While researching how to become certified to teach English as a foreign language(TEFL), you keep coming across the term TESOL. Can you explain what TESOL is? Is it the same as TEFL certification, or is it different? It is common to use TEFL and TESOL interchangeably when it comes to certification in teaching English, even though they have a subtle difference in meaning.
In spite of this common usage, however, these two terms actually mean very different. We will explore those differences in this article. We’ll also talk about TESOL requirements, such as choosing the right course, the cost, how long it takes, and whether the TESOL certification expires.
You must possess the TESOL Certificate and License in order to teach English anywhere in the world. In countries where there is a need for professional language educators, our graduates successfully integrate into the international community of English teachers and students. In order to embark on a career in TEFL/TESOL, you will benefit greatly from this course, which is internationally recognized.
The goal of the TESOL Certification program is to recruit passionate individuals who are committed to English Language Training, both at home and abroad. Individuals who wish to enter the English language teaching field or currently teach English language learners should enroll in this course. Students learn how to manage the classroom, plan lessons, and apply various teaching methods in this course.
This program is certified by TESL Canada and taught by an experienced, credentialed faculty. Students in the program receive instruction in Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, Grammar, and Presentation skills, as well as participate in seminars to discuss topics including classroom management, linking learning outcomes with activities, and assessment methods and honing their individual teaching style. Upon completing the program, students will have accumulated a portfolio of lesson plans and organized activities.
The requirement to register for most online and in-person TESOL courses is enough to level English in order to succeed. A CEFR level of B1 to C2 is usually recommended for non-native English speakers for certification (CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference, an internationally recognized standard for describing language proficiency).
In most cases, Bridge’s professional certification courses require a B1 CEFR level. This can vary slightly depending on the academic rigor of the course. For more information on certification requirements for additional courses, please read these TEFL/TESOL. You do not need to have a college degree, nor do you need any technical skills to take an online certification. TEFL/TESOL programs that are more advanced, or even university level (offering college credit), may require additional requirements beyond language proficiency, for example, a minimum education (a high school or university diploma), in addition to language level.
A self-paced online TESOL course usually takes one to three months to complete. This depends on the number of hours the course consists of (they can vary from 40 to more than 150 hours) and how much time you can dedicate to working on your course each week. In order to qualify for most teaching jobs, most people take 120-hour TEFL/TESOL courses, which usually take about six weeks to complete.
In contrast, classroom-based TESOL courses usually last four weeks since they are intensive, full-time programs.
TESOL certificate lasts a lifetime.