TEFL Age Requirements To Teach English Abroad

Stop all rumors about TEFL age requirements! There are TEFL opportunities for everybody! The first question we usually hear from TEFL enthusiasts is “how old do you have to be to teach?”. This is a loaded question and we’ll go into detail below, but first, all you have to know is that once you have your TEFL certification, you CAN teach and there IS an opportunity for you. 

Are There Any TEFL Age Requirements?

Before jumping in and finding out what age you can become a teacher, remember to also check out the other requirements, such as your TEFL certification, degree, and experience. These can be dependent on the country or job posting. Now it’s time to skip down to your TEFL age restrictions and see the best opportunities for you! 

TEFL Opportunities: Below 18

If you’re looking for some experience traveling abroad before hitting the college scene, there are ways to do it. If you are under 18, we don’t know of any opportunities that will allow you to go on a salary. This is because of laws about working hours put into place and this can vary from country to country. There are lots of volunteer opportunities though! Take a look at summer camps close to home. If you’re from the UK or Ireland, you’ll have nice options in places like Spain. The US is a vastly multicultural country, so you might be able to get the opportunity to volunteer at language centers too. 

TEFL Opportunities: 18-21

If you’re between the ages of 18 and 21, it’s unlikely that you’ll have a Bachelor’s Degree, so there are some countries where you won’t have access to get a work permit, such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and UAE. Other than this, you are able to work anywhere in the world! As a young adult heading out on your first adventure, your best bet is to sign up with a program, so experts in the field will help you get set up and no experience is required! At your age, you’ll most likely be teaching young learners in a public school setting, and sometimes even with a local teacher in the classroom to help. 

TEFL Opportunities: 21-30 

You’re in your 20s and looking for a couple of years to explore different opportunities. The great news is that you will fit into nearly every category of TEFL opportunities because you are not too old to study abroad. You are at the prime age to start your TEFL career, and there’ll be no stopping you! You are young enough for student visas and old enough to have some experience behind you. There are a  lot more factors, like your education, to consider, so if you are unsure, call an expert today. If this is your first time traveling, your best route is to go on a program to get the support you need to make the move. 

TEFL Opportunities: 30-50

A lot of TEFL enthusiasts ask us if 30 is too old to teach abroad. Well, we can put these rumors to rest. Not only is the average age of starting teachers, but it’s also actually looked at favorably by a lot of employers teaching english abroad over 40. At your age, you are experienced, confident, and professional. This means that doors open for you such as business English positions, exam preparation, and management jobs. You’re also more likely to get a permanent position too. One thing to watch out for are programs that use the student visa route as you may be ineligible. 

TEFL Opportunities: 50-65

If you’re looking to get into the TEFL world later in life, you’ve most likely had a career behind you and becoming a teacher at age 50 is going to be easy for you. You may have grown-up children and it’s time to get out there and see some of the world. Great news! There are TEFL opportunities for you. We do suggest looking at other places rather than Asian countries as their retirement age is strict and really low, and the opportunities there are mostly young learners, so you might come across some employers looking for a younger teacher. It’s age discrimination, we know, but it happens! Your best bet is to look for professional jobs in Europe, South America, and even your home country for exam preparation. 

Senior TEFL Age Requirements

Good news – you’re never too old to teach English abroad! While there can be a few restrictions worldwide to be aware of, there are still plenty of options. TEFL teaching has to follow retirement laws set in place by the country the school is in. Asia in particular has these. If you’re looking to go to Asia, a great idea is to volunteer, while you’re getting a pension. Latin America is also famous for hiring mature teachers of all ages, so definitely a place to check out!