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What Are the Requirements to Teach English Abroad?
More people are teaching English abroad every year. So how is it done, what do you need to know, and how easy is it?
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You’re ready to kick off your teach abroad adventure, swapping time in the classroom for immersion in a totally new city and culture. But what requirements do you need to meet for teaching English abroad?
While the essentials vary for each country, at its most basic, you’ll likely need a 120-hour TEFL certification, a bachelor’s degree, and English fluency to get started.
It’s important that you figure out what requirements you need before beginning your journey to teaching English abroad. For example, some countries in South America may not require a bachelor’s degree, while many East Asian countries, like South Korea, require more strict qualifications like a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, and native English language proficiency.
Being prepared and seeking out this information ahead of time can mean the difference between finding a TEFL job teaching English abroad easily and having your visa rejected. Read on to discover everything you need for teaching English abroad, from visas to TEFL certification, and requirements by destination.
- A 120-hour TEFL certificate from an accredited provider is the industry standard and required for more TEFL roles.
- A bachelor’s degree may be necessary depending on where you’re teaching and which visa is required.
- English fluency is essential. Non-native speakers will need to prove their proficiency through a qualification.
- Previous teaching experience isn’t often required, but having some knowledge of the classroom is beneficial.
- General requirements will vary depending on which country you’re teaching in, the employers, and the different roles.
Basic requirements
What are the basic qualifications to teach English as a foreign language? As a rule, 120 hours of TEFL certification and a university degree are the industry standard for English teaching jobs abroad. While there are opportunities to teach English abroad without a degree, over 120 countries worldwide require a 120-hour TEFL certificate.
Fluency in English is an absolute must. That’s obviously not a problem if you’re a native English speaker. If you’re a non-native speaker of English, you can demonstrate fluency by holding a qualification like an IELTS or TOEFL. Holding a degree from an English-speaking institution may also be enough to demonstrate fluency.
Having “soft skills” like patience, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and an understanding of the local language are also incredibly important tools in any teacher’s kit. The ability to organise, remain cool under pressure, and be creative with lesson planning are also traits that the best ESL teachers have at their disposal.
Prior teaching experience can also help with your job search, even if you haven’t had any specific experience as an English teacher abroad. Teaching experience in general looks great on a CV, whether it’s English or another subject, as you’ll have years' worth of transferable skills to contribute.
Requirements by destination
Requirements vary widely, depending on which country you’re teaching English as a second language in. Here’s a brief breakdown of what each region of the world generally expects, whether that be previous experience, native English speakers, or bachelor’s degrees.
| Degree Required | Experience | TEFL Hours | |
| Asia | Yes | No | 120 |
| Europe | Yes | Preferred | 120 |
| Latin America | Preferred | No | 120 Preferred |
| Middle East | Yes | Preferred | 120 |
| Africa | Yes | No | 120 |
TEFL certification requirements
One of the most important requirements for teaching English abroad is getting TEFL certified. The standard TEFL certification generally requires 120 hours of coursework. This was a benchmark that prospective teachers historically met through one of two certifications, the CELTA and the Trinity CertTESOL. These certificates created the industry standard of 120 hours of accreditation.
You’ll also want to be sure that you’re earning your TEFL certificate through an accredited provider like TEFL Org. While inexpensive options might pop up in your search for the perfect TEFL course, be wary of any that seem too good to be true. Any course that’s less than 120 hours is a red flag.
Advanced TEFL certificates are a great idea if you’re looking to specialise in particular fields like:Some providers (like The TEFL Org) bundle certifications together so that you can earn your 120-hour TEFL certificate, and add on an additional 30 to 40-hour course.
Download our guide to teaching English around the world
Visa requirements
When it comes to teaching English abroad, visa requirements and the application process can either be very straightforward or complex, depending on where you move to. Many countries utilise either student visas or standard work visas, and wherever you go will have their own specific requirements.
A degree is often required for the visa process in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and most European countries. In some Latin American countries, a bachelor’s degree isn’t mandatory, although you’ll likely secure higher-paying jobs if you do have one. A 120-hour TEFL certificate is typically the bare minimum documentation to prove that you’re a qualified TEFL teacher – an essential part of the visa application process in many regions of the world.Because some countries restrict visas to certain nationalities, it can make the process of becoming a TEFL teacher for non-native English speakers more difficult. This is one reason why it’s important to research which visa for teaching abroad is required for each country you’re interested in. This will help save you the heartache of pouring hours into paperwork, only to be rejected due to basic qualifications.
How to meet the requirements
Meeting the requirements to get started teaching English overseas is fairly straightforward. Depending on where you decide to teach English abroad, you’ll need to have earned a bachelor’s degree and get your 120-hour TEFL certification from an accredited provider like The TEFL org. You can do this through online courses or in-person TEFL courses.
No matter which country you’re looking to start your English teaching career, these are often the minimum requirements. Prior teaching experience, being a native English speaker, and additional qualifications, like a Business English certificate, aren’t essential but could help you secure higher-paying teaching positions and land private lessons clients.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to start your career teaching English abroad, the first step is to check out our 120-hour online TEFL course. You’ll have 24/7 access to coursework from anywhere in the world, a dedicated online tutor, and the ability to reference the materials indefinitely.
More on teaching English abroad requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What qualifications do you need to teach English abroad?
With a TEFL certificate, you can teach English abroad in numerous fantastic locations. 120 hours of study is the industry standard. Some countries may require a bachelor’s degree to meet visa requirements, and employers will have specific requirements for individual roles.
Q. Do You Need a Bachelor’s To Teach English Abroad?
In some locations, you will need a bachelor’s degree to teach English, primarily to meet visa requirements. Some specific teaching jobs may ask for a teaching degree, but this isn't necessarily common.
Q. Which country is in demand for English teachers?
There is a high demand for English teachers all over the world! Countries including China, Japan, South Korea, the UAE and Spain all have immense demand for English teachers.
Q. How much do English teachers abroad make?
The type of salary that English teachers make depends on a variety of factors, including their qualifications, experience, location and the institution they work at.
Q. Can you teach abroad with just a TEFL?
A TEFL certificate is the key to teaching English abroad in numerous locations. 120 hours of study is the industry standard, and your certificate must be from an accredited and reputable provider.