If you have been following job opportunities closely, then you already know that there are a large number of jobs being advertised for teaching English, particularly in parts of Asia and Europe. If you are a native speaker, you may be considering the opportunity actively. But, going to a strange place to work at something that you are not trained to do is a daunting task. Gaining a TESOL certificate can help you in many ways. Not only does it prepare you to handle the roles and functions of a teacher effectively, it will also equip you with all the necessary information to help you form your expectations. In short, a TESOL certificate prepares you for your job in every way.
There are many ways in which an interested candidate may obtain TESOL certification. So, what should you choose?
The most popular method is the online certificate course. Online certification has a number ofadvantages and disadvantages. One major problem is the inability to get immediate help from teachers. Students of an online program cannot benefit from group study. Thus, they cannot enjoy meeting new people or gain new ideas. If time and money is not a constraint, you might want to consider an on-site course to obtain the TESOL certificate.
Many courses are being offered in various countries like Australia, UK, New Zealand, the US and a number of countries in Asia. These courses are generally intensive coaching classes that take place at predetermined locations on scheduled dates and times. On-site courses may be inconvenient for working people or students who need to attend classes regularly. On-site courses are also quite expensive, putting them out of the reach of many people. As a general rule, online courses cost less than $600 and on-site courses cost you approximately $1,500. Beware of any course that charges you more.
Sometimes, local universities and colleges also offer the TESOL certification course. You do not have to be a student of the University or college to participate in their course. The downside of these courses is that they do not offer you anything over and above pure English teaching skills. For instance, you cannot expect to receive any information regarding job opportunities or any guidance for the preparation of your resume. Most of these local universities also do not have branches in different locations. So, there is no opportunity to go to a foreign country to do the TESOL certification course.
For people who are interested in getting acquainted their destination country before they start work, teach and travel programs offer the ideal opportunity. In these programs, the TESOL certification course is held in a foreign country, where the company that is offering the training will also provide you with board and meals. The fee associated with this program varies from country to country, and the facilities provided. Such a program is a great option if you want to get acquainted with the culture and tradition of the foreign country before you actually start teaching. It also gives you an opportunity to assess and evaluate the market and search for suitable vacancies as you are learning.
A TESOL certificate is fast becoming the standard qualification for teaching English abroad. Therefore, it is best that you explore the above and make up your mind regarding the method you follow for obtaining the certificate.