Top Facts about Taking up TESOL Certification

In case your ambition is to teach English abroad, you need to be armed with the right certifications. If you earn a TESOL certificate, it can open up myriad opportunities, boost your income potential and offer the chance to travel the world.

Definition of TESOL

TESOL is an acronym standing for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It helps teachers to know how culture and language impinge on each other. It also trains a person for the teaching of English. Though many know instinctively to use proper vocabulary and grammar, they may not know when and why to use these. This is the reason TESOL certification proves to be useful. Globally, schools and institutes depend on teachers with TESOL certification, and this is a rising trend, including the availability of TESOL course online.

Differences between various acronyms

The English teaching world is full of confusing acronyms. When one seeks to gain a certification in English teaching, one likely comes across the following terms:

• TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: It is aimed at students trying to learn English in an English-speaking country like USA or Australia. But it is also helpful to teach the language abroad.
• TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language: It is popular in Canada and implies teaching the language in a native English-speaking country. It is also helpful to teach abroad, like TESOL.
• TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language: It implies teaching the language in a country where English is not the primary spoken language.
• CELTA: Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Cambridge English grants this certification through recognized centres of training. It is useful to teach the language in both non-native and native English countries.

TRINITY CERT-TESOL: This is granted by Trinity College, London, through training by recognized centres. It can be used both abroad and at home.

The fact is that there are only subtle differences between such certifications. Typically, these all help get teaching jobs in the home country and abroad.

Is there a need for a degree?

It is not at all required that you must have a degree to get TESOL certified. Earning a certificate is a great way to enter the industry of English language teaching sans a degree. But, having a degree will offer more access to job opportunities and help in better progress in career.

Though there is no strict framework of academics to enter the TESOL field, it is most essential or helpful to possess a bachelor’s degree. In many countries that are hot spots for teaching English, a bachelor’s degree might be required for granted visa.

Benefits of TESOL certification

• Boost creativity

You and your students may find teaching and learning English boring, especially if you adhere strictly and only to textbooks. The main objective of students is to learn to communicate in the language. Certification in TESOL like Cert IV TESOL will help in learning how to create lessons using varied materials and modes like comics, songs, radio shows, newspapers, videos, websites, and podcasts that mix vocabulary and grammar lessons with skills for listening, reading, writing, and speaking the language.

• Motivate students

Most students take up learning English not because they love the language but because it is necessary to improve their life situation. Learning English might seem tedious if the teachers handle it just like one. So meaningful materials must be made available, so students love to play, talk and interact with them. TESOL uses the communicative approach wherein students do most of the talking. This way, the class will seem less like a lecture, and students will learn the best communication methods.

• Pursue a great career

The TESOL industry is filled with myriad career opportunities. Even with a few years of experience, one can earn as much as $70,000 per year. TESOL certification will open up a meaningful career in teaching English without requiring a separate degree in education. With a certificate in TESOL, job opportunities will emerge all over the globe and may also serve as a stepping stone to pursue further learning with Masters in TESOL.

• Work abroad

TESOL-certified teachers find it easier to work and travel abroad. This means that more jobs will be available both at home and abroad. A rewarding career will be opened with many language schools seeking TESOL-certified teachers. For instance, there could be chances to teach English as a second language in exotic locations like Japan, Mexico, or Dubai. Such experiences can broaden horizons and enrich life. TESOL will also help in making easy the process of obtaining a visa in the country where you plan to work.

• Valuable for your resume

TESOL certification is useful to prove that you have formal training in teaching the language. New teachers can benefit from actual teaching experience earned in the certification. It helps improve chances for teaching on online platforms. By this, you can work remotely and enjoy lucrative part-time work.

In sum, TESOL certification is useful in many ways. You can gain a competitive edge over other unqualified candidates for teaching jobs. You are eligible for better promotions and higher salaries. It throws open the door to a global career. Finally, the TESOL-certified teacher will be more confident in the classroom.