FAQ

This FAQ is about the course in general. If you'd like to know about the course in Sydney - click here

  1. There are so many certificate courses advertised out there. How do I know which to apply for, and why should I choose yours?
  2. What is the difference between TESOL and TEFL? What is CELTA?
  3. What is the difference between the TEFL International TESOL Certificate, the Trinity TESOL certificate and the Cambridge/RSA Certificate (CELTA)?
  4. What about Distance Learning or Short courses?
  5. I've heard that these courses are really tough.
  6. Can I get undergraduate or graduate credit for taking the TEFL International TESOL Certificate course?
  7. Can I get a job without a degree?
  8. Do you provide Job Placement Assistance?
  9. When is the best time to do a course?
  10. What are the entrance requirements?
  11. What about grammar? Mine is terrible!
  12. What kinds of people take the course?
  13. Is there an age limit? Am I too young or too old?
  14. Do I need knowledge of other languages?
  15. Last chance! Why should I take the TEFL International TESOL course? Give me some good reasons!
  16. I'm still not convinced. Can I visit your school and ask some more questions?
  17. Okay. I'm convinced. I want to sign up online. How do I do that?

1. There are so many certificate courses advertised out there. How do I know which to apply for, and why should I choose yours?

There are many good schools out there. Many are professionally managed and have qualified, competent teachers. Unfortunately, there is no law to prevent anyone from setting up as a teacher-training center and there is nothing to prevent you from being "ripped off" by a company offering so-called recognized certificates. Important criteria that you need to look for in a TESOL Certificate course includes:

At least 100 hours of time spent in the classroom studying how to be a teacher; and at least 6 hours spent actually teaching real students under the direction and supervision of a trained, experienced teacher

TEFL International’s TESOL course meets or exceeds international standards of 120 hours of instruction and 6+ hours of Observed Teaching Practice

Some kind of overseeing body (a university or examining board) that externally controls quality

Every TEFL International TESOL course is externally validated and moderated by a Board of Academic Advisors. This board includes several internationally recognized experts in the field of English Teaching as well as dozens of local English School managers around the world. TEFL International also voluntarily complies with the standards of the British Association of TESOL Qualifying Institutions (BATQI).

Continuing effort committed to job guidance and opportunities

TEFL International is much more involved in your job search than most other course providers. With locations all over the world, each center is an area expert, with extensive contacts within the country.

An internationally-recognized TESOL certificate from a reputable institution

TEFL International is the largest TESOL course provider in the world, with locations in every continent (except Antarctica!). TEFL International is also the world’s second largest TESOL Certificate provider and the largest that gives instruction of teaching both Adults and Children.

2. What is the difference between TESOL and TEFL? What is CELTA?

For all intents and purposes the terms mean the same with TESOL being more common in America and with large state sector colleges in Britain (e.g. the Institute of Education in London) while TEFL is more common in U.K. Language Schools and in the U.K. press.

There is a slight technical difference since TESOL refers to all learners whose first language is not English, including ethnic minorities living in this country, whereas TEFL refers only to "foreign" students. Potentially, therefore, a TESOL course encompasses more than a more narrowly defined TEFL course.

The CELTA (Certificate for English Language Teaching to Adults) is a TESOL certificate course. It was actually the first course of this type of teacher-training course and was originally an in-house training course for teachers at International House (a large chain of language schools based in London). Because it was first, its name is very widely recognized. The main focus of the CELTA is to teach you how to teach English to adults.

3. What is the difference between the TEFL International TESOL Certificate, the Trinity TESOL certificate and the Cambridge/RSA Certificate (CELTA)?

TEFL International began as a Trinity course, and was one of the largest and most popular Trinity courses before December of 1999. As a result, the course content of the Trinity and TEFL International courses are quite similar. Most importantly, all three are monitored by external examiners that visit each course at least once during each course. These external moderators set these three certificate courses apart from all others.

However, there are a few areas in which we feel the TEFL International certificate and the Trinity College London certificate course hold an advantage. The UCLES/RSA Certificate is specifically designed for teaching groups of adults (hence the "A" at the end of "CELTA"). On the other hand, the TEFL International and the Trinity College Certificate provide for the teaching of younger learners as well as adults, and one-to-one students as well as groups/classes of students.

4. What about Distance Learning or Short courses?

There are a lot of them and they are really cheap!

Here is what a representative from the Longman Pearson schools group in China had to say about this issue:

There have been some new requirements [released] in regards to the issuing of an Expert Teaching certificate by the local Foreign Affairs office. They will only recognize TEFL with 120+ course hours, the short programs will no longer be recognized unless the candidate has 2 years of related teaching experience. Online TEFL [courses] are not recognized unless the teacher has two years teaching in addition to the certificate. 

Remember that most employers are looking for certificates that meet the general criteria listed in point number 1. And, let’s face it, any course that does not allow you multiple opportunities to actually teach real students will have limited benefit. It’s like learning to swim by reading a book.

5. I've heard that these courses are really tough.

These courses all contain a great deal of content in only four weeks; yet the educational philosophy of those providing the course can make a huge difference. TESOL International believes in a mentoring, nurturing environment. We do everything within our power to ensure that everyone passes our course; otherwise why accept them onto the course in the first place?

Similarly, our courses encourage all native English speakers (or those with near-native abilities) to attend. Our trainers would never discriminate against North Americans, Australians, or British because of different pronunciations or slightly different grammar. All are equally welcome.

While we have based our curriculum on the generally-accepted British model, we have adapted this model to be more international. We have brought in many Peace Corps and US training techniques to balance and compliment the original model. So we give you the best of both worlds - a TESOL certificate that exceeds the British standards yet that is recognized for quality in the US.

6. Can I get undergraduate or graduate credit for taking the TEFL International Certificate course?

If you are a current university student we would be happy to work with your university to arrange credit. If you want university credit for your participation, it is best to contact us in advance before registering for the course. We can work with your university to arrange credit, if possible.

Our course has been fully evaluated for credit by Dr. Bill Leon, an instructor of Program Evaluation at the University of Washington. For more information please Email us: admin@teflintl.com

7. Can I get a job without a degree?

Working as an ESL teacher without a degree is possible. The requirements are a high school pass and a TEFL/TESOL certificate. Some countries that don't require a degree include China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Poland, Czech Republic, Russia, Croatia and Africa. Please note that more countries are making a degree a requirement to teach every year. You should choose your destination carefully and be prepared for some hardships. Email, chat or call our help-line for more advice on the criteria often necessary for the country of your choice.

8. Do you provide Job Placement Assistance?

The chances of finding a job after the course are excellent. Many of our trainees have received a number of interviews and job offers before they graduate! TEFL International will work with you to find a job in the location of your choice. And, in a few years, when you decide to move from Thailand to Spain (for example), our Spain center will be there to help you find a new job.

TEFL International will assist at all stages of the job search from putting a CV/resume together to interview techniques to arranging interviews. TEFL International has many contacts worldwide who approach us with suitable job vacancies! Our Alumni Job Page gives you direct access to hundreds of course alumni currently teaching in schools around the world.

9. When is the best time to do a course?

There is really no best or worst time. Jobs are available year round with academic terms varying from continent to continent.

10. What are the entrance requirements?

You should be prepared to work very hard, have no other distractions, and be mentally/emotionally fit, including having no current domestic worries. You should also be presentable in appearance. Finally, if you are to be a teacher of English, a high standard of both spoken and written English is demanded. If you speak English as a Second Language it is expected that you have at least a band 7 in every area of Academic IELTS. 

11. What about grammar? Mine is terrible!

Nonsense! As a native speaker, you know grammar quite well. You just don’t know the terminology! We assume you know nothing about grammar terminology when you arrive, but you will leave with the basics you need to teach.

12. What kinds of people take the course?

We find that courses tend to be taken up by a "mixed bag" of people:

  • Those in their 20’s who are recent graduates and want to travel overseas
  • Those in their 30’s or 40’s who want a career switch, have been made redundant or are moving overseas with their spouse
  • People either approaching or in retirement and who are looking for something to do in their free time or who have got property on the continent to which they are going to move
  • People from other English speaking countries as well as good non-native speakers from other countries

13. Is there an age limit? Am I too young or too old?

Whilst there is no official upper age limit, you must be at least 19 years of age for your application to be considered. If you are a person of "more mature years" or a senior citizen, do not let this in itself put you off from applying. Providing you are receptive to training you should have no problems. If, however, you are rigid in your ways of thinking and are unwilling to shake off past ways of thinking and behavior (regardless of age), then you may have a problem. We have successfully trained (and found employment for) graduates of all ages.

14. Do I need knowledge of other languages?

No, you do not. TEFL International uses the international standard communicative approach to teaching, where English is the only language used in the classroom. If you want to know the basics of a language before you go, enquire with Adult Language School about their private language tutors.

15. Last chance! Why should I take the TEFL International course? Give me some good reasons!

  • We meet or exceed all International criteria with 120+ hours of classroom time and 6+ hours of Observed Teaching Practice
  • We work hard to develop a nurturing, supportive learning environment
  • Our courses include one-to-one meetings with learners of English as well as with full classes
  • Our courses include experience learning an unfamiliar language in order to make you think about the problems of teaching beginners
  • Our courses include the opportunity to create your own teaching materials which you can take away and use in your future teaching career
  • Our courses include training for younger learners as well as with adults

16. I'm still not convinced. Can I visit your school and ask some more questions?

Of course! Contact us and we'll contact the director of the school in the location of your choice and arrange a tour for you. Contact us via our contact form here.

17. Okay. I'm convinced. I want to sign up online. How do I do that?

You can register and pay for your course online here today!

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