Professional Development for ESL Teachers- Best Certificates for ESL Teachers.

You can work online or face-to-face as an ESL teacher and experience different cultures and parts of the world. The salary teachers receive varies greatly among the profession. Certifications and experience play a crucial role in this difference. 

In this post, I will present the four best ESL certificates and help you stand out to employers and raise your salary in your school. 

1. TESOL/TEFL

A TEFL/TESOL certificate is an overall level and education qualification for teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL); this is otherwise called TESOL, and that implies Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

A TEFL/TESOL Certificate prepares individuals without earlier training or degrees in how to teach English in a foreign language classroom. TESOL and TEFL courses can be face-to-face or online. Varying from 100 to 150 hours of programs.

Are TEFL and TESOL certificates required to become an ESL teacher in a different country?

TEFL and TESOL certificates are required in language schools and institutes around the globe seeking to hire English teachers.

2. CELTA & DELTA

CELTA and DELTA is a particular brand of TEFL/TESOL certificate given by the University of Cambridge’s non-benefit evaluation association, Cambridge English Assessment.

The course is presented by a wide range of schools and educational establishments all over the planet. Like TEFL and TESOL, CELTA and DELTA are 4-week and given in 120-hour. Also, CELTA and DELTA courses can be face-to-face or online. 

Generally, CELTA and DELTA certifications are aimed at Teaching English to adult learners

The difference between the CELTA and DELTA certificates 

DELTA certification is only given to experienced instructors who have worked for at least one year as ESL teachers looking for additional certifications from Cambridge English Assessment.

Are CELTA and DELTA certificates required to become an ESL teacher in a different country?

CELTA and DELTA certificates are not required in language schools as long as the teacher has a TEFL or TESOL certificate. However, most reputable language schools would strongly require Delta and Celta certifications for their teachers.

3. TOEFL & IELTS

IELTS and TOEFL exams are the most valid tests that measure English proficiency in the world. Language Centers and Schools around hundreds of countries and thousands of institutions will ask you for the result of one of these exams, and the minimum level of English will be C1 for an English Teacher. 

In both IELTS and TOEFL exams, four sections cover four basic English language skills. Although the question types and application of the exams consisting of the Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking sections are different, their general purpose is to measure four basic skills. 

The differences between the IELTS and TOEFL certificates 

TOEFL is an academic exam, and the content of the questions is reading parts; the listening parts are mostly academic topics. The content of the questions is in the form of any lecture at the university or topics related to the campus. 

The IELTS exam, on the other hand, is divided into Academic and General. Although questions related to general topics are partially included in the academic IELTS exam, questions related to academic topics are mainly asked.

IELTS is a UK-based test, while TOEFL is an American-based test. We recommend you make your preparations according to that accent, whichever exam you prefer.

4. IB Certificate

The IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning (DP), a program recognized by the IBO, aims to provide teachers with the knowledge and competencies required to teach in the IB Diploma Program. As the participants complete this first and only post-graduate certification program in their respective countries, they are awarded a certificate by the IBO.

Every teacher with an undergraduate degree in the programs offered by the Faculty of Education can enroll in an IB certification program. The length of time varies depending on the institution’s course requirements. 

Is IB certificate required to become an ESL teacher in a different country?

IB certification is not required in language schools as long as the teacher has a TEFL or TESOL certificate. However, most reputable language schools would strongly require IB certification, which would come with a raise in salary.

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