How to TEFL in 2024

Once again, a new year has arrived,a time when the new calendars are broken out and people consider their lives, careers and prospects. Could there be something better out there?

Could that be teaching English abroad? 

Whether it’s on our award-nominated podcast , in student stories or in conversation with teachers more generally, a constant theme emerges: people take up TEFL because it enables them to travel the world, become self-employed, follow a different timetable or myriad other positive reasons.

New year, new you? Yes, it can be. Make 2024 your year of TEFL. Though there are loads of amazing TEFL jobs online , we’re going to focus on changing scenery and working abroad.

Join us, won’t you?

Why TEFL? 

First of all: why TEFL? Why teach English as a foreign language?

The best answer is “Well, why not?”. Teaching English is a fantastic choice, whether it’s for a while or a lifetime. If you’re looking for a job that broadens your skill set, you won’t find a better one; teaching can boost your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, organisational attributes, ability to work with different groups of people, and so much more. 

Equally, when it comes to giving people opportunities to see the world, there isn’t really another job like it. Have you dreamt of waking up in Colombia , and taking on Latin America ? Or, do you envision yourself teaching across Asia , stopping off in Thailand , Taiwan , China or Vietnam ? Maybe teaching English in Europe is where you want to be, or you want to explore the hot weather and hotter salaries of the Middle East ? With TEFL, you get a chance to see the globe.

Not only that, you can make a very good salary doing so. Salaries in the TEFL world can, of course, be variable. That’s true of any industry. However, you might actually be surprised just how much you can save as a TEFL teacher.

While you’re seeing the world, and maybe even building up that bank balance, the social impact you can make is huge. Varied groups of people need English teaching, from refugees and asylum seekers to those working in top businesses across the world. Language is a great equaliser.

What is TEFL certification?

So, what do you need to teach English as a foreign language across the world? TEFL certification , of course.

It’s all very well turning up somewhere and saying “Hey! I can be a teacher!”, but you need evidence that you can do it. Like pretty much any other profession, you’ve got to have credentials. The more highly respected those credentials, the better.

TEFL, as an industry, has seen major change over recent decades. As we’ll explore further, there are loads of different ways to complete a TEFL course. It used to be the case that you could only do it in person, at specific locations, and you’d be awarded with a CELTA . Nowadays, there are various valuable TEFL qualifications, with 120 hours of study time representing the industry standard.

It might sound obvious at this point, but if you want to do TEFL abroad or from home, you need a high-quality certification. Consider a TEFL certificate as the driving licence or passport of the English teaching sphere. Accreditation is super important : you need to get your TEFL certificate from a recognised, professional and respected institution. Groupon deals are unlikely to get the job done.

How do I get TEFL certified?

When it comes to getting TEFL certified in 2024, there are more options than ever before. If you enjoy studying online, the industry has opened up to distance learning in a major way. Online courses are hugely popular, with several reputable (and many less so) outlets offering comprehensive, engaging TEFL courses.

If you’re after both the classroom and online experiences, then a combined TEFL course may be just what you’re after. These have the advantage of allowing for in-person, one-to-one tutor conversation and the opportunity to work alongside your fellow students in real life. Add to that an easy-to-use online experience for coursework and assignments, and you’ve got the best of both worlds.

Alternatively, if you prefer to do your study in person, then there are a range of classroom TEFL courses available around the world. Traditionally, CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL certificates - from Cambridge and Trinity College London respectively - were the ways to become TEFL certified. In recent years, the value of other, newer TEFL certificates has created debate as to whether CELTA or TEFL is better. Ultimately, it’s a personal choice, but either way, you can easily find classroom courses.

How long does it take to get TEFL certified?

The duration of a TEFL course can vary. Ultimately, it depends on the type of course you do. A 120-hour course can take anywhere between 12 days of 10-hour study sessions to around 6 months or more. If you’re doing an intensive, in-person course, that will naturally take less time than a self-paced online course.

Ok, I’m TEFL certified, what now?

Well, aren’t you progressing quickly?

Right then, you’re TEFL certified and you’re ready to make waves across the world. Your next step? If you ask us, it’s time to make a shortlist of countries you want to visit. It really is that simple.

Once you’ve collated the countries you want to see most, have a real think. What kind of salary is on offer? Is it a safe place to live and work? As for employment requirements, will a TEFL certificate be enough?

If you have a degree, then terrific! That’ll really help with certain locations where a degree is a requirement. However, there are lots of places around the world where you can work as a TEFL teacher without a degree . Similarly, experience can count, but there are also countless countries and schools around the world that are hiring new teachers, so don’t worry about becoming a TEFL teacher if you don’t have teaching experience .

Finding a teaching job abroad

How do you actually get a TEFL job, then?

In drafting up a list of destinations, you should’ve figured out what the demand for jobs is like. Using any job search engine, or The TEFL Org Jobs Centre , you can get a feel for demand just by seeing how many jobs are available in a specific location. Or, there might’ve been a government funded push for English proficiency. Keeping up with the news is important.

When you’re looking for jobs abroad, consider the following:
1. Do I meet the job requirements?
2. Would I want to work here?
3. Does the salary match my skill set and experience?

Recruiters are often a useful tool for finding jobs. It’s worth doing your research on recruiters - make sure they’re ethical - but when they’re reputable and come highly recommended, having people find work for you really speeds up the process.

Application and interview

We have loads of resources for both the application and interview process - whether it’s writing a cover letter , preparing for a job interview , how to answer the most common TEFL interview questions and which questions you need to ask at a job interview .

They’re all great guides, for sure. To condense them all a little, though, remember these key pieces of advice. Firstly, personalise each application (down to your CV) for every job you apply for. Employers will be able to tell if they’re getting a low-effort, generic application, and are unlikely to care much for it. Be curious; interviews are for employers to prove themselves as much as prospective employees. Finally, always remember to really think about your answers, whether it’s in the cover letter or interview; tie what you’re saying to the job’s criteria.

Once you’ve been offered a job, you’ll be given a contract to sign.  When it comes to getting a contract from an employer, make sure it’s to your liking. If there’s anything that doesn’t look right, then it’s worth consulting with your local legal representatives. If you’re in the UK, for example, try Citizens Advice, or the Citizens Advice Bureau in the USA. Don’t sign anything blindly - especially if it’s in a foreign language!

Time to move abroad

Happy with your contract? Have you sorted out your accommodation, picked out places to visit and even booked your flights?

Then it’s time to go! Firstly, you might want to consult our travel checklist , which points out everything you need to think about before you head off. That includes visas, documentation, what to pack and so much more.

If you’ve proven anything at this point, though, it’s that you have the determination, intelligence and enthusiasm to successfully teach abroad. If you’re able to, seek out some advice on online forums or with people who’ve become TEFL teachers overseas - there’s always something you might not have thought of.

Hey, look at you though; it’s 2024 and you’re about to board a life-changing flight. The rest of your life starts now!

Wondering which TEFL course is right for you? Wonder no more! Take our TEFL course quiz today to find out which option is best suited to your needs.