Finding TESOL Courses Online: Accredited TESOL Certification Programs
Updated: May 15, 2022
There are a lot of TESOL courses online to choose from but for me, it’s important to choose one of the accredited Online TESOL Certification programs. You need to be sure it was accepted and recognized as you start off this journey to become an English teacher.
There are so many different online learning platforms out there to choose from. When I started teaching online, even though I was a full-time classroom teacher, I decided to go ahead and take one of the TESOL courses online and get the certification. This really helped me stand out and my first month, I made over $1200.
I wanted to make sure I was fully prepared and could keep teaching when the new regulations came into play. I also wanted a competitive application and to show parents I was highly qualified to be chosen as their teacher.
Through my research, I was able to learn about different TESOL courses online and want to share some options with you. I hope these can help you make an informed decision on what is right for you.
No matter which of the options you choose below, please note that you should take this seriously. If you really are doing this to get an online or in-person teaching job, then you’ll need the skills taught in the courses below, and it will make you better at it. Taking it seriously is right for you in the long run, even though it may end up being a little more time-consuming.
Differences Between TESOL and TEFL Courses
TEFL courses aim to equip teachers with the skill set required to teach English to students living in countries where English is not the native language. Therefore, during TEFL courses, you will learn to handle a classroom of students learning English as a second language in a place where English is not commonly spoken. A TEFL qualification is the most widely recognized type of teaching certification in non-native English-speaking countries around the globe.
TESOL courses draw on broader elements of the latter teaching certifications to provide the base for teachers to teach in both non-native English countries and within English-speaking countries. Acquiring a TESOL qualification may be the best option for anyone unsure about future career plans. For those open to teaching abroad as well as teaching English at home, TESOL could be a good start.
Note: This post contains affiliate links.
International Open Academy
$15.99 via this link when you subscribe to their email list!
This is the course I used to get certified when I started with QKids. As you may know, VIPKid has one of its own TESOL courses online they ask teachers to go through. However, having this certification is one of my secrets to getting more bookings on VIPKid as well. I think it’s completely worth it!
International Open Academy (IOA) offers a 120-accredited TESOL certification program that does not take 120 hours. If you take notes, screenshots, and listen, you can get this course done in a day. I learned from the course and didn’t find it too strenuous.
IOA is the course that everyone is posting about being on Groupon, but they have the same price if you purchase directly through them as well.
This course is a great option for those who are familiar with teaching already or have a lot of experience working with kids.
Pro-tip: IOA will tell you that you need to buy a certificate. You don’t! You’ll receive an e-certificate upon completion. This TESOL online course does not actually require you to buy this to obtain the certificate. You can also screenshot the certificate once finished as well. You will need to purchase one if you want a hard copy.
Coursera
$50 a month, currently offering join for free
Coursera offers all types of courses, not just TESOL courses online. However, they have an accredited program available through Arizona State University that takes about 6 months to complete. This is a college class that will require online attendance and could become part of a larger degree.
This would be a great option for anyone who wants to pursue a long term career in ESOL. Coursera courses and certificates don’t carry university credit, though some universities may choose to accept them for credit. You will, however, receive a non-credit bearing official ASU TESOL Certificate.
Learn TEFL
$215 or buy on Groupon for $39
This course is similar to IOA in the sense that it is an online course that offers accredited courses. They offer extra things like tutoring, personalized assistance, and job placement support.
Learn TEFL is another option often chosen by those who want to teach online or who are looking for a job abroad to make themselves more competitive in the job market.
Bridge Education Group
$450 per course
This is the most expensive of the options I researched, but also offers a lot more than a standard online course. They offer online courses as well as tutoring, personalized study materials, college credit, course certification, and job placement assistance. You get a lot more than a typical online course for this.
This option would be great for those who are wanting to further their career or study ESOL in a college classroom setting online. You can enroll in one of their university partners and get college credit, this does take a bit more than just signing up for the course. Check out their website for more information.
No matter which option you choose, these programs are all online accredited TESOL certification programs and ready to help you in your teaching English journey, hopefully, you consider teaching and traveling as you go through this!