FAQ · CELTA, TEFL or TESOL?
TEFL and TESOL: frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most about TEFL courses, the Trinity CertTESOL and teaching English in Italy.
Your questions
Everything you want to know
About the qualification
What is TEFL?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. There are many types of TEFL certificate, such as weekend courses, online courses and face-to-face courses. However, there are only two accredited key qualifications: the Trinity CertTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and the Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults).
What is the difference between CELTA, TEFL and TESOL?
The Trinity CertTESOL and the CELTA are the only accredited TEFL courses recognised by both the British Council and employers worldwide. The qualification and the recognition are exactly the same; the only difference is that the CELTA is accredited by Cambridge and the CertTESOL by Trinity College London. Other TEFL courses do not have the same credibility and may not help you start your career as an EFL teacher. Read the full comparison.
Is your course validated?
Yes. The Trinity CertTESOL is validated by Trinity College London and recognised by the British Council and employers worldwide. Credits are also awarded towards degree programmes at universities in the UK.
Why shouldn’t I just do a weekend or short online course?
Most employers do not accept weekend courses or short online courses without teaching practice. The key difference is practice: on the Trinity CertTESOL you teach real students and receive feedback after every lesson from your tutor and your peers, so you work on your skills and on specific target areas. Employers look favourably on a high amount of real practical experience.
Formats and what to expect
Which format is right for me: Rome, online or blended?
All formats lead to the same Trinity CertTESOL certificate and take 130+ hours.
Rome, face-to-face: 4 weeks full-time or 6 weeks part-time, with total immersion and classmates in person.
Online: 100% remote over 6 or 10 weeks, with live sessions and online teaching practice.
Blended: 6 weeks, 2 online and 4 in Rome, with real classroom practice.
Not sure? Book a free 15-minute call and we will help you choose, or compare the options on our Dates & Fees page. We also offer short Teacher Development courses for qualified teachers.
Do I have to travel to Rome?
Not necessarily. The online course can be completed entirely from home, with no travel required (optional face-to-face teaching practice in Rome is available). The face-to-face course takes place in Rome, and the blended course requires 4 weeks in Rome for the on-site part. The certificate is identical in all cases. Our school is in central Rome, close to Roma Termini station.
What can I expect from the course?
The 4-week full-time course is intensive: there is a lot to learn in a short period so that you leave confident in the classroom. The part-time course is still intense but less demanding, and suits those with other commitments. A typical day includes teaching practice, feedback time, input sessions and guided lesson planning. You will also need evenings and weekends for assignments and lesson plans.
Requirements
Do I need a degree or previous experience?
No. A university degree is not a course requirement and no teaching experience is needed. You need a good level of English (about C1) and to be at least 18. Some countries and employers ask for a degree for work visas, so check the rules of your target destination.
Can I study a TEFL course if I am not a native English speaker?
Yes. Non-native speakers can become excellent TEFL teachers as long as they have a high level of English. They can even be better teachers than native speakers, because they can use their own experience of learning English to empathise with their students.
Do I need to speak Italian?
No, Italian is not a course requirement. You speak only English in your practice lessons, to give students a feeling of immersion. If you do speak Italian, it is a valuable skill because it helps you understand and anticipate your students’ mistakes.
Jobs and salary
Where can I teach with my TESOL certificate?
In Italy you can teach in private institutions such as language schools, bilingual schools and international colleges. At language schools you mainly teach adults, but you may also teach children and teenagers; our Teaching Young Learners course can help. You can also work as an in-company teacher, and there is a big market for private classes. You cannot teach in Italian state schools, because teachers are selected by the state and need a university degree and a state exam. If you are looking for work outside Italy, always check the requirements for public education jobs.
What is the average salary for an English teacher in Italy?
Teachers in Italian language schools typically earn about €1,200–1,700 net per month for a full-time schedule. Pay is higher in international schools and for specialisations such as Business English, and it varies by city and contract. Private lessons add roughly €15–30 an hour. These figures are indicative.
When do schools look for EFL teachers?
The biggest hiring times are between August and October and again in December and January. There is also a surge before summer (April to June), when schools look for teachers for summer camps and intensive language classes. We receive job openings throughout the year, so any time is a good time to get certified.
I am already qualified. Will you help me find a job?
If you have not taken the course with us, unfortunately we cannot help, as it would be unfair to those who receive their certificates with us. We only provide job guidance for our own trainees. If you want to develop your skills, have a look at our teacher development courses.
Visas
Do I need a visa to study and work in Italy?
EU citizens can study and work in the EU without a visa. Non-EU students can attend a TEFL course in Rome on a tourist visa for up to 3 months, which is enough for the CertTESOL. A work visa is difficult for non-EU citizens to obtain; a student visa lets you stay longer and work up to 20 hours a week, but it requires at least 20 hours of study a week, for example an intensive Italian course after your TESOL course. Our TEFL + Visa Programme includes visa assistance and job guidance. Non-EU citizens should also check the requirements with their local consulate.
Still have questions?
Book a free 15-minute call. You can also write to info@tefl-in-italy.com or call +39 392 772 7034.