Common Qualifications Required for
English-Language Teaching (ELT) in Hong Kong

When recruiting English teachers, school employers will most likely look for relevant qualifications. For individuals who wish to pursue an ELT career in Hong Kong, the most straightforward approach would be to study for a relevant degree or an English PGCE at university level. However, with a prerequisite of a Bachelor’s degree, graduates from non-teaching disciplines can also consider several pathways to establish essential qualifications in order to be eligible for English-teaching positions.

Dive into the rabbit hole of ELT qualifications and you will come across a lot of acronyms. If you have started your research process, you will most likely have heard of the ‘Cambridge Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults’ (CELTA), one of the most commonly recognised ELT qualifications worldwide. You may have also heard of TEFL and TESOL, which respectively stand for ‘Teaching English as a Foreign Language’ and ‘Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages’. There are numerous private TEFL/TESOL course providers and institutions out there, offering certification options of varying quality, duration and cost. In Hong Kong, quite a lot of schools accept accredited online TEFL/TESOL certificates as valid teaching qualifications, as long as the chosen course involves at least 120 training hours. We will provide more information about these qualifications below.

Choosing the Right Course

Every aspiring teacher has unique needs and expectations when it comes to career development, which is why it is important to do sufficient research before choosing a training provider. Try to consider the questions below to figure out what suits your circumstances best.

What kind of experience and knowledge do I want to gain?

Some teachers need guidance in the theories of teaching, whilst others want real-life practice in a classroom setting. Check with your course provider to see whether their programme covers what you need to learn.

What is my budget?

Prices of ELT qualifications can vary greatly depending on different factors, such as brand reputation, mode of delivery and assessment methods. Ask yourself what is important to you and choose a high-quality course that is within your means.

How much time can I commit?

Remember, if you are planning to teach English in Hong Kong, 120 hours is the minimum that most school employers will ask you to complete. This is also required by Hong Kong Immigration if you are looking to obtain a work visa.

What do your potential employers require from you?

The expectations and requirements of employers vary from institution to institution. Just because one school accepts a particular type of qualification does not mean all schools do. Identify the type of school you want to work for and check what their requirements are.

CELTA

The CELTA course covers the principles of effective teaching whilst allowing access to a range of teaching techniques and practical experience. The qualification is administered by Cambridge Assessment English, part of the University of Cambridge. As a result, one can expect the course content to be of a standardised quality across the world, regardless of where you take the course. Delivered only by centres authorised by Cambridge Assessment English, CELTA courses can be taken face-to-face, online or as a hybrid of both. 

CELTA is a reputable and internationally recognised qualification for English teachers. It also has a higher perceived prestige for obvious reasons. It is a good choice for individuals who wouldn’t mind investing a bit more to train with a world-famous education institution and gain more hands-on teaching practice.

Online TEFL/TESOL Certification

The acronyms TEFL and TESOL are often used interchangeably, and it is worth noting that the acronyms themselves do not refer to a singular accreditation body, brand or certification. Some sources have suggested that TEFL courses are generally designed for teachers who wish to focus on teaching English to students living in countries where English is not the native language, whereas TESOL courses are for those who are looking into teaching English in both non-native and native English speaking countries to speakers of foreign languages. Yet, the reality is that there are nuances as to how different places interpret the definitions of these acronyms. So, what really matters is what specifications are promised by the individual course providers.

Based on our experience, most school employers in Hong Kong regard both types of courses similarly. TEFL and TESOL certifications acquired through accredited online courses are accepted by many school employers amongst our clientele.

Compared to CELTA, online TEFL or TESOL courses usually cost substantially less. Conducted online, they also offer the flexibility of studying at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home. They are suitable for individuals who are looking for a more relaxed and economical way to obtain the required qualification.

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