TEFL course/TESOL course FAQ

What's the difference between TEFL and TESOL?

TEFL means Teaching English as Foreign Language
TESOL means Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

The terms mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably.

It doesn't matter whether you do a TEFL course or TESOL course, but an accredited TEFL course is important. Ensure your TEFL certifcate/TESOL certificate is awarded by an professional external accrediting TEFL body such as ACTDEC and is not just an in-house certificate. See our accreditation page for more.

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Do I need a degree to do the course?

No. Although many of our students do have degrees we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. ‘A’ levels or significant life experience in teaching, business or some contact with children is advantageous. Some employers may wish you to have a degree and in certain countries it will be needed so that a work visa can be issued. However our Country Fact Sheets will help to provide you with the information you need before you travel.

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What types of people take the course?

There is such a range of students that it is hard to provide a typical student profile. Some examples from our current students include:

_ Existing state sector/further education teachers looking to broaden their teaching base
_ Gap year students or ‘teacher travellers’
_ People wishing to teach ESL to immigrants
_ Mature students looking for a change of career
_ People who plan to move or retire overseas
_ Non native English teachers or foreign teachers abroad
_ English people already living overseas who wish to teach EFL locally

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I am a non native speaker - can I do one of your courses?

We welcome applications from people whose first language is not English. Non-native speakers should possess a high standard of both written and spoken English. As a general guide, a TOEFL score of at least 575 is acceptable as is a pass at C.A.E. (Certificate in Advanced English or C.P.E. (Certificate of Proficiency in English) level. While we do not test applicants on their level of English, should submitted work contain a number of errors, it will be passed back to the student for re-working until it is of an acceptable level.

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Help! I’m stuck on a question, what do I do?

Call, email or fax your tutor. We realise that many of our students are working during office hours. If you cannot call 9-5, simply leave a message telling us when you can be contacted. Your personal tutor will endeavour to call you back…even if it is on an evening or weekend. The depth and quality of the tutor response and marking generates the most positive student comments on our returned course appraisal sheets which are sent out to students on course completion.

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What types of assignments are there?

There are stop and think tasks throughout. These may take the form of simple multi-choice answers or require more in-depth responses. You might be asked to map out the seating arrangements for a class of 12 students, for example or comment on the choice of material for a group of young learners (click here for sample pages). At the end of each module there is a more in depth exam question. The exam question may ask you to create lesson plan or challenge your knowledge and application of an area of grammar. We aim to provide tasks and material that will be of real, practical use to you in the classroom.

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How is my work assessed?

You are graded by continuous assessment. In this way you always know how you are doing and we know your strengths and can help you with any potentially weak areas.
Your final grade is awarded on the following scale; A, B or Pass. Students receive individual comments on all of their completed sections…over 2 sides of A4 comments from your tutor for each module. Not just ticks and crosses but feedback designed to be of real help to you as you progress.

The depth and quality of the tutor response and marking generates the most positive student comments. (From our returned course appraisal sheets, which are sent out to students on course completion.

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When can I start and when do I receive the course?

You can start any time and we send the course out to you by e-mail or 1st class recorded delivery on receipt of payment.

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If I’m not satisfied or change my mind, do I get my money back?

In this unlikely event, simply return the course to us in a state in which it can be re-sold within 14 days of the date on the receipt and you will get a full refund.

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After the course, do I get a certificate and any help in terms of my job search?

On successful completion of our TESOL level 2 certificate, certificate with business or foundation course in business, you will receive the appropriate Global English certificate and a progress report written by your personal tutor. This acts a reference for employment. We will also let you know when schools contact us looking to recruit our graduates.  Through our website you can view typical teaching posts and review teaching conditions country by country. TESOL CV help is provided in the modules but for more individual help in your search for work, your personal tutor will be more than happy to help..

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Where are your students working? Will I get a job with the Certificate in TESOL?

Our students are working all over the world. Our students are working at some of the largest international organisations including EF English First and Nova (Japan). We are one of the only organisations to offer a Certificate in English language teaching with business. This qualification is designed to set you apart from the average applicant, helping to give you a head start in employment.

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Is there a maximum time limit for course completion?

We try to be as flexible as possible but we have set a limit of 18 months.

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How quickly can I do the course?

If you can devote some time to your studies every day, you can complete the certificate course or certificate course with business within 3-4 weeks. Typically, people take 2-4 months because they are working and fitting their studying around other commitments. The introductory course normally takes around 1 month to complete.

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Can I start the course here and take it abroad to finish it?

Yes. Many people do this and secure teaching work abroad on the basis that they have started with us. We have provided many mid-course references on behalf of our students to potential employers

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Do I have to speak a second language to be able to teach English overseas?

Although it is not generally necessary to speak a second language to teach overseas, it does depend a little on the country and it will certainly be helpful if you can learn a little before you go. This will help you to adjust both socially and culturally to the country where you are teaching. It will also broaden your appeal to potential employers, who will be more confident in offering you a greater range of classes (including lower level learner groups), where you might have to give basic instructions in their language. This is also the case where a school or institute has a lot of very young learners.

Once you are there, try to learn as much of the language as you can. Sometimes it is possible to arrange exchange lessons with a student who is learning English. You provide them with free additional English lessons - they provide you with basic lessons in their language. Some of the better schools will help to arrange this for you as it is in their interest that you stay and not leave part way through your contract.

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We hope that this has answered most of your questions. However, please feel free to contact us for more information and help:

Course Director: Louisa Walsh Email: lwalsh@global-english.com Director of Studies: William Bradridge Email: wbradridge@global-english.com

Any questions? +44(0)1392 411 999