it will cost.
  • Time. How long do you want to be taking the course? ...

How should I prepare for a TEFL course?

Here are some examples of interview questions from our Job Hunter’s Guide:

  • Why do you want to teach?
  • Do you think you could use your previous work experience in TEFL and how?
  • Did you enjoy your TEFL training course? Why?
  • What were the key things you learned from it?
  • Why are you applying for this job?
  • Have you ever lived abroad?

What does a TEFL course focus on?

A TEFL course teaches you a range of topics. This includes how to teach language skills, how to plan a lesson, how to identify different learning styles, classroom management strategies, and how to build effective learning materials.

Is the TEFL course difficult?

It is very rare for any student to fail an International TEFL Academy TEFL Certification course. International TEFL Academy has a passing rate of over 90% (one of the highest passing rates of any TEFL school worldwide).

What is a TEFL qualification equivalent to?

CELTA qualifications and Level 5 TEFL certification are the equivalents of a diploma of higher education (DipHE), a foundation degree, or two years at university. Both qualifications sit between an A-Level qualification and a Bachelor's degree on the qualifications framework.

What do TEFL teachers do?

planning, preparing and delivering lessons. preparing teaching materials. helping pupils improve their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in individual and group sessions. checking and assessing students' work, and providing feedback.

Do TEFL jobs pay well?

The pay to teach English abroad varies, but you can expect to earn a decent salary. In top-paying countries, teachers can get paid a salary of anywhere from $2,000 to over $5,000 USD per month. Your TEFL salary will depend on your position, qualifications and the country you teach in.

How much does TEFL course cost?

You'll see a range of prices when you browse online TEFL/TESOL courses – from $150 to as much as $1,500. The average 120-hour online TEFL/TESOL course with a tutor typically falls in the middle range of this, at around $300-$600.

Can you get a job with just a TEFL certificate?

Luckily, nowadays you can still start your teaching career and find teaching jobs abroad without a degree, BUT with a simple TEFL Certification, which is way cheaper and faster to get. Once you've obtained your TEFL Certification, you have the opportunity to change your career at any time you want.

Can I teach abroad with just a TEFL?

Yes. With an associate's degree and a TEFL certification, you can teach English abroad in more than 50 countries, from Costa Rica to Taiwan. Some countries like South Korea & Japan require a 4-year degree, but you still have many options.

Is becoming a TEFL teacher worth it?

Is TEFL Certification worth it? Yes. If you want to get a good teaching job and be an effective teacher for your students, then it is definitely worth it. Remember, most schools worldwide require a TEFL certification; and once you're certified you can the ball rolling on applying and interviewing for jobs.

How long is TEFL course?

4 weeks to 6 monthsTypically, a fully accredited TEFL certification course will last anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months. Shorter, 4-week long courses will generally run full-time (30-40 hours per week) and are very demanding.

Do you need a degree for TEFL?

Do I need to have a degree to enroll in a TEFL course? For the vast majority of TEFL courses, you won't need to have your bachelor's degree to take the course. However, some countries and employers will not hire you without a degree.

Is TEFL free?

The TEFL course certification offered by English First is a free internationally recognized course that also provides a full-time teaching job in their language schools of China and Indonesia.

What is a TEFL certification?

A TEFL certification is the globally recognized qualification you need to teach English abroad or online to non-native English speakers. A TEFL certificate is your key to getting hired by English language schools online and around the world.

How many hours of practicum for TEFL?

At least 6-20 hours of practicum (live practice teaching and observation with actual non-native English speakers and NOT role-playing with fellow TEFL classmates);

What is the certification required to teach English as a foreign language?

To teach English as a Foreign Language in a foreign country (that is, a non-native English-speaking country), a TEFL certification is typically required, since schools and language institutes want to hire teachers who have received proper training.

How to teach English as a foreign language?

To Teach English as a Foreign Language in a foreign country (non-native English speaking country), a TEFL Certification is typically required as schools and language institutes want to hire teachers who have received proper training. You don't need to possess a degree in education, prior teaching experience, or even a college degree to get paid to teach English abroad. Private language schools abroad, online teaching companies and government programs that recruit native English speakers to teach abroad all seek to hire people who have received a certain degree of professional level training.

Why is accreditation important for TEFL?

Knowing that a legitimate external body monitors your training, and makes sure that the educational standards outlined above are maintained in your TEFL course, gives you the confidence that you are receiving a stellar education.

What is a Tesol degree?

On a more technical level, TESOL is the term applied to the teaching of English to non-native speakers in native English-speaking countries. It refers to those who will earn degrees and work in the field domestically in the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.S.

How long is the ITA online certificate?

To enhance their online teaching skills and make themselves more marketable for teaching English online, ITA students and alumni have the opportunity to enroll in an optional ESL teaching certificate: ITA's exclusive 30-Hour Teaching English Online Specialty Course.

What is TEFL certification?

TEFL certification refers to a qualification specifically for teaching English – abroad or online – to English language learners.

What to look for when choosing a TEFL course?

The most important thing to look out for when choosing a TEFL course is accreditation, which ensures a course has undergone quality control by an external body. There is no over-arching accrediting body for TEFL courses, which means providers can hold accreditation from a wide range of bodies.

How many hours do you need to be a teacher to teach English?

These days the requirements are a bit more strict, with the vast majority of employers requiring teachers to hold a 120-hour TEFL qualification.

What do you learn in a TEFL course?

A TEFL course covers topics including teaching language skills, grammar, lesson planning and classroom management. A TEFL course will teach you how to:

What is a TEFL certification and why is it important?

A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification is a commonly required qualification for new and experienced teachers who want to teach English abroad. With a TEFL certification, teachers can:

Should I take a TEFL, TESL or TESOL course?

TEFL, TESL and TESOL are all different types of certificates for teaching English to non-native English speakers. Choosing the right course for you depends on where you would like to teach. If you want to teach abroad in a foreign country where English is not the first language, a TE FL course is the most prestigious and internationally recognized certification. If you are looking to qualify for ESL teaching jobs in Canada, a TESL certificate accredited by TESL Canada is a common requirement. A TESOL course is valuable for teachers wishing to teach in English and non-English speaking countries.

Should I take an online or in-person TEFL course?

Online or in-person TEFL courses can offer clear advantages depending on your schedule and learning style.

How long does it take to get TEFL certified?

Online TEFL courses are more convenient, and can be completed at a self-determined pace (set by the learner) and can be completed in as little as two to three weeks or up to one year.

How do I get TEFL certified?

Ranked one of the top 20 universities in the world, OISE TEFL program graduates receive industry-leading teacher training and an internationally recognized TEFL certificate. With three TEFL course options, our TEFL certification suits teachers of all experience levels - from recent university graduates to experienced educators. Speak to an Enrollment Advisor of the OISE University of Toronto TEFL course.

How to get a teaching certificate?

A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification is a commonly required qualification for new and experienced teachers who want to teach English abroad. With a TEFL certification, teachers can: 1 Qualify for teaching jobs. The minimum requirements to teach abroad are a Bachelor's degree in any area and a TEFL certification. 2 Gain the skills required to teach abroad. A TEFL certification prepares you to teach English language skills, plan lessons for foreign language learners, refresh your understanding of English grammar concepts and more. 3 Stand out in job applications. Even in situations where the hiring school has not explicitly listed a TEFL certification as a requirement, it is always considered a strong asset and could help set you apart from candidates who are not TEFL certified. 4 Earn a higher salary with more reputable schools. Teachers with a TEFL certificate qualify for teaching positions with more reputable schools, which means better benefits and higher salaries.

What is TEFL?

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and refers to a course that you can take, either online or in-country, to learn how to teach English to those who want to learn.

What does TEFL stand for?

Here’s what each one stands for: TEFL = Teaching English as a Foreign Language. TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. CELTA = Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. One main difference between the three is that a CELTA certification is specifically designed for teaching adults, while a TESOL or TEFL curriculum will ...

Is a course online or self directed?

Some courses are self-directed and online-only, some are intensive and in-person only, and some are structured online with student teaching, etc. Doing extensive research to make sure you pick a course that is right for what you want is important.

What does TEFL mean?

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is primarily teaching non-native speakers English without the use of translation. This means you won’t need to know their first language. TEFL teachers will need the knowledge and know-how of the methodologies to teach in this way. This is why teachers will first need to complete a TEFL course and gain the qualification. TEFL is widely used to either teach English online in one-to-one or small group scenarios or to teach English abroad and sometimes even used as an easier way to travel.

How many modules are there in TEFL?

Our 120 hour TEFL course has 10 modules with a multiple choice test at the end of each module. You will need 80% to pass. We offer free retests, so if you fail the first time, simply go through your coursework again and retake the test. All examinations are completed online and at your own pace. You are given 6 months to complete the course to accommodate for people who have full-time jobs and dependents, but ultimately it doesn’t take this long.

What do you need to be a TEFL teacher?

Some online companies may ask their teachers to also have a Bachelor’s Degree.

How do I start teaching English online?

The two most popular ways to start teaching English online are to either set-up your own business alternatively it's pretty simple to find work with an online school or employer. If you are TEFL certified, teaching English online is a brilliant alternative to traditional classroom-based TEFL. One of the most important things you will need to teach English online is a good wi-fi connection and the correct technology. If you are teaching English online for a school, they will typically have their own online teaching platform that you can use – although you will still need to have a quiet, well-lit space from which to deliver your online English lessons. If you are working for yourself, you will need to create your virtual classroom to teach English online – typically Skype or zoom, a microphone and headphones at the beginning. At the very least, you must have a good computer and a fast broadband speed.

What is level 5 TEFL?

The 180 hour level 5 TEFL course contains both multiple choice and open ended questions. The multiple choice questions are corrected instantly like normal, but word count is the only factor corrected instantly with the open ended answers. After you have completed the modules, our expert assessors will correct your answers and give you some tips if an answer is not up to standard. Although the instant corrections are free to redo, you may be charged if your long answers are incorrect for a third time, so please take their advice into account when completing the reassessment process.

What is a 180 hour course?

The 180 hour course is a level 5 qualification and can be compared to a CELTA or TrinityTESOL. This course is harder and longer to complete, but worth it in the end as it opens up so many opportunities. This course should be taken if you’d like to teach in your home country or certain places in Asia.

How old do you have to be to take the English test?

We suggest people to be at least 16 with a C1 level of English or higher. If you're not sure, we have a free English test. We also would recommend people who work on their own initiative as it is an online course and you will need to be your own motivation.

What is a tefl?

International TEFL and TESOL training (ITTT) is an accredited TEFL course provider with educational centers located in dozens of countries around the world, from Guatemala to South Africa to Vietnam. They also offer accredited TEFL online courses.

How much does a TEFL course cost?

TEFL students can enroll in a course for as low as $79, with options for 60-hour, 120-hour, and 180-hour certifications —all of which can be completed at your own pace. You’ll be provided with a personal tutor who will be by your side every step of the way, offering valuable and positive feedback.

What is International TEFL Academy?

International TEFL Academy is one of the most prominent accredited TEFL programs in the world, offering courses in 25 locations around the world. They also offer accredited online TEFL courses for prospective teachers who feel comfortable with self-learning.

What is Oxford TeFL?

The Oxford TEFL teacher training program offers both online and 4-week intensive course options in several European cities and in India. They offer both a basic TESOL certification and an advanced TESOL diploma that can be used for academic credit, among other course offerings and specializations. Oxford TEFL also offers native language courses Czech and Spanish language courses to supplement their trainings in Barcelona and Prague.

How many hours of study is required to become a TEFL?

See the world—but get TEFL certified by an accredited program first. Basic TEFL accredited certification requires 120 hours of study to accomplish; you’ll have the opportunity to enroll in an accredited TEFL program either online or in-person to complete this training.

Where is TEFL certified?

TEFL Worldwide Prague is an American-run accredited TEFL certification school sitting in the heart of Europe in Prague. It offers month-long programs that give students the opportunity to live abroad and interact with fellow aspiring educators as they prepare to launch into their teaching careers. It’s become a very popular school since opening in 2003, and is open to both native and non-native English speakers of most ages.

What is teaching abroad?

Teaching abroad is one of the most exciting and educational adventures you can undertake during your young adulthood—or any time thereafter, for that matter . Before you make the leap, though, there are some important initial steps you’ll need to take care of. First and foremost of these is earning your TEFL certification to teach English as ...

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