FAQ

At anytime that is convenient for you.

How do I find out further information about the onsite and online TESOL certificate courses before signing up?

Send us a message through our contact form and we will send you additional information and more details about any of the courses and provide you with answers to your questions.

What kind of people sign up for an onsite or online teacher training course?

Native and near-native speakers of English who come from a variety of different backgrounds, life experiences, and stages in life. All of them are adults. Most people who sign up for a TESL/TEFL, TESOL course have very little experience teaching English as a second or foreign language. Some have experience teaching in other fields; others already have experience teaching English for private language schools abroad, but need and want to improve upon or update their teaching skills. In some cases, English teachers with experience need a certificate to help them find work or remain competitive with other applicants who are looking for jobs. All are interested in travel, meeting new people, working with students, and learning about different cultures.

Does English have to be my first language?

Absolutely not! You need to be a native or near-native speaker of English. Many near-native speakers of English, who speak English as a second language, often have a better grasp of English grammar than many native speakers of English.

What can I do to prepare before the start of a TESL/TEFL, TESOL certificate course?

Buy yourself a good grammar textbook and familiarize yourself with it. We suggest anything written by Michael Swan, such as: How English Works: A Grammar Practice Book with Answers by Swan, M and Walter, C; Grammar in Use by Murphy, R; or any other grammar books written by Diane Larsen Freeman. Some other helpful books for beginning teachers include: Teaching by Principles: An Interactice Approach to Language Pedagogy by Brown, H. Douglas; and Learning Teaching by Scrivener, J.

If you'd like to teach in Italy, Europe, or any other country, consider purchasing Susan Griffith's book Teaching English Abroad. It provides an excellent overview on working conditions in specific countries and gives tips on teaching English in Europe and on other continents.

Will a TESL/TEFL, TESOL certificate help me find work in Italy or in other countries?

Yes, definitely. In most cases, private language schools will no longer hire a teacher without certification.

What kind of work is available in Italy teaching English?

A TESL/TEFL, TESOL certificate will allow you to teach in private language schools. It will also help you find work as a free-lance teacher, offering private lessons, on your own.

If you are working with a private language school, you will find that you could either be teaching group lessons in a classroom setting or sent out to private companies for one-on-one or group instruction.

What kind of help will I receive to help me secure employment in Italy or another country?

If you attend an onsite course, a job board will be available with local, national, and international job listings. There will also be an optional job placement assistance workshop with further information. This will include resume/CV and interview preparation as well as additional information from staff who have experience working and teaching in Italy. You can also write to Teaching English in Italy for ideas or check the resources and Teaching Programs listed on this website for employment opportunities. In short, we will help you in any way possible, but we cannot guarantee job placement and neither can any other teacher training company. Job placement assistance is available for as long as you may need it, whether you enroll for an onsite or online course option.

Will I have difficulty finding work in Italy or other countries in Europe if I am not a member of the EU?

It's definitely easier finding work teaching English in Italy if you're a member of the EU. If you're not, it's not impossible. There are language schools that will hire non EU members, but you'll have to work a little harder to find them. Don't expect things to happen as easily for you as they might in your own country.

If you are American and are able to pursue Italian or EU citizenship through a relative, it is definitely recommended. Italian citizenship can be granted through grandparents and/or great grandparents providing you can provide the required paperwork to your local consulate. If you have more questions about eligibility, consult http://www.myitaliancitizenship.com/ for Italian citizenship questions and answers.

What does TESL, TEFL, TESOL mean?

• TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) - Teaching English to learners who live in a country where English is spoken as a first/native language (e.g., England, Australia, USA).

• TEFL ( Teaching English as a Foreign Language) - Teaching English to learners who live in a country where English is not spoken as a first/native language (e.g., Italy, France, Spain).

• TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) - refers to both TEFL and TESL.