TEFL Level 5 or 120-hour: what's the difference?

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TEFL hours explained

Usually TEFL courses are gauged in hours, which are necessary to complete to finish the program. 120-hours is a bare minimum to take up in order to start a teaching career. Most employers require this amount of classes. This is sufficient time to acquire essential information about ESL teaching and get familiar with effective techniques.

However, it won't help if you enrol in a course with fewer hours of studying. Needless to say, it is unlikely that recruiters pay attention to your CV in that case. On the contrary, the required 120 hours will provide you with decent offers and opportunities to have the best place.

What should I choose, TEFL Level 5 or 120-hour?

Now, when you know all details in terms of each course, you may wonder, "How is that supposed to help to make the right choice?" Fortunately, we have foreseen such a question and prepared rational facts to consider.

A TEFL 120-hour is better for you if:

• You have a bachelor's degree in any major.
• You have any experience relate to teaching English.
• You have a citizenship of an English-speaking country or high level of the language.
• You are going to work in a country with competitive labor market.

But you should take up a Level 5 if:

• You are a non-degree holder.
• There is no teaching experience.
• Your English level is still room for improvement, and you are not from English-speaking land.
• You are going to work abroad or online.
• You still develop your confidence in ESL teaching.

However, whatever you opt for, it will help to stand out over crowd and apply for a decent job.

Are a CELTA course and a TEFL Level 5 equal?

According to Ofqual framework, both certifications match the 5th level of teaching qualification. However, it relates to difficulty and complexity rather than meaning. Such trainings are different in terms of ways of studying and focus.

As for CELTA, it suggests full-time learning in person for a month and keeps focus on teaching only adults. Whereas a Level 5 TEFL qualification is about teaching people of different ages and allows studying online following your pace of life.

All of them are appropriate to get a job, however, TEFL is more advisable than CELTA. In case employers request having only CELTA, it is highly unlikely that a Level 5 certification will be accepted as an equivalent substitute.

CELTA is preferred in English-speaking countries accompanied by obligatory previous work experience. Usually, teachers enroll in TEFL courses to get necessary knowledge and start working overseas. In a couple of years they come back to CELTA completion, and by this moment they will have been ready to fit the bill. When it comes to payment, it costs more than £1000, so most tutors enrol in it if they pursue academics achievements and professional development.

Does a Level 5 certification help to earn more?

There is no proof to believe that a Level 5 increases salary drastically. It will improve your resume and make you a privileged candidate, but there is something else. Educational field works different, sometimes huge teaching experience can influence pay even more than certifications. So, newcomers can anticipate having the same amount of money with any international qualification.

Anyway, whether you have a Level 5, TEFL 120-hour, or CELTA, chances to get a decent job increase. It will give you an advantage over other candidates. So, play fair and don't set your own rules when it comes to work.

How to choose a bona fide TEFL provider?

Unfortunately, there is no the only external body, which regulates TEFL courses worldwide. That's why scammers confuse people a lot. They can proclaim a course is a 120-hour, whereas it takes a few hours to complete. It is not a big deal for them to name a program as a Level 5, whereas Ofqual regulation has nothing to do with that.

The significant fact can help to distinguish fake educational services from decent ones. Accreditation provides control and verification from respectful awarding bodies. A fraud provider will never get legitimate approval from an accrediting body.

Some companies may try to convince you, they have a regulation from Ofqual or TQUK. In fact, it might be just an endorsement, which can not have the same legal power.

We have prepared a list of factors that you should keep in mind and underestimate properly before making any decisions:

• Check the accreditation body of a provider. How long does it work?
• Check the real address and local number whether they really exist.
• Pay attention to a company website.
• Read courses reviews.
• Look for additional information about a provider on the Internet.

We hope that such advice will help to make a wise choice.