Every year thousands of adventuresome souls leave their home country for six months or more with goals of teaching English abroad. Yet a common question for those without experience teaching English abroad is, "will an online TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) be sufficient?" The answer varies depending on your short or long-term goals, the country in which you intend to teach English abroad, and ultimately the requirements of the teaching institution. 1. Evaluate your personal goals (professional TEFL teacher / TESOL teacher) If your goals are for teaching English abroad for 3 years or more, you should strongly consider taking an in-classroom TEFL course of 120 hours and a minimum of 6 hours of practicum. Some countries and schools will require this. You should also consider taking a course that provides you with a CELTA certificate. 2. Evaluate your personal goals (short-term teaching opportunity, cross-cultural experience, learning the local language, etc). If you are not seeking a 3-5 year term as a "professional" TEFL teacher, an online TEFL course could very well be sufficient to prepare you for the time in front of your students. 3. Consult with your recruiter and/or the local teaching institution. The people in these organizations know what is required and what will be accepted or not regarding TEFL / TESOL certification. Additionally, TEFL courses are most likely offered in the country in which you want to teach; ask these contacts for recommendations |
