Are Online TEFL/TESOL Courses Authentic? Find the Answer.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language or TEFL is a dream comes true for many. It gives you the opportunity not only to reveal the world of English language before non-native English speakers but also to explore various parts of the world and satiate your wanderlust.

And to satisfy the dreams of many aspirant teachers, many institutions are offering online TEFL courses. Designed by experienced academicians, these courses not only expand your knowledge but also allow you to complete it from the comfort of your home. So, whether you are a working professional or a student, you can complete the course without stepping out of your home.

Although it is a great option to be a part of such a program, many are in doubt about the authenticity of such a virtual course.

Truth be told, the issue lies more in the quality of the TEFL/TESOL courses offered rather than the medium of the course. Be it a classroom program or learning done through an online portal, it actually does not make a big deal.

What really matters the most is the quality of the course that will lead to your being accredited a TEFL/TESOL qualification. The validity of your TEFL course depends on the quality of the TEFL course you have opted for.

This forms the most vital point in the whole game because this is the only thing your future employers will be looking at to base their judgement of you, long before they even feel it worth to set up a meeting with you.

Things to Check

When it comes to basics, there are a few things that need to find a place in your TEFL course. There are related to the latest theories of learning and teaching, methodologies and approaches to Teaching English as a Foreign Language, issues surrounding classroom management, and an overview of what the English language is all about so that you are familiar with what you are being asked to teach. The manner in which these topics get presented in your TEFL course depends entirely on the outline of the program you have chosen.

There are a number of TEFL/TESOL courses available and it is quite acceptable that you don’t have an idea of what makes each of them different from each other until you have actually sat through one and every course, that is actually an impossible thing to do. Therefore, it is important for you to find a way by which you can determine whether an online TEFL program is valid or not.

An easy way to determine the authenticity of an online TEFL course is by validating the accreditation held by the same. It would indicate that an accredited body has evaluated the course and decided that it is worthy of receiving the desired accreditation.

You can check about the accreditation by going through the website of the institution that offers the course. There are a large number of accreditation bodies each with their own set of rules and regulations, as well as governing principals. So it pays to ensure that the accrediting body itself is a legitimate and recognised one.

You can also check the reputation of the institution and the courses that they offer by checking the reviews. With this, you can have a concept of the kind of course that they offer and opinions of the previous students who have already completed the course.

If there are unfavourable reviews whether pertaining to the course or the institute hat you come across anywhere online, then consider taking the advice of those who have already completed the course and steer clear of it. On the flip, if you find nothing but positive reviews, then it can be sure it is a reputable course that you are going to be part of.

Deciding the right TEFL/TESOL course from many needs your investment of time and money. So, before you chose an online TEFL/TESOL course research as much as possible, consider the kind of certificate that they offer and validity, and them make a decision. Your choice will determine your future. So, get started today!

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