30-Hour TEFL Certificate
Get Age specialization training for young learners, teens, or adults



Why 30 hours?
This course is a great option for individuals who are looking for an in-depth look at age-specific teaching. CIEE’s 30-hour TEFL Certificate is a deep dive into teaching English as a foreign language to either young learners, teens or adults. This course will help you land the precise type of teaching job you want, and over 3 weeks you will deepen your understanding of age-specific pedagogy.
This course includes:
- A structured 3-week course that totals to 30 hours of training
- TEFL instructors for assistance and feedback
- A community of peers to share opinions and ideas
- Access to valuable lessons with tools to effectively teach the age group you want
Course Tuition Fee: $270
What You Will Learn
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Classroom Management
Tools to successfully manage a classroom of young learners, teens or adults
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Age-Specific Pedagogy
Skills in teaching English to young learners, teens or adults
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Lesson Planning
Learn to properly prepare lessons for a specific aged audience
Course Outline
The 30-hour age specialization is a structured 3-week course designed with 30 hours of lessons and coursework. Students should expect to dedicate 10 hours per week while working alongside an experienced TEFL instructor and peers to interact with. There is a total of 12 lessons for each course; 4 lessons will be covered each week. The following are course outlines of the young learners, teens and adult specialization courses.
Young Learners
Click to OpenWeek 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.
Teens
Click to OpenWeek 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.
Adults
Click to OpenWeek 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.
Enrollment Dates
Click to OpenHere is a list of upcoming start dates:
Start Date |
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October 17, 2022 |
January 16, 2023 |
April 17, 2023 |
July 17, 2023 |

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 3 CEUs upon completing the 30-hour TEFL certification course.
Better When Bundled
The 30-hour TEFL Certificate course is an excellent addition to our 150-hour TEFL certification course. Become TEFL certified and cover all the fundamentals of teaching English as a foreign language as well as expanding your knowledge with the additional age specialization training. (Plus, when you bundle, you save!)
Bundle it upCIEE TEFL Course Comparison
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30-hour TEFL Certificate
Our age specialization course is made for someone looking to refine their skills in teaching young learners, teens, or adults. Course includes:
- 30 total training hours
- Quarterly start dates
- Online coursework for 3 weeks
- Support from a TEFL instructor
- Option to add on to 150-hour course
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150-hour TEFL Certification
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
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60-hour TEFL Certificate
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
Is the course right for me?
Click to OpenThis course is right for you if
- You are looking to land a precise type of teaching position
- You are already teaching and are looking to deepen your understanding of age-specific pedagogy.
- You’re teaching where TEFL isn’t required, but want to gain some TEFL skills
- You’re enrolled in the 150-hour TEFL course and want to add age-specialization training
- You’re looking to professionalize the teach abroad experience
Eligibility
Click to OpenLanguage 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.
When should I start?
Click to OpenThis course is designed to take 3 weeks to complete and offers quarterly start dates. If at any point you choose to upgrade to the 150-Hour Certification course, there are a few timelines to keep in mind:
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
What equipment do I need to get started?
Click to OpenAll course content is online so if you have a computer with access to the internet you are good to go.
Will I be TEFL certified after 30 hours?
Click to OpenShort answer: No.
Upon completion, you will receive a certificate for completion of this 30-hour TEFL certificate course. However, this is merely a deep dive into age specific training for teaching English as a foreign language. The international standard for teaching abroad requires at least 120 hours of training with practicum included. If you wish to complete a full TEFL certification by international standards, please refer to the 150-hour TEFL certification course.