What is a TESOL qualification equivalent to? | ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TESOL FAQs (2024)

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A TESOL qualification varies in its equivalence based on the level of the course. The different levels of TESOL certification, such as TESOL level 4, level 5, and level 6, align with various educational standards. For instance, a TESOL level 4 is often considered equivalent to a high school diploma or a foundation year of undergraduate study. In contrast, a TESOL level 5 is comparable to an associate degree or the first two years of a bachelor's degree, and a TESOL level 6 aligns with a full bachelor's degree. Understanding these equivalencies is essential when selecting a TESOL course to meet your specific educational and career objectives.

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What is the difference between TESOL level 4, TESOL level 5, and TESOL level 6?

What are the distinctions between the various levels of TESOL certification?

TESOL courses with no level

TESOL level 3 courses

TESOL level 4 and level 5 courses

TESOL level 6 courses

What is the difference between TESOL level 4, TESOL level 5, and TESOL level 6?

It is important to understand that TESOL certification levels are based on the UK credentials framework. This framework is categorized in levels 0 through 8. See the diagram below to see what kind of qualification each level relates to:

What is a TESOL qualification equivalent to? | ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TESOL FAQs (1)

The AS and A levels in the United Kingdom are equal to a level 3 TESOL certificate. These are tests that must be done between the ages of 17 and 18 in order to get admitted to university.

A foundation degree is a level 5 qualification, while a Master's degree is a level 7 TESOL qualification in this system.

What are the distinctions between the various levels of TESOL certification?

TESOL courses with no level

If you come across a TESOL course that has no level assigned to it, proceed with care. This usually means it is not covered under the UK framework. These courses are unlikely to be internationally certified, and EFL institutions and businesses around the world may not accept them.

TESOL level 3 courses

Level 3 TESOL courses are equivalent to an A-Level and need 60 hours of instruction or more. They are internationally recognized and provide a fantastic starting point for anyone interested in teaching while traveling or volunteering abroad.

This level, however, is usually insufficient for a full-time job teaching English as a foreign language in a professional context abroad. As a result, if you intend to teach for a long time, you should enroll in a higher level TESOL course.

TESOL level 4 and level 5 courses

Level 4 TESOL courses are more comprehensive than level 3 TESOl courses since they require at least 100 hours of study time. This means that teachers with this certification will be allowed to work in schools all over the world. Check out our 120-hour course for teaching English abroad and online if you are looking for a great level 4 online TESOL course.

Level 5 TESOL courses require at least 170 hours of study, allowing them to cover specialized EFL topics, such as teaching English to young learners, teaching business English, and teaching English online.

You can apply for TESOL jobs in more competitive job markets in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, with a level 5 TESOL certification. Some of the top level 5 TESOL courses out there are ITTT's 170-hour course in teaching English as a foreign language with online specialization and the 220-hour Master Package.

A TESOL level 5 certificate is also comparable to a foundation degree and the CELTA qualification. However, they are typically significantly cheaper than a CELTA course.

TESOL level 6 courses

Level 6 TESOL courses are similar to the final semester of an undergraduate degree and need at least 350 hours of study time. These courses are designed for anyone interested in advancing their career in the EFL field, such as becoming a head instructor at an English language institute or a university professor in another country.

ITTT offers a variety of TESOL level 6 courses, ranging in length from 370 to 550 hours. Here are the different options for level 6 TESOL courses.

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What is a TESOL qualification equivalent to? | ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TESOL FAQs (2024)

FAQs

What is a TESOL qualification equivalent to? | ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TESOL FAQs? ›

Some of the top level 5 TESOL courses out there are ITTT's 170-hour course in teaching English as a foreign language with online specialization and the 220-hour Master Package. A TESOL level 5 certificate is also comparable to a foundation degree and the CELTA qualification.

What level is a TESOL qualification? ›

Accredited at Level 5 on the UK qualifications framework, it gives an introduction to the theory and practice of contemporary English teaching and an insight into the challenges facing the learner and the teacher. Who is the qualification suitable for?

What is a Recognised TESOL qualification? ›

Generally, CELTA meets the requirements of most countries across the world. It is one of the most recognised English teaching certificates for employers in the ESL industry in most countries, including Australia. A lot of employers regard CELTA as the international benchmark for TESOL/TEFL courses.

What is a Tesol certification? ›

When you're looking for a certificate to teach English, you will likely come across these options: TESOL: teaching English to speakers of other languages. TESOL is geared toward students learning English in an English-speaking country, but it can also be used abroad. TESL: teaching English as a second language.

Is TESOL a professional qualification? ›

A TESOL certificate is a recognized qualification for teaching English to non-native speakers. It is often a requisite for securing many teaching positions worldwide, regardless of whether the teacher has previous experience.

What is TESOL equivalent to? ›

Level 3 TESOL courses are equivalent to an A-Level and need 60 hours of instruction or more. They are internationally recognized and provide a fantastic starting point for anyone interested in teaching while traveling or volunteering abroad.

What is a Level 5 TESOL equivalent to? ›

What is a level 5 TESOL qualification? A Level 5 TESOL qualification is a comprehensive certification that equates to the academic level of a CELTA or a Foundation Degree. This level of TESOL certification is recognized for its rigor and depth, similar to an undergraduate degree program.

Can I get TESOL certification without a degree? ›

Yes, teaching ESL without a bachelor's degree is indeed possible. TESOL certification opens doors to numerous teaching opportunities worldwide, regardless of your previous academic background. While having a degree may expand your options, it is not a strict requirement for ESL teaching in many regions.

How to know if a TESOL certificate is valid? ›

Contact the Issuing Institution: Reach out to the institution that issued your TESOL certificate. They can provide a verification letter or a way to confirm the authenticity of your certificate. Provide Necessary Information: You may need to supply details like your name, date of completion, and certificate number.

What is the highest level of TESOL? ›

The main areas that are used to decide the level of a course include the type of study involved, the number of study hours, whether it is a part-time or full-time option, and whether there is any practical training. TESOL course levels typically run from level 1 to level 8.

Is it hard to get a TESOL certificate? ›

Attaining TESOL certification can be challenging, akin to the rigor of a university course, requiring substantial time and effort to study and comprehend the course units thoroughly.

How much does it cost to get TESOL certified? ›

TESOL Certification Costs

You should expect to pay between $200 for a minimal online course of about 40 hours to $400 to $500 for certifications of 100 hours. If you're interested in a university-level TESOL certificate, then you will have to pay a substantially higher amount of money, from $1,000-$2,500.

Is a TESOL certificate worth it? ›

Absolutely! Obtaining a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate is highly beneficial for individuals interested in teaching English as a second, third (or more), or foreign language.

How long does TESOL certification last? ›

No, TESOL certificates are valid for life, they do not expire. As soon as you complete your online or in-class training course you can use your certificate to find a teaching job, or you can keep it until you are ready to look for work in the future.

Is TESOL a master's degree? ›

A TESOL master's degree is your passport to a career in English-language teaching—whether at home or abroad. The TESOL master's program prepares you to teach English in college classrooms and other instructional settings where English is a second, foreign, or international language.

Is TESOL a good degree? ›

A Master's in TESOL is a great opportunity for those looking for a long-term career in English language teaching, rather than those who are only looking for short-term international teaching jobs.

What is level 7 TESOL? ›

This diploma combines assessed teaching practice with academic study into aspects of language teaching and learning such as ELT methodology, use of technologies, materials, language analysis and exploration and second language acquisition.

What are the levels of proficiency in TESOL? ›

English language learners may come with writing styles influenced by their home cultures.
  • Inclusion of Five Levels of Language Proficiency.
  • Level 1-Starting.
  • Level 2-Emerging.
  • Level 3-Developing.
  • Level 4-Expanding.

What is a Level 7 TEFL qualification? ›

DELTA: Level 7

The highest of all of the TEFL qualification levels, a DELTA is equivalent to a master's degree. As you can imagine, this is definitely not your average TEFL course! Of all the different TEFL levels, a Level 7 course is best if you're looking to open your own language school or teach new TEFL teachers.

Is TESOL a master degree? ›

A TESOL master's degree is your passport to a career in English-language teaching—whether at home or abroad. The TESOL master's program prepares you to teach English in college classrooms and other instructional settings where English is a second, foreign, or international language.

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