Best TEFL Certification Programs

Essential Tips for Evaluating TEFL / TESOL Certification Courses

If you’re trying to decide which TEFL or TESOL certification program to choose, it can seem overwhelming initially. There are literally thousands of companies offering a variety of TEFL/TESOL training course, all promising you a bright and exciting future as a certified English Teacher.

So, what should you look for in a reputable and top quality TEFL/TESOL certification course?
Our tips will help you sort the best from the rest and make choosing your TEFL course much easier.

First, there are three main points to consider:

(1) Accreditation & credentials

Don’t waste time considering any TEFL certification which isn’t internationally accredited or recognized.

To become accredited, a TEFL course is normally subjected to rigorous scrutiny by the accrediting organization. TEFL accreditation organizations are independent of the school or company that offers the TEFL certificate course and examine all aspects of the courses offered including course content, instructors and the academic and professional standards maintained by the TEFL certification provider.

Which organizations accredit TEFL/TESOL certificates?

There are many respected accreditation organizations, including College of Teachers, TQUK, ACCET, Cambridge University CELTA, and Trinity University Trinity Certificate.

Beware of TEFL certification courses claiming to be accredited by other supposedly international and reputable bodies, as some course providers simply arrange their own accrediting bodies in order to appear more professional than they really are.

Don’t confuse a TEFL school which claims to be a member of an academic association as being accredited by that same organization. Membership can be simply obtained by paying a subscription to the organization and does not necessarily entail that the TEFL certificate course has been evaluated, approved or accredited by any representative from the professional organization.

TESOL and NAFSA are two large membership organizations which TEFL course providers often subscribe to.

(2) The TEFL/TESOL certificate course

TEFL courses vary depending on the provider of the course. However, there are certain ‘benchmarks’ you should look for which indicate that a course will at least meet what are considered as industry standards.

Length of course: 120 hours is widely considered the minimum duration for a reputable and quality TEFL certification.

This is usually broken down into 100 hours minimum of academic study and then a further 20 hours of teaching practice with real students (not practice with other trainee teachers).

When it comes to looking for a TEFL job, most reputable employers will not consider a TEFL qualification which does not meet the 120-hour minimum standard.

This means that a typical TEFL certification course will be around 4 weeks duration if done on a full time basis, and may take up to 3 months if done on a part-time basis, or a combination of online and practical sessions.

You should avoid any TEFL/TESOL certificate course which does not include practical teaching sessions with real students, as this is necessary for the course to be accredited. It is also one of the most valuable experiences you will have while doing the course – which will help prepare you for becoming a TEFL teacher.

Standing in front of a class of students and teaching for the first time can be quite a daunting prospect – if you have never done it before. You’ll be glad you did it while training, before your first real class as a TEFL teacher.

(3) TEFL/TESOL Course Instructors

Participating in a TEFL/TESOL course delivered by a qualified and experienced TEFL instructor makes all the difference.

Look for instructors who are highly qualified, preferably with a master’s degree in TEFL/TESOL and a substantial number of years of teaching experience.

DELTA or a relevant degree in education with a specialization in ESL are also respected and internationally recognized as high-level qualifications for TEFL course instructors.

Beware of TEFL/TESOL certification courses taught by instructors whose qualifications are not clearly evident. A TEFL teacher with a few years of teaching experience abroad is not usually sufficiently qualified to deliver a high quality accredited TEFL/TESOL certification course, although there are some schools which do exactly that, normally those offering cheaper options for TEFL certification.

Other Considerations

TEFL teaching practice

As mentioned above, it is essential that the TEFL course you choose includes around 20 hours of actual TEFL teaching practice time with real live students, not just role playing with other teacher trainees (as this does not count towards international accreditation).
Teaching practice is essential because:

• It provides you with an opportunity to develop essential teaching skills you will need to become an effective teacher. It also allows you to become comfortable in the classroom environment.


• When looking for your first TEFL job, most reputable employers will not consider a teacher who hasn’t had teaching experience, or holds a TEFL certification which doesn’t include an element of teaching practice.

Help with finding your first TEFL job

Navigating the TEFL job market if you’re a newbie can be daunting. The best TEFL certification providers normally provide a range of services and support for newly qualified TEFL teachers to help them find that all important first teaching position either abroad or at home.

Ensuring that your initial teaching experience, especially if abroad, is a positive one should be a priority. An in-person advisor who is able to provide you with essential information regarding specific country opportunities and teaching conditions, salaries, etc. will make the entire process of job hunting much easier and more rewarding.

Cost of TEFL/TESOL Certification

As with most things in life, expect to get what you pay for. The average cost of a TEFL certification course runs from around USD $1,600 to $2,000, so if you’re being offered a course which only costs around $200-500, you need to ask yourself why it’s so cheap.

Professional instructors and high academic standards require a certain level of infrastructure and investment – so make sure you read reviews or independent testimonials of teachers who have been through a particular course to find out their feedback on it.

Do your homework and due diligence and you won’t go wrong?

After all, if you consider it as an investment in your own professional development, you’ll soon realize the value of investing in a high quality TEFL/TESOL certification course as the best way to kick start your new career as a TEFL teacher.