Helpful Links: TESOL TEFL TESL Program Information | TESOL Schedule
Getting a Job
What job opportunities would this training program prepare me for?
By becoming a Certified Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), you will be able to teach English in a private setting, tutoring and to children and adults. Additionally, our training and certification qualifies you as a Certified Teacher of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) allowing you to also teach English overseas. While this training and certification contains similar content, it is not equivalent to a K-12 endorsement or add-on certification for public school teaching. You may be able to work as a teacher’s aide in a public school. Please inquire with your local school district regarding the requirements to teach K-12.
Can I teach in the US with my certificate?
There are numerous opportunities to teach English in the USA. This can be done with private companies or by becoming an independent contractor. Our Teacher to Teacher TESOL | TEFL | TESL program will provide information on entrepreneurship and opportunities for program development.
How can I secure an ESL teaching job abroad?
There are many existing services for international job placement. Your trainers will provide you with information on such agencies and other contacts for jobs.
Why TESOL | TEFL | TESL Certification?
Do I need a TESOL | TEFL | TESL certificate? What if I already have teaching experience?
The issue of being certified as with licenses required for numerous professionals such as counselors and physicians means that the teacher has gone through training beyond that of someone who has teaching experience. Having certification distinguishes persons who have training from those who do not have training. If you plan to teach English overseas, most schools require TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certification (most international employers require a minimum of 60-hour training and minimum 20-hour teaching practicum).
Our Teacher-to-Teacher TESOL | TEFL | TESL Certification
Does this certification meet national and international standards?
Our Teacher-to-Teacher TESOL | TEFL | TESL Program was developed by a professional educator and former certified teacher with over 30 years of classroom experience in early childhood education, special needs, post-secondary education and non-traditional students. The goal for the course was to surpass existing programs and provide unparalleled course content that would allow participants to teach at a very high level. Currently, there is not a national or international standard certification for teaching English as a Second Language to adults. If you plan to teach English overseas, most schools require TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certification (minimum of 60-hour training). Our TESOL|TEFL|TESL Certification meets and exceeds international requirements.
How is your TESOL|TEFL|TESL certification course different from other programs?
The Teacher-to-Teacher TESOL | TEFL | TESL Program is a cooperative program between non-profit and profit agencies with the goal of building a global community of interculturally effective professionals, educators and students who are able to relate and communicate cross-culturally, live contentedly and work successfully in other cultures. The 40-hour supervised practicum exceeds international requirements and most certifying programs. Our trainees develop a teaching resource portfolio that includes exhaustive teaching resources tool-kit which can be used to start teaching immediately in a local, international, private or corporate setting. Additionally, we introduce our trainees to teaching practicum opportunities locally, jobs and training to develop a tutoring business. Our program goes beyond teacher training and certification to introduce and develop our teachers in intercultural effectiveness and provide opportunities to participate in collaborative efforts and partnerships on a local and international level that build safe, humane and responsive communities for children and expatriate families.
Can I take the course online?
Yes, we offer a live, interactive online course. The training and certification content, hours, requirements and certification credentials are the same as our in-person courses. The price is also the same because the training is live, online and we offer telephone and email support during and after the training course to ensure you successfully meet all requirements for certification.
There is one difference. The training course will be completed live, online for 40 hours. You will be required to do independent or peer-to-peer lab work of 20 hours to meet the full 60-hour training requirement.
It is imperative that you verify with your country, state/province, school district or organization to ensure our certification will qualify you to teach in your respective locale or organization. While our certification meets and exceeds national and international standards for TESOL certification, it is not Visions International or Tri-County Technical College’s responsibility to verify or guarantee acceptance of your certification.
Can I take the course if I have no previous teaching experience?
We will provide you with information and skills that will prepare you to teach without prior teaching experience. The sessions include face to face instruction, outside assignments which involve research, resource development, curriculum planning, observing and teaching real students. You will receive personal mentoring from your Trainer and professional coaching from our on staff Professional Coach who both have extensive experience in teaching and intercultural communications and relations.
What are the requirements to enroll in the program?
Must be 18 years or older
Minimum bachelor degree
Proficiency in English
International Experience/Exposure
Getting Certified
How do I become certified?
You participate and complete the 60-hour training course, 40-hour supervised practicum and 30-hour teaching resource portfolio which includes lessons plans, classroom management resources, interactive games, activities and more. Upon successful completion, you will receive an embossed, notarized certificate of completion for 130 contact hours in TESOL|TEFL|TESL training from Tri-County Technical College. You will also receive 13 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Your official transcript will be maintained and available through Tri-County Technical College.
Will I get actual teaching experience (practicum)?
Our Certification requires that you complete a 40-hour supervised practicum which exceeds most other programs’ requirements and international standards. You will have many opportunities to write lesson plans, teach actual students in other settings arranged by your trainer and present lessons to your fellow trainees.
What happens if I cannot attend all classes?
You and your trainer can discuss your scheduling needs. In the event that you miss sessions, you will be given an opportunity to make up classes.
Is there a final exam at the end of the course?
The final requirement is an oral presentation and successful completion of the 60-hour training including class participation and homework assignments for development of your teaching resource portfolio.
When will I receive my certificate?
Your embossed, notarized, paper certificate will be presented to you once you successfully complete the 40-hour supervised practicum with documentation and completion of your teaching resource portfolio.
Course Registration
Can I change or cancel my course registration if my schedule changes?
You may change or cancel your course but non-refundable fees may apply. There is no APPLICATION FEE. Once you have been accepted to the program, you will be required to pay the enrollment fee of $250 (USD). The enrollment fee ($250) is not refundable, but can be used towards another course within 12 months of your application. The course fee is $2250 (USD) and is due three (3) weeks before the course starts. The total cost of the course is $2500 (USD). Tri-County Technical College, our partner and the certifying institution for the TESOL|TEFL|TESL Certification, reserves the right to cancel courses due to insufficient enrollment and will refund the fees paid by students. For students who request a refund at least 5 business days prior to the first day of class, the College will refund the full course fee ($2250). For students who request a refund less than 5 business days prior to the first day of class, the College will refund 80% of the fee ($1800).
Can I pay for my class in installments?
At this time, there is not a provision for installment payments.
When do I have to pay the full amount?
The total cost of the course is $250 (USD). Once you have been accepted to the program, you will be required to pay the enrollment fee of $250 (USD). The enrollment fee is not refundable. The course fee is $2250 (USD) and is due three (3) weeks before the course starts. We do not charge you to apply to the course and applicants are not committed to taking the course. THERE IS NO APPLICATION FEE.
Understanding TESOL Industry
What do the acronyms, TESOL, TEFL and TESL mean?
The industry of English language learning and teaching uses many terms and acronyms. Here is a distinction of the terms and how they interrelate.
TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TESL – Teaching English as a Second Language
These three terms are often used interchangeably but there is a slight distinction. TESL refers to English language teaching in English-speaking countries like the United States. TEFL refers to English language teaching in non-English-speaking countries like Brazil. TESOL is term that covers the industry including both TESL and TEFL.