Frequently Asked Questions

To get you started, we've listed some of the most popular questions we get asked about TEFL. If you have a question that has not been covered in our TEFL FAQs, please get in touch with our TEFL advisers who will be happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

General TEFL / TESOL Questions

What is TEFL?

Can non-native English speakers teach English?

Are there any age restrictions?

I am a qualified teacher. Do I still need a TEFL certificate to teach English abroad?

Can I take a TEFL course if I have a disability?

Are Groupon TEFL courses the same?

The TEFL Org Certificates and Accreditation

Why The TEFL Org?

Why is accreditation important?

What is TEFL accreditation?

Will a TEFL Org certificate get me a job?

Is there an international TEFL accrediting body?

What is the difference between regulation and endorsement?

When will I receive my TEFL certificate?

Does the TEFL certificate expire?

What does it say on my certificate?

Where can I get my TEFL certificate legalised?

I’ve lost my certificate. How do I order a new one?

How can an employer verify my certificate?

TEFL Courses

Choosing & Entry Requirements

What qualifications do I need to apply for a course?

What’s the difference between a classroom, virtual-classroom, and fully-online TEFL course?

How do I enrol?

Pricing & Payments

Are there any hidden fees?

Can I pay in instalments?

Tutor Support & Learning Experience

What support will I receive on the course?

How long does it take to receive feedback on assignments?

How do I contact my online course tutor?

What happens if I disagree with tutor feedback?

Do tutors speak British or American English?

My grammar isn’t the best. Will this be an issue?

Do I need to purchase any textbooks for the course?

Online TEFL Courses

Does the course prepare me for both online and in-person teaching?

How long will it take to complete the online TEFL course?

What are the technical requirements for online TEFL courses?

In which order should I complete the course?

What if I need more time to complete my course?

Combined TEFL Courses (Online + Classroom)

What qualifications do I need to apply for a combined course?

In which order should I complete the online and classroom parts?

Do TEFL Org combined courses include live teaching practice?

Level 5 TEFL Diploma

Should I do a 120-hour or Level 5 TEFL course?

What is the benefit of a Level 5 TEFL course?

Is this Level 5 Diploma internationally recognised?

What makes a course “Level 5”?

Advanced TEFL Courses

Do I need a core TEFL certificate before taking an advanced course?

Can I add on further TEFL courses later?

Are advanced courses accredited and internationally recognised?

Can I bundle multiple advanced courses for a discount?

Classroom TEFL Courses (In-Person)

Where are classroom courses held?

How many people are there on the course?

What time does the course start and finish?

Are there any breaks on the course?

Is lunch included?

Is accommodation provided?

Virtual Classroom TEFL Courses (Zoom Classes)

Is virtual teaching practice recognised by schools/employers?

How many people are there on the course?

When is the course held?

What technical set up is required to take part in the Virtual Classroom Course?

Audio Course

Course Overview

Is the audio course the same as the 120-hour Premier Online Course?

Is an audio version available for other courses, such as the Level 5 or advanced courses?

Is the audio course only available in British English?

Learning Experience

How does the audio course work?

How long are the audio lessons?

Can I pause and resume lessons?

Can I adjust the playback speed?

Are transcripts included?

How do I access the audio course?

How is my progress recorded?

Devices & Access

What devices can I use?

Can I complete the course on my phone?

Can I access the course on multiple devices?

Do I need to download an app?

Is the course available offline?

Assessments & Certification

Will my certificate show that I studied via audio?

Will I receive the same certificate as the 120-hour Premier Online Course?

Will I still have access to tutor support?

Do I need to record myself speaking?

How do I complete quizzes and assignments?

Support & Technical Help

I've already paid for the 120-hour Premier Online Course. Can I switch to the Audio Course?

What should I do if my audio course stops working?

TEFL Jobs

Do I need a university degree to teach English abroad?

Do I need to speak the local language?

What are the best TEFL destinations?

Can I teach English if I have a criminal record?

Are you guaranteed a job after the course?

Can TEFL Org set me up with a job on completion of the course?

Will I be able to apply for a job straight after the course?

Do I need teaching experience to find a good teaching position?

I completed my TEFL course through a different course provider. Can I still apply for roles advertised on the TEFL Jobs Centre?

Teaching English Abroad

Do I need a university degree to teach English abroad?

Do I need to speak the local language?

What are the best TEFL destinations?

Can I teach English if I have a criminal record?

Teaching English Online

Which TEFL Org course is best if I plan to teach English exclusively online?

Is the 120-hour certificate enough for online platforms, or should I take the Level 5 Diploma?

Can I teach English online without a university degree or native-speaker status?

How do I find legitimate online-teaching jobs and avoid scams?

Teach English Locally

Can I use TEFL certification to teach in my home country?