Which Course is Right For You?

The right course for you depends on a variety of factors. For example: Do you want just an insight into teaching English? Is this a whole career move for you? Do you expect to get paid for teaching? Or are you prepared to volunteer? If you're not sure what your plans are yet, please give us a call at Cactus TESOL. Our TESOL course advisors are all qualified teachers or teacher trainers with a lot of experience in the industry and would be happy to point you in the right direction.

Many people seem to think that TESOL is a qualification in its own right. It’s not. TESOL is simply the name encompassing the industry of English Language Teaching which offers a range of courses, from weekend and short introductory courses to 4 week intensive courses that will lead to an internationally recognized qualification. Below you can find a breakdown of courses we offer at Cactus TESOL. This will help you to choose the right course and guide your first steps into the field of teaching English.

:: Online Courses

This course is ideal for those who are not able to get the time off to for an in class course. There is a good range of quality online courses available from 40-hour basic programs to much more intensive 150 hour plus courses. Online courses do not include real teaching practice, although some of them do give you a taste for real life teaching by including streamed training videos or DVDs demonstrating various teaching techniques.

Advantages of Online TESOL

You can create your own schedule and study from the comfort of your own home. We always recommend going for a course that includes more hours: the more comprehensive your online program, the more you will learn, and your knowledge and confidence will be boosted accordingly.

Limitations of Online courses

The online course provides you with a general introduction to English Language Teaching, and can even have a syllabus to rival a full-time course; however, it does miss out one teaching practice (TP), which is arguably the most vital component of the course.

An on-site course, no matter how short, will usually include some form of TP, thus arming you with a few basic tools for classroom teaching. Employers throughout the world will show a strong preference for those with classroom experience, so be careful if you are relying on an online course to get you a full-time teaching position, because this may not be the case. Do your research in advance!

For more information about online courses versus face to face courses, click here.

:: Full time 4-week TESOL Courses

For those considering a serious career in TESOL this is the perfect preparation. Within the industry the Cambridge CELTA, Trinity Cert TESOL and SIT TESOL are the best known qualifications and they will be preferred by any employer around the globe. A quick look on any job site and you will find that the majority of TESOL employers will ask for Cambridge CELTA/Trinity Cert TESOL or equivalent. This equivalent can be a course with a similar amount of hours and teaching practice, such as the SIT TESOL Certificate. Just make sure that your course includes at least 100 hours of input and 6 hours of teaching practice and some classroom observation.

Advantages of a 4-week full-time course

A certificate from a full-time course is your best chance of securing a job. Providing your other credentials are up to scratch, these will also fulfill most private language schools' requirements. Doing a Cambridge CELTA or Trinity Cert TESOL maximizes your options, although there are also some excellent equivalent courses out there that you can book through Cactus TESOL. With a basic industry standard qualification, nothing will stand in the way of furthering your career in TESOL by doing a Diploma in TESOL course which will pave the way to more managerial roles, or using your qualification and experience to start working behind the scenes of the industry once you are back in the US.

Limitations of a 4-week full-time course

There are no real limitations worth mentioning. You can’t teach in further education or state schools with just a CELTA or a Cert TESOL and you may not find a job that easily in the US, but that’s mainly due to the market being so competitive. The only thing to be aware of is the intensity of these courses. The application form gives you an idea of what is required on a course but by no means prepares you for what’s to come. However, the sense of achievement you will feel after you have finished the course makes it all well worthwhile!

:: Short Introductory/Weekend TESOL Courses

These courses are useful for those who want to get some insight into TESOL rather than doing the kind of course which will add serious weight to their C.V. These courses range from 20-hour basic onsite courses to week-long introductory courses that are more comprehensive. Courses generally include modules on grammar and pronunciation, classroom management and a small part of the course is dedicated to teaching practice and observation.

Advantages of a short/introductory course

These courses are good fun and not as stressful as the full-time courses and the application process is not as rigorous as for a full-time course because you can simply book them and start. These courses also tend to be a lot cheaper. Short courses will give you that confidence boost and initial feel for what English teaching might have in store for you. They are also an absolute minimum requirement for those who want to support their travel with teaching work. It is recommended to do a short course even if the countries where you want to work only requires a degree to teach. You simply owe it to your students to have some kind of experience teaching the English language before you start imparting your wisdom to others!

Limitations of a short/introductory course

Although cheaper than the full-time courses, these courses are sometimes more expensive in the long run. Spending money on a short course could be the wrong decision if you are investing in a teaching career. Employers worldwide, and especially in the more competitive teaching destinations like countries in Europe, will often insist on their teachers having internationally recognized qualifications. If you want to start your teaching career there and you only have a TESOL certificate from a short course, chances are that you will have to apply for a full-time course anyway.