Whether you’re just starting out in your working career or eager to change your path and try something new, becoming a teacher of English to non-native speakers could be the role you’re seeking. Whether working overseas or at home in the UK, helping others develop and hone their language skills is a rewarding job that opens up a raft of exciting opportunities.
To embark on this career path, you must have the right qualifications, though, and the best place to start is a TESOL qualification.
What Does TESOL Certification Mean?
The acronym TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Obtaining TESOL certification proves you have the skills necessary to teach non-native speakers English.
Similar in many ways to TEFL, or Teaching English as a Foreign Language, a TESOL qualification differs slightly in that it also compasses delivering lessons to learners of the English language who already live in an English-speaking nation; however, the course covers far more than just this element. For job application purposes, having a TEFL or TESOL certification will stand you in equally good stead.
Why Get A TESOL Qualification?
A TESOL qualification opens up numerous avenues for you to explore. Many prospective English teachers want to head overseas to impart their knowledge to students abroad in language schools around the world. However, there are more career options to consider that would make good use of your qualifications. For example, you could relocate to one of the UK towns or cities that are well-known as centres for language study, such as Brighton or teach online, delivering English classes to learners across the globe from the remote location of your choice.
How Do I Get TESOL Qualified?
The first step to obtaining a TESOL qualification is to choose the right course for you. While taking an in-person TESOL course is possible, many people find that completing the certification online is a more convenient way to study. Online study makes it easy to fit learning around existing commitments, with high-quality learning materials supplied to ensure you can excel.
Online TESOL courses are usually self-paced, allowing you to study at the speed, time and location of your choice. If you’re keen to devote a lot of time to your learning, you could complete it quite quickly, but on average, learners take between two and three months to qualify.
How Do I Choose A TESOL Course?
Once you’re ready to choose a TESOL course, you’ll discover there are many options available, and it can be difficult to determine which one is right for your needs.
There are a few key things to consider when selecting a course, including:
Is The Course Accredited?
One of the most important factors to look out for is whether an external body accredits your chosen TESOL course. When you choose a certification provider, you want to be confident that you’re getting a good quality learning experience, and when you opt for an accredited course, you can have peace of mind in this regard.
While there isn’t a single TESOL accrediting body, you can determine whether a course has a reputable accrediting body by investigating their processes, criteria and which provides they accredit. The best TESOL programmes are accredited by an established body that accredits many course providers, not only TEFL courses.
How Long Is The Course?
It’s important to be aware that when you’re seeking an English teaching job either online, in the UK or overseas, most employers will require a minimum qualification of 120 hours. Therefore, you need to choose a course that offers you at least that number of hours.
TESOL courses come in various lengths, but one way to make your CV really stand out from the crowd is to obtain a 120-hour qualification and then take specialist training courses as additional qualifications in particular areas of interest, such as business English or exam preparation.
Is The Course Internationally Recognised?
There’s very little point in taking a TESOL course with a provider whose qualifications aren’t recognised internationally. The good news is that if you’ve chosen a reputable, accredited course provider, you should have no issues with your qualification being recognised around the world. Qualifying with a well-known provider will give you an advantage when it comes to securing employment later on.
How Much Tutor Support Is Available?
The best TESOL courses offer excellent support from tutors who are highly experienced English teachers. You should expect to receive feedback at every stage of the course from somebody who really knows and understands what goes into being a good English teacher for non-native speakers. This is especially crucial when you’re taking a TESOL course online as if there is a lack of feedback and tutor support, you’ll struggle to navigate the course content and be left in the dark as to whether you’re progressing at the correct rate.
Do I Have The Right Skills To Enrol In A TESOL Course?
The good news is that there are few requirements for signing up for TESOL courses. You really only need to be fluent in English and preferably a native speaker. There is no need to have a degree or any other form of qualification; you aren’t required to have any previous teaching or work experience, and you don’t need to be able to speak a language other than English.
There aren’t even any age restrictions, which means that more people are choosing to get TESOL qualified later in life so that they can enjoy a more flexible and enjoyable job that will allow them to continue earning in a way that suits them during their retirement.
Now you know how to earn your TESOL qualification, it’s time to find the right course for you and embark on your exciting new English teaching career. You’re sure to find that this certification opens all kinds of doors for you!
