TESOL recommends that an independent TESL or TEFL certificate program should be taught by qualified teacher educators and offer a balance of theory and practice regarding pedagogy and methodology, including a minimum of 100 instructional hours plus a supervised practice teaching component.

	TESL at TFLI			Other Programs
	140-hour TESL Certificate			60-hour TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate
	110 hours of interactive in-class instruction - greater than industry standard and exactly what schools are actually looking for when making the hiring decision			Less than industry standard instruction time
	20 hours of pre-class preparation			n/a
	Guided observations of a number of ESL classes before, during, and after the course			n/a
	Practicum: 10 hours of practice teaching in an authentic ESL classroom with observation and feedback			n/a (their "practicum" may really be only a research project and practice with peers, not ESL students)
	Learn all the essentials of theory and practical application necessary for success in the classroom			program content varies, generally offering a brief overview at best
	The British Council acknowledges TFLI as a reputable teaching institution.  Our coursework meets the highest standards; and therefore, graduates of TFLI's TESL program meet the criteria to become IELTS examiners for ELS and the British Council			n/a
	Learn to use various materials and course books popular in ESL classes around the world			varies
	Lifetime access to TFLI's TESL library and instructors			n/a, temporary "TESOL classrooms" rented from hotels or colleges, here today gone tomorrow
	Dynamic instructors with real-life ESL teaching and TESL training experience			varies
	Interactive classes with many opportunities to practice new teaching methods and techniques			varies
	Small class size of 8 to 12 students			varies, but don't be surprised if the promised "small classes" have 20-30 students!
	Complete the course in as little as one month (daytime summer intensive) or take a little longer with our evening courses			varies, generally the focus is on churning out as many students in as little time as possible.  Beware of "teacher factories"!
	Teaching Children included in every course			Unavailable, or pay more for a correspondence class on the subject
	Teaching Grammar included in every course			Unavailable, or pay more for a correspondence class on the subject
	Teaching Business English included in every course			Unavailable, or pay more for a correspondence class on the subject
	Teaching TOEFL test preparation included in every course			Unavailable, or pay more for a correspondence class on the subject
	Understanding and Teaching English Phonology included in every course			Unavailable, or pay more for a correspondence class on the subject
	Because of the intensive nature of our course, applicants must be able to produce university-level work and be fluent speakers of English.			Any "open minded" person who is 18 years old or older and speaks English qualifies to take these programs.
	Total cost (including materials): $2295			Total cost (including materials): varies, but one program charges $1095 for a 60-hour "Certificate" that doesn't even compare in course content!
	Cost per course hour:  $16.40			Cost per course hour:  varies, but is consistently more expensive per hour of instruction ($18.25 for the example above)
	Results:  Leave the course prepared to enter the classroom and teach fun, practical, engaging lessons.  Have in hand loads of materials for use in the classroom and when preparing lessons, and a 140-hour TESL Certificate with Supervised Practicum			Results:  leave the course with reams of information, but not really prepared to teach.  Have in hand a certificate that doesn't meet the minimum requirements of most employers.

The TESOL organization also provides this warning statement:

Please be aware that none of these programs is affiliated with TESOL, the association, including those with TESOL in their names. Although a teacher education program may have the acronym, TESOL, in its name, it refers to the discipline and is not affiliated with the association. Please also be aware that because this field is somewhat unregulated, there are some unscrupulous programs. In some cases, teacher education programs have been known to phrase information about their programs to mislead potential students into believing that the institution is somehow endorsed, accredited, or otherwise affiliated with TESOL. TESOL does not provide teacher education programs and does not endorse or accredit any teacher education programs. TESOL is a professional, membership association and does not have institutional members.