The Main Factors Worth Considering When Choosing An Online TEFL/TESOL Certification Course Program

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) has become a popular profession in recent years. With the rise of globalization and the increasing demand for English language skills worldwide, the demand for TEFL teachers has also grown. Online TEFL courses have become an attractive option for individuals who want to pursue this career path, as they offer convenience, flexibility, and accessibility. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right online TEFL course.

In this article, we will discuss the factors to consider when selecting an online TEFL course.

Accreditation

One of the most critical factors to consider when choosing an online TEFL course is accreditation. Accreditation ensures that the course meets certain standards and is recognized by employers and educational institutions.

Accredited courses also provide students with the assurance that the course they are taking is of high quality and will prepare them adequately for their TEFL career.

There are several accrediting bodies for TEFL courses, including the British Council, the Accreditation Council for Teaching English as a Foreign Language Courses (ACTEFLC), and the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET).

British Council website: https://www.britishcouncil.org/

ACTEFLC website: https://www.acteflc.com/

ACCET website: https://accet.org/

Before enrolling in an online TEFL course, it is essential to check whether the course is accredited by a reputable accrediting body.

Read more about TEFL accreditation: https://trustedteflreviews.com/tefl-accreditation-guide/

Course Content

The content of the online TEFL course is another critical factor to consider. The course should cover all the essential aspects of TEFL, including teaching methods, lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment. It should also provide students with opportunities to practice their teaching skills through practical assignments and teaching practice.

It is also essential to check whether the course covers a variety of teaching contexts, such as teaching young learners, business English, and exam preparation. This will prepare students to work in various teaching environments and increase their employment opportunities.

Course Duration

The duration of the online TEFL course is another factor to consider. Most online TEFL courses range from 60 hours to 300 hours. A longer course does not necessarily mean that it is of higher quality. However, a course that is too short may not cover all the necessary aspects of TEFL adequately.

The duration of the course should also be considered in relation to the student's availability. An online TEFL course that is too long may not be suitable for students who have other commitments, such as work or family.

Across the board, schools require that their TEFL teachers have a 120-Hour TEFL/TESOL certificate and one with 140 hours if a teaching practicum was included. Anything more than this is unnecessary and commonly falsely marketed as being superior by the TEFL program offering the course.

If in doubt, choose a TEFL course with 120 hours in total.

Currently, the most popular 120-Hour online TEFL course is provided by TEFL Online Pro: https://teflonlinepro.com/120-hour-professional/

Course Delivery

The delivery of the online TEFL course is another critical factor to consider.

Online TEFL courses can be delivered synchronously or asynchronously.

Synchronous courses involve live sessions with a tutor, while asynchronous courses allow students to study at their own pace.

Synchronous courses may be more suitable for students who prefer a more interactive and structured learning experience.

Asynchronous courses may be more suitable for students who prefer flexibility and the ability to study at their own pace.

Course Support

Course support is another essential factor to consider when choosing an online TEFL course. Students should have access to support throughout the course, whether it is through email, chat, or phone.

Course support should also include feedback on assignments and teaching practice. Feedback is essential for students to improve their teaching skills and ensure that they are adequately prepared for their TEFL careers.

Course Price

The cost of the online TEFL course is another factor to consider. The price of the course can vary depending on the duration, accreditation, and course content. However, it is essential to remember that a higher price does not necessarily mean a better course.

It is essential to compare the prices of different online TEFL courses and check whether they offer any discounts or promotions. Students should also consider the value of the course in relation to their career prospects and the quality of the course content.

Job Assistance Support

Job assistance support is an additional factor that students may consider when choosing an online TEFL course. Some courses may provide job placement support upon completion of the course.

Job assistance support can be valuable, especially for students who are new to the TEFL industry and are not familiar with the job market.

Always make certain that it is job assistance support and not job placement support. Job placement is a common scam within the TEFL industry where a TEFL program places a teacher in a school and earns a monthly commission which is deducted from the teacher's salary.

Save yourself the hassle and the rip-off by requesting job assistance and then applying for jobs and interviewing for jobs by yourself. You definitely don't need a TEFL school to do this for you.

Course Provider Reputation

The reputation of the course provider is another important factor to consider when choosing an online TEFL course. It is important to research the course provider and check its reputation in the industry. Students should look for reviews and testimonials from past students and check whether the course provider has any awards or accreditations.

Trusted TEFL Reviews is the only website currently that reviews online TEFL courses on a not-for-profit basis. This means that the reviews published on https://trustedteflreviews.com/ are real reviews, submitted by real TEFL students and graduates.

In addition to this, we are authorized to award the annual Teachers' Choice Award: https://trustedteflreviews.com/teachers-choice-award-winner-2019-2/

A course provider with a good reputation is more likely to offer a high-quality course and provide students with adequate support throughout the course. A reputable course provider is also more likely to be recognized by employers and educational institutions, which can improve the student's career prospects.

Course Language

The language of the course is another important factor to consider. Most online TEFL courses are offered in English, but some may be offered in other languages, such as Spanish or French. Students who are not fluent in English may find it challenging to complete an online TEFL course in English.

It is essential to check whether the course provider offers the course in the student's native language or whether they provide additional support for non-native English speakers, such as language classes or language support. The language of the course can also affect the student's ability to teach in certain countries, as some countries may require teachers to be fluent in the local language.

Course Assessment

Course assessment is another important factor to consider when choosing an online TEFL course. Students should check whether the course includes assessments that adequately evaluate their knowledge and teaching skills. The course assessment should also provide students with feedback on their performance, so they can improve their teaching skills.

Assessment can be delivered in different ways, such as through quizzes, assignments, and teaching practice evaluations. The course provider should provide students with clear instructions on how to complete the assessments and how they will be evaluated.

Course Technology

The technology used in the online TEFL course is another factor to consider. The course should be delivered through a user-friendly online platform that is easy to navigate and access. The course platform should also be compatible with the student's computer or device.

It is also essential to check whether the course provider offers technical support in case students encounter any technical issues during the course. Technical issues can affect the student's ability to complete the course and can be frustrating if they are not resolved quickly.

Course Duration

The duration of the course can vary significantly, ranging from a few weeks to several months. The course duration should be appropriate for the student's needs and schedule.

Shorter courses may be more convenient for students who have limited time or who want to start teaching as soon as possible. However, shorter courses may not provide the same level of depth and preparation as longer courses.

Longer courses may be more appropriate for students who want to gain a more in-depth understanding of TEFL theory and practice or who want to be more competitive in the job market. However, longer courses may not be as convenient for students who have limited time or who want to start teaching as soon as possible.

The majority of online TEFL courses provide their students with a course duration of around 90 days.

Course Flexibility

The course should be flexible enough to accommodate the student's schedule and needs. Flexibility can be achieved through different course formats, such as self-paced courses or courses with flexible start dates.

Self-paced courses allow students to complete the course at their own pace, without strict deadlines or schedules. This can be convenient for students who have limited time or who want to work around other commitments.

Courses with flexible start dates allow students to start the course at any time, rather than being tied to a specific start date. This can be convenient for students who have limited availability or who want to start the course as soon as possible.

Conclusion

There are many factors that will contribute to you choosing the right TEFL course for yourself. With so many online TEFL certification course programs offered online, it can be a bit of a minefield as to which ones are reputable and which ones are not. Some TEFL programs openly lie about their products and services on their websites.

To be safe, we have done the leg work for you.

We have tallied up all of the verified customer reviews for the 2022 TEFL training year and we have compiled a list of the 5 Best Online TEFL/TESOL certification course programs to take your TEFL certification through: https://trustedteflreviews.com/2022/12/01/best-online-tefl-courses-tesol-2020/

You can also take a look at the TEFL Course Directory, where programs are ranked according to how well or how poorly they have been reviewed by customers who have verified participation in those programs: https://trustedteflreviews.com/tefl-course-directory/

Thank you for reading this 'The Main Factors Worth Considering When Choosing An Online TEFL/TESOL Certification Course Program' article.

Mia Williams | Co-owner of Trusted TEFL Reviews (https://trustedteflreviews.com/)