TEFL Courses & Certification

If you have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Education, then you may not need a TEFL certificate to teach abroad. For the rest of us though, TEFL is generally step one to beginning a career teaching English abroad. It will provide you with everything you need to teach English to students whose native language is not your own.

Yes, you can definitely get TEFL certified online! Whether you should get TEFL certified online or in person comes down to what your goals are though. See below.

• How to Get Your TEFL Certification Online

There are benefits to both getting TEFL certified online and in person. However, if you have no experience working with children, have no experience in a classroom, and really want an excuse to travel (honestly, same), then you should opt for in-person certification. This is because the practical experience offered during an on-site TEFL program is crucial for teachers who don’t have classroom experience. If you already feel confident in your ability to run lessons and command a classroom though, then you should be perfectly fine getting your certification online.

• 7 Things to Know Before Taking an Online TEFL Certification Course
• The Pros & Cons of Online vs On-Site TEFL Courses

Of course there’s a TEFL exam! If you want your shiny new certificate, you’ll need to pass the TEFL exam provided through your program. Before signing up, make sure your program is internationally accredited! Accreditation is what qualifies you to teach around the world, and without it, your certificate will be totally useless and you’ll have taken the exam for nothing.

• 10 Awesome Accredited TEFL Courses (& Why it Matters)

TEFL certification shouldn’t take less than 120 hours. If you’re getting certified abroad, this will probably be stretched over a month or two (or less if you choose an intensive program). If you’re getting your certification online, you should be able to set your own pace. Keep in mind that anything advertised under 120 hours is most likely a booster or refresher course, and not meant for teachers who have no classroom or teaching experience. You’ll also find options that go way above 120 hours, which are great for people who intend to make teaching abroad their long term career.

• How Long Does TEFL Certification Take?

Forever! Yep, you read that right. If you get TEFL certified through an accredited program, your certificate should be valid for life. Sounds like a great investment to us!

• 10 Lifelong Benefits of Having a TEFL Certificate

Your TEFL certificate is designed to provide you with everything you need to teach English abroad, even without teaching experience. That includes learning things like classroom management, building lesson plans, and how to teach grammar and other language skills, like reading and writing.

• What Does a TEFL Course Involve?

Yes, there are programs that allow you get TEFL certified even without a degree. However, it’s important to keep in mind that many countries around the world won’t allow you to teach English without a college degree (any degree).

With so many TEFL courses available around the world, it can be overwhelming trying to find the best of the best. In order to find the best TEFL course for you, think about where you want to go, and what your career goals are. If you want to teach abroad long term, then why not consider a 500-hour TEFL diploma or CELTA certification? If you just want to teach abroad for a year, maybe opt for a TEFL course in your ideal destination. That way, once you have your certificate, you can jump right into the job hunt. It’s also a good idea to take a look at alumni reviews! As long as your program is accredited, you’re already on the right track.