Quick answer: The best TESOL course for you depends on five things: whether you want online, live or classroom study; how many hours you need (120 is the usual minimum, 150–250 to stand out); whether you want a specialism; what your target employers or country require; and your budget. For most people getting started in Asia or online, the 120-hour TESOL Premier is the answer; to stand out, step up to the 150-hour Advanced or 250-hour Professional course. Use the five questions below to decide.
120? Master? Live Zoom course? Add a specialism?
Feeling confused? I don't blame you. It can be daunting from the outside looking in, and the “which course for me?” email tops our list of frequently asked questions.
Why is there so much choice? Quite simply, the TESOL market made it that way. What private language schools want from their teachers varies according to local demand. The course generally recommended for a tiny neighbourhood school in rural Mexico is not what we'd suggest for central Paris. It may depend on where you are in terms of your skills and background, too. Hence, the variety of courses reflects the world TESOL job market in all its rich and varied form.
The best way to decide is to work backwards from where you want to go. Below are the five questions to ask yourself, followed by a quick decision table.
How to choose your TESOL course in 5 steps
- Decide online, live or classroom. Most people choose flexible, self-paced online study; some prefer short live Zoom courses or an intensive classroom CELTA. Pick the format that fits your life.
- Work out how many hours you need. A 120-hour course is the usual minimum for Asia and online work; step up to 150 or 250 hours to stand out in more competitive markets.
- Choose whether to add a specialism. Specialisms such as teaching business English, young learners or teaching English online make your qualification stand out and open extra doors.
- Match the course to your target employer. Check what schools or platforms in your chosen country actually ask for – some require a degree as well as a certificate.
- Set your budget. Balance what you can afford against your goals; if money is tight, choose a shorter course and lead with your other strengths, or invest in the most advanced course you can for the long term.
Question 1–5: which course matches your goal?
There is high demand for online English teachers, and as travel markets stay strong so does demand for in-class teachers, so it's a good time to get ready with the right qualification. Here's how the answers map to a recommended course:
| Your goal | Recommended course |
|---|---|
| Teach in Asia (China, South Korea) or start teaching online | 120-hour TESOL Premier (plus the online teaching add-on to stand out) |
| Teach in Southern Europe or want to be more competitive | 150-hour Advanced + young learners specialism |
| Teach in France, Germany or Sweden, especially business English | 150-hour Advanced + teaching business English |
| Really stand out / build a long-term career | 250-hour TESOL Professional (Level 5) |
| Already a teacher wanting to refresh skills | Short live Zoom courses or the TESOL Re-equip course |
Which course helps you stand out?
If everyone else has a 120-hour course, how can you ensure your qualification stands out above the competition? Our 250-hour TESOL Professional course could be the answer. As one of the most advanced Level 5 TESOL qualifications online, it includes teaching English online and business English and advanced concepts like phonetics and linguistics to take your English knowledge to the next level. Best of all, it shows potential employers how committed you are to perfecting your teaching craft.
Which course if you're already a teacher?
Continuing professional development helps you learn new skills and impresses employers. Even a short 20–30 hour course in grammar, phonetics, teaching business English or teaching English online can upgrade your teaching CV. Our live, short Zoom courses give you interactive, hands-on practice in areas like teaching English to beginners, Zoom skills for online teaching and engagement activities that work. They come with take-away resources and certification. These days, it pays to keep learning, improving and showing employers you are a teaching professional.
What if you're not a native English speaker?
There is no denying a strong bias towards native English teachers in the TESOL job market. To stand out, you may have to be better qualified and ‘bring something else to the table’ – your ability to speak (and maybe teach) other languages, your empathy with learners, or your strong grasp of English grammar. When we asked our non-native TEFL teachers how they were making their qualification work for them, we were surprised how many continued to learn and take courses. If you are a non-native English teacher, the advice is to get as qualified as you can.
What if you can only afford a short course?
Sometimes our course choice is constrained by budget. That's fine, but highlight your other skills to give yourself as many options as possible, especially if you have worked in business, with young people, or have a specialist background. If you are already in the country where you want to teach, apply for jobs by dropping in – you'll have a huge advantage over those applying from abroad and access many jobs that aren't advertised online. See our advice on how to find a TEFL position overseas and our guidance on creating a top TEFL CV. Still comparing providers? Read how to choose the best online TEFL course. All our courses are accredited by ACTDEC, and you can check formal regulated qualifications on the Ofqual register.
Conclusion
If you would like more individual advice about your particular situation, contact us and we would be more than happy to help.
If you’re still not sure, the best advice we can give you is to invest in the most advanced TESOL qualification you can afford; it will stand you in good stead and, let's face it, no-one ever regretted being too qualified!
Choosing a TESOL course: FAQs
What is the difference between a 120-hour and a 150-hour TESOL?
A 120-hour course is the widely accepted industry minimum and is enough for most first jobs in Asia and online. A 150-hour Advanced course adds depth and helps you stand out in more competitive markets such as Europe. Neither replaces a degree where a country requires one for a visa – check local rules.
Are specialist TESOL modules worth it?
Often, yes. Specialisms in teaching business English, young learners or teaching English online signal to employers that you can meet a specific need, which can widen your options and lift your pay – especially business English, which tends to pay more. They're a cost-effective way to make a standard certificate stand out.
Which TESOL course do I need for Hong Kong, Japan or online teaching?
For most of Asia and for online platforms, an accredited 120-hour course plus a degree is the usual baseline; to be competitive, add a specialism or take a 150–250 hour course. Some government schemes and countries have extra requirements, so always check the specific employer or programme before you enrol.
Want the shortcut? Our 2-minute course quiz asks these questions interactively and recommends a course at the end.