In short: unless the certification is from Trinity College or Cambridge University and costs several hundred dollars to a couple of thousand, it’s better to pursue the CELTA. Moreover, in 2025, the industry has evolved to the point where a single course is not enough. You need to adopt a systematic approach and have your own project—be it an app, a book, a website, courseware, or an ESL board game—that has garnered reviews and traction. Only then can you consider good job placement prospects.
The two certifications most recognized for their high standards are the CELTA from Cambridge University and the TESOL from Trinity College. Here are the approximate costs for these certifications:
CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Cambridge University:
Cost: Around €933 to €2,567, depending on the location and mode of study (face-to-face, online, or a combination).
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Trinity College:
Cost: Typically up to $1,500 or more for comprehensive or in-person courses.
These certifications are highly recognized and can open up many opportunities in the field of English language teaching. However, many of our colleagues don’t have the funds to pay for these and instead take TEFL/TESOL courses from centers and private companies without official certification, hoping to secure high-paying positions. The approach of relying solely on a $9.99 Udemy TEFL/TESOL certificate may not work. There are several reasons for this. Taking a MOOC or self-paced online course with limited peer review or simple quizzes that can be retaken an unlimited number of times, or simply obtaining a certificate upon completion, may not provide hiring companies with a clear understanding of your skills and approach.
What will? Let’s consider the perspective of a reputable language center director. What type of specialist would you hire? Possibly an educator with multiple credentials from various organizations, not just UK-based ones? Perhaps a specialist with visibility, who has showcased projects with reviews from both learners and colleagues? Strangely enough, some colleagues, even after decades of work, haven’t developed anything publicly visible. Those new to the field may feel overwhelmed by competitors with experience or degrees, yet there’s no time like the present to obtain credentials.
An ideal solution might involve spending a few months to earn multiple credentials, creating an ESL project and promoting it on social media, getting it peer-reviewed by a friendly community, setting up a dedicated Google company page for your project, and receiving a reference letter from a CPD-accredited organization. All this, at no extra cost!
How can one achieve it? Nowadays, some Udemy courses for English teachers include not only TEFL/TESOL training but also career acceleration. By adding "career accelerator" to your search, you can find such courses. Their advantage is that, for the price of a traditional Udemy course, you get full support from an experienced instructional coach, access to exclusive communities, and additional offers at no extra cost. Check out this TEFL/TESOL course with Career Accelerator to explore this innovative approach.
Investing in the right TEFL/TESOL courses and leveraging career acceleration opportunities can significantly enhance your prospects in the dynamic field of English language teaching. Make 2025 the year you take your teaching career to new heights.
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