What Is TEFL Certification and Why Teachers Need One

Accreditation TEFL

TEFL is an acronym that stands for teaching English as a foreign language. It is not to be confused with TESL, which means teaching English as a secondary language and is for instructors who teach English to people in English speaking countries. Many people enroll in TEFL courses so they can become teachers overseas and live abroad. While not every employer requires it, it is highly recommended that all teachers enroll in a course that is accredited under a TEFL accrediting organisation.

Receiving a TEFL certification is not too difficult especially if English is already your native language. There are in fact many TEFL courses throughout the world that offer accreditation. There are also TEFL courses that can be completed completely online. This may be a suitable option for those with a limited budget or want a more flexible schedule when taking the course. A TEFL accrediting organisation may also provide students with leads on where they can submit their application when looking for work as a teacher.

Some students may question whether TEFL certification is really necessary. While there are some employers who may not require certification, it will certainly make you a more attracted candidate, which is really important given that teaching English as a profession is a highly competitive field. Having credentials from a TEFL accrediting organisation makes you stand out a lot more as a viable person who has the qualification for the job. The only scenario where you may not need certification is if you plan on teaching English online as an independent contractor or freelancer.

Taking a certification course will also sharpen your own skills that you may have forgotten or have not utilized since grade school. This may include basic grammar skills and vocabulary and even the order of the alphabet. A course will show you how to develop lesson plans and how to work individually with students who may be struggling with common problems like pronunciation.

Most parents are willing to pay lots of money to give their children a head start in learning English. As a teacher, you will have the role of passing on your expertise to students who wish to immerse themselves in a language that is completely foreign to them. It is a job with a lot of responsibilities but also comes with many rewards. If becoming a TEFL instructor is something you really want to do, then look for a TEFL Accrediting Organisation. Being able to include that you are a certified practitioner from an accredited institution on your resume will give you a huge advantage when trying to appeal to employers.

Getting Certified From A TEFL Accreditation Program

TEFL Accreditation Organisation

There are various TEFL programs that come in different lengths and price ranges. If your goal is to teach English as a foreign language in continents like Asia or South America, then it is highly recommended that you get a certificate from a TEFL accrediting organisation.

Courses are available both online and on-campus. Generally, online courses are cheaper and give you the luxury of learning at your own pace. However, with on-site courses, you have a live instructor to work and interact with. Also, some online courses may not be accredited, so you have to check to make sure that the course is accredited by a legitimate organisation.

In a TEFL program, you will receive a refresher of very basic concepts like grammar and rules of pronunciation. You may even get a review of the alphabet; you will be surprised how many people are unable to recite the alphabet from beginning to finish. At a TEFL accrediting organisation, you will also learn how to provide feedback to students. This includes correcting them to ensure that they get the pronunciation right and they utilize correct grammar usage. You will also learn how to plan lessons and incorporate games into the activities. It has been proven that everyone, including adults, learn at a much better pace and are able to retain information better when having fun in the process. This is why it is important to make some lessons into a game rather than always following bland drills from a textbook.

When it comes to the hiring process, most employers will give preference to those who received a certificate from a TEFL accrediting organisation. Having accreditation is becoming more necessary as the field is becoming more competitive and there are far more TEFL instructors than there are positions available. Also, keep in mind that some employers may not accept students who received their certificate from an online TEFL course. This is due to the lack of hands-on training received from courses taught over the Web.

Being a TEFL instructor gives you the chance to make a living while living abroad. It is an opportunity that is not available to a lot of people. If this is something you are truly aspired to do, then you need to show employers why you are the best candidate. The way to do this is by showing that you received your training from a TEFL Accrediting Organisation. This shows that you are a highly competent individual who has the skills to teach English to a classroom of students who are hungry for knowledge.