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 makes earning a TESOL certificate more enjoyable and simple than ever.
TESOL certification, and a Bachelors or High School Degree, are the standard requirements for teaching English online and abroad, and with American TESOL certification you can teach online, and practically anywhere in the world. Some of the most interesting teaching opportunities abroad 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 all 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 to complete. 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 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?
Interaction includes email, chat, video, and telephone. Certification is granted based on quizzes, assignments, and TESOL 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 both teaching in native English-speaking countries and abroad. Both certifications qualify individuals to teach English globally, but requirements may vary by country.
Can I teach English inside the USA with your certification?
Yes, TESOL certification enables online teaching 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 for airfare to their destination and may be reimbursed with round-trip airfare, depending on the contract.
Do I sign a teaching contract?
Most contracts range from three months to two years. Ensure contracts outline key details like accommodations, airfare reimbursement, teaching hours, medical insurance, and holidays.
What can I expect when I arrive at a teaching job?
Employers typically arrange airport pickups, a school visit, and accommodation arrangements for teachers with signed contracts.
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
TEFL and TESL are synonymous, both enabling English teaching abroad. TESOL encompasses both TEFL and TESL. ESL focuses on non-native speakers in native-speaking countries. ELT is a general term for teaching English in any context. ESP is tailored to specific fields like business or academia, and EYL focuses on young learners.