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[PrettyFlyforaChiGuy]

For anyone still curious to teach abroad, I taught in Japan for a few years then returned to the USA for a break. Just to keep busy, I completed a Groupon 120-hour TESOL after having already taught for years. From my later experience interviewing and hiring staff, I can tell you that even these certificates do help you stand out and show initiative. The course actually resulted in a raise when I worked as an classroom instructor in South Korea and Dubai, paying for itself in less than two weeks.

One secret is that any IELTS/TOEFL certification/coursework will also definitely help you stand out from the crowd; these exams (especially TOEFL) are still one of the mainstay topics of discussion I have when counseling students who want to study in the USA/UK. Surprisingly, few aspiring ESL teachers pursue this route, but the demand exists. Even free Udemy courses have significantly informed my current practice.

Keep in mind that experience is the best teacher, but if you just want a quick leg-up in the process, a cheaper 120-hour course really wouldn't hurt as a starting point. You won't get the classroom experience, but at the very least you'll show that you want to grow and have potential employers take you more seriously as a candidate.