Do you really need a Certificate to teach ESL?

Certification IS necessary for an TEFL/ESL contract

     Of course! Well that or a degree in TEFL.  A long time ago, maybe the 1990's, when TEFL was starting to take off, companies from overseas were taking any schmo that spoke English and within reach; Sure, you didn't need a certificate.  Then, as levels of accountability began to raise, each country had to set up some type of certification status for it's educators. 

     Today, as the field of ESL is getting larger at a rapid rate, and more and more Americans are willing to leave their homeland for exotic locations, companies from all over are popping up and producing certification schools both off and online. Courses can be as short as 50 hours to as long as nine months.  Prices can range anywhere from $250 to $1,000 +. Due to the fact that there will be a possbile conflict of interest among my sponsors, (hey, the pay the bills) I am not at will to tell you where I recieved my certification from (at least I can't on my blog). It is important to remember that a certification in TEFL/ESL is NOT the same thing as a degree in the field.  A degree in the field gets you most certainly a higher pay, but  is not necessary to get your foot in the door. With that said, a four year degree is most def. the minimum requirement other than the fact that English is your native tongue.

     So where can you go to EARN your certificate?  Well, that depends on you.  Foreign agancies have already made their way into U.S. colleges and universities by requiring graduating students to take courses in school before they are sent overseas. They are also starting to send their students to local ESL institutions to observe professionals in the field.  For those who have been out of school for a while, online courses seem to be a better alternative to enrolling back into college. Many people often ask me where to start researching information on certification in their area. The answer is simple; the internet. Just enter TEFL certification in your state or city and I'm almost certain there is more than one physical location in your area. If not, there is certainly a hundred online courses offered that have full descriptions of their courses.  Though there are courses that last as short as even two weeks, it is safe to take anything over 100 hours.  People are going to look at the time you have invested in your education and 50 hours doesn't say much.  Whatever you do, make sure that your course is ITAA (Internatinal TESOL Accredidation Authority) certified.  It is also important to do have a good grip on the fundamentals of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar as you begin your courses.

Best,
#mr.ford 

Good online sources to search for TEFL certification:

1. Dave's ESL Cafe 
2. esl-lounge.com
3. tefllouge.com