Should You Do a Free TEFL Course?

Free TEFL courses sound great on the surface. You want to teach English abroad or online, and if there’s a way to get certified without paying anything, why not go for it?

But here’s the thing: most of the time, “free” doesn’t get you very far. In this guide, we’ll explain what free TEFL courses really offer, where they fall short, and how to choose the right course for your teaching goals.

Cons and limitations of free TEFL Courses 

On paper, free TEFL courses sound appealing. It can appear that without spending a penny, you’ll be granted opportunities to teach English abroad or online to students from all over the globe. Who wouldn’t be tempted by a free chance to move their life and career in such a positive direction?

However, if cost-free TEFL certification is a dream, the consequences of relying on a free TEFL course are a significant wake-up call. Here are some of the primary issues attached to zero-cost TEFL course programmes.

Accreditation issues

One of the most important things to consider before pursuing a TEFL course is its accreditation level. Accreditation is a sign of quality control, and it matters a lot.

How does a TEFL course provider source accreditation for one of their courses? In the accreditation process, an external educational body assesses a course provider, testing the material, teaching quality, and other important factors. If the course meets the standards of the accreditation body, they will award the course provider with the relevant accreditation. The process doesn’t end there, though - top educational authorities will continually monitor the quality of a course and can retract certification if necessary.

There is no single overarching accreditation body in the TEFL industry, meaning it can be hard to know what to look for. However, there are some names, including educational authorities like Ofqual, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), and the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP), who have rigorous accreditation standards.

Free TEFL courses are never likely to have this kind of accreditation. Whether you pay for a course or enrol for free, check for the backing of top educational authorities before you start.

Quality of content

A high-quality TEFL course provider could provide a sample of what studying with them is like. The TEFL Org, for example, has a free sample course. However, there’s a world of difference between a sample and a fully accredited, high-quality course.

No serious TEFL course provider is going to give away TEFL certificates. It costs money to hire course developers, especially if they have experience teaching English as a foreign language and training teachers. Course materials cost money to make and prepare. A customer service team doesn’t come for free, nor does any of the other relevant infrastructure of a reputable TEFL course provider.

How good can a free TEFL course actually be? How likely is it that people with in-depth sector knowledge have rigorously tested and prepared it? Are the people delivering the courses volunteers? Is it actually content that’s provided by a world-renowned course provider that you’re taking on when you do free TEFL certification courses? It seems unlikely.

Limited support and resources

Along similar lines, it’s highly unlikely that when you take a free course in the hopes of becoming a TEFL teacher, you’ll have the right support or materials. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to access support from experienced TEFL teachers when you take a free course, which means either zero feedback or very limited responses to your work. That’s even if you’re assessed beyond some automatically generated quizzes.

The resources available to you for free courses will be extremely limited. Usually, we hear about free courses providing some video content (often sourced from elsewhere), which, while a helpful form of media, won’t sufficiently prepare you for English teaching in and of itself.

On the other hand, when you take a highly accredited, industry-recognised paid TEFL course, you’ll have access to industry-leading resources and receive support from experienced, insightful ESL teachers who have storied English teaching careers.

May not provide a certificate or only offer it at a cost

Imagine completing an academic course with the sole aim of gaining a certificate to show for it and not getting one. 

You don't have to imagine that when you take a low-quality, free TEFL course. To put it bluntly, you’ll either have to pay a fee, or you won’t receive a certificate at all. While paying for a certificate defeats the purpose of a “free course”, will the paperwork even be worth it? Probably not.

May not meet employer requirements for teaching jobs

If you don’t complete at least 120 hours of TEFL training, whether you pursue TEFL certification online or complete a TEFL certificate in person, you won’t meet the industry standards. Employers of TEFL teachers worldwide expect at least 120 hours of study, and free courses are unlikely to offer anything close to that many hours.

Additionally, employers are usually discerning regarding the quality of your qualifications - as they should be! If they see you’ve completed a free course, they’ll doubt the credentials and credibility of the course provider, the quality of your teaching, and your commitment to English teaching as a whole.

Tip: Don’t expect to land top jobs with a free TEFL certification course. You won’t be ready for today’s classrooms without the proper teaching, rigorous assessments and materials.

How to Decide: Free vs. Paid TEFL Course?

So, you want to become TEFL certified, but you’re trying to choose between a free TEFL course or a paid option. Whether it's online TEFL or teaching abroad you're planning on, you need the right course. So, how do you decide? Here are the important factors that future English teachers must consider:

• Your career goals: Are you seeking a casual teaching opportunity? Or do you aspire to a professional career in TEFL? A career path demands a professional qualification, and free TEFL certification won't get you too far. A fully accredited TEFL certificate is crucial for securing long-term teaching positions - ask any ESL teacher with experience in the industry.
  
• Your budget: Of course, the idea of getting a free TEFL certification online is appealing on the surface. However, it's really worth considering the long-term. A paid, accredited TEFL certification course will result in higher-paying job opportunities and a more fulfilling career in teaching English. Investing in a comprehensive TEFL course ensures you are well-prepared for classroom management and can meet the demands of teaching English abroad or online.
  
• Your time commitment: Quick, free TEFL certification courses won't take up much time. A paid TEFL certification will last at least 120 hours, which can be spread over months. For those in a hurry, the answer might seem obvious. It isn't, though. A high-quality 120-hour TEFL certificate (or above) will typically offer a more complete learning experience, hands-on engagement and tutor feedback. A free course might mean having to go back to square one and taking a paid TEFL course anyway to get up to speed with the competition.
  
• Employer requirements: Employers ask for verifiable TEFL certification, amongst other qualifications. You will always require accredited TEFL certification to get a job teaching English at renowned language schools and international institutions. English teachers will tell you that having the right qualifications - starting with a 120-hour TEFL course - will set you on the path to gainful employment.
  
• Support: A paid TEFL course, whether an online certification course or one completed in a classroom, should ideally feature support from experienced English teachers. You won't be entitled to tutoring time if you take a no-cost TEFL certificate. Support from English teachers who have been there and seen it can make all the difference when undertaking a TEFL certification course. Everyone can use feedback - if this is something you value highly, you're better off going for a paid course.
  
• Reviews and testimonials: If you're still struggling to decide which direction to take, read reviews from previous students. This will help you gauge the course's quality and see what sort of support is offered.

Conclusion

Here’s the bottom line:

• If you’re just curious about TEFL and want to explore, a free taster is fine.
  
• If you’re serious about getting hired, you’ll need a proper, accredited course.
  

You don’t need the most expensive course out there – just one that meets industry standards and gives you what you need to succeed.