Tefl Certification on Resume

What Is Tefl Certification

The Trinity College London's Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL) and the Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) are two widely recognized TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certifications. These programs validate core teaching skills, including lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment techniques. They are essential for educators seeking to teach English globally, demonstrating one's commitment to quality teaching practices and pedagogical knowledge.

The TEFL certification is highly valued in the industry due to its rigorous requirements and practical focus. IT is often a prerequisite for teaching positions in schools and language institutes worldwide. To obtain these certifications, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, though some institutions may require a bachelor's degree. The validity period varies between one to three years, with renewal requirements depending on the issuing organization. On average, preparing for a TEFL certification takes around 120 hours and is considered moderately challenging.

Should I Include Tefl Certification on Resume?

Job seekers should include their TEFL certification on their resume if they are targeting teaching positions or roles that require English language proficiency instruction. However, the timing of when to include IT may depend on your career stage and recent certification status. If the certificate is relatively new (within the past 2-3 years), IT's particularly valuable as IT showcases up-to-date skills and commitment to ongoing professional development.

In situations where the job description explicitly requires a TEFL certification or where English language instruction is integral to the role, omitting this credential may negatively impact your application. Conversely, if you have extensive teaching experience or other relevant certifications that demonstrate your capabilities in this area, including the TEFL certificate might not be necessary.

Geographical and regional relevance can also play a role. For instance, countries with a high demand for English language teachers, such as South Korea, Japan, and China, may place greater emphasis on this certification.

Hiring Managers And Tefl Certification on Resume

• Decision-making process: TEFL certifications demonstrate that you have the essential skills to effectively teach English as a foreign language. They can be a deciding factor in the hiring process, especially for teaching positions.
• Skills and qualities associated: Hiring managers associate TEFL certification with effective lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment techniques. IT also indicates cultural awareness and adaptability, as well as strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Industry-specific perspectives: In the English language teaching industry, a TEFL certificate is often seen as evidence of your readiness to teach and your commitment to the profession.
• Setting candidates apart from competitors: A TEFL certification can help you stand out from other applicants who may not have this credential, demonstrating your dedication to excellence in teaching English as a foreign language.
• Potential negative perceptions: While rare, some hiring managers might view self-study or online TEFL certifications less favorably compared to classroom-based programs. IT's essential to ensure that your TEFL certification comes from a reputable institution recognized within the industry.

How to List Tefl Certification on Resume

• Formatting: Include the name of the certificate (e.g., "Trinity College London CertTESOL"), the date of completion, and the issuing organization (e.g., "Trinity College London"). Use bullet points for clarity. Example:

• Trinity College London CertTESOL, March 2021 - Present Issued by: Trinity College London

• Certification number/ID: There is no standard practice regarding including the certificate number or ID; however, including IT can help verify your credential if needed.

• Expiration/renewal dates: If your TEFL certification has an expiration date, include IT (e.g., "Valid until March 2024"). For in-progress certifications, use language that indicates ongoing enrollment (e.g., "Currently enrolled in the Trinity College London CertTESOL program").

• Certifying organization: Always include the name of the issuing organization to establish its legitimacy and recognition within the industry. Example:

• Cambridge CELTA, June 2019 Issued by: Cambridge English Language Assessment

Where to List Tefl Certification on Resume

• Dedicated certifications section: If you have multiple certifications, create a separate section dedicated to them. Example:

• Certifications

• Trinity College London CertTESOL, March 2021 - Present Issued by: Trinity College London

• Cambridge CELTA, June 2019 Issued by: Cambridge English Language Assessment

• Education section: If you don't have a dedicated certifications section, consider listing your TEFL certificate within your education section, especially if IT's a recent accomplishment.

• Summary: Briefly mentioning your TEFL certification in your summary can help highlight its relevance to the position you're applying for.

• Multiple placements: If you have more than one TEFL certification, list them in reverse chronological order by completion date, with the most recent first.

• Order/hierarchy: Prioritize your certifications based on their relevance to the position you're applying for and the industry standards. The TEFL certificate, being a specialized teaching credential, should be listed near the top of the certifications section if applicable.

Examples of How to List Tefl Certification on Resume

Example 1 - For a Technical Resume

Skills & Certifications

Trinity College London CertTESOL, March 2021 - Present Demonstrating expertise in teaching English as a foreign language.

In this format, the Tefl Certification is listed under "Skills & Certifications" section, which is common for technical resumes focusing on a candidate's skills and qualifications. This presentation highlights the certification as a valuable asset to the applicant's skillset, making IT easily visible among other abilities.

Example 2 - For a Recent Graduate

Education & Certifications

Trinity College London CertTESOL, March 2021 - Present Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, XYZ University, May 2020

For recent graduates, IT is common to list educational and certification achievements together. This format places the Tefl Certification alongside the applicant's most recent degree, emphasizing their continued commitment to learning and professional development.

Example 3 - In a Dedicated Certifications Section

Certifications & Licenses

Trinity College London CertTESOL, March 2021 - Present

Some resumes have a dedicated section for certifications and licenses. This format allows the applicant to showcase their professional training in a concise manner while separating IT from other sections like education or work experience. This approach can be beneficial when an applicant has multiple certifications that they want to highlight equally.

Example 4 - In a Skills-First Resume Format

Core Competencies & Accomplishments

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Trinity College London CertTESOL, March 2021 - Present) Communication (Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, XYZ University, May 2020) Cross-Cultural Understanding (Experience with diverse students and team members)

In a skills-first resume format, the applicant highlights their core competencies before delving into specific educational or work experiences. This approach helps to immediately showcase an applicant's most important abilities while making IT easy for recruiters to understand their value proposition. In this example, the Tefl Certification is grouped with related skills such as communication and cross-cultural understanding, demonstrating the applicant's expertise in teaching English.