Our Accreditations
OnTESOL is accredited and recognized by the leading Post-Secondary Education and TESOL/TEFL/TESL training organizations from Canada and the United States.
Learn moreUpgrade your TESOL/TEFL certification.
Get DELTA-equivalent training without the hefty tuition. Designed for experienced ESL teachers ready to master curriculum design and advance into leadership roles.
Online TESOL Diploma Recognized by:
TESL Canada
Professional Standard 2
Institutionally Accredited by:
U.S. Department of Education
Recognized Agency · Earn 25 CEUs
Equivalency:
Academically Equivalent
to the UK-based DELTA
Course Overview
The 250-hour TESOL Diploma is designed for experienced ESL teachers who want to refine their lesson planning skills, integrate communicative and task-based teaching frameworks, and develop expertise in curriculum design.
This program goes beyond lesson planning to prepare educators for leadership roles, such as Academic Director or Assistant Academic Director, by equipping them with the skills to design courses, evaluate ESL programs, and collaborate with administrators and colleagues.
This online course begins with advanced lesson planning strategies and concludes with a curriculum development project, where trainees learn to design their own courses and make informed decisions about ESL programs, workshops, and course materials.
Take your lesson planning skills to the next level. Integrate communicative and task-based teaching frameworks into professional, student-centered lessons.
Learn to develop effective, student-centered ESL curriculum. Design courses, select materials, and evaluate ESL programs.
Academically equivalent to the UK-based DELTA. Grow your career with an internationally recognized and accredited TESOL Diploma program.
Prepare for leadership roles such as Academic Director or Assistant Academic Director, equipped with the skills to collaborate with administrators and colleagues.
Accreditation & Requirements
This program is for experienced ESL teachers who completed their initial training with OnTESOL or a minimum 120-hour TESOL, TESL, or TEFL certification recognized by TESL Canada, CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL, or equivalent accreditation. Graduates of OnTESOL’s 120-hour Advanced TESOL/TEFL Certificate receive credits for the lesson planning assignments and the 10-hour live Lesson Planning Workshop.
On completion of the 250-hour online program, you will receive the 250-hour TESOL Diploma issued by Coventry House International – OnTESOL from Toronto, Canada. This 250-hour TESOL Diploma exceeds the requirements for English teaching jobs abroad and online.
Accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency.
Don’t meet the requirements yet? Consider starting with our comprehensive 120-hour Advanced TESOL/TEFL Certificate. This course provides in-depth training, leads to TESL Canada Professional Standard 1 certification, and serves as a direct pathway to the advanced 250-hour TESOL Diploma. Begin your TESOL journey with OnTESOL and upgrade to the Diploma later, receiving course credits and an exclusive 40% alumni discount.
Graduates who complete the 50-hour Practicum, have a university degree, and are native English speakers (non-native speakers must get a valid proficiency score) are eligible for TESL Canada Professional Standard 2 certification.
Save CA$199 when you add a 20-hour specialist certificate
Save US$160 when you add a 20-hour specialist certificate
How It Works
You can enroll any time and the course will be activated within 24 business hours. The minimum time necessary to complete this course is 3 months. The maximum time given to complete this course is 10 months.
The 250-hour TESOL Diploma is a semi-synchronous course, meaning that you must attend all the live classes in this course but you can study at your own pace within your course deadline.
Assessment is based on the successful completion of quizzes (7), assignments (8), and a final curriculum project with three (3) lesson plans.
Enroll anytime and study at your own pace over a maximum of 10 months. Complete the course in as little as 8 weeks.
Attend four live 2.5-hour workshops that guide you through lesson planning. These workshops are available monthly, so you can join when you reach the relevant course sections.
An experienced Teacher Trainer recognized by TESL Canada will be assigned to answer your questions, correct your Lab Assignments, and provide you with feedback on all your lesson plans.
Live Workshops
OnTESOL is the first accredited online TESOL/TEFL provider to offer live classes as part of a self-paced certification program.
Combine the flexibility of a self paced online TESOL course with live, interactive workshops that build the practical lesson planning skills schools expect from professional ESL teachers.
Your 250-hour TESOL Diploma includes 12 hours of live training with Senior Teacher Trainers: 1-hour Grammar Tutorial, 1-hour Phonology Tutorial, 10-hour Lesson Planning Workshop Series.
These live sessions strengthen everything you learn in the self paced modules. Learn alongside peers, ask questions in real time, and join group activities that directly support your Lesson Planning Lab Assignments.
All live classes are taught by Senior Trainers with extensive ESL teaching and teacher training experience.
*10-hour Lesson Planning Workshop: If you already attended the 4 live classes in the 120-hour Advanced TESOL/TEFL course, you will receive credits toward this component.
Across four 2.5-hour sessions, our senior trainers show how to apply methodology concepts to real lesson planning scenarios.
Learn the Presentation–Practice–Production framework and how to apply it to real grammar teaching scenarios.
Design vocabulary lessons that connect meaning, form, and pronunciation in engaging communicative activities.
Plan reading and listening lessons using two industry-standard frameworks with real-world material.
Bring authenticity to the classroom with task-based approaches and real-world material integration.
Review key grammar concepts from Module 2A with a Senior Trainer. Ask questions and clarify concepts before your grammar exam.
Explore pronunciation, phonemes, stress, and intonation with a Senior Trainer. Strengthen your understanding before the phonology exam.
| Session | When |
|---|---|
| Workshops 1–4 | Every Tuesday, 6–8:30 PM (Toronto time). New cycle each month. |
| Grammar Tutorial | 2nd Thursday, 6–7 PM |
| Phonology Tutorial | 4th Thursday, 6–7 PM |
Flexible schedule: Live classes run every month, so you can attend when you reach each section. Join all in one month or spread them out. Attendance is optional.
Syllabus
The online 250-hour TESOL Diploma program was designed for trainees who need to take a TESOL certification course at their own pace in order to meet other work or study commitments. You can enroll any time and the course will be activated within 24 business hours. The minimum time necessary to complete this course is 3 months. The maximum time given to complete this course is 10 months.
This module provides an in-depth exploration of teaching methodologies, lesson planning, and classroom strategies for English language instruction. Students will learn about various teaching theories, lesson planning techniques, and strategies for teaching grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and the four language skills. Other key topics include error correction, learner assessment, classroom management, and the effective use of teaching materials. Assessments include graded quizzes and three lesson planning assignments, which are evaluated by a tutor.
This module introduces fundamental concepts in First Language Acquisition (FLA) and Second Language Acquisition (SLA), exploring key theories that influence language learning. Students will examine factors that impact adult language acquisition, as well as semantics and pragmatics in communication. Assessment consists of four quizzes, ensuring a solid understanding of the theoretical foundations of TESOL.
Students will explore the historical development of second language teaching and analyze different teaching styles and techniques. Key focus areas include Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), Task-Based Learning (TBL), and controlled practice techniques. Special emphasis is placed on the Concept Question Checking (CQC) technique, which helps gauge students’ comprehension. Assessments include participation in a discussion forum, three quizzes, and multiple assignments designed to deepen practical understanding.
This module examines how to teach speaking, writing, listening, and reading, with a focus on understanding English language proficiency levels. Students will explore phonology, vocabulary, and grammar in relation to skill development. Additionally, a class observation component helps students connect theory to real-world teaching practices. Assessments include a discussion forum, reflection activities, and a major assignment to prepare students for their final project.
Students will learn the principles of curriculum design, material selection, and course evaluation. This module equips educators with the skills to develop structured courses that align with learning objectives. Assessments include a final project in portfolio format and three lesson plan assignments, allowing students to apply their knowledge in a practical way.
This module covers 18 chapters on grammar, ranging from fundamental parts of speech to complex structures like conditionals, passive voice, and reported speech. The final chapter provides ideas for teaching grammar, offering strategies for making grammar instruction more engaging and effective. The module culminates in a comprehensive grammar exam, testing students’ mastery of advanced grammatical concepts.
Students will gain a deep understanding of pronunciation, phonemes, syllables, stress patterns, and connected speech. Practical techniques for teaching pronunciation and correcting student errors are covered. The module concludes with a final phonology exam, assessing students’ ability to analyze and improve learners’ pronunciation.
What’s Included
Your tuition fee covers all course materials, tutor support, certification, and job placement assistance. No hidden costs.
Save with Specialist Add-Ons
Earn more money teaching Business English classes! This 20-hour course will prepare you for one-to-one private tutoring, in-company lessons, and Business English programs at major international language schools.
The 20-hour TEYL Certificate course has been carefully developed to address the needs of young learners. Perfect for public school teachers and ESL teachers who work with students between the age of 4 and 15.
This course will teach you the core elements of teaching a language online, including appropriate technologies and strategies to create your online program or prepare yourself for working for an online language school.
Help your students approach the IELTS test with confidence to get the best possible results! Explore strategies and techniques to teach all four papers (Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking).
Save CA$199 when you add a 20-hour specialist certificate
Save US$160 when you add a 20-hour specialist certificate
Optional and separate 50-hour Practicum not included in fee
Real reviews from TESOL Diploma graduates advancing their careers worldwide.
As a graduate of the OnTESOL program, I am happy to recommend it to teachers or potential teachers. Many of our staff at our school have taken the OnTESOL program. We look for teachers who come from quality teaching programs. Seeing OnTESOL certification on a resume means we know the individual has the foundation to become a great teacher.
I completed OnTESOL’s 250-Hour TESOL Diploma course, and, sure enough, that boost to my credentials combined with positive references got me a much better paying position with ADVETI the following school year. I’ve since been able to certify as an IELTS examiner, largely because of my TESOL diploma. Honestly, pursuing my TESOL diploma through OnTESOL was one of the soundest investments I’ve made towards my career as an educator.
Optional Practicum
The 50-hour Practicum is separate and optional. It’s perfect for people who want to obtain supervised teaching experience after the TESOL Diploma program.
30 hours of class observation and 20 hours of supervised teaching practice with adult ESL students of different levels. Graduates who wish to pursue TESL Canada Professional Standard 2 certification must complete the 50-hour Practicum.
There isn’t a deadline for completing the Practicum, so it is possible to complete this module for free after obtaining employment. Some TESOL institutes offer the Stand-Alone Practicum for a fee. Visit tesl.ca for a list of TESL Canada course providers in different provinces. Some language schools in Canada offer the Stand-Alone Practicum to our graduates, but they charge a fee to those who are not going to enter into a working relationship with them.
This program is for experienced ESL teachers who completed their initial training with OnTESOL or a minimum 120-hour TESOL, TESL, or TEFL certification recognized by TESL Canada, CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL, or equivalent accreditation. You also need a minimum of two years of ESL teaching experience and a three-year undergraduate degree.
The 120-hour course is an entry-level certification for new ESL teachers. The 250-hour TESOL Diploma is an advanced program for experienced teachers who want to develop curriculum design skills and advance into leadership roles like Academic Director. Graduates of the 120-hour course receive credits for the lesson planning assignments and the 10-hour live Lesson Planning Workshop.
Yes! Graduates of OnTESOL’s 120-hour Advanced TESOL/TEFL Certificate receive credits for the lesson planning assignments and the 10-hour live Lesson Planning Workshop. OnTESOL graduates who upgrade also receive a 40% discount during registration.
The 50-hour Practicum is separate and optional. It is required only if you wish to pursue TESL Canada Professional Standard 2 certification. There isn’t a deadline for completing the Practicum, so it is possible to complete this module for free after obtaining employment.
The minimum time necessary to complete this course is 3 months. The maximum time given to complete this course is 10 months. You can enroll any time and the course will be activated within 24 business hours.
Yes, the 250-hour TESOL Diploma is academically equivalent to the UK-based DELTA. You get DELTA-equivalent training without the hefty tuition.
Ready to Advance Your Career?
Take your teaching career to the next level with DELTA-equivalent training. Enroll today and start studying at your own pace.
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