Frequently Asked Questions

If after reading through this page you have any questions about the INTESOL courses please send us an email at INTESOL@GoldStarTeachers.com.

What are the benefits of choosing INTESOL over other course providers?

INTESOL was founded in 1993 so has considerable experience and we have refined our course materials to keep them up to date with the latest teaching methodologies and theories over the years. Our courses are all accredited by ALAP and you will be assigned a teacher trainer who has solid educational credentials and many years of experience training new teachers. Our courses are delivered online which gives you the flexibility to study wherever you are in the world and at your own pace.

Are INTESOL courses accredited and recognized worldwide?

Yes there are. All of the INTESOL courses have attained full accreditation from ALAP ALAP (Awarding Language Acquisition for Professionals), a specialist ESL awarding organisation based in the United Kingdom. All of the INTESOL courses have attained full accreditation from ALAP. You can read more details on the rigorous Standards of Accreditation set by ALAP here.

Why is accreditation important?

Accreditation means that the courses run by INTESOL have external checks carried out on them to ensure the course materials and how they are administered meet their high standard. Bi-annual inspections are carried out to make sure this standard is maintained and you can be confident that you are receiving a worthwhile qualification that will be recognised by employers around the world.

Can I enroll in a course if I am not a native English speaker?

Yes, you can. You do need to have a fluent level of English, both written and spoken as well as good study skills. As a guideline, we look for candidates to have at least IELTS level 7 or higher to be able to take our courses. If you are unsure whether you qualify we can arrange a time to talk on the phone.

Which INTESOL courses include teaching practice?

The INTESOL 140, 190 and 220 courses all include a teaching practice component. First you complete the online components then you have two options to do the teaching practice. The first option is to attend one of our onsite schools which are located in England, Hong Kong or Cyprus. A second option is available if you can not attend any of these centers. The second option involves teaching students online via webcam. For the 140 hour course, only the online teaching practice is an option.

For the teaching practice component, who do I teach?

You will first observe experienced teachers. Then plan and deliver your own lessons to real English students in a classroom setting. Your lessons will be observed by your tutor who will provide structured feedback. You will teach at least 6 classes and students will be of different levels.

How do I register for a course?

To register for a course, click here and complete the enrollment form. Once we receive your application we will contact you with more details and payment options.

What are the options for paying for a course?

You can pay using Paypal, credit or debit card or by bank transfer.

When can I start my course?

Once we have received your application and the payment for your course we will confirm your position on the course and send you the log in details which will allow you to begin the course. At the same time we will assign you your course tutor. There are no set start dates so you can begin your course whenever you like.

Can I start applying for teaching jobs while I am doing the INTESOL course?

Yes you can. We can provide you with job descriptions for suitable schools based on your preferences once you begin the INTESOL course. We can then set up interviews with schools that you like the look of, usually conducted on Skype or by phone. Schools will want to hear about what you are studying in your INTESOL course and your views on teaching so it helps if you have completed at least a few modules from the INTESOL course before you begin interviewing for jobs. Schools will usually require your INTESOL certificate to begin the visa application process but you can have the interviews and be offered a job while studying the INTESOL course. Then when you finish the INTESOL course, you will be issued the certificate and the school will begin the visa application process.

Which countries can I teach English in?

The demand for English teachers around the world is enormous. Nearly every single country needs qualified English teachers and schools across the globe seek out people with INTESOL certificates. Even native English speaking countries such as England, America and Australia have a large number of foreigners living there in need of English classes.

Can I get a job teaching English without a TESOL certificate?

In a lot of countries a TESOL certificate is a requirement either from the schools or from the government to secure a work visa or both. It may be possible to get a teaching job without a TESOL certificate but the jobs are likely to be less desirable, in more remote areas and be lower paying.

What assistance can you give me finding a teaching job?

We have a collaboration with Gold Star TEFL Recruitment who specialize in helping people get teaching jobs in China, they offer a completely free service. You will receive personalized assistance and job advice based on your job preferences and have access to the latest teaching jobs. Advice is also given on jobs in countries other than China.

How long will it take to complete an INTESOL course?

We have a range of courses designed to suit your learning needs, these include 40, 120, 150, 180, 190 and 220 hour courses. The time it takes to complete a course will of course depend on how much time you can devote to it per week. Below is a guide to how long you can expect each course to take, the lower end of the scale is possible if you can devote a good 20 hours of study every day, the higher end if you devote 10 hours a week:
40 hour course: 2 – 4 weeks
120 hour course: 1 – 3 months
140 hour course: 1 – 3 months
150 hour course: 1.5 – 4 months
180 hour course: 2 – 4 months
190 hour course: 2 – 4 months
220 hour course: 3 – 6 months
There is no time limit to so you can move through the course material at your own pace.

What kind of support can I expect to receive during the course?

At the beginning of the course you will be assigned a course tutor who will be in charge of marking your tasks, providing feedback and correction and answering any questions you have. Most of the contact with your tutor will be via email and they are always pleased to help if you have any difficulties.

Who are the course tutors?

The course tutors are all well qualified teacher trainers with a wealth of teaching and teacher training experience. More details can be read here.

If I decide to do the teaching practice component, how long is it?

The teaching practice component included in the 140, 190 and 220 hour courses is 1 week in length. You will spend some time observing experienced teachers and then will plan and deliver your own classes. You will teach at least 6 hours of classes to students of varying abilities. Your classes will be observed by a tutor who will provide detailed feedback. For the 140 hour course teaching practice, it is done using our virtual online classrooms. For the 190 and 220 hour course teaching practice, you have the option of virtual online classrooms or face to face in a real school.

Where can I do the teaching practice?

INTESOL – Shrewsbury, England
INTESOL – Hong Kong
INTEOSL – Limassol, Cyprus

If you can not attend any of these locations, it is also possible to do your teaching practice to real students on your computer using a webcam. You will plan your classes and materials as normal and will deliver the class to students who also have webcams. We cooperate with an online education company that specialises in delivering online classes.