TESOL CERTIFICATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

American TESOL Institute offers TESOL Advanced, TESOL for Children, and TESOL for Business certifications, which cost $295 individually. You can save by combining two courses with the Foundation TESOL program for $395, or all three courses with the TESOL Expert program for $595. 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 and take between 80 and 200 clock hours to complete. Participants have up to one year to complete their certification.

Do I need teaching experience to join?

No prior teaching experience is required to join. TESOL courses provide the tools and resources to be a successful English teacher. Potential teachers with no prior classroom experience have the option to gain experience online or in the USA.

How often do I speak with instructors while taking the online course?

Student-teacher interaction includes email, chat, video, and telephone, giving you ample opportunity to interact. Certification is granted based on an evaluation of quizzes, assignments, and the creation of TESOL lesson plans.

How does job placement work?

Post-certification, American TESOL provides optional job placement 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 stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. In the world of teaching English abroad, these terms are virtually synonymous. Both certifications enable native English speakers to teach English in a variety of foreign countries. However, each country may have its own specific certification requirements, and experience can often be the final determining factor when it comes to job placement.

Can I teach English inside the USA with your certification?

Yes, teaching online to students overseas is an option with TESOL certification. Specific requirements regarding teaching ESL inside the public school system may also include a bachelor's or master's degree.

Do I have to pay for my own transportation?

Most overseas teaching jobs are done on a contract basis that may or may not include airfare. Typically, you pay for a plane ticket to your destination country and are reimbursed with round-trip airfare.

Do I sign a teaching contract?

Yes, usually a three-month to two-year contract, although there are many other options available, such as freelance tutoring, translation services, and online instruction. It is always important to carefully study a teaching contract and make sure all the key points are outlined, such as accommodations, airfare reimbursement, expected teaching hours per week, medical insurance, and holidays allotted.

What can I expect when I arrive at a teaching job?

If you have already signed a teaching contract before arriving in a destination country, the employer will typically pick you up from the airport for a visit to the school and then bring you to your accommodations.

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 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 virtually synonymous, both enabling native English speakers to teach English in a variety of foreign countries. TESOL is a more general term that encompasses both TEFL and TESL situations. ESL is the term used for teaching English to non-native speakers in a native English-speaking country. ELT is a general term for teaching English in any of the mentioned learning situations. ESP is the term used for the particular English required for special situations, such as business English or English for academic purposes. EYL is the term used for teaching English to young learners, and CELTA is a specific certificate qualification for teaching English to adults.