>> FAQ's

General TEFL Questions:

What is the difference between the acronyms, "TEFL" and "TESOL"?
Essentially, there is no difference between these acronyms. They are simply alternative terms used to describe the teaching of the English Language by native or proficient English speakers to those that do not speak the language. Thus, a certificate in TEFL or in TESOL is the same thing. Employers from all over the world will accept either as a suitable qualification for a teaching position.

Can I get a job without a TEFL-TESOL certificate?
It is possible to secure a teaching job without a TEFL-TESOL certificate, especially in less developed countries. However, teaching without a certificate is becoming more and more difficult as the industry becomes more competitive. Furthermore, positions that do not require certification usually pay less.

Which TEFL-TESOL course is right for me?
The answer to this question is 'depends on your goals'.

If your goal is to be a strong candidate for TEFL-TESOL jobs on the international market then you should choose a course whose estimated length is 150 hours minimum. This is what is generally accepted as a full initial TEFL-TESOL certificate and employers around the globe usually expect this minimum amount of hours.

It is also an important consideration whether the course includes a minimum 6 hours' teaching practice and is accredited by an external independent TEFL-TESOL accrediting body. Employers tend to look more favourably upon courses that meet such requirements.

If your goal, however, is to gain an overview of current methodology and practice in the world of TEFL-TESOL then a shorter introductory course might be appropriate.

If your goal is to specialize in an area of TEFL-TESOL such as Teaching Young Learners or Teaching English for Business then a good option is to take a specialization course upon completion of your initial TEFL-TESOL certificate course.

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Prerequisites For Teaching English as a Foreign Language:

Do I need a university or college degree?
Although not required to teach English overseas, it is recommended. At a minimum, you should at least hold qualifications for entry to higher education (tertiary level) in your home country.

Our course will fully prepare you to teach English overseas, but if you do not have the aforementioned qualifications, you will have to demonstrate to Anglo Centres TEFL's staff that you are a suitable candidate for the course.

Do I need to know the language of the country in which I plan to teach?
No. Anglo Centres TEFL trains its instructors to use the "Communicative Approach". When using this approach, only English is used in the classrooms, even for beginners.

Do I need to be a native English speaker to take the course?
No. However, applicants for whom English is a second language or foreign language must demonstrate advanced English language skills in order to attend the course.

Do I need to have previous teaching experience?
No. Anglo Centres TEFL adequately prepares you for teaching English abroad by providing you with lots of classroom time in front of real students.

Do I need to have an advanced knowledge of grammar?
No. Our course caters to those who do not already possess advanced grammar knowledge. We do, however, provide students with a large amount of grammar instruction to prepare them for the classroom.

Do I need to have a visa or work permit?
Anglo Centres TEFL encourages those that plan to teach English overseas to check with the Embassy or Consulate of the country in which they wish to work (visit www.embassyworld.com for more information). Anglo Centres TEFL will also give you personalized advice and assistance in meeting all visa requirements.

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All About Anglo Centres TEFL:

Why Anglo Centres TEFL?
If you want to successfully teach English overseas and have fun while learning how to do so, Anglo Centres TEFL is the program for you. With the TEFL-TESOL certification you will earn after your course, you can teach English anywhere in the world.

What makes Anglo Centres TEFL a cut above other programs is the connections it allows you to create while still taking the course. Unlike most cities where TEFL-TESOL courses are offered, Tarragona is not saturated with English teachers. At Anglo Centres TEFL, you can start laying the foundation for your future career while studying.

Anglo Centres TEFL’s family of trainers holds high qualifications in TEFL- TESOL training and years of experience. Our course provides candidates with plenty of practical teaching hours with real students so that you are fully prepared when you enter your own classroom. Our course is competitively priced and each student receives personalized attention.

What is the difference between the 4-week and the Combined course?
Essentially, both courses are the same in that they prepare you to succeed as an English language teacher. Picking the right course for you depends on your own situation. The 4-week onsite course is very intensive. The combined course allows the student to take the class at their own pace and from the comforts of their own home for most of the course; then you spend two weeks at our centres teaching real students. The qualifications earned are exactly the same for both courses. You need to decide which one is more suited to your situation, learning preferences and goals.

Does it matter which school I take my course with?
It does indeed. Your prospective employers will be interested in whether you obtained your certificate through a reputable TEFL-TESOL provider. Make sure you invest your money wisely and you take a quality course that not only gives you a certificate but prepares you as a teacher. They will also want you to provide references from the school you took the course with. On completion of any of our courses we issue a certificate and reference letter for your prospective employers as well as a course certificate outlining everything covered on the course. This is very important as it gives employers an indication of whether you took a quality course. Our trainers are always available to provide references to prospective employers.

Will I be qualified to teach English after completing the course?
Yes, Anglo Centres TEFL will provide you with all the training and experience you need to begin your English teaching career immediately following your successful completion of your TEFL-TESOL certificate course.

Can I complete the Online TEFL certificate in less than 2 weeks?
No. For online courses to have international recognition they need to be guided by similar principles to residential ones. The Online TEFL Certificate is a 150+ hour course with content representing the online equivalent of the residential 4-week TEFL certificate course. While different people work at different speeds it'd be difficult to complete this course in less than 4 weeks. In our experience employers do not look favourably on courses that do not meet these criteria. There are TEFL providers who offer courses that allow candidates to obtain a certificate cheaply in very short periods of time. Beware of such courses as they tend to offer nothing more than a brief, if not superficial, introduction to TEFL that won't prepare you for the real teaching world. Such easy-get certificates are often a hindrance to landing a job with a good school. At Anglo Centres TEFL we pride ourselves on the quality of our TEFL courses that have been written by highly qualified and experienced TEFL educators and that prepare you for the real thing. The feedback we receive from our graduates has been extremely positive and they often thank us for the quality of our tutors' training which they feel not only puts them in an advantageous position when applying for jobs but allows them to teach confidently from the very start.

When do I need to arrive for my course?
We recommend you arrive in Tarragona at least two days prior to the start of the course. You need time to settle into your new home, recover from jetlag, and get a feel for your new city prior to being able to focus on the course.

Do you have a maximum number of students per course?
Yes. Anglo Centres TEFL is committed to providing one-on-one attention so that all of your learning needs are personally met. To do this we cap our enrollment at twelve students per class. You will never find yourself in a group that is too big for you to get the individual instruction time you need.

How much work is involved with the course?
The 4-week residential course is quite intensive and requires a strong commitment from the student. One can expect to be in class for about eight hours a day along with a few hours of work at home. Anglo Centres TEFL recommends students in this course have no other personal or professional commitments outside the course during these four weeks of training. The part-time and online courses, due to their flexibility, are usually considered less intensive. However, they are still challenging and will require you to study several hours a day.

What is the age range of the students on the course?
The majority of our students tend to be in their twenties and early thirties, but the composition of each new group often varies greatly.

Do I have to attend all of the classes?
In order to earn your teaching certificate you must attend all classes and teaching practice sessions. If you are ill, you must obtain a doctor’s excuse and will need to make up any sessions you missed. This is usually arranged between the trainee and the trainer or course director.

Who will I teach on the course?
The practice students are teenage and adult non-native English speakers. They are perfectly aware of your position as a teacher in training and are very cooperative. Trainees often comment what a pleasure it is to teach these practice students. The class sizes vary, but will never exceed 15.

Who are the trainers?
All of our trainers are highly qualified, with extensive experience in teaching and teacher training.

What is the grading system?
You will be continuously graded. There are no written examinations. The lessons you teach are graded according to an overall system and upon completion of the course, successful candidates are awarded certificates graded as follows:

A+   Distinction
A     Excellent
B+   Very good
B     Good
C     Pass

When will I receive my TEFL-TESOL certificate?
On the last day of the course, provided that you have passed both the theoretical and practical components. You will also receive a reference letter describing the Anglo Centres TEFL course and your personal performance during the course in a number of different areas. This certificate will ensure that you are able to show any prospective employer that you have completed a recognized TEFL course and are prepared to teach English overseas.

Will you help me find a job after my course?
All of our students and graduates receive lifetime job guidance which starts on the day you officially register as a student. You will have our guidance and assistance at any time during and after your course. Anglo Centres TEFL has contacts all over the world that can be invaluable in helping you find a teaching job worldwide.

How do I apply?!
Click here to access our application form.

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Living in Tarragona:

What is the cost of living in Tarragona?
Although Tarragona is by no means cheap, it is a relative steal in comparison to other, similarly sized cities within the Euro-zone. One can live quite comfortably on 1,000 Euros a month. Some basic estimates of expenses include:

Groceries: 50-60 Euros per week.
Rent: 400 Euros per month.
Transportation: 10 Euros per week.
Cable and Internet: 70 Euros per month.

Is accommodation included in the course fee?
No. Accommodation is paid separately, directly to your landlord. Anglo Centres TEFL will act as a mediator in helping you find accommodation.

If I decide to bring my family, can you help with accommodation?
We will do everything we can to help you find accommodation that meets you and your family needs. However, if you plan to enroll your children in school, some schools require you to have a visa or residential permit before allowing your kids to attend the school. Prior to deciding on a course, you should first research visa requirements.

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After the Course:

What will I receive after the course?
After successful completion of the course, each applicant will receive a certificate of completion of TEFL-TESOL training. The candidate will also earn the Anglo Centres TEFL Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). On top of that, a letter of recommendation is included with details of your performance and achievement during the course.

How much will I earn if I stay and work in Tarragona after the course?
The amount you will earn varies greatly from job to job. For an average 25 hour a week teaching schedule you can expect between 1000 and 1300 euro.

When do schools hire?
Language schools hire teachers on an as-needed basis, often meaning schools hire year round. There are certain periods of time when many schools have vacancies to fill, typically just after Christmas and New Years when some teachers do not return from holiday. Countries that are below the equator do a lot of hiring in February and March, which is when their autumn begins. In the Northern Hemisphere, September and March are the primary times.

Will I get a job?
Some of the lucky and often better students (those graduating with a top grade) find work before the end of the course or immediately after.

Within two to three weeks of conducting a serious job search the majority of students secure work. Our experience tells us that those trainees who are perseverant in their job hunting will find a job in a matter of weeks, be it in Tarragona or another global location.

Prior to graduation, we conduct job-seeking workshops to prepare you for finding a job. Our job guidance is a service we offer our graduates for a lifetime. So, when you are ready to move onto another teaching position in another country, simply contact us for help.

Can you provide assistance with accommodation, visas, etc?
We will provide you with all the information we have. We can also put you in touch with former trainees who have chosen the same country as their destination. They can provide you with details based on their own experience as foreigners in that particular country.

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