TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certification Courses
in Chicago, IL

Oxford Seminars is the leading provider of TESOL/TESL/TEFL certification courses in Chicago, IL. Get certified and join thousands of our graduates teaching English all around the world.

Oxford Seminars Chicago course
held live via Zoom  
Course Details
Course held over 3 weekends:
July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
8am to 5pm
Course #6425

Oxford Seminars Chicago course
held live via Zoom  
Course Details
Course held over 3 weekends:
Aug. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24
8am to 5pm
Course #6428
Enroll by Jul 12
& Save $100!

Oxford Seminars Chicago course
held live via Zoom  
Course Details
Course held over 3 weekends:
Sept. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21
8am to 5pm
Course #6532
Enroll by Aug 09
& Save $100!

Oxford Seminars Chicago course
Course Details
Course held over 3 weekends:
Sept. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21
8am to 5pm
Course #6464
Enroll by Aug 09
& Save $100!


Oxford Seminars TESOL/TESL/TEFL certification courses in Chicago, IL. are usually held at the University of Illinois at Chicago 1200 West Harrison Street Chicago, IL 60607 (This course is not affiliated with UIC). To enroll by phone, call 1-888-225-2480.

School districts interested in group discounts, contact Myra at 1-888-227-6755.


120-Hour TESOL/TESL/TEFL Course Outline

Day 1

Introduction to the Course/Materials/Assignments
ESL Warm-Up Games and Exercises
ESL Icebreaker Activities
The Effective Learner
The Effective Teacher
Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in Your Classroom

Day 2

Introduction to Educational Theory
Second Language Acquisition
Teaching Across Age and Proficiency Levels
Classroom Management Techniques
Lesson Planning
Living and Working Abroad
Cultural Sensitivity in the Classroom

Day 3

Teaching English Grammar
Sample Grammar Lessons
Teaching Vocabulary Techniques
Teaching Speaking and Listening
Teaching Reading
Long-Term Unit Planning
International Trends in ESL Teaching
Effective Cross-Cultural Relations

Day 4

Multiple Intelligence Theory
Teaching Writing
Teaching Pronunciation
Teaching Idioms, Expressions, Phrasal Verbs, and Slang
Organizing the Teaching Workload
Conflict Resolution Techniques
Teaching in a Multicultural Setting

Day 5

Lesson Coordination When Team Teaching
Testing and Evaluating ESL Students
Finding ESL Teaching Jobs
Writing Resumes and Cover Letters
Job Interviews for Teaching Positions
Pre-Departure Planning, Culture Shock, and Adaptation

Day 6

Teaching Practicums
Instructor Feedback and Peer Evaluations
Effective Use of ESL Teaching Resources and Activities
The Globalization of the Job Market
Finding and Using ESL Teaching Resources
Wrap-up/Final Questions

60-Hour Online Component

The Role of the Teacher
Applying Communicative Teaching Theory
Fundamentals of Language Acquisition
Creating Engaging and Educational Lesson Activities
Practicing Lesson and Unit Planning
Giving Instructions to Students
Analysis of ESL Case Studies
Reviewing and Applying ESL Theories and Concepts
Student Correction Techniques
Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in Your Classroom
Comprehending Grammatical Structures
Common Grammatical Errors and Misconceptions
Teaching the Twelve Verb Tenses of English
Creative Grammar Activities to Stimulate Communication
Teaching Adverbs, Quantifiers, Gerunds, and Infinitives
Punctuation Rules and Usage
Critical Evaluation of Grammar Lessons and Materials
Student Assessment
Technology in the Classroom
Completion of a 150-Question Online Assignment


10 Key Questions To Ask Any Potential TESOL/TESL/TEFL Course Provider

Choosing the right course is an important decision, and we want to make sure that you have all the information necessary to make the best choice for your future. Before you make a commitment to any TESOL/TESL/TEFL course in Chicago, we encourage you to ask the following key questions:

  1. Does your Chicago course include interactive ESL teaching skills such as ESL warm-up games, ESL icebreaker activities, and other interactive ESL exercises from day one of your course?
  2. Does your course cover cultural sensitivity in the classroom and how to overcome the culture shock that many new teachers experience when teaching abroad for the first time?
  3. Does your course cover the latest and most relevant educational teaching theories, namely, Multiple Intelligence Theory, Fundamentals of Language Acquisition, and the Communicative Teaching Theory?
  4. Does your Chicago course include finding and using effective ESL teaching resources and online ESL activities which will make ESL teaching that much easier and more fun?
  5. Will I receive all three certifications of TESOL/TESL/TEFL upon course completion?
  6. Do you have full-time job placement advisors who assist your grads in finding rewarding ESL teaching positions in Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, online, and/or locally?
  7. Does your Chicago course include assistance with updating resumes and writing cover letters, help with interview prep, assistance with reviewing teaching contracts before they are signed, support with obtaining work visas, and aid in pre-departure planning?
  8. Do overseas ESL school directors find your graduates better trained and better prepared to teach ESL from day one than graduates from competitors’ courses?
  9. Do you currently have more overseas ESL schools wanting to hire your graduates than you have students enrolled in your courses?
  10. For how many years/decades have you been running certification courses in Chicago and in how many countries have your past graduates taught ESL in?

By asking these important questions, you’ll see that Oxford Seminars offers an unmatched value and quality that other programs simply can't match. If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here to help guide you towards the best decision for your future.

Thank you for considering Oxford Seminars as you explore your TESOL/TESL/TEFL certification options. We look forward to helping you begin your exciting journey teaching ESL!


Course Reviews


    "Best teacher and course I've had in years. Unique teaching style and very effective."
    - E.K., Lisle, IL
    "Very useful and beneficial for understanding the world of TEFL as well as your role as an instructor."
    - J.O., Chicago, IL
    "I really enjoyed taking this course. It helped me build my confidence as a TESOL/TEFL/TESL instructor."
    - C.P., Chicago, IL
    "I would not have felt prepared to work as an ESL teacher without this course."
    - E.B., Morris, IL
    "If someone wants to teach abroad the course is full of useful information and instruction."
    - B.S., Chicago, IL
    Our instructor was phenomenal. He's the type of person who makes me feel excited to be a future educator. Comical, well prepared and helpful, very informative, and gave us many opportunities to teach.
    - N.L., Chicago, IL
    I loved gaining my TESOL certificate. The instructor was exciting and fun and I learned a lot in his lessons.
    - M.C., Playa Del Ray, CA
    I very much enjoyed our instructor and the in-class component of the course.
    - Z.Z., Chicago, IL
    As a teacher endorsed in English as a Second Language, I expected to know most of the material. My real motive for taking the class was to have an edge on other candidates applying to teach in the competitive Korean education market. However, I was surprised by how different teaching ESL in America is to teaching in other countries! I learned so much and was very impressed by the in-class component. The pace, the amount of material covered, and the rigorous activities put my teaching on another level. I know that I have an advantage over those who haven't taken the Oxford Seminars Certification course.
    - L.J., Countryside, IL
    I found that this course will uncover your potential, while minimizing your fear of going overseas and teaching.
    - A.A., Chicago, IL
    The practicum was the most useful for me. Learning by doing was an excellent process for absorbing the material.
    - M.V., Waukegan, IL
    This is the most effective class I have taken for ESL awareness.
    - C.N., Chicago, IL
    Everything was hands-on. The instructor's activities made us see the language through the eyes of a new learner. We will use everything we learned in our new teaching jobs!
    - T.C., Aurora, IL
    The experiences of our instructor added amazing insight to the course. He was always engaged, and I learned a lot!
    - M.R., Gary, IN
    What made the class great? The instructor, classmates, meeting in-person (opposed to strictly online courses), practising teaching our practicum, and the stories and experience shared by our instructor.
    - P.L., Chicago, IL
    The instructor did a great job and I especially enjoyed her hands-on teaching style. She was a great instructor who had a lot of knowledge about teaching abroad."
    - K.B., Chicago, IL
    In addition to semantics of language teaching, I found behavioral concerns of handling class situations very helpful."
    - D.C., Chicago, IL
    The teacher's personality was very helpful to us as students, as she made the course easy to follow and understand."
    - M.H., Mount Pleasant, IL
    The teacher was positive, enthusiastic, and very knowledgeable."
    - A.C., Chicago, IL
    The teacher made it look easy!"
    - H.B., Oak Lawn, IL
    To be truthful, our instructor was probably the most effective teacher I've had since high school. My college professors can't even be compared to him. I'm so glad I met a teacher who was actually a teacher."
    - H. S., Evanston, IL
    I learned a lot from this course, including important techniques, concepts and approaches to ESL teaching."
    - V.L., Evanston, IL
    For such a easy course to get into, this was a very good resource. Not overly expensive or far away or difficult, yet gives very good information and plenty of resources, along with an experienced instructor who is more than willing to answer queries and assist one in getting into teaching English.
    - B.K., Iron Ridge, WI
    I liked the insight on idioms and phrases. I also liked the teaching simulation and the student teaching.
    - P.W., Kenosha, WI
    "I found the teacher to be most useful. She is very approachable and shows a general concern for her students."
    - C.P., Franklin, WI
    I have been to many seminars and classes and this has been by far the most organized, informative, and well executed program I have attended. I feel very confident and ready to teach English abroad thanks to my instructor and Oxford Seminars. I will definitely refer all my friends and classmates to Oxford Seminars for their TESOL/TESL/TEFL classes."
    - T.C., Milwaukee, WI
    The instructor has been incredibly helpful, energetic, motivating and truly a pleasure to work with."
    - M.J., Milwaukee, WI
    The instructor was amazing. She made us feel welcome and excited to be in class. She was super positive and was always encouraging. The textbooks were very useful and I will take them as references when I go abroad. This course was very beneficial and I really enjoyed it."
    - C.D., Milwaukee, WI
    The amount of hands-on experience we got with all aspects of teaching being used during our own learning process was great.
    - B.V. Appleton, WI
    The instructor did an excellent job using teaching methods and examples useful in ESL teaching itself to teach ESL vocabulary, skills, methodology, etc. Very well done!
    - D.E., Watertown, WI
    I admittedly was a bit sceptical at first. However, the class was a great introduction and overview of the profession and skills needed to succeed. It very much put my mind at ease about everything from preparation to grammar skills needed to teach abroad.
    - C.P., Madison, WI
    The opportunity to create my own lesson and receive feedback from the class and instructor was extremely valuable.
    - S.C., Sauk City, WI
    We were lucky enough to be taught by someone with a huge amount of experience as an ESL instructor. That was most useful.
    - O.S., Evansville, WI
Nearby courses
July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
July 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
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