SIT TESOL Certificate Course
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the requirements for taking the course?

Applicants for the course must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Highschool diploma or equivalent;
  • A genuine interest in TESOL;
  • Ability to successfully communicate in written and spoken English;
  • A positive attitude towards experiential learning;
  • Ability to work as a positive and respectful member of a team.

Can I take the course if I am not a native speaker of English?

Being a native speaker is not a requirement, and many non-native speakers have successfully completed the course. You must be a fluent speaker of English, though, and be able to successfully communicate in written and spoken English.

Non-native speakers need a minimum TOEFL score of 550 for the written test or 213 for the computerized version, or an IELTS Band 6.0 or higher. This is equivalent to a level B2/C1 on the Common European Framework.

Please note that if you are considering applying for the course you do not need to go and take one of these language tests specifically for the purposes of your application. During the application process the trainers will assess your level of written and spoken English, discuss the issue with you, and make their decision based on this.

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What kind of job will I be able to get with this certificate?

The certificate is issued by World Learning SIT Graduate Institute, a US accredited institute of higher learning.

This certificate will qualify you for an entry-level teaching position at most of the respected ESL/EFL language schools around the world. If you check out the Job Boards at Dave's ESL Cafe, you'll see that a certificate is usually a requirement for an EFL/ESL teaching position at better recognized schools such as IH and the British Council.

In the US, you will need an additional qualification to teach at public school, although this certificate may qualify you to work as an ESL assistant or teacher's aide. This certificate is accepted for most teaching positions in adult education ESL/EFL programs. This varies from state to state, and you should check with your local authorities for more detail.

Am I guaranteed a certificate if I take the course?

observing a fun lesson

Absolutely not. This is a performance based course, and only those who meet all of the assessment criteria by the end of the course are entitled to a certificate. This is what makes the SIT TESOL Certificate valuable to you and potential employers - having it means that you were able to successfully meet the course goals.

However, most people who take the course are successful, and do get the certificate. During the screening process we make every effort to determine that the course is right for you and you have the potential to complete it. Furthermore, participants in danger of failing are made aware of this fact, in writing, before the course is completed. In this way the participant can work with the trainers to attempt to meet specific aspects of the assessment criteria before the course is done. Students in danger of failing are given extra coaching and assistance by the trainers, and every effort is made to help them succeed.

I found Bob's Deluxe TEFL Course online, and it is much cheaper. Why should I take your course?

There are only a few TESOL courses that are internationally recognised. The CELTA, Trinity, and SIT TESOL certificates are three of the better known pre-service TESOL qualifications. You can read more about this here and here.

When you are deciding which course to take, there are three key things that you should check as a sign of quality:

  • Is the course externally assessed?
  • Is there a practice teaching component, involving real TESOL learners?
  • Are the trainers experienced ESL/EFL teachers? Are they experienced and accredited trainers?

For the World Learning SIT Graduate Institute TESOL Certificate Course, the answers to all of the above questions is "yes". I am not personally familiar with Bob's Deluxe TEFL Course, but I am guessing the answer to the above questions for that one is "no". (back to top)

Why should I take the course at your site?

Maybe you shouldn't. Where would you like to teach once you are certified? Bulgaria is a good starting point if you would like to work in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Middle East or Central Asia. If you are planning to work in Latin America, we would heartily recommend Mary Scholl's course in Costa Rica. For those wanting work in Asia, you could consider one of the courses offered in Thailand.

Here are some good reasons to take the course here, though:

  • Our two course trainers are the founders and directors of the Institute, commited to providing the best course possible in order to maintain and increase the good karma of The MODERN Institute.
  • Sofia is a beautiful city full of beautiful people. If you don't believe me, Google it.
  • We have excellent connections within Bulgaria, as well as in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and can help those who successfully complete the course in their job search.
  • Our commercial courses subsidise our NGO work supporting disadvantaged and minority groups in Bulgaria.

What should I do to prepare for the course?

If you are accepted onto the course you will be sent a pre-course task. It is an extended multi-part assignment that will give you an initial overview of many of the key concepts and topic areas we cover during the course, and help you to arrive fully prepared to dive into the coursework right away.

We also suggest, if you don't already have one, that you buy a grammar reference book and a dictionary and bring them along. We suggest books that are aimed at ESOL teachers and learners rather than denser "academic" or university level reference books:

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Do I need a visa to come and study in Bulgaria?

It depends on where you are from.

Those with EU, American, Canadian, Australian, or New Zealand passports can stay in Bulgaria for 90 days without a visa. For other nationalities, it is best to check with the Bulgarian embassy nearest to you.

If you do require a visa, we can assist you with this process after you have completed your application and been accepted onto the course.

How much will it cost to live while I am there?

See our housing page for details. By European standards, Sofia is still a very cheap city. Eating out at restaurants and cafes is very reasonably priced, and the food tends to be high quality and yummy.

Are there any reasons why I shouldn't take this course?

I wouldn't recommend this course for people who cannot deal with pressure well - it is a very intensive process, and it can be stressful at times. People with poor social skills can also find it difficult, as much of the coursework involves groupwork and teamwork. People who take this course also need to be open to feedback - learning and developing based on your experience in the practice teaching is the foundation of the course.

During our initial phone interview with you, we will try our best to insure that you are a suitable candidate, and that the course will be a worthwhile experience for you.

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More questions? Contact us.