TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It involves teaching English to non-native speakers, usually in countries where English isn’t the first language. With a TEFL qualification, you can teach abroad, online, or even in English-speaking countries.

Yes, non-native speakers can teach English. However, some employers may prefer native speakers, so job opportunities can be more competitive. A strong TEFL qualification and proof of English proficiency can greatly improve your chances.

Our courses are open to anyone aged 16 and over. While there's no upper age limit, some countries may have age-related work visa requirements, so it’s worth checking local regulations before applying for jobs abroad.

Yes. Most schools abroad still require a TEFL certificate, even if you're a qualified teacher, as it provides specific training in teaching English as a foreign language.

Yes. We welcome learners with disabilities. If you need any specific support or adjustments, just get in touch - we’re here to help.

No, Groupon TEFL courses are often not widely recognised by employers and may come with hidden fees or lack essential support and accreditation.

We’re the most accredited TEFL course provider, with certifications recognised worldwide. Our courses are developed by experienced EFL teachers and include dedicated tutor support and lifetime access to our TEFL Jobs Centre. While some courses may seem cheaper, our comprehensive training ensures you're well-prepared for your teaching journey.

TEFL accreditation means a course has been independently reviewed to ensure it meets high standards in content, delivery, and tutor support - giving you confidence in its quality and recognition.

TEFL accreditation means that a course provider has been thoroughly checked by independent bodies to ensure they deliver training and support that meets recognised quality standards. This includes reviewing course content, tutor qualifications, assessment methods, and student support. At The TEFL Org, both internal and external inspectors regularly check our materials and feedback to make sure they meet the highest academic standards.

A TEFL Org certificate is widely recognised and has helped thousands of graduates teach English online and around the world. You’ll get lifetime access to our TEFL Jobs Centre, plus CV support to help you stand out to employers. To help you apply with confidence, we provide guidance on writing your CV (résumé) so you can highlight your skills effectively and stand out to employers. You can explore our dedicated TEFL CV & résumé guide.

No, there isn’t one single global accrediting body for TEFL. Instead, look for courses with recognised external accreditation to ensure quality and credibility.

For standard courses like the 120-hour Online TEFL Course, your digital certificate is available immediately on your dashboard as soon as you pass. A hard copy is also available free of charge on request.

For Level 5 courses, once you pass your assessments, your work first goes through an internal quality check. When this is complete, your TEFL Org digital certificate will appear on your dashboard, usually within one week. You’ll also receive a digital certificate or diploma from our awarding body, TQUK, which they will email directly to you. Before TQUK can issue this, however, your work must undergo internal and external inspection process to make sure all tutor feedback matches the strict marking criteria. This ensures you have received the highest quality tutoring and assessment, and the process can take up to one month.

You’ll get a PDF certificate within 24 hours of course completion. A hard copy is also available free of charge on request.

No, your TEFL certificate is valid for life. However, it's best to use it within two years of qualifying, as employers may ask about gaps in teaching experience.

Your certificate includes your name, course title, completion date, and details such as the number of study hours.

Contact The TEFL Org for guidance on how to legalise, certify, or apostille your certificate. Requirements vary depending on the country where you plan to teach, and we can help you understand the process. You can also find more info about this on: Legalising Your TEFL Certificate.

If you’ve lost your certificate, simply contact our Customer Services team by emailing info@tefl.org to request a replacement copy. We’ll be happy to help. The cost is £10 for UK delivery or £15 for international delivery. If you’d prefer a tracked service, we can arrange delivery via DHL for £20. We’ll be happy to help you get a new copy quickly.

Employers can verify your certificate through our official TEFL Certificate Verification page. They can also contact The TEFL Org directly, with your permission, to confirm the validity of your certificate.

You don’t need any previous teaching experience or academic qualifications to get started. If English is your first language, you’re ready to apply. If it isn’t, we recommend that you have at least a C1 level of English (advanced) to ensure you can successfully complete the course and feel confident teaching.

Classroom courses: In-person training sessions held at certain locations. Virtual-classroom courses: Live, interactive sessions conducted online via platforms like Zoom. Fully-online courses: Self-paced study completed entirely online, accessible anytime.

Simply choose your preferred course on our website, add it to your cart, and proceed to checkout. Once your payment is confirmed, you'll receive immediate access to your course materials.

No, everything is included - course materials, tutor support, assessments, certification, and even postage for your certificate if you request a hard copy.

You’ll need to pay the full balance before starting your course, but we do offer flexible payment options.

If you’re based in the UK, you can spread the cost over 3–4 interest-free instalments with Clearpay. UK and some EU customers can also use Klarna at checkout, which offers a similar pay-in-instalments option. If you prefer, PayPal sometimes provides the option to split payments over 3 months, allowing you to get started right away.

For combined or classroom/virtual courses, you can also reserve your place with a £50 deposit, with the balance due two weeks before your course date.

You’ll get access to a personal tutor, comprehensive course materials, and our exclusive Discord community for students and graduates - so you're fully supported every step of the way. You’ll also be able to connect with other learners through our TEFL Org forum. With all these resources, you’ll be fully supported every step of the way.

You’ll receive assignment feedback within 48 hours of submission.

When you enrol, you’ll receive a welcome email with the name and contact details of your personal tutor. You can email your tutor directly using these details. You’ll also find your tutor’s contact information in the contact sheet within your course portal, so you can easily reach out whenever you need support.

If you disagree with feedback, you can always request clarification or ask for a review of your assignment. To do this, simply email our support team at support@tefl.org, and we’ll be happy to look into it. We’re here to help you succeed.

Our team of tutors includes both UK- and US-based teachers, so you’ll be supported by experienced professionals who are native speakers of either British English or American English. All tutors are highly qualified and will guide you through the course, whichever English variety you’re most familiar with.

No, grammar is covered in the course, and prior detailed knowledge is not required.

No, you don’t need to buy any textbooks to complete the course. All the materials you need are included and fully accessible through our online platform.

While not required, we do recommend considering a grammar reference book once you begin teaching. It can be a valuable resource for lesson planning or exploring grammar topics in more depth. However, rest assured that the course itself provides everything necessary for you to successfully train and qualify as a TEFL teacher.

Yes. Our courses are designed to give you the skills to teach in both classroom and online settings, with adaptable methods and practical strategies for each.

Courses are self-paced and typically take 10–12 weeks.

To take an online TEFL course with The TEFL Org, you’ll need a PC or Mac running Windows 10 or later or iOS 10.2 or later. You can also access the course on a tablet or smartphone, although these devices may have limited functionality.

If you plan to attend a virtual classroom (VC) session, you’ll need to use a PC or Mac as tablets and smartphones don’t support all the required Zoom features.

All course materials are available directly through our online platform, but if you’d like to download resources, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader.

While our courses are flexible, we strongly recommend starting with Grammar followed by Methodology, as these modules lay the foundation for everything that comes after.

For the 120-hour course, the suggested order is:
• Grammar
• Methodology
• Video Observation
• Large Classes
• Remote Learning

For the Level 5 course, the suggested order is:
• Grammar
• Methodology
• Large Classes
• Remote Learning

Once you’ve completed Grammar and Methodology, the remaining modules can be taken in any order.

You can purchase extensions ranging from one week to three months. Extensions can be arranged directly through your student dashboard, making it quick and easy to add the time you need.

You don’t need any prior teaching experience or qualifications. As long as you’re fluent in English, you’re good to go.

It’s flexible! You can start with either. However, we recommend completing the online grammar section before attending the classroom session, as it will give you a solid foundation and boost your confidence.

Yes. During the classroom part, you'll take part in teaching practice with feedback from your tutor and peers. This is a great way to build confidence.

It depends on your career goals. A Level 5 course offers more in-depth training and may be preferred for competitive roles, but a 120-hour course is widely accepted and sufficient for many teaching jobs.

A Level 5 TEFL course offers more in-depth training, which can boost your confidence and make your job applications more competitive, especially for higher-paying or more selective roles.

Our Level 5 TEFL Diploma is regulated by Ofqual (UK government) and recognised by employers worldwide, ensuring your qualification is respected wherever you choose to teach.

A Level 5 TEFL course is a qualification assessed at Level 5 on the UK’s Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). Only courses regulated by an Ofqual-recognised awarding body (like TQUK) meet this standard.

Yes. Our advanced courses are designed to build on the foundational skills from a 120-hour TEFL certificate. You can enrol once you’ve completed your initial TEFL training.

Yes – you can always build on your TEFL qualification by enrolling on additional courses at a later date. You could take one of several advanced courses to enhance your CV and increase job prospects. Learn more: Advanced TEFL courses

Yes. As an accredited TEFL course provider, our advanced courses meet high standards and are widely recognised by employers around the world. Learn more about our accreditation here: The TEFL Org Accreditation

We offer TEFL course bundles that combine our foundational courses with advanced courses at a reduced price.

Courses are offered in towns and cities across the UK, Ireland, and Spain.

There are typically 4 to 20 students per classroom.

Weekday courses run 9 AM–6 PM, Monday to Wednesday. Weekend courses are 9 AM–8 PM on Saturday, and 9 AM–6 PM on Sunday.

Yes, there are short breaks, including a lunch break.

No, lunch is not included. You can bring your own or purchase it nearby.

No, accommodation is not included in the course fee.

Yes, virtual teaching practice is valued by employers, especially when in-person options aren't available. While some schools may prefer classroom experience, assessed online practice still shows you're prepared to teach.

There are typically 4 to 20 students per classroom.

Our 20-hour Weekend TEFL course is made up of 4x4 hour sessions, with a range of time slots available. We also offer an Express option held over a single weekend. Our 30-hour Weekday TEFL course runs across 6 sessions, from 12pm - 4pm BST.

PC, Mac or laptop computer with a webcam and Zoom (the free version).

Not always. Some countries or schools require a degree for visa or hiring purposes, but there are many opportunities available for non-degree holders as well.

No, English is the only language used in the classroom. That said, learning a few local phrases can be helpful for daily life and cultural integration.

The best TEFL destinations vary based on your goals—whether you're seeking high salaries, cultural immersion, or a relaxed lifestyle. Countries like South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Spain, and Thailand are popular choices for English teachers abroad. Each offers unique opportunities and experiences. For a detailed overview, you can refer to this guide: Top TEFL Destinations This Year.

It depends on the nature of the offense and the visa requirements of the country where you want to teach. Some countries may restrict work visas based on certain criminal records.

No job is guaranteed, but around 80% of our graduates find work within two months. You'll need to apply and interview, but we provide tools and support to help you succeed.

While we don’t place you in a job directly, you’ll get lifetime access to our TEFL Jobs Centre, where you can search and apply for teaching opportunities worldwide.

Yes, once you’ve completed your training, you’ll be fully equipped to apply for TEFL jobs and start teaching online or in the classroom.

You don’t always need previous teaching experience to get started. Many entry-level TEFL jobs only require a recognised TEFL certificate, and there are plenty of opportunities for newly qualified teachers. Some positions, however, do ask for prior experience, especially more competitive or specialised roles.

No, the TEFL Jobs Centre is exclusively for TEFL Org graduates. However, you can explore our Recommended TEFL Jobs listings or read our guide on Where to Find TEFL Jobs for other opportunities.

Not always. Some countries or schools require a degree for visa or hiring purposes, but there are many opportunities available for non-degree holders as well.

No, English is the only language used in the classroom. That said, learning a few local phrases can be helpful for daily life and cultural integration.

The best TEFL destinations vary based on your goals—whether you're seeking high salaries, cultural immersion, or a relaxed lifestyle. Countries like South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Spain, and Thailand are popular choices for English teachers abroad. Each offers unique opportunities and experiences. For a detailed overview, you can refer to this guide: Top TEFL Destinations This Year.

It depends on the nature of the offense and the visa requirements of the country where you want to teach. Some countries may restrict work visas based on certain criminal records.

Our 120-hour Premier Online TEFL course is a great starting point for teaching English online. For more comprehensive training, consider our 200-hour Level 5 TEFL Diploma, which offers deeper insights into teaching methodologies.

The 120-hour certificate meets the basic requirements for many online teaching platforms. However, the Level 5 Diploma provides more in-depth training, which can enhance your qualifications and open up more opportunities.

Yes, many online platforms hire teachers without a university degree or native-speaker status. A TEFL certification and proficiency in English are often sufficient.

Use trusted job boards like TEFL Org’s Jobs Centre. Be cautious of platforms requiring upfront fees or offering unrealistic salaries. Research companies thoroughly before applying.

Yes, many TEFL graduates use their qualification to teach English locally – either in schools, language centres, or through private tutoring. Just check if additional requirements apply in your country.