TESOL CERTIFICATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
TESOL certification is a credential for teaching English, and an acronym for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. American TESOL Institute provides TESOL certification and supports graduates with optional job placement teaching English online or abroad .
TESOL, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, is a certification course to teach English. American TESOL Institute offers online programs that make earning a TESOL certificate more enjoyable and straightforward.
TESOL certification, alongside a Bachelor’s or High School Diploma, are standard requirements for teaching English online and abroad. With American TESOL certification, you can teach online and practically anywhere in the world. Top destinations currently include China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Turkey, Vietnam, Thailand, Latin America, and the Middle East.
American TESOL Institute, Frequently Asked Questions
American TESOL Institute offers TESOL Advanced , TESOL for Children , and TESOL for Business certifications for $295 each. Save with bundled options: Foundation TESOL ($395 for two courses) or TESOL Expert ($595 for three courses). TESOL In-class courses and ESL Programs are held in San Diego and Salt Lake City.
How long does it take to complete, and is it self-paced?
Online courses are self-paced, taking 80-200 clock hours. Participants have up to one year to finish certification.
Do I need teaching experience to join?
No prior teaching experience is required. TESOL courses provide the necessary tools to become a successful English teacher, with options for gaining classroom experience online or in the USA.
How often do I interact with instructors?
Interactions occur via email, chat, video, and phone. Certification is granted based on performance in quizzes, assignments, and lesson plan evaluations.
How does job placement work?
After certification, optional job placement is available online or abroad in non-native English-speaking countries.
What are the requirements to join?
- High-school diploma or equivalent
- Fluency in the English language
What is the difference between a TEFL and TESOL certificate?
TEFL focuses on teaching English abroad, while TESOL is broader, covering instruction within native English-speaking countries as well. Both enable teaching English globally, but specific requirements vary by region.
Can I teach English inside the USA with your certification?
Yes. TESOL certification allows you to teach online to overseas students. Additional degrees may be required for public school ESL teaching in the USA.
Do I have to pay for my own transportation?
Typically, teachers pay airfare to their destination; some contracts reimburse round-trip costs, depending on the employer’s policy.
Do I sign a teaching contract?
Most contracts range from three months to two years. Contracts usually cover accommodations, airfare, teaching hours, insurance, and holidays.
What can I expect when I arrive at a teaching job?
Employers typically arrange airport pickup, a school visit, and housing for teachers who have a signed contract.
What do these acronyms mean?
- TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language
- TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- ESL: English as a Second Language
- ELT: English Language Teaching
- ESP: English for Special Purposes
- EYL: English for Young Learners
- CELTA: Certificate in English Language Teaching for Adults
In general, TEFL and TESL are similar credentials enabling international teaching, while TESOL is a broader umbrella encompassing both. ESL is used for non-native speakers in a native-speaking country, ELT refers to all English Language Teaching contexts, ESP tailors English to specific fields, and EYL covers teaching young learners.