Teaching abroad is a great way to travel long term to the magical destination of your dreams. The job market for ESL teachers is in high demand. However, there are some things you need to do before flying abroad and securing a job. You need to make a plan and compare TEFL courses to get certified to teach English abroad. Because of the amount of people fleeing abroad to become ESL teachers, rules are tightening and a TEFL certification is likely required. Before you panic that you have another “to-do” on your checklist, relax. TEFL certification programs will prepare you for the ESL teaching world and give you peace of mind that you are doing the whole teaching abroad gig correctly.
With our advice, you’ll be shopping TEFL certification programs with confidence in no time!
“Which TEFL course to take?!” you ask. With loads of TEFL certification programs out there in the sea of internet search functions, you will need to make sure that you are signing up for something legit. All of the TEFL certification programs listed by GoAbroad are verified and accredited, so that’s a great place to start your search! However, you have to also take into consideration the time frame, costs, and location. Luckily, there are many options and you can find the best TEFL course that fits your personal needs.
8 factors to consider when you compare TEFL courses
This checklist will reassure you that you are on your way to finding the perfect TEFL course for you. No need to stress when you are comparing different TEFL programs.
1. Is your course online or classroom based?
There are pros and cons for online or in person TEFL certification programs. It’s really up to your preferred kind of study style. A perk for learning online is that you can usually do the course in your free time and set your own schedule. This allows you a bit more wiggle room. However, in the case of online learning, you don’t have the accountability that you may have in a classroom. You may find yourself mindlessly scrolling through Instagram pics of your dream destination while listening to a teaching tutorial—oops. Online learners should be motivated self-starters and, honestly, that’s not everyone’s forte.
In person classes may be a bit more demanding. You’ll have a set schedule and itinerary. That said, you will meet loads of new people from around the world who are interested in the exact same things that you are—teaching abroad! You also get to make new study buddies who will help you brush up on your grammar and be able to keep you sane while comparing coursework—#bettertogether.
Consider doing your TEFL course abroad, like these two fellas in Brazil!
Some people prefer in class sessions while others prefer learning online. Keep in mind that you will likely need to do some sort of in person teaching practice even if your course is mainly online based. It’s always a good idea to test out the waters and get some real life experience in your TEFL training before you step inside of a classroom. Check out some comparisons of online and in person TEFL certification programs.
2. Will you take the class in your home country or abroad?
There are huge advantages to taking the best TEFL course abroad. If you decide to take your course in the country that you want to start teaching in, then it will make the initial job search a smoother transition. You’ll have already had the chance to learn about the country, the culture, and find new friends who may be staying with you in your new hometown post-TEFL course.
On the other hand, you may want to stay home to take your course which is perfectly fine. You can get a TEFL on your own terms in order to teach abroad at a later date. Taking a course at home means that once you are certified you can take your time deciding which country you would like to teach in without making any definite commitments.
Pro-tip: Taking a course in an area with a low-cost of living could save you a lot of money!
A little hesitant about TEFL certification programs abroad? No need to fret, check here for more info on the advantages of signing up for a TEFL course overseas.
3. Is your program accredited?
Accredited TEFL certificate programs make us smile too!
Accredi-what? Yes, make sure that when you compare TEFL courses that the program you want is accredited. This means that the program is recognized by an external organization that can check off that your TEFL course is legitimate. You wouldn’t pay thousands of dollars to go to university if you weren’t getting a real diploma, right? You need to have the same mindset when figuring out which TEFL course to take. Don’t pay course fees if there’s no one to backup that the program has real assessors and trainers, good TEFL course reviews, and that they have standards that are in line with those around the globe.
[10 Awesome Accredited TEFL Courses]
4. How long will it take to be certified?
How long is the length of your TEFL course? Some intensive courses are crammed into as little as four weeks while some can last six months or even longer. You have to think of your current lifestyle, finances, and goals when you compare TEFL courses.
If you just graduated university or quit your job, get the ball rolling! A four week course will be very time consuming and you will *very likely* not be able to work a typical 9-5 job during this time. You will have to go into the mindset that the TEFL course is your temporary full-time job. The bonus of enrolling in a four-week TEFL course is that you can get certified and start that job abroad sooner! This is perfect for someone antsy to start teaching abroad ASAP.
Then again, if you are working full time, want to save a bit of money in the meantime, and can’t commit to a crammed course load, there are TEFL certification programs that can cater to you. Many people can’t just easily quit their job to get a TEFL certificate within a month. It’s nice to slow down sometimes and take your time. Regardless of your choice, the best TEFL course is really based on your needs.
5. What’s the cost?
Make sure to compare the costs of different TEFL certification programs. Courses typically will vary between $1,000 - $2,000. You get what you pay for. If you see a course on groupon that is less than three digits, don’t get too excited or waste your time. Don’t disregard a course just because it may seem more expensive.
Worried about money when researching which TEFL course to take? Check out how to pay for your TEFL course abroad.
Don’t go broke while getting TEFL certified—save money for adventures with friends, too!
6. What’s the course load?
Some of the best TEFL courses are designed to take over your life for four weeks while others are much more lax. If you are doing a four week course, remember that it will be a lot of work. This is not freshman year “Intro to Adulting 101” where you literally just did your homework with your eyes closed. You do need to be present and get all of your work done efficiently. You likely will have long days in class and then spend your evenings and weekends preparing lessons or studying. However, four weeks will fly by and be over before you know it!
If you are taking a course that spans over the period of a few months, make a weekly to-do list for yourself. Since you likely are either studying, working, or keeping yourself busy with other activities during your lengthier course, you may find yourself throwing your TEFL studies on the backburner. Make sure to have yourself organized and motivated so that you can kick booty and do well on the course. It can be easy to forget to prioritize a TEFL course if it’s not taking over your life.
Many TEFL certification programs will require you to do some real life teaching. This is a perfect way to get some immersion into what may soon be your fancy new ESL teach abroad job. It’ll allow you to make mistakes, learn, receive feedback, and gain confidence. And if you’re me, sometimes cry (hey, this stuff can be tough!).
Pro tip: You can usually inquire about your TEFL course syllabus or find it online. This can give you an idea of what your timeline will look like when you compare TEFL courses.
7. Did you read the TEFL course reviews?
Read reviews of TEFL courses like this one from the International TEFL Academy!
Reading the TEFL course reviews is a must! You wouldn’t buy a brand new iPhone X Plus if you hadn’t read reviews or at least listened to all of your friends brag—or complain—about it. Reading TEFL course reviews is so important. Real people with real reviews are more influential and hosest than just getting the information from the staff who work for the TEFL certification programs. Besides checking the GoAbroad TEFL course reviews, you can also find forums online, ask friends, check out Dave’s ESL Cafe, join social media TEFL specific groups, scour International TEFL Academy, and dig deep into the world of Google.
8. Does the program help with job placements after the course?
“Please hire me,” you say inside of a front school office where the administrator doesn’t speak English really well—ok, that’s not really how it goes….usually. It can be a bit stressful to have to be thrown out into the real world post-TEFL course to fend for yourself. Does your TEFL course offer any assistance once you have completed the course? Many TEFL certification programs offer support with scouting for jobs, applying, hiring, and figuring out the best school for you. Check up on reviews and perks that your TEFL course offers so that you can verify if they will give you a bit of support after you’ve aced your TEFL course.
Not all TEFL courses provide support after the program and that is perfectly okay. Sometimes it’s nice to have some extra hand holding in the job market abroad, but having a TEFL certificate alone will make you marketable if you want to go out and figure out how to apply to jobs on your own.
[Use MyGoAbroad to Compare TEFL Courses with Confidence]
You’re ready to find *the one* (TEFL course, that is!)
Take your pick—the choice is yours!
Taking a TEFL course is exciting. However, make sure that before you decide that you are 100% committed that you understand the other requirements for teaching abroad. You don’t want to finish your TEFL course, fly to Thailand, apply for a job, and then realize you were required to also have a Bachelor’s degree. Although it’s not always the case, many countries do require a TEFL course on top of a degree. That’s why it is important to research the requirements for teaching abroad in the country or countries where you are interested in teaching abroad. This will give you peace of mind that you have everything you need in order before your fly across the world.
Are you ready to open up your job prospects to opportunities around the world!? Start checking out the best TEFL courses for you. The decision shouldn’t be made with just a click of a button. Make sure to do some proper research and weigh the pros and cons, speak with program staff, and create a timeline of when to get it all going. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to your dream country teaching eager students who are excited to learn English.
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