About TESOL
1. Who takes this course?2. What is "TESOL"?
3. Are there other terms similar to "TESOL"?
4. What is "TOEFL"?
5. Is there a market for TESOL teachers?
6. What qualifications do I need?
7. Why should I become TESOL certified?
8. Why would I want to be a TESOL teacher?
9. What does it mean if I can speak other languages?
10. What if I cannot speak their language?
11. Where can I teach?
12. Who can I teach?
13. What about my age or taking my family?
14. How much money can be made?
15. What kind of schools/companies can I work for?
16. What will my job conditions be?
17. Where is the best place to teach English?
1. Who takes this course?
People of all ages and backgrounds take this course. Some people have just finished their schooling and are unsure of their next step in life, so they wish to go overseas for adventure and to get valuable life experience. Some people are currently in a job that does not satisfy them and are looking to make a positive change. Other people realize that if they do not make the decision now to live and travel overseas, they may procrastinate forever and never actually have this experience. Some individuals are at retirement age and with their professional and family commitments complete, it is the perfect opportunity to do something wonderful and exciting for themselves. Other people have previous teaching experience (domestic and/or international) and wish to add the TESOL certificate as a valuable credential to their resume. Some individuals are qualified teachers and want to further their professional training and add specific and relevant TESOL teaching skills to their knowledge base. Other people who take this course want to teach English in Canada in their own community to people who are living in or visiting Canada.The
Certification Course is designed so that everyone, regardless of their experience and background, will enjoy the course and learn a great deal from it.
2. What is TESOL?
TESOL is an acronym that stands for "Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages." Simply said, TESOL refers to the teaching of the English language to people whose first language is not English. "TESOL" is most commonly used in North America.
3. Are there other terms similar to TESOL?
Yes, there are many similar acronyms. Like any industry/field of work, many acronyms exist and are used. In terms of international English teaching, the acronyms TESOL, TESL, TEFL, ESL, EFL (described below) are often used interchangeably.a) TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language
This acronym technically is to be used when English is taught within an English-based environment. For example, TESL would be used to refer to a group of Portuguese-speaking students studying English in Canada. They are learning English as their second language.
b) TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language
This acronym technically is to be used when English is taught within a non-English-based environment. For example, TEFL would be used to refer to Japanese students studying English within the Japanese school system. They are learning English as a foreign language.
c) ESL - English as a Second Language
This acronym is widely used within the Canadian school system for programs that include the teaching of the English language to students of other languages.
d) EFL - English as a Foreign Language
This acronym is very similar to ESL, but not used as commonly in North America.
e) CELTA - Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
CELTA is an acronym that is widely used in Europe, especially the United Kingdom. It is similar to the North American acronym of "TESOL."
f) DELTA - Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults
Again, DELTA is an acronym used mostly in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.
g) ELT - English Language Teacher
Sometimes, this acronym is used to stand for "English Language Teaching."
h) EAP - English for Academic Purposes
EAP programs often exist at English-speaking colleges or universities. These programs are designed for international students studying at/attending the college or university. EAP programs assist international students by focussing on improving their English language skills so that these students will be successful in their regular classes.
i) ESP - English for Specific Purposes
ESP is used when students of the English language are learning English for a specific purpose. This purpose is often employment related. English is the international language of many industries, such as business, tourism, air traffic control, etc. Therefore, people within these industries are often motivated or required to learn or improve their English skills.
4. What is "TOEFL"?
TOEFL is an acronym which stands for - Test of English as a Foreign Language. TOEFL is a test that measures the level of a student's English language skills. The TOEFL test includes listening, reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar components.The TOEFL exam is probably the most popular language level test, however, there are other tests similar to the TOEFL test:
Native speakers of English have no need to take the TOEFL test (The results would indicate that we are fluent in our own language!). This test is for students who have learned English as a second language.a) TOEIC - Test of English for International Communication.
b) FCE - First Certificate Examination.
This is another English language ability test. It is more common in the United Kingdom than in North America.
5. Is there a market for TESOL teachers?
The TESOL industry is booming. TESOL teachers are in large demand. It is estimated that currently there are anywhere from between 10,000 and 20,000 English teaching jobs available in the world.English is the number one second language in the world. Internationally, it is estimated that approximately one billion people worldwide are studying or wanting to study the English language. English is the international language of business, trade, science, tourism, the Internet, diplomacy, media and air traffic control.
Teaching is a very transportable skill and the teaching of English can take you all around the world. Teaching is one of the largest employment areas for Canadians overseas.
With more and more foreigners arriving in Canada, there is an increased demand domestically for TESOL teachers.
This is all great news for people wanting to be a TESOL teacher!
6. What qualifications do I need?
The best qualifications to have are: fluency in English, a positive and adventurous attitude and a TESOL certificate. The most important qualification is your ability to speak English! In some cases, this is all you need to be hired. A great personality is also important in securing a teaching position.A TESOL certificate is an excellent qualification to have!! TESOL certification is beneficial to everyone in their job search. It is a relevant qualification. It is also training for the job itself. Therefore, a TESOL certificate gives you an often required qualification for applying for positions and it also gives you the knowledge, skills and confidence to perform well on the job.
It certainly is possible to find great teaching positions and to be hired without a university degree. Many people currently teaching and living overseas do not have a university degree.
The best teaching positions (and salaries) go to those individuals with the most qualifications/education and the most teaching experience. Those applicants with a university degree and a TESOL certificate will find a tremendous amount of TESOL teaching opportunities open to them. In some countries, especially where the demand for English teachers is high (eg. South Korea, Japan, etc.), employers are asking for higher and higher qualifications.
Applicants with a Bachelor of Education (certified teachers) have even more opportunities available to them since they have specialized training in the field. Applicants who have higher levels of education (eg. a masters degree in education) will have even more TESOL teaching opportunities available to them.
7. Why should I become TESOL certified?
TESOL certification is extremely valuable for many reasons:- An increasing number of language schools are requiring or preferring applicants to be TESOL certified. These schools know the dramatic difference in classroom success between teachers who have TESOL training and certification and those who do not.
- By obtaining TESOL certification, you are greatly improving your resume and your chances of being hired.
- TESOL certification is a job-specific credential for teaching English to speakers of other languages.
- TESOL training and certification give you the tools, knowledge, skills and confidence to be successful in the classroom. Attempting to teach without any TESOL training is a difficult and stressful situation. This scenario, combined with living in a new and foreign culture can be overwhelming.
- TESOL certification often correlates to an increased salary. Thus, your certification course pays for itself.
- A TESOL certificate gives you a competitive edge over other applicants when applying for jobs.
- Employers view applicants with a TESOL certificate as being committed to learning about the English teaching field and committed to their teaching contract.
Certification Program know how to effectively and confidently create lesson plans, teach new material, motivate students, create meaningful student activities, search for potential jobs, wisely choose between job offers, prepare for departure, make the most of living overseas and much, much more.
8. Why would I want to be a TESOL teacher?
There are endless reasons why people take the Certification Course:
- to explore a new culture
- to live in a different climate
- to start and explore a new lifestyle
- to satisfy the desire to travel and explore
- to meet new and different people
- to build new friendships
- to develop and/or improve language skills
- to increase one's knowledge of the world
- to gain new professional experience
- to earn a better salary
- to pay off loans/debts
- to enjoy a slower pace of life
- to become more globally aware
- to build one's resume
- to gain varied teaching experience
- to learn about being Canadian
- to start a new career
- to discover and enjoy different foods
- to meet foreigners in the local community
- to give back to one's own community
- to volunteer locally
9. What does it mean if I can speak other languages?
If you are a second language speaker of English and are fluent in English, you are usually just as employable as a native speaker of English. Many people who have learned English as a second language, often choose to return to their native country to teach English there.If you are fluent in a language other than English and other than the language of the host country, you should use this as a selling tool/point. You could teach that language in addition to English for an employer.
If you are fluent in the native language of the host country, this can certainly be an asset.
It is highly recommended that all language ability is included on your resume.
10. What if I cannot speak their language?
Most employers are only concerned with the fact that you are a native speaker of English. The vast majority of people who venture overseas and are hired in foreign countries to teach English have NO language ability in the native language of the host country.Believe it or not, but you do not need to be able to speak the same language as your students to teach them English - and we will teach you how this is accomplished.
11. Where can I teach?
The domestic and international markets are open and waiting. There are opportunities in almost every country in the world!The biggest international markets for TESOL are: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and Hong Kong. Approximately 60% of all English teaching opportunities are currently within East Asia. The TESOL market in Eastern Europe has really opened up recently. Western Europe tends to prefer teachers who have a European Union passport. Many North Americans are able to qualify for a EU passport through their parents' and/or grandparents' European birth status.
Most of the countries that offer higher salaries (and better benefits, etc.) will ask for higher qualifications of perspective teachers. This does not necessarily mean that people with lower qualifications will be unable to find teaching positions in these areas. Some countries are asking for higher and higher qualifications. For example, South Korea has recently changed its national policy. It now requires TESOL teachers to have a university degree to be able to obtain a working visa.
Do not assume that if teaching positions are not advertised within a certain country/area, that there are no teaching opportunities to be found. Often, it is easy to find teaching opportunities in more remote, off-the-beaten-path countries/areas simply because few TESOL teachers have researched/pursued the options there.
12. Who can I teach?
The different types of English students are about as varied as the types of people who become TESOL teachers!a) Domestically, you may teach:
- children
- adults
- homestay students
- immigrants
- international students at local colleges and universities
- etc.
b) Internationally, you may teach:
- students
- children
- adults
- scientists
- business people
- foreign embassy staff
- people involved in the tourism industry
- people involved in the airline industry
- housewives
- students wanting to attend universities in English-speaking countries
- researchers
- entrepreneurs
- children of diplomats
- etc.
13. What about my age or taking my family?
As a generalization, most overseas companies would prefer their employees to be young and single. This does not mean that if you do not fit into that category, that you will not find a job!There is a huge demand for TESOL teachers worldwide and many employers are very open-minded and will hire great people, regardless of their age or marital status. People of all ages are currently working overseas teaching English. Experience usually accompanies age and many employers are fully aware of this.
Again, as a generalization, if an applicant is bringing a family member, most companies would prefer the spouse to also be a hireable teacher. This does not mean that someone who is taking children with them overseas will not be offered a teaching position. Many people have been successful in securing teaching positions and have taken their spouse and/or their children (and/or their pets) overseas.
Some conditions may simply require a bit more time and research on your behalf to find a teaching position that best suits your requirements.
14. How much money can be made?
The range of possible salaries is huge! There will be a range of salaries available depending on the country in which you teach and your own credentials and experience.Having TESOL certification usually results in a higher salary.
Usually, employers in the more developed countries offer the highest range of salaries (eg. employers in Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea will offer, on average, a higher range of salaries than employers in Central America). Higher salary ranges are usually found in countries with a higher cost of living. It costs much more to live in Japan compared to Costa Rica and the salary ranges reflect that. The cost of rent, food, transportation, entertainment, etc. can quickly reduce that initial high salary if you are not careful.
Not everyone gets rich teaching English overseas as rumours would have you believe. Generally speaking, TESOL teachers usually make at least enough while overseas to live comfortably in that country and do some travelling locally. Some people do very well financially. The amount of money that an individual is able to save is ultimately a balance between income and lifestyle, just as it is in one's own country.
15. What kind of schools/companies can I work for?
Again, there is a huge range, depending on your qualifications, experience and, to some part, creative job searching.a) Privately-Owned English Language Institutions
Conversation schools and language schools fall under this category. These schools can belong to large chains, small chains, franchises or be owned and operated by individuals.
Most graduates of TESOL certification programs find employment in these institutions overseas.
b) International Schools
International schools are similar to the public schools found domestically in that they offer the full range of core curriculum courses (eg. math, science, language arts, etc.). These schools are located overseas however.
International schools require applicants to have a Bachelor of Education from an accredited university and perhaps a minimum number of years of teaching experience.
c) Public Schools
Elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools and universities that are under government regulation fall into this category.
Usually, foreigners are not able to secure jobs within a foreign country's public school system. Programs, such as JET Programme (Japan), EPIK (South Korea) and NET Scheme (Hong Kong), do employ foreigners within their public school systems to teach English as native speakers. Teaching within a foreign country's public education system usually requires the applicant to have at least a Bachelor of Education (usually a Masters Degree in Education to teach at the university level) and to be fluent in the host country's language.
16. What will my job conditions be?
How many students will I have? What resources will my school have? How many hours will I be required to teach? How old will my students be? Will my school/company have teaching books for me to follow and teach from? .......It is a very large world, with so many countries, and thousands of different companies/schools... It is, therefore, impossible to answer these questions with certainty. There are as many possible answers to these specific questions as there are different places in which to teach English. Usually, the higher the requirements for a teaching position, the better the working conditions (class size, hours of work, etc.) and salary are.
prepares you with the questions you should ask and the knowledge you need to select between job offers to secure the one that best suits you.
17. Where is the best place to teach English?
Only you can answer that question for yourself! You are the only person who knows you well enough to know what you want most in terms of an overseas living and working situation.Again,
gives you the tools and the factors to consider so that you ultimately make the best destination/employment decision.
