TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is primarily teaching non-native speakers English without the use of translation. This means you won’t need to know their first language. TEFL teachers will need the knowledge and know-how of the methodologies to teach in this way. This is why teachers will first need to complete a TEFL course and gain the qualification.
TEFL is widely used to either teach English online in one-to-one or small group scenarios or to teach English abroad and sometimes even used as an easier way to travel.

One thing to look out for in a TEFL course is that the TEFL company offers an Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL certification. This means the content, teaching, and materials have been examined carefully and are of high quality. A qualification regulated by the UK Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) can be awarded to learners. Another alternative is an externally accredited certification; however, you should make sure that you get at least 120 hours of training, which is the industry benchmark for employers worldwide.

The TEFL Institute have no other qualification criteria to complete one of our TEFL courses. As long as you have a decent level of English and are aged from 18 upwards, you will be eligible to gain your lifetime TEFL certification.

The short answer is no. Most employers are happy with the international standard of 120 hours accredited TEFL training. This is the International standard in most countries worldwide.

First and foremost, an aspiring TEFL teacher must be outgoing and confident, and not afraid to make themselves look a little silly, especially when teaching children. Expression is a huge part of the methodologies to be able to get your point across. You’ll warm up to this in time and it all takes practice.
We suggest people to be at least 16 with a C1 level of English or higher. If you’re not sure, we have a free English test. We also would recommend people who work on their own initiative as it is an online course and you will need to be your own motivation.

With all the different TEFL qualifications and hours, choosing the right TEFL course might seem confusing, but it needn’t be! We would recommend the industry standard 120-hour over a Level 5 if you fit most of the following criteria:
You have a minimum of a BA degree in any discipline.
You’re a native English speaker with a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.
You’re seeking work in a country with high demand for English teachers.
We would suggest a Level 5 over a 120-hour TEFL course if you fall into the following:
You do not have a degree.
You have no previous teaching experience.
English isn’t your first language, or you don’t have a passport from one of the countries listed.
You aim to work in a country with a competitive jobs market or online.
You don’t feel confident about teaching and want the most comprehensive training.

TEFL certification lasts a lifetime and allows you to advance your qualifications in your teaching career.

Speaking another language isn’t necessary for TEFL. Not having foreign language skills won’t prevent you from finding a TEFL job abroad or online. All you need to teach English is a TEFL certificate and, in some cases, a degree. You’ll find that few jobs will list a requirement for other languages – those that do are typically bilingual institutions.

If you’re looking for a new career in teaching English online or want to have a year abroad, the first step is to get your online TEFL certification. Why spend hours hunting for the right provider who offers in-class TEFL courses and finding a job when you can do both at the same time. Take your TEFL certification online and start looking for your new TEFL job through our jobs board.

The most important thing for non-native English speakers is researching the visa requirements for the country you are considering applying for a TEFL job. Certain countries will only grant visas to teachers from specific English-speaking countries, typically the USA, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It could take longer to find TEFL work than a native English teacher, but as long as you have the right qualifications, there’s an excellent chance to find a great teaching job with perseverance.