Top 10 Free ESL Teaching Courses & Certificates in 2025

If you're a bilingual teacher and want to make yourself more marketable, you can earn an ESL teaching certificate online. This is a great resume booster after earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education or another teaching field. This article will show you a few online resources for obtaining an ESL certification without enrolling in an on-campus program.

Are There Free Online ESL Teaching Courses?

Yes, you can earn an ESL certification online free by exploring the programs we mention in our list below. These certification courses help learners prepare for endorsement exams, such as the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) exam.

Do Free Online ESL Teaching Courses Include Certificates?

You can earn an ESL certification online from certain programs. These part-time or full-time programs grant a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification and other accredited credentials. Earning these certifications can make it easier to qualify for bilingual education roles at K-12 schools and other institutions.

What Will I Learn in a Free ESL Certification Course?

TEFL certifications train students how to teach English to non-native speakers. These programs show you all the steps for patiently guiding children or adults through second language acquisition. This includes specific training on how to teach grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary skills in English.

Top Free Online ESL Teaching Courses and Certificates

Here are some organizations with online courses for ESL. These prepare students for certification in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).

1. American TESOL Institute

The American TESOL Institute prepares ESL teachers with in-depth study in topics like second language acquisition theories, linguistics, practical teaching methodologies, and more. This online course allows you to earn an ESL certification in Texas, California, Florida, and other areas of the country with a high demand for bilingual teachers.

• Cost: $295
• Program length: 200 hours
• Certificate included: Yes

2. University of North Carolina - Charlotte

The University of North Carolina - Charlotte has an online ESL program with 18 credit hours, designed for teachers who already hold a bachelor's degree. This program receives accreditation from the State of North Carolina Department of Education and qualifies graduates to sit for an ''A'' license as an ESL teacher in the state.

• Cost: $309.59 per credit hour
• Program length: Two semesters (full-time)
• Certificate included: Yes

3. University of New Mexico

The University of New Mexico has a 120-hour course for TEFL certification, available in a fully online format. It focuses on lesson plan development, classroom management, teaching language skills, using teaching resources, and more.

• Cost: $1,320.00
• Program length: Six months (self-paced)
• Certificate included: Yes

4. Maximo Nivel

Maximo Nivel has an affordable online ESL certification with a job-placement guarantee. This is also a solid option for working professionals who would prefer to complete the certification at their own pace. The delivery format involves interacting with a skilled instructor via Zoom.

• Cost: $445
• Program length: One to six months (15 online modules)
• Certificate included: Yes

5. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) offers ESL training for teachers who wish to teach kindergarten through high school. The program features nine courses, which students can complete at their own pace before earning a TESL endorsement. This credential requires students one face-to-face supervised teaching experience.

• Cost: $4,125
• Program length: Six to 12 months
• Certificate included: Yes

6. World TESOL Academy

The World TESOL Academy has a low-cost TESOL/TEFL training program with a certification available upon completing coursework. It requires 120 hours of learning, receives accreditation from Accreditat, and includes a seven-day refund if you change your mind after beginning the course.

• Cost: $34
• Program length: Two to three weeks
• Certificate included: Yes

7. Teacher Record

Teacher Record offers a 120-hour TEFL certification for teachers who want to teach English in China. The course material is fully online and available for 12 months.

Prospective students do not need to possess a bachelor's degree. You receive a certification in the mail upon completing the course.

• Cost: Free
• Program length: Two to 12 months
• Certificate included: Yes

8. BridgeTEFL

BridgeTEFL offers multiple certification programs, including a 120-hour master TEFL certificate. This counts for six program credits or 12 continuing-education credits for experienced teachers. The program promises a comprehensive learning experience with dynamic content, downloadable resources, teaching videos, and an interactive platform with tutoring support.

• Cost: $389
• Program length: Three months or less (self-paced)
• Certificate included: Yes

9. Teach Away

Teach Away has a self-paced online TEFL certification program with plenty of job support after completion. This certification requires 120 hours of learning, spread out over about six to 12 weeks, depending on your learning pace. This program boasts an 82% job placement rate among its TEFL graduates.

• Cost: $999
• Program length: Six to 12 weeks
• Certificate included: Yes

10. Premier TEFL

Premier TEFL grants two TEFL certifications. The beginner option costs $155, but its Level 5 TEFL certification delivers even more in-depth training for $435. The former is an entry-level program, consisting of 120 hours of content, whereas the latter features 300 hours of content and an optional 10-hour teaching practicum.

• Cost: $155 to $435
• Program length: Four to six weeks
• Certificate included: Yes

How We Select Free ESL Certification Courses

This is our ranking methodology for free online ESL certification courses. Our list identifies quality programs with affordable costs and lucrative certification options.

• Program cost: These programs cost less than $10,000.
• Program value: We selected certification courses with a good reputation for English teacher education, reputable instructors, and career coaching services.
• Certification options: These TESL preparation programs offer resources for student teaching, professional development, and/or certification options.

FAQs About Free ESL Teaching Courses Online

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about online teacher certification in the ESL field. This section discusses program costs, ESL teacher qualifications, applying for certifications, and other benefits to taking English pedagogy courses online.

What Makes You Qualified To Become an ESL Teacher?

Since learning English is difficult for many students, ESL teachers must devote substantial effort to earning a certification, learning how to be patient with new English language learners, and building student teaching experience. A TESOL certification is a great way to accomplish these goals in a shorter time frame.

How Do I Apply for the ESL Certificate?

You should check with your program facilitator to find the exact steps to earning a certification. Normally, there is a final exam or practicum requirement toward the end of each ESL course. You may also need to pay fees for the certificate even if the coursework is free.

How Much Does an ESL Certificate Program Cost?

Some courses are free, but most charge a tuition rate between $200 and $3,000. The total cost may be just one lump sum or dependent on the number of credit hours you complete during the program.

What Is the Best Certificate for ESL Teachers?

There are no undisputed ''best'' programs, but ESL certifications fall under the jurisdiction of each state department of education. These programs receive regulatory oversight to ensure quality language learning so that they produce competent ESOL teachers at the K-12 and postsecondary levels.

What Are the Benefits of Obtaining an ESL Teaching Certificate?

An ESL teaching certificate will train you in everything you need to teach students whose first language is not English. You'll learn how to develop lesson plans, teach English online, mentor those who struggle with grammar/vocabulary, and other essential skills. If you combine an ESL certification with your other teaching experience, it could open pathways to other teaching positions, often with higher salaries.

Discover Online Certificate Programs

Visit Learn.org anytime to learn about online certifications and coursework in various important fields. You can also use our website to find the most suitable online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorates, licensure programs, and more.