How To Get Your TEFL Certification?

There are numerous online and onsite TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification programs that offer a variety of courses, from beginner to more advanced levels. These programs generally last around 12 weeks (about 3 months) and include classroom instruction and practice tests. Many online and onsite TEFL certification programs also offer a study guide and other resources to help students succeed.

So, which should you consider if you are planning to get certified? This blog will discuss the pros and cons of online and onsite certification programs.

Online certification programs

One of the obvious benefits of online TESOL/TEFL certificate courses is that it’s convenient. It may be complete anywhere, provided you have your computer or laptop with you and there is a strong internet connection. It is also more affordable for 40 hours (about 1 and a half days) of teaching only costs between $300 and $500.

This might seem to be the best route for you to get certified, particularly if you have a full-time job and other responsibilities. However, it is best that you do your research first especially if you plan to teach and you are targeting an institution or organization since there are those who do not honour or acknowledge online TEFL certificates.

However, do not be discouraged to get certified online especially if this is the only way for you to get certified since there are educational institutions that still acknowledge and accept certified professionals and you will still get hired. It could also be like a “steppingstone” certification for you and once you have the time and the resources to do an onsite certification program.

Onsite certification programs

For those who are having a hard time focusing on their own and would want a learning environment that could keep them engaged and motivated, online certification programs are the better option. They are regarded to be more effective and more and more educational institutions are employing professionals who obtained their certification via onsite courses.

Onsite courses contain at least 120 hours (about 5 days) of instruction and appropriate hands-on teaching experience.

However, onsite certification programs are more expensive. The onsite certification programs could be between $2,000 and $3,000. This might seem a steep price, but the good news is that this amount includes job assistance.

Onsite certification courses also include instructions on how to prepare an effective lesson plan and what are the challenges faced by professionals teaching a new language and how to resolve them. Onsite courses also include practice lessons in front of classmates and trainers. Your trainers are valuable source of information and industry experience and the network you make with your peers will be very helpful when you start looking for work as an English teacher.

No matter which one you decide (online or onsite) depending on your resources, deciding to get certified is a commended move. Ideally, it is also recommended that you enrol in a certification program where you intend to teach English since it is better that you also have cultural training that will benefit you a lot once you start teaching.