OnTESOL

OnTESOL provided a well-structured and practical course. The modules were clear and useful, and my tutor James Green was supportive. I feel more confident and prepared to teach ESL. The course offered valuable knowledge, practical teaching strategies, and helpful resources that I can apply in real classroom settings. I would recommend it to anyone interested in starting a career in ESL teaching.

When considering this program, you need to be particularly careful if you hold a passport which is not from the major English-speaking countries like the US, UK, Australia, Canada & New Zealand. No matter what your mother tongue or level of fluency, most TESOL employers will immediately categorise you as a “non-native English speaker” (NNES) which will bar you from most TESL jobs despite this certification. And speaking of the certification, please be aware that in addition to the huge hidden disadvantage of being an NNES, you will have to jump through quite a few extra hoops -including unexpected post-course costs - to get your certificates verified by a Canadian public notary. Similarly you have to initiate separate processes - and yes, more fees - to get the touted TESL Canada and ACTDEC accreditation officially. Not only that, to obtain the TESL Canada certification, after filling a form, paying registration and annual fees for membership, students must then independently source and organise, either a 20-hour online practicum for Level 1 or a 50-hour in-person practicum at accredited centre for Level 2 certificate. In stark contrast, Gold-standard, internationally respected programs like Cambridge CELTA/DELTA or Trinity CertTESOL include their global recognition and practical components seamlessly. Add to this the fact that OnTESOL’s 'free lifetime job assistance' operates as a passive directory rather than active, hands-on recruitment. There are some other things you can miss while reading OnTESOL’s main promotional materials highlighting high global salaries and ease of hiring, Specifically, the aforementioned passport filter but most surprisingly, their terms include an asymmetrical intellectual property clause: students are legally barred from sharing their own original assignments with future employers or tutors, yet OnTESOL retains the right to use that student work for their own advertising and educational materials. Academic-wise, the initial course layout was opaque and poorly organized. My first tutor responded to queries only in monosyllables, making it an immense struggle to gather clear information. To their credit, management was gracious when I formally complained; they granted course extensions and assigned me an excellent second tutor, the highly competent and cooperative Ms. Margaret Hurley who helped me learn a great deal about lesson-planning frameworks. While you can absolutely learn here if you advocate for yourself, and fall in the category of a native English speaker, the program requires serious structural revision and proactive career support. Non-native English speakers should carefully review these buried parameters before purchasing. UPDATE (August 2026): After posting this review, a Student Advisor named Dan Bailly contacted me and explicitly stated that if I keep my review up, they will refuse to provide a job reference to my future employers and in fact give negative feedback to them. Prospective students should be aware that this company uses reference extortion to suppress negative feedback highlighting their real policies as well as the true career prospects for non-native English speakers.

From the very first second that I spent attending the great Dr. Margaret Hurley's live grammar session, I knew I did right by myself by choosing this course. I managed to learn so much in such little time. The material, though a little outdated given the fact that this course was launched in 2003, was enriching and easily bettered me as an English teacher. Add to that, the accreditations of the certificates that this course provides you with once you are done are the best examples of money being well-spent.

I am just finishing up the 168-hour hybrid program, and I have to say it’s been an excellent course. Thanks to this program, I have learned an enormous amount about teaching English as a Second Language. The chapters, and explanations, are very good, and when I did have a question, my tutor was very helpful and quick to respond. The assignments have taught me a lot about how to create effective lesson plans, as well as how to approach ESL students in ways that will work best for them. That’s another important concept I am taking away from this course: it is all about the students. They are our first concern, and everything must be crafted and tailored to facilitate their learning experience. The 4 live webinars were excellent in terms of both content and instructor—the OnTESOL folks were terrific. It’s clear they want you to succeed and are more than happy to assist. All in all, I say kudos to the people at OnTESOL. Thanks for doing such a great job!

Overall, this certificate will give you a very professional grounding in TESL. After taking the 120-hour course and other small certificates, I felt very prepared to start teaching right away. The alumni support was also a big plus and they give you great tips to ace your interviews. I am very happy with my experience at OnTESOL and definitely recommend it.

The coursework was completed over a long period due to work, life, and other commitments. Throughout the process, I received considerable support from Margaret, the program staff, and teachers online. The course was informative and it was my first time taking this type of course so I appreciated the layout and organization. Thanks again for all of your support Brad.

The TESOL course was a fantastic experience for me as a newcomer. It deepened my understanding of lesson planning and student engagement activities. The curriculum was well-structured, covering essential topics such as grammar, phonology, methodology. lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment techniques. The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, providing constructive feedback that helped me improve, especially in writing lesson plans.

​I recently completed the 250-hour TESOL Diploma online with onTESOL, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. From start to finish, the program was well-structured, engaging, and incredibly convenient for my busy schedule.The online format offered a degree of flexibility, allowing me to manage my study time alongside my other commitments. While there was a structured timeframe for completing the diploma, the ability to study at my own pace within those parameters was beneficial. The course materials were comprehensive and up-to-date​. I particularly appreciated the diverse range of modules that covered everything from lesson planning and classroom management to language acquisition and cultural sensitivity. ​The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, providing prompt and helpful feedback on assignments. The online platform was user-friendly and easy to navigate, making the learning process seamless. I also found the practical components, such as the lesson planning exercises and the video observa​tions, to be invaluable in preparing me for real-world teaching scenarios. During my practicum, my mentor was incredibly supportive, offering constructive feedback and guidance that significantly enhanced my learning experience. It's important to note that this program is demanding. The 250-hour diploma requires dedication and consistent effort. However, this rigor is precisely what makes it such a strong and respected qualification. ​Furthermore, the job search assistance provided was excellent, offering valuable resources and support to help me navigate the job market. If you're looking for a flexible, high-quality TESOL program that delivers real value, and you're prepared to put in the work, I highly recommend onTESOL. ​

My experience with Ontesol's 250-hour TESOL certificate course has been overwhelmingly positive. I've been wanting to make a career move into something I would actually enjoy, and I really want to experience living abroad, so I decided on getting a TEFL/TESOL certificate. I couldn't quit my full-time job, so I needed a program I could do completely online. I found Ontesol by following a link from a website in a language school in Japan, which had listed the programs in Canada deemed acceptable in terms of TEFL/TESOL certificates (due to being accredited). I chose Ontesol after researching the programs on their list and liking what I read in the reviews of people who had completed the program. Being a mature student, I was extremely nervous when I enrolled in the program. It'd been 20 years since I'd been in school, and I had to cope with working full-time, plus a number of other obstacles (most importantly, not having internet or a computer at home). I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep up, and I may have actually panicked at first, but in the first week I contacted my tutor, Ms. Margaret Hurley, and was up-front about my concerns. She gave me some very practical advice about how to approach the programme with my challenges, and was always available with extremely prompt replies to any questions or concerns I had as I completed the course. With my situation, I needed more time than most people probably would have to do the assignments, but I followed her advice in terms of pacing, and was able to finish the program on time. If she hadn't advised me so well at the very start, I would have struggled immensely, and if she was not so incredibly knowledgeable about teaching and the English Language and so generous with her sharing of that knowledge in her feedback, I never would have completed the course with distinction as I did. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to gain TEFL/TESOL certification. I chose the 250-hour programme because I wanted to interact with the material and concepts on a more comprehensive level and I absolutely feel like I achieved that with this course. Looking back at where I was when I started, I can hardly believe how much I've learned. I didn't just gain a wealth of practical knowledge, but also an understanding of the theory and concepts behind what it means to teach, how we learn, and the use and application of the English language. The skills I gained in this program can be applied in so many different settings, and has opened up many more options for me than solely classroom teaching. I also completed the specialty courses offered by Ontesol (Teaching English to Young Learners, Teaching Business English, Teaching IELTS, and Teaching English Online), and I also recommend these courses to anyone interested in these areas. My Tutor was Mr. James Green, and he was very knowledgeable and supportive. I feel the specialty courses rounded out the education I got from the TESOL programme very well, and after completion, I know I would be a lot less prepared to meet my goals for teaching English. I'd also like to add that my experience with the programme's administration staff, Sebastian in particular, was exemplary. I always received a prompt reply to any inquiry, and Sebastian went completely above and beyond to offer me encouragement and support when I was having difficulty due to a bereavement.

On registering for this course, I was filled with trepidation because it is a self study course. However, as soon as I started studying, I was motivated to study and do my assignments. It was interesting to gain knowledge about different learning styles and how to create lessons that appeal to each learning style. The course got more interesting as I studied Linguistics-Grammar and Phonology and then studying the Methodology for teaching English as a second Language. In addition to the content of the course, the staff is extremely professional and supportive. Assignments are marked within the on time all the time which for me was motivating as I was up to date on my progress in the course. My tutor for the 120hr TESOL certificate was excellent. She is knowledgeable and imparts the knowledge so well, it just inspiring. The lesson planning workshop were excellent. They allowed participants to practise what we were studying with great feedback and clarification. As I moved to my specialist courses for the 168 hour Hybrid TEFL Certificate, I was a bit saddened because I was getting a new tutor but Claudia didn't drop the ball. She was of equally great support . My assignments were marked on time with great feedback. She supervised my teaching practice to a successful completion. I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed with this course!!!!! I loved taking it!!!!!

I am a retired RN and the 168-hour Hybrid TEFL Certificate through Coventry House International-ONTESOL has given me the confidence to utilize the course and my transferrable skills and qualifications to establish an online ESL teaching practice. I look forward to enhancing the lives of English Language learners.

I was very happy with this program! I actually added a short course, Teaching IELTS, onto the 120-hour course, and it was a really well-rounded education. There was a lot of reading, so you have to be self-motivated. There are also videos to watch, and written assignments. Something came up that prevented me from completing the course in the set period of time, and I was given an extra few months to finish everything up. I was grateful for the ability to get a high-quality certification online while continuing to work. I did my practicum at a local immigrant support organization, and it went really well. I've been using the skills I gained in my current work as a freelance ESL tutor.

Since completing the 120-Hour Advanced TESOL Certificate I have been teaching privately online. While I learned a lot in the program, I can't say that it specifically prepares one for that - the focus is much more on teaching classes of students. And I think there is a general assumption that one will be likely using a syllabus and/or at least some materials provided by the program within which one is teaching. I felt I learned a great deal about lesson planning and just how much advance preparation and detail are necessary for teaching successfully. In order to teach privately online, I have needed to do a lot of grammar study in addition to what was presented in the program as well as to spend time amassing materials to use (the course was very helpful with its recommendations of good textbooks and websites). I am grateful for all I learned in the program, it certainly provided me with a good basis, but I am very conscious of the need to continue studying and learning in order to teach well.

The main reason why I decided to enroll the course is my desire to become an English language teacher. I would like to start working online as a teacher and to move to Turkey. I used to be an English teacher and I graduated from the Pedagogical University. The last time when I taught students was 8 years ago, so I needed to refresh my knowledge in terms of Methodology. Thanks to your course I am packed with lots of strategies and methods of teaching the main language skills and sub-skills.

I was hesitant to take this course online with the fear that I wouldn't complete it, or procrastinate. I was definitely proved wrong. The amount of lessons and content was very extensive and detailed. There was a great combination of reading, video lectures, online real time workshop and activities to help you along the way. For someone like me who struggled academically in the past I felt it was easy to navigate and go at my comfortable pace. I really appreciated the availability of my mentor and tutor Caitlyn. She would help me with any questions in a timely manner and give extensive detail so I am never confused about what was expected of me. The assignments were a great way to see if you are real world ready for teaching and I feel confident with the feedback and guidance from my tutor. I succeeded and passed with an A average, which was a first for me. I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in teaching ESL and don't have time to go to an actual school to study.

The 120-Hour Advanced TESOL course has been an eye-opening journey that I have really enjoyed and learned a lot from. The course content was both comprehensive and practical, offering a well-structured curriculum that effortlessly transitioned theory into real-world teaching scenarios. From grammar essentials to classroom management, it covered all bases, equipping me with valuable insights and boosting my teaching confidence. The course offered a wealth of resources and materials, which I could explore at my convenience. The instructors provided clear guidance and support through well-crafted course materials. This approach allowed me to adapt my study schedule to my busy life, ensuring that I could balance work, life, and learning effectively. My expereiecne has been amazing, it has provided me with the tools and knowledge needed to embark on a rewarding career in teaching English to speakers of other languages.

I had a really good experience with Ontesol. I took the 120-hour advanced TESOL course and gained a lot of understanding of how to organize a lesson plan and a class. You learn everything from proper grammar to how to organize and create engaging themes for lesson plans. The instructors were very helpful with answering questions as well as giving constructive feedback on each assignment. I would definitely recommend it to someone interested in TESOL.

Having never taught, OnTesol’s approach is well organized providing students with sufficient training and support.Great combination of assignments and workshops building knowledge and teaching skills.

I have had a great experience with ONTESOL. From the very beginning, I sent an email with my query, and right after I signed up for the course. The Admin Team was very prompt to answer my questions about the course before signing up and so was the tutor. I had a tutor name Aaron and it was very delightful to correspond with him. Furthermore, he helped me to navigate the course seamlessly. The course was very beneficial to me and I feel very equipped to start my new career as an ESL teacher. Currently, I am working on a 20-hour Teaching English Online which I am very excited about as I believe it is going to provide the tools I need to start in the online teaching world. I am confident that I will eventually get the opportunity to teach in a classroom. I would highly recommend OnTesol to anyone looking for TESOL certification.

Having had a lot of teaching experience in Canada and abroad, but no diploma to prove my ability to teach languages, I was looking for a flexible and reputable second language teaching program without having to go back to university and spend thousands of dollars in tuition. Also, I wanted to be able to continue balancing work, study and family life (I have 3 sons). Was that even possible? Yes! My research led me to OnTESOL. The TESL programs offered are not only completely online (allowing flexibility of schedule: I could study whenever the house was quiet, in the morning (when the kids were in school) or late at night (when the kids were sleeping)), but also the content is comparable to any other TESL programs offered at universities -- it is approved by TESL Canada. Personally, I was particularly looking forward to the Methodology section of the diploma (lesson planning) and I was not disappointed at all. I've implemented some of the ideas and strategies into my teaching right away! I completed the 250hrs TESOL Diploma with Margaret Hurley as my tutor, as well as 3 specialty courses (teaching IELTS preparation, Business English and Teaching Online) with James Green as tutor. Both were excellent and very knowledgeable in their field. Their feedback, comments, and suggestions on my assignments were insightful. Everything considered I highly recommend all the OnTESOL courses to anyone wanting to become a qualified English language teacher without breaking the bank.