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.

A Quick Glance

CELTAOther Online TEFL/TESOL Courses
Course experience and approach to training- Has an emphasis on providing practical teaching experiences
- Offers access to classroom teaching practice
- Can be taken face-to-face, online or a hybrid of both
- Suitable for both experienced and inexperienced teachers
- Conducted mostly or entirely online (depending on the course provider)
- Suitable for both experienced and inexperienced teachers
Cost- Can cost around US$2,500–$2,700, depending on which centre you attend- Prices depend on the course provider and course duration, but one can expect to pay around US$300–$500 for a 120-hour online TEFL/TESOL course
Duration- You can also choose to take it full time, usually 4–5 weeks, or part-time over the course of a few months to a year- Most people would need a month or two to complete a 120-hour course, but it can be completed in as little as two weeks if you are extremely motivated or have more spare time
Acceptance amongst employers- CELTA is a popular and well-known qualification valued by many ELT employers worldwide- Accepted by plenty of Hong Kong school employers, provided that the number of training hours is not less than 120

Online TEFL/TESOL Certification

The terms TEFL and TESOL are often used interchangeably. They do not refer to one specific accreditation body, brand or standardized certificate. Some course providers describe:

  • TEFL as training for teaching English in countries where English is not the main language
  • TESOL as training for teaching English to non-native speakers in both English-speaking and non-English-speaking countries

However, these definitions are not used consistently. In practice, the course title matters less than the actual content, training hours, assessment and teaching-practice requirements offered by the provider.

Accredited online TEFL or TESOL courses are accepted by many schools and education providers in Hong Kong. They offer a flexible and affordable way to gain an entry-level teaching qualification, particularly when compared with more intensive programmes like CELTA or DELTA. If you do not hold a degree in education, completing a TEFL/TESOL course is often the fastest route to acquiring a recognized teaching credential.

However, acceptance by an individual school does not guarantee that the qualification meets the official requirements for an EDB NET position or the NET Grant Scheme.
 
Before enrolling in a TEFL or TESOL course, check whether it includes a genuine, observed, and assessed teaching practicum, as this is essential to qualify for the EDB NET Scheme.

 

Sign up for a TEFL/TESOL course:

Westminster College London - Accredited Online TESOL Courses

150-Hour Certificate in TESOL (TEFL) with 6-hour teaching practicum included

The TEFL Academy - Accredited Online TEFL Courses

120-Hour Certificate in TEFL Course

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.

Sign up for a CELTA course:

GPEX Central Hong Kong

(Apply using Eureka’s promotional code to enjoy HK$1,000 discount* on the regular price: GPEXCELTAEU. Early birds will also receive a free CELTA textbook.)

*This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or promotions.

Still not sure what is right for you?

*Please note we can only provide Hong Kong specific advice to those who are interested in teaching English in Hong Kong.
We are unable to answer enquiries about teaching destinations other than Hong Kong.

Disclaimer:  Eureka Language Services Limited operates independently from all course providers mentioned on this webpage. Completing the recommended courses does not necessitate immediate eligibility for our listed positions. In order to join Eureka’s teaching team, you are required to go through our application process, in which your suitability will be assessed based on various factors, including qualifications, experience, aptitude and passion. Under no circumstances shall Eureka be liable for any disputes that may arise between these course providers and their attendees.