TEFL Certification

Getting TEFL certified is more important than ever, but where is the best certification to be found? What are the most important factors?

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Today, more than ever before, aspiring educators are turning to Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) as a means of revitalizing their careers, exploring the world, and maximizing their potential. To achieve the dream of either teaching English abroad or achieving location independence through teaching English online, it’s all about gaining TEFL certification.

TEFL certification is, in many respects, a golden ticket to the rest of the world. Completing a TEFL certification course gives talented students a grounding in English teaching methodologies and teaching theory to succeed. Courses can be taken online, in person, or via a combined approach.

When you become TEFL certified, it opens doors to all manner of new opportunities. If you have completed over 120 hours of TEFL study with a reputable course provider, you can travel the world. You could have dreams of teaching by the beach in Portugal, navigating the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City, or exploring Mayan architecture between teaching shifts in South America. Wherever you want to be, TEFL certification will take you there.

Alternatively, you might want to leave the “rat race” behind. If you’re tired of the commutes, the office, the 9-5, all of it, then online English teaching from home - or traveling the world and teaching online simultaneously - might be just what you need. A TEFL certificate will help you do that.

How can you start English language teaching, and where will it take you? Let’s have a detailed look at TEFL programs and certification.

What is TEFL certification?

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is also known as Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) or English as a Second Language (ESL). So, when we speak about TEFL certification, we’re also talking about ESL certification and TESOL certification - it’s all the same thing.

TEFL is about teaching English to people who have no ability right up to people who are extremely proficient. This will involve teaching abroad or online. For beginners, it’ll involve covering basics, such as the alphabet, sounds, and simple words. Learners with higher proficiency will learn about grammar and more advanced language concepts.

A qualification in TEFL teaching can open up a world of opportunities, online or in the classroom. You can start teaching English in different parts of the world. Or, if you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you can start your own online tutoring business. If you yearn to make a social impact, you can volunteer at home or overseas. It can also mean helping students prepare for exams like IELTS or TOEFL - these qualifications are utterly crucial for those planning to move to an English-speaking country.

You may have heard of the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA). It’s a specific TEFL course created by Cambridge Assessment English, and it’s usually completed in person over a month. However, nowadays, there are online and part-time options. Formerly, the CELTA was one of the only quality TEFL courses on the market, and it maintains a solid reputation. However, the range of options in the market has expanded, and a CELTA is no longer the standard requirement for TEFL certification.

How to become TEFL certified

Becoming TEFL certified is more accessible than ever before. If you have the determination, commitment to quality teaching, and the ability to become a teacher, you can do it! Through a range of different course options, including online TEFL courses, classroom courses, and combined courses, it’s never been easier to find the way that’s right for you.

TEFL certification process

What does the TEFL certification process involve?

First, you have to pick a TEFL course. It’s important to pick the right one that works for you. How much time do you have, what level do you want to study at, and how do you want to study? We’ll get into choosing the right TEFL certification in more depth a little later on.
From there, you enroll in a course of your choosing and get to grips with the material. You should be given ample time to familiarize yourself with the learning outcomes and at least some of the study materials. Depending on the TEFL course you choose, you’ll either be studying at your own pace, or to deadlines set by an instructor.
Then you’ll be partaking in the course itself. You should be doing coursework and exercises that are assessed by experienced TEFL instructors, engaging with material that’ll help you in real-life teaching situations, and receiving useful feedback along the way.
Once you have completed all of the assessments, you can become TEFL qualified. Some courses may have a final exam at the end, others may aggregate the scores of your coursework and give you a total grade. Most course providers will give you a chance to resit any assessments that you might’ve failed.

TEFL certification requirements

What are the requirements for a TEFL course? Can a non-native speaker of English enroll in TEFL certification courses? Will TEFL certification providers look down on applicants with no teaching experience? Can you teach English as a foreign language without a degree?

Let’s answer some of these burning questions about TEFL certification, so you can teach English abroad or at home as soon as possible.

TEFL certification for non-native speakers

Can non-native English speakers get a TEFL certificate? Of course! As long as you’re able to speak fluent English, you can take a TEFL course. Here’s a tip: when you become a professional English teacher and you’re looking for a job teaching English in the future, it would help to have an IELTS or TOEFL certification on your CV as further proof of fluency.

TEFL certification without a degree

You don’t need to have a degree to do a TEFL certificate. In fact, you don’t need a degree to teach abroad or online. You can get a job teaching English in Latin America, parts of Asia, and even teaching programs in Europe without a degree. Clearly, having a bachelor’s degree and even a master’s degree will help you find more lucrative job opportunities in the long run, but you don’t need a degree to become TEFL-qualified. As for teaching online, some companies may insist on a degree, but not all will. If you work on an online teaching platform, it’s all about selling your skills as a teacher, so a degree isn’t as important.

Age requirements

Generally speaking, you need to be at least 16 to gain a TEFL qualification. Online TEFL courses and classroom courses may differ - you may require parental permission, and each course provider will have its own policies.

As for an upper age limit - there isn’t one.

“What if I’m too old to teach English as a foreign language?” is a question we hear a lot. Experience counts for a great deal in the TEFL world, and can be a massive benefit. While some countries have upper age limits in terms of who can work as an English teacher, and some online teaching companies have age limits, there are still ways of working as a more experienced English teacher. Freelance English teaching, for example, is a great option.

No experience

You don’t need to have previous teaching experience to do a TEFL certification course. When it comes to teaching English abroad or teaching English online later on, experience can help, but it’s not everything.

If anything, TEFL courses are a great way for people to discover a new set of skills and passions. They’re a fantastic route to forging a new career in an entirely new industry, one with countless opportunities and directions.

So, no: TEFL certification programs won’t ask you for experience, though TEFL jobs might.

Choosing the right TEFL certification

What factors should you consider when it comes to choosing the right TEFL certification? This is subjective, and it comes down to your circumstances. The most commonly considered factors are accreditation, the length of time you spend studying, the cost of the course, and the delivery method - online or in person.

What works best for you? Let’s look at the determining factors in TEFL certification so that you can make an informed decision.

Accreditation
TEFL hours and levels
How long does TEFL certification take?
TEFL certification costs

Accreditation

Accreditation is one of the most important things you can look for in a course provider. Simply put, legitimate accreditation is the difference between a high-quality TEFL course and one that doesn’t necessarily provide value.

What does accreditation mean? It means that a course provider has put itself forward for rigorous testing from an accreditation body. If a course provider becomes accredited, it means that it meets the high standards of said institution, and has inherent educational value. The process can take months, and it matters a great deal to TEFL certification providers.

When you’re choosing a TEFL course provider, it’s crucial to recognize whether they have course accreditation from reputable, respected institutions. These include the likes of DEAC and Ofqual. If you have any doubts about a company’s accreditation, look up the name of the accreditor. If they have no recognizable history as an accreditation body, that’s a red flag.

Choosing an accredited TEFL course counts for a lot. Employers are far, far more likely to recognize courses that have been rubber-stamped by reputable educational authorities. Groupon courses and the like are very unlikely to have any meaningful or legitimate accreditation.

TEFL hours and levels

The main types of TEFL certificates on the market these days are the 120-hour TEFL course, the Level 5, and the CELTA.

The levels of these courses, and how they’re perceived by employers and accreditors, depend on a couple of factors. A Level 5 course is called that because Ofqual, the non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications in England, has deemed the course worthy of that rank. The CELTA used to be the only really recognized TEFL qualification on the market, but the 120-hour TEFL course is now globally recognized by employers.

Is a Level 5 course equivalent to a CELTA?

Ofqual has a qualifications framework that consists of 8 levels of ascending difficulty. A CELTA, in terms of level, is equivalent to a Level 5 course, but they are not seen as being the same. This is due to how they are taught.

The CELTA focuses primarily on teaching adult learners. A Level 5 TEFL qualification, meanwhile, covers how to teach a range of different learners. In most cases, a Level 5 is taught online through self-paced study, while a CELTA has historically been taught in person over a month.

How long does TEFL certification take?

TEFL certification courses can take varying lengths of time.

A 120-hour TEFL course, as the name suggests, takes 120 hours - though it can be completed in a shorter period. A Level 5 course is normally advertised as taking 200 hours to complete, while a CELTA traditionally takes a month of full-time classroom study, though some students pursue flexible options and take as long as a year.

TEFL certification costs

How much does it cost to become TEFL certified? Well, it depends on which course you take.

A high-quality 120-hour TEFL course should involve methodological study, learning through different kinds of media, and tutor support from experienced TEFL teachers. 120 hours of training is the industry standard, and this amount of study time should equip you with all the theoretical understanding you need to start a career in teaching English as a foreign language.

Well-recognized 120-hour TEFL qualification usually costs about $250-$500/£192-£384.

Level 5 has more hours of training than a 120-hour course. As such, it goes into more detail. A high-quality Level 5 course will contain deeper methodological and theoretical discussion around teaching, techniques, and valuable time with experienced ESL educators. These increasingly popular TEFL courses should cost $380-$700/£292-£538.

The CELTA course, by the University of Cambridge, is open to all with a good level of English. It’s focused on peer learning, practical teaching elements, theoretical approaches to teaching, and English theory. A comprehensive TEFL course, and formerly the only recognized qualification for teaching English abroad, the CELTA is still well-regarded today.

There are over 350 CELTA-registered teaching centers worldwide. Courses typically cost around $1,500–$2,600/£1,153-£1,999, though it depends on where you study. This doesn’t include accommodation, so if you aren’t studying somewhere locally, take that into account. There are distance learning options available if you’d prefer to do the CELTA remotely.

Which TEFL certification is best

Here’s a question our students and tutors could argue about for years: which TEFL certification is “best”?

Ultimately, it depends on your perspective, but it’s really important to define the types of TEFL certification courses that exist before you can decide which one you think tops the list.

For some, the original classroom course experience cannot be beaten. Reputable course providers still provide excellent classroom offerings in centers across the world, with experienced TEFL teachers leading invigorating classes, methodological practice, and theoretical discussions to get you set up for a life of teaching.

Over the past couple of decades, we’ve seen more and more people get TEFL certified online. Online courses are a fantastic option for people who want to fit their qualifications around existing commitments, who don’t have easy access to a training center, or who prefer to learn at their own pace.

Combined courses, as the name suggests, have all the best bits from both online courses and classroom courses. These courses are a great way to meet fellow students but also get all the benefits of TEFL certification online - quick feedback, a student dashboard, easy access to learning materials, and more.

It’s also worth considering advanced TEFL qualifications. Once you’ve become a qualified instructor, you may want to specialize in a particular area, for example, Business English, or English for Academic Purposes. Again: these are courses for after you’ve completed your foundational English teaching certificate, but they can be extremely valuable in the job market.

Ultimately, it’s about choosing the right TEFL program for you. The right TEFL course may be the one that’s local to you or the one that’s online. Deciding the “right” course might come down to the course fee, or how long the TEFL training takes. It’s an individual decision.

TEFL certification verification

“Is TEFL legit?” is a question that’s asked a lot online. It’s a fair question - unfortunately, there are a lot of TEFL programs out there that are nothing more than scams. Before you invest your time and money into something that’s meant to change your life for the better, it’s important to figure out whether you’re being fleeced. How, though?

There are some important things to look out for:

Does the TEFL course provider have demonstrable accreditation from internationally recognized regulatory bodies?
Does the course cost a suspiciously high or low amount? Or is it around the going rate?
Does the course take at least 120 hours, the industry standard?
Does the course come with tutor support from experienced TEFL professionals?
Is your work rigorously and fairly assessed?
What are the reviews for the course like?
What is the course provider’s web offering like?
Can you easily speak to a member of staff?

TEFL certification: online and abroad teaching opportunities

Why is the completion of a fully accredited TEFL certification program so fundamental to getting an English teaching job? Whether it’s online teaching companies or any number of opportunities you might find when you teach abroad, TEFL programs are where everything starts.

TEFL certification to teach abroad

When it comes to teaching English abroad, TEFL certification is fundamental. A high-quality TEFL certificate will give any aspiring teacher the skills and knowledge to teach English as a foreign language around the world. From classroom management to lesson plans, theoretical lessons to practical skills, completion of a TEFL program is extremely valuable.

From an employer’s perspective, it’s a very sure sign of your commitment to teaching and a demonstration of your skills. It’s also a common requirement for visas, as a form of teaching certification.

TEFL certification for online teaching

If you prefer giving online lessons to English language learners and don't yearn to teach English abroad, you still need a TEFL certificate. For many online teaching companies, a TEFL certificate might be the minimum requirement needed to teach online. Or, if you’re working through an online English teaching platform, prospective students will look to spend their money on qualified, high-quality teachers. What better way to demonstrate your abilities than a TEFL qualification?

If you’re genuinely interested in performing lessons with non native speakers of English around the world, and earning money doing it, it’s imperative to get qualified. You can even do an online TEFL course, then teach online - so the whole process can be done from the comfort of your own home!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is a TEFL certificate worth it?

If you want to start teaching English abroad or teach English online, then a high-quality, internationally recognized TEFL certificate is absolutely worth it. In fact, it’s necessary!

Q. What is the best teaching English as a foreign language certification?

This is subjective - TEFL graduates will tell you that the best course is the one that suits your needs! You’ll need to do at least 120 hours of study to get a job teaching English.

Q. Which is better, TEFL or TESOL?

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) are functionally the same thing. Either way, you’re teaching English to non-native speakers.

Q. Is it hard to become a TEFL teacher?

Practically speaking, it’s easier than ever to access TEFL courses, with online TEFL programs becoming extremely high-quality over the last 20 years. If you speak English fluently and have the work ethic and passion to succeed, you can become a TEFL teacher, and teach English abroad or teach English from home.

Q. Where is the best place to get your TEFL?

With the highest levels of accreditation in the world, tens of thousands of happy graduates and amazing reviews, The TEFL Org is a fantastic organization for taking on a TEFL program. Whether you're looking to teach English abroad or teach English from home, getting TEFL certified with The TEFL Org will suit your needs perfectly!