What Is The Tefl Certification

What does a TEFL course focus on? A TEFL certification is a key requirement for employers of English teachers globally, with most now demanding a minimum of a 120-hour certificate. You can attain this certification through two primary avenues: in-class and online TEFL courses. In-class TEFL courses As the name suggests, these courses require you to attend sessions at a location where English is taught as a foreign language, usually for about four weeks. Given the accommodation necessity, these courses tend to be pricier, but they usually incorporate a teaching practice segment that significantly aids real-world teaching preparation. Also read: Which country is best for a TEFL course? Online TEFL courses These courses offer flexibility, as they don't demand physical presence at any...  [Read more]

What are TEFL acronyms? Acronyms are an essential tool used in all professions and technical writing. They are powerful tools to reduce word content. However without knowing what the acronym stands for, they can form a barrier to understanding. In the ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching world there is certainly no shortage of acronyms. Here we look at a few and one in particular, TEFL. Some useful teaching acronyms are: ELT: English Language Teaching. This is a general term for teaching English and applies to the teaching of English to both native and non-native English speakers. ELL: English Language Learner. This is a general term for anyone learning English and applies to learners of English who are native or non-native English speakers. ESL: English as a Second Language: This...  [Read more]

Is a free TEFL certificate legit? We can start with two sayings: 1) These is no such thing as a free lunch And 2) You get what you pay for With these two things in mind let us explore what free TEFL certificates are available and the problems that may be associated with them. Marketing tool: The course is free but you pay for certification This is becoming more common with online courses in all subjects across the curriculum. You are able to take a course for free (or at a minimal cost) but there is no certificate issued with the course. You are then offered certificate options from a PDF emailed version to full hard copy certificate with postage. When you add the certification cost you find it is similar to buying a regular course which has the certificate and regular postage already...  [Read more]

Which countries have a growing demand for EFL teachers? For each of five countries in each region we will consider factors such as a general statement of opportunity in the region, monthly salary in US$ equivalent and finally a typical current job posting from the region. It is important to view salaries in the context of a typical citizen’s average income. What may appear to be a low salary may in fact put you in a high income bracket (and vice-versa!) All figures were correct at the time of writing but are subject to change. Asia There is a vast range of opportunity from high income first world countries like Japan and South Korea, to less-developed countries throughout the region. Salaries and conditions therefore vary due to those constraints. Typical job posting 11 schools...  [Read more]

How to teach TEFL online One area within the English teaching (ESL) market that has increased dramatically over recent years is that of teaching English online. Although many of the ideas used in traditional classroom teaching are transferable to online teaching, there are some specifics you should be aware of before embarking on this method of teaching. What does teaching English online mean? Usually the teaching of English (ESL) takes place in a school or language center. Students attend the location and have regular lessons from their teachers. However, there has always been a need, in very remote locations for example, for teaching to be done in one area and delivered to another. The advent of the world-wide-web and connectivity through phones, computers and the like has greatly...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Liza is a translator, freelancer and ESL teacher from Russia. She had been teaching in a Chinese bilingual school for more than two years and recently moved to Thiland to run her blog about teaching and freelance job. Read my articles What is the Role of a Good Teacher? | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this article, our TEFL graduate shares their point of view on a good teacher's personal qualities. Reasons for a Lack of Confidence in English Students from China | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This blog post contains information on the reasons why Chinese students may have a lack of confidence. Should a TEFL Certification be Mandatory for Teachers? | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information In...  [Read more]

What can I do with a TEFL degree? First we will look at the different levels of study currently available and how they relate to the world of TEFL qualifications. Taking the UK as an example, there are nine qualification levels; examples of actual UK qualifications at each level are given below: Entry level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7 Level 8 From the above, we can see that a degree in TEFL/TESOL is at level 6 and is therefore a very high level of study in the English teaching world. A few examples of such Level 6 courses are shown below: https://www.bachelorstudies.com/BA-English-Language-Linguistics-and-TESOL/United-Kingdom/York-St-John-University/ https://www.bachelorstudies.com/Bachelor-of-Arts-in-TESOL/USA/Great-Northern-University/...  [Read more]

How do I find a job teaching English in Spain? Spain has long been one of the top destinations in Europe for teaching English abroad. Thousands of teachers from all over the world head to Spain every year drawn by the promise of a relaxed lifestyle, a beautiful coastline dotted with sandy beaches, and the opportunity to learn Spanish while living in a modern, international city such as Madrid or Barcelona. If Spain is your number one choice, take a look at the following tips that could help you on your way. What are the basic requirements for teaching English in Spain? If you are serious about living and working as an ESL teacher in Spain, the first thing you will need to do is complete a TEFL certification course. Without a TEFL certificate you will find it difficult to secure a well...  [Read more]

What are the TEFL levels? If you have already done some research into TEFL courses you might have noticed that they are usually given a level that places it somewhere on the hierarchy of available courses. This type of organization makes it much easier for teachers to compare different courses and to choose the best options to suit their own situation. However, the first thing to make clear about TEFL course levels is that there is not just one framework, as many countries and individual teaching organizations have developed their own versions. Despite this, the vast majority of frameworks are designed using the same type of criteria, which means that most are very similar in design. Although each framework might vary slightly, most are constructed based on the type of study, the hours...  [Read more]

How do I get a job teaching English in Cambodia? Cambodia is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most promising TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) destinations in Southeast Asia. Boasting a vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes, it captivates an increasing number of foreign teachers who choose to call it home. The country's most renowned gem, Angkor Wat, stands as an extraordinary temple complex, offering awe-inspiring views and remarkable architecture that can occupy visitors for days. The growing demand for English teachers in Cambodia is fueled by the nation's increasing reliance on international tourism and trade, as well as its young population, with approximately 60% under the age of thirty. The country's low cost of living and minimal restrictions on teacher...  [Read more]

Can I send money back home while teaching English abroad? It is very common for teachers working overseas to send money back home for a variety of different reasons, such as student loan repayments, to pay a mortgage on a property, or simply to help out family members. Unfortunately, it is not always a straightforward process as there are several factors to consider, including transfer fees, exchange rates, and the actual time each method takes to complete. Below we take a look at some of the most common options. What are the pros and cons of using a local bank? Banks can offer a reliable option for transferring your money, although this largely depends on where you are in the world. If you are teaching English in a popular location such as Japan or South Korea, banks are often a good...  [Read more]

How many levels are there in EFL? When researching teacher training courses it can be difficult to compare the many options available, which is why EFL course levels can be a great help. All TEFL courses can be put into certain levels that reflect their content and the level of qualification you will receive at the end of the training. This organization of courses can be a real benefit when it comes to choosing the right type of course to suit your individual situation. However, it is also important to know that there is not a single ranking system that is adopted by the whole EFL world. May individual countries and teaching organizations have their own set of course levels. Despite this, most systems are developed using similar criteria such as the type of study involved, the number of...  [Read more]

How do I become a TEFL tutor? There are a number of EFL teaching scenarios that involve tutoring. The most obvious is that of one-to-one teaching. This can take place in a school, a language center, at a business or privately. Regardless of the teaching scenario, the route to becoming a TEFL tutor is basically the same as becoming a TEFL teacher. In general there are three ways to gain the certification required to become a TEFL tutor. They all involve a course with a minimum of 120 hours of training. Online TEFL certification This can be done from anywhere in the world with a computer and an internet connection. Typical 120-hour courses give you up to six months to complete the course, working at your own pace. These courses will cover the main aspects of EFL teaching, those being,...  [Read more]

Which TEFL course should I take? Although you are free to sign up for any course that catches your eye, there is one thing you should always bear in mind: the minimum qualification required by most ESL employers worldwide is a 120-hour TEFL certificate course. The good news for our trainees is that there are a number of ways in which this can be achieved with ITTT. Travel to learn or stay at home? The first distinction in TEFL course type depends upon whether you want to travel to a training center to complete your studies or stay at home. If you wish to travel, then an ‘onsite’ course is best for you. Should you wish to complete your training at home then an ‘online’ course is best. What are onsite TEFL courses like? The four-week 120-hour TEFL certification course can be...  [Read more]

What is the Schengen Area in Europe and how does it affect TEFL teachers? If you plan on teaching English in Europe you might have come across something known as the Schengen Area. This area is currently comprised of 26 countries with a combined population of over 400 million people. The area was set up in 1985 with the intention of removing border controls to make moving between countries hassle free. The Schengen Area should not be confused with the European Union which is a separate institution. Before its creation you would have to show your passport at every border to receive an entry stamp, while now anyone including TEFL teachers can move freely from one country to another without any restrictions. How long can I stay in the Schengen Area? Essentially, by entering a country that is...  [Read more]

Is a level 3 TEFL enough to teach English? As the generally accepted minimum standard for mainstream teaching jobs is a level 4 qualification, a level 3 certificate alone would not be considered enough to teach English. However, before you make any decisions on which course to take it is best to be fully informed about the different course levels available. Once you have digested all the information below regarding course levels you should be ready to pick the right one to suit your current situation and your future plans. What are the different levels of TEFL certification? One important factor regarding TEFL course levels is that there are many different frameworks out there for ranking them. Many countries, regions, organizations, and course providers have their own system for ranking...  [Read more]

What is a TEFL course? More and more employers now expect their English teachers to have a minimum of a 120-hour TEFL certificate. Gaining a TEFL certificate shows your commitment to the profession and gives you an introductory preparation to the knowledge and skills needed to teach English. Types of TEFL course There are three main routes to a 120-hour TEFL certification. Course content There are two main areas covered in a TEFL course, 1) Teaching skills 2) Language awareness A good TEFL course will give you a solid grounding in the basics of the English language. You will learn how English grammar works and how you can explain it. Topics covered will typically include; Depending on which type of course you undertake, onsite, combined or online, the topics presented throughout the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Liza is a translator, freelancer and ESL teacher from Russia. She had been teaching in a Chinese bilingual school for more than two years and recently moved to Thiland to run her blog about teaching and freelance job. Read my articles TEFL Certification and Its Benefits for an Alumna’s Career | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In this blog post, our TEFL graduate shares their thoughts on the problem of TEFL certification and its advantages for the career. The Importance of Slang and The Way to Teach it to Young Learners | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How to teach slang and why is it important for EFL students? Our TEFL certified alumna shares their thoughts and experience. What is The Role of Motivation in...  [Read more]

How can I start teaching English online? Teaching EFL online involves all the same skills and knowledge as teaching face to face, with the added requirement of being confident with technology. Many online teaching companies have their own platforms on which you teach your students or they may require you to use proprietary software such as Google Classroom or Zoom. There are a number of different teaching scenarios that you may be involved with which include teaching Kindergarten all the way up to adults. You may teach one to one or groups and it is also possible to teach specialized courses such as business English. What qualifications and training is needed? As you do all the same things as face to face teachers, the qualifications required are basically the same. It is true to say,...  [Read more]

How do I make a good TEFL lesson plan? The rationale behind planning TEFL lessons is a crucial aspect to consider because it shapes the content of our lesson plans. We plan lessons for several reasons such as: i) To provide a structure to our lessons ii) To provide a record of what has been taught iii) To easily cross reference against any syllabus requirements of the course being taught The latter two points aid in ensuring we meet all the course requirements by providing a comprehensive record of lessons conducted. The first point, providing structure, is arguably the most crucial as it maps out the expected course of the lesson. Before delving into an actual plan, we should ponder on the kind of information we need to document in the plan. A lesson plan isn't meant to be a verbatim...  [Read more]

What is a hagwon and are they a good place to work? The term hagwon is used in South Korea to describe a particular type of school. The South Korean education system has two major components, the public school system and the private school system. Many South Koreans make use of both these systems, attending the government-run public schools as normal in any country and then taking additional lessons in a private school, particularly for additional learning in subjects such as English. A hagwon is therefore a private educational institution in South Korea where students can gain additional teaching in subjects which are seen as important for their education. It is estimated that during their education, 95% of South Korean students will make use of a hagwon. As such these private...  [Read more]

Should I teach English abroad? Whether you are just looking to earn some extra cash during a gap-year or are planning a more serious move into the world of education, teaching English as a foreign language has many benefits. The demand for TEFL qualified teachers is continually growing in many parts of the world and opportunities for making teaching a career are abundant. Also, if you decide that it is time to head back home, there are many directions in which your overseas teaching experience can take you. Are TEFL teachers in demand in English speaking countries? Although for many TEFL course graduates the aim is to head overseas to experience living and working in a foreign culture, it is not the only option. Plenty of people use their teaching qualification within their home...  [Read more]

What does TEFL and TESOL stand for? These acronyms are used when referring to training courses that English language teachers undertake, as well as the certification they receive upon completion. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. As these terms are essentially the same, they are often used interchangeably, however, TEFL is most commonly used within the UK and TESOL is usually preferred in the USA. Although some countries may favor one acronym over the other, it is important to remember that a TEFL certification and a TESOL certification are exactly the same thing as the training involved is identical. What are the technical differences between TEFL and TESOL? Although TEFL and TESOL training...  [Read more]

TEFL TESOL Online Courses - TEFL TESOL Combined Courses - What is the difference?   ITTT's in-class four week TEFL certification course can be studied at one of our international locations. This intensive course covers the principals, theories and methodologies of TEFL and is given face to face in one of our training centers. On this course you are given the opportunity to teach local students thus gaining practical experience teaching English in a supervised environment. All teaching sessions are observed by qualified trainers who will provide you with valuable, constructive feed back after each of your lessons. Our combined course offers the main benefits of both the online course and the in-class course. The online component covers most of what is delivered face to face on the...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker ITTT TEFL After leaving the UK to travel in the mid-1990s, Mark has to date visited over 50 countries across six continents. After completing a TEFL course in Phuket, Thailand, he decided to make it his base and has since worked as an online TEFL trainer and a freelance writer. Read my articles How Important are Phonology and Pronunciation in the English Language Classroom? | ITTT | TEFL Blog Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences There are many important areas of English language teaching, including phonology and pronunciation, but how important are they? In this post, an ITTT graduate looks at these areas from his own experience in the classroom. Why Teachers Need to Complete a TEFL Certification Course Before Heading Overseas | ITTT | TEFL Blog Mark Crocker TEFL...  [Read more]

How do I find a job teaching English in Latin America? Every year thousands of people from all over the world head to Latin America in search of fun and adventure while teaching English abroad. From Mexico in the north, to Argentina in the south, there are a wide variety of opportunities available in a diverse range of countries. By following a few simple tips and completing plenty of your own research, you should have little trouble securing a job that allows you to enjoy all that this fantastic region has to offer. What are the requirements for teaching English in Latin America? Unlike some other popular regions for foreign teachers, there is generally no requirement for teachers in Latin America to possess a college degree or to have extensive experience in the classroom. However,...  [Read more]

How to make an online teaching demo? Many TEFL qualified teachers choose to teach English online as the flexibility and convenience of working from home means you can fit it around all your other personal commitments. However, when applying for jobs with online teaching platforms you might be expected to provide your potential employers with a demo video. This can be in the form of an introduction to yourself and your teaching ethos or it can be an actual demo lesson where you need to showcase your teaching skills and personality. Some companies will use this purely as part of the interview process, while in many cases the video will be available to potential students who can watch it to see if they like your approach to teaching English. When teaching online we are forced to rely on...  [Read more]

What to Expect from Teaching English Online in 2022   There's a lot of misinformation out there about teaching English online - but what is really going on? Our TEFL expert Linda is going to share all the facts about teaching English online in 2022 with you so that you are prepared for your new career! #TEFL #BestTEFL #TeachEnglish Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Click here and get started today: https://bit.ly/37gs5vO What is TEFL Certification? Where is it valid: https://bit.ly/36ma2Fg Check out our wide range of TEFL Courses: https://bit.ly/3ltqt73 Teach English online from anywhere you want: https://bit.ly/3ltqEPL Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Check out ITTT's Blog Posts  [Read more]

TEACHING METHODOLOGY: What is CLIL, and how to apply it in online ESL classes?   CLIL TEACHING METHODOLOGY: Do you want to offer your ESL students outstanding lessons based on modern teaching approaches? Then, come to this live stream and learn about CLIL. #TEFL#BestTEFL #TeachEnglishOnline Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Click here and get started today: https://bit.ly/37gs5vO What is TEFL Certification? Where is it valid: https://bit.ly/36ma2Fg Check out our wide range of TEFL Courses: https://bit.ly/3ltqt73 Teach English online from anywhere you want: https://bit.ly/3ltqEPL Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Check out ITTT's Blog Posts  [Read more]

What TEFL Course to Choose: Non-Native Teacher Needs Analysis   TEFL Course for a Non-Native Teacher: Are you a non-native ESL teacher at the beginning of your teaching career? Or do you have experience but want to boost your knowledge and increase an hourly rate? Then this live stream is for you. Our non-native TEFL expert will explain what course to choose based on your needs and share her career development results as an online teacher. #TEFL#BestTEFL #TeachEnglishOnline Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Click here and get started today: https://bit.ly/37gs5vO What is TEFL Certification? Where is it valid: https://bit.ly/36ma2Fg Check out our wide range of TEFL Courses: https://bit.ly/3ltqt73 Teach English online from anywhere you want: https://bit.ly/3ltqEPL...  [Read more]