TEFL course: How do you know which one to choose?
Your search for TEFL teacher training course will be met with numerous answers on the internet, surely. But how will you choose the right one? How can you make sure that you do not fall for a wrong service provider?
It is not very easy to choose the right course; but it is not very difficult either. Here we have listed what you would look out for while choosing a course in TEFL training. Read on to know more!
1. What is the programme duration?
While shuffling through the options of TEFL course, the first thing you should look out for is the duration of the programme. There is a universally agreed upon duration of such courses. Your chosen programme should abide by that.
The minimum length of the course should be of 120 hours for the academics. In addition, there should be 6 hours of teaching practice sessions. This duration can be achieved over a span of a certain length of time.
Some teacher training courses offer a month-long course and break down the duration throughout it. Here again, we must recommend you not to choose the “weekend courses” for these can never be equivalent to or similar to the regular classes. Over the weekend, the most you can achieve is 20 academic hours.
2. What choices of course length do you have?
Just in the previous point we mentioned 120 hours is the minimum. And that is enough to get you a job. But there are other options too. Have a look at the following:
- PG diploma + 1 specialization= 280 hours (academics) or a span of 10 months
- PG diploma with 2 specializations= 360 hours (academics) or a span of 12 months
- High-end TEFL course= 540 hours
Choosing any from these will only add to your CV. It will also enrich your knowledge and help you delve deeper in the subject.
3. What are the qualifications of the teachers associated?
It may sound odd and you may think, “How can I judge the qualification of a teacher?”. But when you are up for choosing the best and the right teacher training institute, you need to make sure that you will be in good hands. Remember, at the end of this course, you will be up for employment.
Qualification and years of experience in the relevant field- these are the two things that you must look out for in the teaching associates. If your chosen institute and course, even if it is an online teacher training course, has aptly qualified teachers roped in, be sure you will have all aspects covered. Also, remember that the more qualified and experienced the teachers, the higher will be the course fees and that is well-justified.
4. Is the TEFL course internationally accredited?
Internationally accredited TEFL course is the only thing that you should settle for and nothing less than that. There are authorities and governing bodies for accreditation. A course must possess an accreditation from these.
Accreditations can be of various types or it may come from various sources. But international recognition of the course always adds more value than others. When you come out of one of these courses, you are sure to be recognised as an eligible TEFL trainer or teacher across the globe.
Like everything else, some money-mongers are always ready to make you fall in traps. Do not fall for “own accrediting body” of some upstart institutes. These are mainly self-regulated courses and is not approved by any associate of the TEFL industry or the relevant academic world.
Keep these points in mind when you plan to grab a TEFL certificate and step into the teaching world. However, you should also dig out information about course fees, module designs, flexibility of classroom hours, exam processes etc. The world of TEFL employment is very rewarding; so, don’t delay any more and enrol into a course of your choice today!
Image Source: freepik.com
