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7 Key Tips to Evaluating a TEFL / TESOL Training School

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What to consider when looking at TEFL / TESOL certification options?   Not all TEFL / TESOL classes and companies are the same.  As they say, "you get what you pay for" and cheap courses are cheap for a reason. 

Two Primary Areas To Consider:

Academics:
Academics standards of the class and credentials of the school

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

Academics 

1.  Length of training:

Is the TEFL TESOL certification course at least 120 hours? The minimum standard for accreditation is 100 hours of academics is 6 hours of observed practicum (from your instructor) of live ESL students (not class peers) for accreditation.  (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 course International TEFL Course is 4 weeks long (20 days).  A comparable Online TEFL Course with structure can last 2-3 months part time.

*TEFL / TESOL training courses with fewer than 100 hours or no practicum will not provide you with an internationally recognized certification.   Be wary of schools that tout the terms "120 hour class"but lack practicum.

There are many TEFL TESOL certification courses of different lengths of content.  Schools are divided into those that meet the 100 hour standards and those who do not.  Schools with lesser amount of class hours do not indicate the content of their training is insufficient, it simply indicates it is simply the amount of that content is limited.  A standard amount of time for a full time 100 hour course is 20 days (4 weeks).  A weekend class of 2 days and 20 hours is simply one tenth the minimum standard for a certified teacher to obtain.

2)  Accreditations:

 Is the TEFL TESOL certification internationally recognized and accredited?

There are accrediting bodies and there are memberships. 

Accreditation entails a formal and rigorous process of review by a recognized accrediting body, which is an independent third party that examines a school’s academic and professional standards. 

Well known TEFL / TESOL accrediting bodies include: NCFE, College of Teachers, Open & Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC), ACCET, the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training.  Courses offered directly through an accredited university will also be considered accredited.   Note that some TEFL / TESOL schools without a true accreditation have set up their own “accrediting body” (usually with its own website and other trappings like an impressive sounding name) to provide them with a faux accreditation that is not actually recognized in the TEFL field.  An accrediting body with only 20 or 30 organizations and opened a few years ago is likely not going to be respected.

Memberships in academic associations are not based on any criteria and should not be considered the equivalent or a substitute for accreditation. Most schools can simply join an organization by paying annual fees, with no independent review of their educational and professional standards.  Examples of memberships include TESOL, NAFSA, etc.

3) Professor:

Is the course taught by a highly experienced, university-level instructor? 

-  A university level class should be taught by a highly qualified instructor with the equivalent of a master’s degree in TESOL or a related field, and a minimum of 10 years teaching experience. Be wary of courses taught by a “tutor” or “mentor” whose qualifications have not been clearly spelled out.

4) Student Teaching:

Does your TEFL / TESOL course include a practicum/hands-on element to the class?

-This is necessary for two reasons.  

1 -  You really need it to actually gain the necessary skills to be an effective teacher.

2 -  Most potential employers around the world will not recognize a certification that does not incorporate a practicum.

*note: Some schoools say student teaching but are by your fellow TEFL student peers.  Some schools have "observed" teaching but are not observed by the qualified instructor who signs off on your class and provides qualified feedback to you.  Acrediting organizations required your instructor to be the observer and provide feedback, not simply a staff member.

Job Search Guidance 

5) Assistance from Professional Advisors Prior to Registration:

Will you receive the attention of an expert Admissions Advisor who will provide honest and straightforward information about courses and working abroad before you even put down a dime for a course? 

Investing your time and money in a TEFL / TESOL Certification and going overseas is no small matter and it is critical for you and all aspiring teachers to fully understand such critical issues as what are the qualifications to work in certain markets, when are the hiring seasons, how much start-up money will I need when I go abroad, and what sort of pay should I expect?  A live professional advisor should cover all of these issues (and many more) with you before you commit your time and money to a particular TEFL / TESOL certification course.

6)  Free Lifetime Job Search Guidance:

Will you receive FREE lifetime job search guidance, including personal attention and service, from experienced career advisors, who will provide you with insight and knowledge regarding every matter related to finding a suitable job from writing an international resume and cover letter to negotiating a contract and understanding visa regulations? 

•  Are you working with a “real live” person?
  
   
• Is the school charging you extra money for job search guidance and placement?
  
  
• Does the job search guidance expire?

7)  Price:

When looking at different TEFL / TESOL courses, ask yourself, does this price/offer sound too good to be true? Can I really learn the skills I need to teaching English at a professional level, by taking a self-paced, solo online course or a two-day weekend course in a hotel room? If I get certified, will I also be provided with the guidance, knowledge and personal assistance that I will require to navigate job markets around the world?  The range of a professional TEFL TESOL 120 hour course will range from $ 1,600 - $ 2,000 USD depending on the country location (difference in price is real estate).

Do you feel that you can receive a university-level educational experience and a legitimate, internationally recognized professional teaching certification to teach in more than 80 countries around the world for only $ 200 or $ 400 or $ 600? There is no secret that you get what you pay for.  You should consider your education as an investment of your time and money that will never diminish in value. You will get out of it what you put into it and investing in a quality certification will pay off both in your ability to gain employment during economically challenging times, and the satisfaction you will enjoy from knowing that you will provide your students with a rewarding educational experience.

Learn more about teaching English abroad or request a brochure to learn about TEFL training courses and a comparision of the most popular countries to teach Englsh.

About the author:

International TEFL Academy trains thousands of new students each year helping people fulfill their dreams of teaching English in all corners of the globe.