
180-Hour TEFL Certificate
Online TEFL Certification Course With Age Specialized Training
Why 180 Hours?
This 180-hour TEFL certification is designed for aspiring teachers who want to go above and beyond. It includes CIEE TEFL’s premium 150-Hour TEFL Certification Course with additional age specialized training that comes with the 30-Hour TEFL Certificate Course. With 180 hours of TEFL certification, you’ll be extremely competitive in the job market, and prepared to effectively teach young learners, teens, or adults.
CIEE TEFL classes are capped at 16 students, allowing you to engage in meaningful discussions with your classmates. Many alumni build relationships with classmates that last beyond the end of the course!
Each class is assigned a highly qualified TEFL instructor who will provide you with individual feedback and support. The CIEE TEFL instructors also lead live, weekly class sessions to review important concepts and how to apply them in the classroom.
Are you working or a full-time student? No problem! You’ll have the flexibility of completing the 12-15 hours of weekly course work whenever it is convenient for you.
This Course Includes:
- Accredited TEFL certification
- Total of 160 hours of online course work
- 20-hour practicum component Benefits of a TEFL practicum
- Dedicated TEFL instructor Meet the CIEE TEFL instructor team
- Specialization in teaching young learners, teens, or adults
- Lifetime Job Placement Assistance
Course Tuition Fee: $1,295
Course Outline
The 180-Hour TEFL Certification course includes our flagship 150-Hour TEFL Certification course, followed by the 30-hour TEFL Certificate course. After completing the 150-hour TEFL Certification course, we will enroll you in the 30-hour TEFL Certificate course. This age specialization training is a structured 3-week course focused on the age group of your choice, designed with 30 hours of lessons and coursework. Check out a snapshot of what you can expect to learn.
150-Hour TEFL Certification
Week 1) Pre-Course – Intro to course and how to navigate
Virtually meet your classmates, get comfortable with the online Canvas platform, and prepare yourself for what’s to come over the next 10 weeks.
Week 2) The World of TEFL
Why learn English in the first place, a look at the types of English learners, and an introduction to fundamental concepts from the intercultural field.
Week 3) Teaching the English Language
Week 4) Learning Vocabulary
Explore principles of vocabulary and grammar, learn to explain parts of speech and sentence structure, and develop strategies for helping learners retain vocabulary.
Week 5) Teaching Grammar
Examine the importance of grammar, discover how to practice verb tense in a group setting and learn practical solutions for correcting errors. Plus, you’ll learn to make grammar more fun and less dry!
Week 6) Teaching Receptive Skills
Analyze fundamentals of using reading and listening in context as a tool for learning and learn methods to test for comprehension and understanding.
Week 7) Teaching Productive Skills
Discover effective teaching methods for speaking and writing language skills, develop speaking activities that drive conversational learning and learn how and when to give constructive feedback.
Week 8) Choosing your teaching materials
Learn to supplement verbal lessons with visual aids and discover how to be effective at using your environment to provide a great experience. Analyze methods for using the board, body language, and facial expression to create a holistic learning environment.
Week 9) Planning Your Lessons
Create effective lesson plans and discover skills meant for getting to know your students and integrating content and language for everyday use.
Week 10) Classroom Management
Develop tools to increase motivation and participation. Learn to instruct multilevel groups and handle frequent classroom behavioral situations.
Week 11) Getting Ready to Teach
Discover tips to help you prepare for what comes next. Including resume development, approaches to interviewing and how to speak about your TEFL certification experience.
Overview of English language varieties with an emphasis on spelling and pronunciation, outline of different teaching methodologies, and approaches to teaching English as a foreign language.
Your first time as a teacher in the classroom can feel daunting and that’s why our 150-hour course includes a practicum component where you can get real life, hands-on experience before jumping in front of the class alone! Most teachers complete their practicum by working or volunteering in their local communities. These opportunities include observing a classroom, co-teaching, lead teaching, or private tutoring. Not sure how to set this up? Don’t worry! We’ll help you create a plan, from researching organizations, setting up practicum dates, and completing pre and post reflective work on your experiences.
30-Hour TEFL Certificate Course
WEEK 1: MODULES 0 – 4
Module 0) Pre-course: Intro to Course and How to Navigate
Virtually meet your peers, get comfortable with the online Canvas platform, and prepare yourself for what’s to come.
Module 1) The Young Learner
Identify the different types of learners and go over the language development stages.
Module 2) Young Learner Motivation
Understand your students and learn their motivations. Learn to observe multiple intelligences to better understand your students and their education.
Module 3) Classroom Management
How should you manage such young learners? Create class rules and learn skills on handling classrooms when they fall apart.
Module 4) Approaches and Methods for Teaching Young Learners
Learn methods for teaching as well as different approaches to teaching young learners.
WEEK 2: MODULES 5 – 8
Module 5) Providing a Language Context for Learning
Strategies for providing context and visual aids for teaching.
Module 6) Teaching Systems to Young Learners
The basics of vocabulary and grammar as well as practical lessons and games to have on hand.
Module 7) Teaching Speaking to Young Learners
Promote fluency through error correction, songs and chants for the class.
Module 8) Teaching Listening to Young Learners
Learn how children listen and learn ways to encourage listening in the classroom.
WEEK 3: MODULES 9 – 12
Module 9) Teaching Reading to Young Learners
Understand the relationship between reading and writing as well as the basic concepts of reading. Learn how to use stories and other skills to teach reading.
Module 10) Teaching Writing to Young Learners
Unpack the basics of writing and understand the approaches to teaching writing.
Module 11) Assessing Young Learners
How will you assess your young students? Introduce testing to your class and learn skills on how to create quality tests.
Module 12) Beyond the Classroom
Where do young learners learn English? Understand English through the internet and media, as well as hobbies and sports.
WEEK 1: MODULES 0 – 4
Module 0) Pre-Course: Intro to Course and How to Navigate
Virtually meet your peers, get comfortable with the online Canvas platform, and prepare yourself for what’s to come.
Module 1) The Teenage Learner
Understand the role of teenagers in the classroom as well as their motivations as language students.
Module 2) Classroom Management
Build relationships with your teen students and learn tools to manage your classroom.
Module 3) Methods and Approaches
Unpack the approaches to teaching English at the teenage level.
Module 4) Lesson Planning
What kinds of lessons will engage your teenagers? Learn about different learning styles applied to lesson planning.
WEEK 2: MODULES 5 – 8
Module 5) Getting Started
Get started leading your classroom with tricks on warm-ups and warm downs.
Module 6) Teaching Systems to Teenagers
Learn to successfully teach grammar and vocabulary as well as skills on answering conceptual questions about grammar and vocabulary.
Module 7) Teaching Speaking to Teenagers
Unpack speaking a new language and develop skills on encouraging speaking in the classroom.
Module 8) Teaching Listening to Teenagers
Create listening activities and ways to encourage language listening in the classroom.
WEEK 3: MODULES 9 – 12
Module 9) Teaching Reading to Teenagers
What is reading? Learn reading strategies for your students.
Module 10) Teaching Writing to Teenagers
Break down the meaning of writing and how to teach writing to teenage students.
Module 11) Teaching with Technology
Evaluate the internet and social media in EFL classrooms.
Module 12) Assessment
Assessing your teenage students. Learn to provide proper quizzes and exams.
WEEK 1: MODULES 0 – 4
Module 0) Pre-Course: Intro to Course and How to Navigate
Virtually meet your peers, get comfortable with the online Canvas platform, and prepare yourself for what’s to come.
Module 1) The Adult Learner
Understanding the basic motivations of adult learners and best teaching strategies.
Module 2) Classroom Issues
What kinds of issues arise in an adult classroom and how can you handle them? Understand the different abilities and ages in the adult classroom.
Module 3) Classroom Management for Adults
Learn to deal with problems in the adult classroom. How do you respectfully make a correction? Understand appropriate classroom language.
Module 4) Approaches to Lesson Planning
Gain skills on planning lessons for adult learners. What kinds of activities are best?
WEEK 2: MODULES 5 – 8
Module 5) Student-Centered Learning
Unpack the meaning of student-centered learning and learn how to apply it to your classroom.
Module 6) Grammar, Vocabulary, and Pronunciation
You might know grammar, but have you tried teaching it? Learn skills on teaching pronunciation and vocabulary.
Module 7) Teaching Verbal Communication Skills to Adults
Understand the listening process and learn skills to apply to your classroom and lesson plan.
Module 8) Teaching Written Communication Skills to Adults
Understand and break down the reading and writing process. Learn to assess reading and writing at the adult level.
WEEK 3: MODULES 9 – 12
Module 9) English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
Understand the meaning and kinds of specific purposes there are for learning English. Learn to design lesson plans and classes around this.
Module 10) ESP: Business English
Learn what makes business English so different and how to adjust lessons accordingly.
Module 11) ESP: EAP (English for Academic Purposes) Exam Preparation
The importance of EAP and specific characteristics of EAP.
Module 12) Virtual Teaching
Discover the essentials to teaching English online and the tools to do it successfully.
Dates
There are 180-Hour TEFL Certificate course start dates approximately every 2 weeks year round.
Here is a list of upcoming start dates:
Start Date | End Date |
---|---|
October 9, 2023 | December 24, 2023 |
October 23, 2023 | January 7, 2024 |
November 6, 2023 | January 21, 2024 |
December 4, 2023 | February 18, 2024 |
September 25, 2023 | December 10, 2023 |
January 22, 2024 | April 7, 2024 |
The CIEE TEFL Community
Learn more about the experience with CIEE TEFL's online course platform from CIEE TEFL alumni.
The Online TEFL course structure
Get to know the online course platform and what to expect as a CIEE TEFL studen

Accreditation
CIEE TEFL is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable authority providing objective third-party evaluation of education and training practices. CIEE TEFL is listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
As an ACCET accredited institution, CIEE TEFL awards Continuing Education Units (CEUs). CIEE TEFL graduates receive 1 CEU for every 10 hours of TEFL course contact hours. You will receive 18 CEUs upon completing the 180-hour TEFL certification course.
CIEE TEFL Course Comparison

180-Hour TEFL Certification
Our flagship course + our age specialization course is made for someone looking to become internationally certified to teach English abroad and to refine their skills in teaching young learners, teens, or adults. Course includes:
-180 total training hours
-Online coursework for 11 weeks
-Cohort of peers
-Dedicated course instructor
-20 hours of practicum
-30 hours of age specific training

150-Hour TEFL Certificate
Our flagship course, perfect for anyone looking to become internationally certified to teach English abroad. Course includes:
-150 total training hours
-Online coursework for 11 weeks
-Cohort of peers
-Dedicated course instructor
-20 hours of practicum
-Meets international qualifications

60-Hour TEFL Certification
Introductory TEFL course, ideal for someone looking to learn what TEFL is about. Course includes:
-60 total training hours
-Open enrollment
-Self-paced (must be completed in 6 months)
-Support from a TEFL instructor
-Option to enroll in 150-hour course
FAQs
This course is right for you, if:
- You have no teaching (or TEFL) experience and are looking to explore it
- You’re going to be, or want to be, a lead teacher abroad for a longer period of time
- You’re going to be, or want to be, lead teacher of your own classroom
- You’re looking to professionalize your teach abroad experience
- You’re applying to jobs that require a TEFL certification
- You are looking to land a precise type of teaching position
- You are looking to deepen your understanding of age-specific pedagogy.
Language proficiency: Participants in all CIEE TEFL courses must be native English speakers or maintain an advanced level of English proficiency equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) C1 level or higher. If a nonnative English speaker applies for a CIEE TEFL course, they must demonstrate their advanced English proficiency by submitting one of the following minimum test score proofs: TOEFL iBT: 95; IELTS: 7; CAE: 180; PTE General: Level 4; PTE Academic: 76; TOEIC Listening & Reading: 945 and Speaking & Writing: 360.
Enrollees must be at least 18 years of age or older.
Coursework requires reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. Course outcome and evaluation will include elements of all four competencies.
Students must be capable of using a personal computer, as all coursework is completed online. Students must have consistent access to internet.
A TEFL certification never expires, so you could complete it at any point in time if you meet the basic requirements. If you are looking to put your training to good use, then here are few timelines to keep in mind for if you want to:
Teach abroad: Begin your TEFL course at least 6 months prior to your intended departure date
Teaching at home or online: Begin your TEFL course at least 3 months before you apply for a position
All course content is online so if you have a computer with access to the internet you are good to go.
Part of becoming a successful teacher is practice! Putting yourself in front of the class will further help you to develop what type of teacher you want to be. This opportunity is something many online programs don’t offer. CIEE TEFL is dedicated to helping you become the best teacher you can be, and the required 20-hour practicum is going to help you achieve just that. It’s also going to give you the classroom experience most hiring institutions are looking for.