In August 2019, I decided to change my career from the banking industry to ESL teaching in China. My first step was to look for a legit TEFL course. I took the University of Toronto TEFL online through the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) and Teach Away partnership and got a fantastic job teaching mathematics at a high school in Guangzhou, China. So I thought I would share my University of Toronto TEFL Review.
The University of Toronto’s TEFL certification is a great way to stand out against other candidates. The University of Toronto TEFL is among the few reputable TEFL on the market. In some parts of the world, status is everything, including where you earned your TEFL certificate. And most people, especially recruiters and students’ parents, have heard of the University of Toronto, which will put you at a competitive advantage and help you secure a job at a reputable company with a high salary.
Although it took me about a month to complete my TEFL course, you can accomplish it at your own pace (up to a year). The University of Toronto TEFL course also offers resources and opportunities to delve more in-depth so that the quality of education you get from the program prepares you well.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about choosing a TEFL course and the University of Toronto TEFL course and its potential benefits. You might also enjoy reading: Can You Make a Life Long Career Teaching English in China?
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Should You Get a TEFL Certification?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Whether you are a college graduate or a qualified education professional, a TEFL certification is the essential qualification you need to teach English abroad. To increase your chance of securing a good ESL teaching job at a reputable school, it is essential to choose a TEFL course recognized by employers abroad.
Getting a TEFL certificate is the first step if you plan a successful ESL teaching career; it will show your school or future employer that you are committed and not just looking to have fun.
Getting your TEFL will give you the fundamental understanding and tools you will need to get started, whether you are considering a complete career change or a rewarding way to supplement your income as an ESL teacher.
Without a TEFL certification, you will struggle to find a decent job teaching English abroad, particularly in China.
Why Should You Get Your TEFL Certification?
Choosing to earn a TEFL certification is a great decision. It is highly beneficial to pass the TEFL exam because it will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills you need to teach English and others subjects across the globe to non-native speakers.
A TEFL course will train you to teach grammar, reading, speaking, writing effectively, and listening. The more prepared you are, the better ESL teacher you can be, and the more success you will experience.
The University of Toronto TEFL course will give you the basic understanding and tools you will need to get started, whether you are a new or an experienced ESL teacher.
Once you are TEFL certified, you will find plenty of teaching opportunities, whether you are looking for face-to-face or online teaching or in the exotic location of your choice.
How to Choose a TEFL Course?
When choosing a TEFL course, the most crucial consideration is your TEFL course provider. Since there is no global standard for TEFL courses, anyone can create and sell a TEFL course. Make sure you choose a TEFL course provider with a good reputation, good reviews, job support, and teaching experience and quality. Reputable courses can be in person or online and should fall around the $1000 mark.
It is safe to say that the University of Toronto TEFL checks all the boxes. The University of Toronto TEFL is the best online-only TEFL course in terms of reputation and price point.
If you plan to do your TEFL course, I would advise going with an accredited institution such as the University of Toronto. The University of Toronto is ranked #17 in Best Global Universities.
When choosing a good TEFL course provider, make sure that they check the following:
- International accreditations, which means external validations
- Free job support
- TEFL courses of at least 120 hours of study
- Experienced and qualified teachers and professionals
- Positive customer reviews
- Gain an in-depth understanding of learner’s psychology
See also: What Other Jobs Can ESL Teachers Do?
Is The University of Toronto TEFL Worth It?
The University of Toronto in Canada offers a TEFL certification course that is 100% online. The course was developed and delivered by experienced professors in the Faculty of Education at the University and offered by Teach Away, a leading international teacher recruitment agency. After you successfully complete the course, you will receive a TEFL certificate issued by the University of Toronto, a world-leading university among the top 20 in the world.
A University of Toronto TEFL certification is something that schools could advertise to parents that their teachers were trained in ESL teaching at the best university in Canada.
Getting your TEFL certification is a relatively low-cost investment when you consider the returns – a jumpstart into one of the most exciting, rewarding, flexible, and lucrative careers possible.
Most internationally recognized and reputable TEFL courses are around $USD 1000; however, keep in mind that this is an investment you will make for your future success in job applications and your future ESL teaching career. And the University of Toronto TEFL program will offer you the training and international recognition you need to succeed internationally.
The certificate from OISE and TeachAway is respected and recognized by employers around the world. The program also supplies recruitment support. The University of Toronto is the top university in Canada, and many employers would have more name recognition.
See also: Complete Guide for Canadian Applying for a Chinese Work Visa and Flying First Time to China.
What Do You Learn in the University of Toronto TEFL Course?
If you are looking for a self-paced TEFL course that allows you to set your schedule, choose the Toronto TEFL course university. It is a TEFL program designed by the education faculty at the university.
The University of Toronto TEFL helps me improve my skills as a teacher and helps me gain insight into managing a class of non-native speakers. In addition, the online course allowed me to learn and experience teaching English to non-native speakers.
Since I was working a full-time job at a bank in Toronto at that time, the University of Toronto TEFL course helped me study at my own pace and get my dream job of teaching math at a high school.
Remember, if you don’t know what you are doing, you will have a long, challenging ESL teaching career abroad. So save yourself some trouble and get your TEFL from a recognized institution.
With the University of Toronto TEFL Course, you will:
- Learn lesson planning, teaching methods, principles of grammar
- Learn second language acquisition theory
- Develop a portfolio of student-centered activities
- Develop helpful techniques for teaching abroad.
- Develop a solid foundation for educators to begin their careers in the classroom.
See also: What Is It Like Being an ESL Teacher?
Benefits of the University of Toronto TEFL Certification
- The University of Toronto TEFL has an excellent reputation because it is designed by some of the leading experts in TEFL academia.
- You have the University of Toronto on your resume, the top university in Canada and the top 20 universities worldwide.
- It is a good investment in yourself. You can get paid somewhere around $3500/month, depending on your teaching experience.
- With the University of Toronto TEFL, you will pay more money, but you will get more in return in terms of better ESL teaching with a reputable employer.
- Most people, including parents and schools, have heard of the University of Toronto.
- With the University of Toronto TEFL, you will stand out against other candidates. The University of Toronto is a world-leading educational institution, among the top 20 universities worldwide.
- If you are an experienced ESL teacher, the University of Toronto TEFL will give you a new perspective on teaching ESL students.
- Getting your TEFL certification at the University of Toronto will help you fulfill your dream of traveling while getting paid to explore new countries with rich cultural backgrounds.
- You will receive the best and most updated pedagogical practices from experienced teachers from a leading university.
See also: Are ESL Classes Tax-Deductible?
How Long Does It Take To Receive Your University of Toronto TEFL Certificate?
On average, it takes about a week for your new TEFL certificate to be ready. I would recommend you email Teach Away as soon as you complete your TEFL course; they also offer a rush option if you need it urgently.
As soon as I completed my TEFL at the University of Toronto, I emailed them, and they asked me to come by their office to pick it up the following week.
Does It Matter If You Have Taken Your TEFL Course Online or In-Person?
It doesn’t matter if you completed your TEFL course online or in person. Choosing an in-person or online course is a matter of personal preference. In-class TEFL course is not a deciding factor for most employers when hiring ESL teachers, and it is not a guarantee of a well-recognized TEFL course.
In the case of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto TEFL, you are getting a TEFL certification from a world-class and prestigious University; therefore, you are confident you are getting a top-notch course.
Along with your Bachelor’s degree in any major, a TEFL certification is an essential requirement for most jobs teaching English abroad. On top of that, a reputable TEFL course will teach you the basics of everything you need to know about teaching English language skills, creating lesson plans, English grammar, classroom management, and so much more so that you are ready to lead your first class.
See also: SIE Shenzhen Reviews: Everything You Need To Know
Should You Choose The University of Toronto TEFL Course?
If you are considering getting your TEFL certification, you would recommend choosing a TEFL course provider with an excellent reputation, job support, experienced teachers, and a high-quality curriculum. And the University of Toronto TEFL checks all the boxes.
I was very hesitant to pay $USD 1200 for a TEFL course, but I am glad I did because I learned so much, and it opened a lot of opportunities for me.