What counts as “teaching experience”?

You’re looking at a TEFL job advert that says “teaching experience required”. What does that actually mean?

In almost all these cases, employers are asking for direct classroom experience teaching English as a foreign language. For newly qualified teachers, that can sound daunting - but it doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of entry-level TEFL jobs out there!

Classroom teaching is the only experience that will meet those strict requirements. However, other kinds of experience - such as volunteering, mentoring, or workplace training - can still build your confidence, strengthen your CV, and prepare you for your first role.

In this post, we’ll break down the difference between classroom experience and transferable skills, and share practical ways to build both as you start your TEFL career.

What is classroom experience?

Let’s be clear: what does it mean when a job advert asks for classroom experience? 

When a job advert asks for teaching experience, it means hands-on classroom teaching. Employers want to see evidence that you’re capable of building relationships with learners, that you can work to an established curriculum and that you can perform all the duties associated with teaching.

“Classroom experience” can also include work as an English language assistant , someone who helps a language teacher carry out lessons, design materials, and monitor students' progress. It’s essential to read a job description carefully and see if it says whether ELA classroom experience is relevant.

It’s important to remember that there are plenty of entry-level teaching jobs in TEFL destinations that don’t require experience . The demand and the availability are there, whatever your level of experience.

How to get started in TEFL teaching?

The following routes won’t always count as formal “teaching experience”, but they’re great opportunities to boost your CV, build essential skills and get the confidence you need to start in TEFL.

Summer camps

Summer camps are a great introduction to TEFL, whether small-scale or as big and reputable as Camp America . English teaching summer camps will give you a flavour of what full-time teaching is like, but with more of a focus on games and participatory activities.

You can develop key teaching skills at camps like XUK , ACLE or Skouras . Working with groups of kids can be chaotic, especially for new teachers, so you’ll quickly build problem-solving abilities out of necessity! You’ll also need to find your teaching voice and improve your communication skills on the fly. 

Summer camps can be the step you need to confirm you want to be a teacher, and they can give you a better idea of the kind of career you want to have. For example, primary school jobs might be ideal if you enjoy the summer camp vibe and working with young learners . 

It’s also worth mentioning that, whatever your teaching style and ambitions, camps are also a great way to network and find references.

Tip : After finishing a summer camp, update your LinkedIn page and connect with people you’ve worked with. 

Teaching programmes

Popular teaching programmes like Japan’s JET and South Korea’s EPIK don’t need teachers to have extensive teaching experience - as long as you meet the other requirements, you can get your start in TEFL.

Teaching programmes typically include orienteering exercises and fantastic opportunities to meet like-minded teachers. They also give prospective teachers chances to explore incredible locations, with programmes available in countries like Spain ( Meddeas , NALCAP ), France ( TAPIF ), Hungary ( CETP ), China ( CEAIE ), and loads more!

You’ll learn from teachers, participate in cultural exchange, and see firsthand what classrooms are like in different countries. A teaching programme looks great on your CV, and you can earn your first TEFL salary.

Volunteer experience

TEFL volunteering experience is a way to forge a path into full-time teaching. It shows employers that you care and are willing to put the work in. Volunteering can take many forms, from working with established English language programmes abroad to helping locally.

Any experience taking or helping with classes can count along the line. It can take the form

of more formal experiences like volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers , which is a great way of building communication skills, organising classes for non-English speakers and using your natural empathy and understanding. 

Alternatively, you can draw on less formal experiences from your youth - things like Sunday School/Catechism, or volunteering with a lower age group as a volunteer sports coach. These experiences won’t get you a job, but they may have sparked your interest in teaching.

What transferable skills can I build on?

If you’re changing careers and starting in TEFL, here’s a tip: look back. When you reflect on your career, you’ll find something relevant to teaching. 

Many people don’t realise that training is an excellent transferable experience . Leading workshops, giving presentations, or helping with orientation for new colleagues are all kinds of teaching. 

If you’ve been in a supervisory or managerial position, you have skills that translate well to the TEFL classroom, including the ability to organise people, communicate effectively, and lead. Taking up a mentoring role can be useful - mentoring has become increasingly common over recent years and can be a path to a teaching career.

Whether you’ve given first aid training, run spin classes or led training in an office, all of this counts to some degree, and it all can be built on as you take your first steps into TEFL. Sure, it isn’t classroom experience, but these transferable skills relate to teaching.

So, what is classroom experience?

While summer camps, teaching programmes and similar experiences aren’t formal “classroom experience,” they can be a platform. You’ve got to start somewhere!

Yes, some employers might want to see direct teaching experience on your CV. Where that’s the case, look at entry-level roles instead. Those jobs will be where your qualifications, enthusiasm and quality applications matter most. TEFL is extremely friendly to newbies, and you’ll find something that matches your needs and skills.

So don’t fear your chances when you see job adverts asking for “teaching experience”. Every TEFL teacher has been there!

Find out how some of our favourite teachers got started by visiting our new, improved Graduate Stories hub today!