TEFL / TESOL Training Courses
       > Course Checklist

Teach English Worldwide strives to provide clear, comprehensive, and objective advice to anyone interested in teaching English overseas.

The man who can make hard things easy is the educator

R.W. Emerson (American poet and essayist)

TESOL Training Courses Intro >>
Enrollment Requirements >>
TESOL Course Options >>
TESOL Course Accreditations >>
Other Course Services >>
TESOL Course Checklist

The checklist below lists some of the key questions you should ask when comparing TEFL-TESOL Courses. Obviously, your specific goals and circumstances are the most important factor when choosing a course, but the following questions will help you organize your options and weigh them carefully.

  • How many hours of training does the course contain? (a minimum of 150 is the standard)
  • Is the course accredited by an external educational organization? (see Teach English Worldwide’s “TESOL Course Accreditations” section for a list of common organizations)
    • If the TEFL-TESOL Course is not accredited, why not?
    • How will the fact that it is not accredited affect you? Will potential employers still recognize your certificate? If you want to continue your TEFL-TESOL training, will universities or other advanced training programs recognize your certificate?
  • Does the TEFL-TESOL course have a significant amount of observed teaching practice?
    • How many hours of teaching practice does it include?
    • Are you teaching actual students (non-native English speakers) when conducting your teaching, or are you just practicing on other trainees?
  • What is the TEFL-TESOL course format (Onsite Intensive, Part-time, Distance/Online, Introductory, etc.)?
    • Is this the best choice for you schedule, budget, teaching goals, etc…
  • What is the cost of the TEFL-TESOL course?
  • How long is the TEFL-TESOL course?
  • Does the TEFL-TESOL course offer job guidance/job assistance during and after the course?
    • What does this guidance/assistance entail?
    • Does it offer lifetime job assistance?
    • Does the course have close ties to any employers in the region where you want to teach?
  • Can the TEFL-TESOL course provide you with the names and contact information of past students, who can tell you about their experiences during and after the course?
  • Do any online TEFL-TESOL message boards or forums contain positive or negative postings about the TEFL-TESOL course? (see Teach English Worldwide’s “Helpful Links” section for popular TEFL-TESOL message boards)
[email protected] | ©2004 Teach English Worldwide