What is TEFL certification and what can you do with it?

It’s a fact: more and more people are gaining TEFL certification. Believe us, we’ve got the figures to prove it. Across the world, more people are obtaining a TEFL qualification, a world which is more accessible than it ever has been. 

It used to be that anyone aspiring to teach English as a foreign language had to complete a CELTA qualification. You had to go to a classroom in person to complete this qualification in order to be taken seriously as a TEFL educator. Thankfully, those days have changed, with course providers like us here at The TEFL Org providing more options than ever. If you want to study from home , stay in the classroom , or get the best of both worlds you can do that. There are a range of great course options out there, from the industry standard 120-hour course through to a Level 5 Diploma and beyond. 

Forgive us, but we’re pretty excited about how the TEFL scene looks these days. That said, there’s a thing that doesn’t get enough coverage if you ask us; what you can actually do with a TEFL qualification. 

So, without any more delay, let’s discuss it!

The kinds of TEFL certifications

So before we really get to grips with the differences between TEFL certifications, there are important distinctions between each:

• How much the course costs
• How the course is delivered
• Course content 
• The age of learners
• Study methods

These are the factors to bear in mind.

TEFL Certificate

The phrase “TEFL qualification” can be used as an umbrella term, including both a CELTA and a Level 5 under its purview. That said, we’re being specific here; we’re talking actual TEFL certificates. The industry standard number of study hours for a “proper” TEFL qualification is 120; you’ll see plenty of options for 120-hour TEFL courses online.

120-hour TEFL courses are extremely common, and for good reason. 120 hours of focused TEFL training will give any prospective teacher an excellent grounding in TEFL methodologies and theory, holding the key to all sorts of amazing teaching experiences worldwide. If you’re completely new to English teaching, this is the course we’d recommend, as a high-quality 120-hour course will give you everything you need to begin your teaching journey.

A TEFL course of 120 hours or more should take about 10-12 weeks to complete. Like Level 5 and in more recent times, the CELTA, there are online, hybrid and classroom options available. Generally speaking, a great 120-hour TEFL course will cost between £180-£340/$260-$530.

Level 5

Why’s it called a Level 5 qualification, we hear you ask? Well, it’s down to Ofqual . If Ofqual decides that a qualification is worthy of being deemed Level 5 (Level 7 is a master’s degree), then it can be described as such. A good Level 5 Diploma will typically set you back around £300/$400 at retail price, and they can be delivered in person, online or as a hybrid of both.

A high-quality Level 5 Diploma course provider will give you a decent amount of time to complete the qualification though it can be done in 12 weeks on a part-time study basis. Typically, a Level 5 Diploma will feature modules on methodology, grammar and in some cases, more niche topics, for example Teaching Large Classes or Telephone Teaching.

These are particularly good qualifications if you’re new to TEFL, speak English fluently and want to get started on a career in English teaching right away.

CELTA 

The CELTA is the oldest formal TEFL qualification: typically, it costs £1,250 - £2,000 ($1,500 - $2,600) to complete a CELTA, and they are normally delivered in-person, though online and hybrid options have become available. 

In terms of what’s covered, the CELTA is pretty comprehensive. The syllabus is broken down into five sections: Learners and teachers, language analysis and awareness, language skills (reading, listening, speaking and writing), planning and resources for different teaching contexts and, finally, developing teaching skills and professionalism. There are final assessments to be completed before a CELTA is awarded. Generally, the CELTA is completed full-time over a month.

A quick note on accreditation and quality

Whether you do a CELTA, Level 5 Diploma or TEFL Certification, there’s one very important factor you need to consider: accreditation . 

Accreditation is a marker of quality. If a course provider has accreditation from top authorities like Ofqual, then it’s a measure of their ability to conduct courses that meet the highest industry standards. Trust us: you don’t want a certificate from somewhere that hasn’t been verified and accredited.

The accreditation process - done correctly - is extremely thorough. If a TEFL course receives accreditation, it means that it passes muster with experts in the field, and will have real-life advantages. If a course provider doesn’t have accreditation, or it has “accreditation” from authorities you don’t recognise (and have a limited online presence), then steer well clear.

Teaching English Abroad

The most obvious thing you can do with a TEFL certificate: teach English abroad .

If you want to travel the world and teach in classrooms, having a TEFL certificate is the key. Wherever in the world you’ve dreamt of empowering young students and adults alike with English lessons, being TEFL certified will go a long way in getting you there.

From an employer’s perspective, 120 hours of TEFL study is the standard, and these certificates are highly desired across the planet. If moving abroad seemed like such a distant idea before, then we can’t recommend a TEFL certificate enough. Even if you don’t end up teaching for your entire career, a TEFL certificate is a fantastic way to start your adventures around the world.

Teaching English online

If you don’t necessarily want to teach in a classroom, then having a TEFL certificate can open up the world of teaching English online . This is a career with true flexibility; you can work when you want, how you want and as much or as little as you want. Make your home office a portal to the rest of the world, where you can meet people from anywhere and everywhere, learning about cultures as you go.

There are thousands of options in terms of work. The list of companies and platforms where you can get jobs or advertise your skills is ever-growing, with each battling to provide the best work/life balance, salary and opportunities for development. Or, you can go freelance; if you have that entrepreneurial spirit, gaining a TEFL certificate gives you the perfect platform for starting your own tutoring business.

Remote working has never been more popular, and if you like, you can have it all. Digital nomadism is on the rise, with more English teachers working online but travelling around the world as they do it. It sounds exciting, and it’s absolutely achievable!

What else can you do?

Now, call us counter-intuitive if you must, but we’ll let you in on a secret: You don’t have to be a TEFL teacher after you gain a qualification.

You’ll find that gaining a TEFL certification will make you eminently more employable, though - especially if you don’t have a degree. A TEFL qualification is evidence of your ability to communicate and understand ideas about methodology, the role of education and the ability to express ideas. 

A TEFL certificate also shows that you’re an organised individual. Whether you’re studying full-time or part-time around another job, the fact is that it takes organisational skills to complete a qualification. It also demonstrates your ability to perform self-directed study, using your own initiative and perseverance. 

Lots of people with TEFL certificates go onto teacher training. If you don’t feel the classroom is a perfect fit for you, or you’re more concerned with moulding teaching talent, it’s a great option. Similarly, you can become an examiner, as many TEFL certificate holders do, for qualifications like the IELTS. TEFL certificate holders also go into a range of educational roles, from working in administrative support at universities to content creation for educational institutions. 

In short, a TEFL certificate shows that you’re intelligent, amenable to new ideas, have curiosity about the world and a willingness to test yourself. These are transferable skills worth their weight in gold. A TEFL certificate is a handy addition to any CV. You’ll be amazed by the number of doors that open.

Try it for yourself!

So there you have it; a TEFL certificate is an increasingly useful qualification to have. Whether you want to explore the world as a classroom teacher or a freelancer, or you want to meet people from across the planet from the comfort of your own home, there’s a qualification for that. 

Whether you want to become self-employed or work in a team, a TEFL certificate can open up doors you never knew existed. You don’t even have to teach English as a foreign language, but you’ll find your CV looks far better for having completed a well-recognised and highly-regarded qualification 

Don’t believe us? Over 80% of our course graduates find work within 2 months of completing a TEFL certificate. So if you fancy a change, or you’re curious about what a qualification will do for you, why delay? Today can be the first day of the rest of your life!

Where will a TEFL certificate take you? Check out The TEFL Org Jobs Centre to see which opportunities await!