Working as an English teacher abroad is an incredible opportunity. You’re experiencing different cultures, improving your language skills, and being paid to be a part of that city’s academic community. But, if you’re looking for another job or a raise, you’ll probably encounter the TESOL barrier. For those in the English-teaching circuit, the TESOL certification is perhaps something you’re already familiar with. But for those who aren’t certified yet, the difficulty-to-usefulness ratio may surprise you. And for those who haven’t heard of this, this blog post is for you. So, what is TESOL?

[Image Description: A hand holding a pencil extends from out-of-frame left and points to a textbook that the student sitting on the floor is using.]

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and it’s an internationally recognized certification that can separate you from other candidates in the English-teaching field and the larger academic world. It’s also helpful when searching for part-time work in English tutoring and K-12 education, and it can open doors for teaching abroad. The certification typically requires a 120-hour course, and its cost range is huge. It can go from around one hundred dollars to above one thousand, but the accredited courses that I’ve observed circle two hundred and fifty to six hundred dollars. This may seem pricey for a non-required certification, so you may have some questions, such as:

I don’t want to teach English abroad. Why should I get the certificate?

While the requests I got for TESOL were mostly while working abroad, the course is actually aimed toward teaching English within primarily English-speaking countries to students who may be less familiar with the language (TEFL is geared toward teaching it as a foreign language). If you have experience teaching English in other countries and need a launching pad in a country like the above, this is a great way to display your qualifications to a potential employer.

I don’t want to teach English specifically. Is this relevant to me?

Absolutely. A TESOL certification not only demonstrates your ability to teach English but also your ability to teach generally. It also displays comfortability working with students of diverse backgrounds. 

How should I choose my program?

There are many TESOL and TEFL-awarding programs, some of which will be more suited for you based on your timeline, desire for flexibility, and cost. Regarding fit, each person will have programs more suited to their lifestyle. The only blanket quality you want is accreditation, so your certificate is globally recognized. You never know where life will take you!