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Before I started teaching English online, I spent way too many hours doing online research to try and understand the value of a TEFL or TESOL certificate. Do I need a 120-hour teaching certificate, or is a 90 or 60-hour one fine? There were so many different programs to choose from and they all seemed to have very different costs! 

You are probably asking yourself similar questions. What do these fancy acronyms even mean? Why do some programs cost thousands of dollars? Which TESOL or TEFL program is affordable but still fulfills the requirements of schools? 

This post will answer all of these questions, and more!

What is TESOL?

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and is a more general term that covers a variety of teaching situations. This can refer to teaching English to non-native speakers both in your country of origin, or abroad. 

What is TEFL?

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and refers to when you are teaching English in a country where English is not an official language and the students are non-native speakers.

Personally, I have heard the phrase TEFL used more frequently, but I think that has more to do with the fact that it is easier to say!

While their original definitions may differ, these days the terms TEFL and TESOL are often used interchangeably. When it comes to fulfilling the requirements of a school, either of these certificates will do just fine.

Do online English schools prefer a TESOL or TEFL certificate?

Most online English schools will take both the TESOL and TEFL when you are applying. When you complete a certificate program, you will typically receive a digital certificate immediately and it is very easy to upload during the application process.

When I started teaching in-person classes in Vietnam, the school recommended that I get a TESOL certificate. I’ve since used the same certificate for schools in Vietnam, Cambodia, and online with no issues at all!

Some online English schools offer their own TESOL programs. I would actually recommend going with a general provider because the school-issued certificates are not always recognized by other schools. By having a general certificate, you only have to go through a program once and you can use it to work for more than one school.

How much does it cost to get a TEFL or TESOL certificate?

A TEFL/TESOL program can cost anywhere from $19 (online) to $1,000+(in-person). Prices vary depending on how many hours the certificate is for, the program provider, and if there is an in-person component.

Some of the more well-known online programs start at around $200 to $300. The program I took from International Open Academy is very popular and normally costs $119! However, if you use the discount code from the folks here at Online English Teaching, you can get it for only $19.

As you can see, there are a wide range of programs to choose from. It is very easy to find a program that fulfills all of the school’s requirements, offers an in-depth learning opportunity, and is budget-friendly!

Is a cheap TESOL or TEFL certificate worth it?

An affordable TESOL or TEFL certificate is still legitimate proof that you’ve put in the time to learn the basics of teaching.

Personally, I would start with a cheaper certificate and then upgrade if you decide you want to pursue a more in-depth career in TESOL or TEFL. I got my certificate for only $19 through International Open Academy and I’ve been using the same certificate for almost two years now! Last year I applied to three different online teaching platforms and all of them accepted my TESOL from IOA.

I would also recommend finding a program that issues a certificate number for verification purposes. I’ve only been asked about this once, but was glad the program I took had the number on my certificate!

How many hours should a TESOL or TEFL certificate be?

While there are a few companies that will accept less, the vast majority of Online English teaching companies require a 120-hour teaching certificate.

How can I get a good TEFL or TESOL for cheap?

Like I mentioned before, getting the International Open Academy TEFL or TESOL through this website will only cost you $19!

However, there are other options out there. When you are looking for certificate programs online, be sure to look at the reviews from other teachers.

It’s also a good idea to check out what the course entails. Some programs do not give as much detail around topics such as linguistics, pedagogy, or lesson planning, which is yet another reason why I enjoyed the program with International Open Academy.

The topics of instruction with the IOA certificate include:

Module 1: Teaching And Learning
Module 2: Linguistics
Module 3: Reading
Module 4: Writing
Module 5: Speaking
Module 6: Listening
Module 7: Pedagogy
Module 8: Lesson Planning
Module 9: Classroom Management
Module 10: Getting A TESOL Job

Even though many programs might check the box when it comes to completing 120 hours, a good program should teach you more about how to create a successful learning environment.

I learned so much through the course I took at International Open Academy that I would highly recommend it for both beginner and continuing teachers. This program really prepared me to think about how students learn and I was able to finish it in just a few days by working at my own pace. By this point, you’re probably wondering about the next question in my post:

Does it really take 120 hours to complete a TESOL certificate?

The majority of these certificate programs are able to be done at your own pace, which means you can get it completed in just a few days if you are motivated! This is particularly true if you have any experience with teaching, or with the study of English in general. This makes a lot of sense, since many applicants complete the course while traveling, working other jobs, completing a BA, etc. 

I was able to finish my course very quickly because I actually enjoyed the experience and appreciated the chance to delve deeper into topics like linguistics. Since the courses are broken into sections, it is really easy to break up your study hours as much as you’d like.

If you are taking an in-class certificate program, it will likely take the full 120 hours of study, unless there is a take-home component. I would recommend the online programs because they cover similar material and are much more flexible.

Can a TESOL or TEFL certificate be done completely online?

Yep! Many of them, including the one offered by Online English Teaching through International Open Academy can be done completely online. On top of that, there are no classes you have to attend. You can consume the teaching material, and complete the quizzes and assignments at your own pace!

An affordable TEFL/TESOL is a great way to get started teaching English online

I was really surprised at how much I learned from the TESOL program I took. I already had some teaching experience and found many things from the lessons were easy to implement in my classrooms. 

For newer teachers, a good TESOL program is an excellent way to help yourself feel confident before teaching your first class. You will be taught a lot of different skills that will help you understand your students and tailor their classroom experiences to fit their needs. 

If I could go back, I would have actually gotten my certificate earlier! I waited until the last minute to complete mine because I thought it was going to take up a lot of time and involve writing assignments that would conflict with my work schedule. There is actually very little writing and many of the assignments are short answer or multiple choice.

I hope that this post was able to help you find a TEFL or TESOL program that fits your needs and that you enjoy the experience as much as I did. Teaching is truly an experience where you have the opportunity to grow while helping others find their way too!