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 must first complete a TEFL course and gain the qualification. TEFL is widely used to teach English online in one-to-one or small group scenarios or to teach English abroad and is 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.
In general, you don’t need a degree to teach English abroad or online. Our certification stands alone, and you can get employment without pairing it with a degree. However, it can be sometimes a school preferability for their teachers to have a degree. More importantly, it is a visa requirement for some countries, meaning you cannot obtain a work permit without a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. Some of these countries include China, Japan, UAE, and Vietnam.
Our advice is if you have your sights set on a specific country, look into the visa requirements first before putting time and effort into finding a job there. This will save you time and disappointment. If it is a school preference and not a visa requirement, there is sometimes some leeway. If you are in the middle of completing a degree or have an associate degree, then we would suggest applying and trying your best. Most schools will look for at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Anybody from 17, as 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 considerable 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 be at least 16 with a C1 level of English or higher. If you're not sure, we have an accessible English test. We also recommend people who work on their own initiative as it is an online course, and you will need to be your own motivation.
The short answer is no. Most employers are happy with the minimum of 120 hours of accredited TEFL training. This is the International standard in most countries worldwide.
TEFL is all about the immersion of students into the English language, so even if you did know some of the local languages, you’d be encouraged not to use it in the classroom!
As a TEFL-qualified teacher, the world is your oyster. Our 120 hour TEFL certificate is fully accredited and internationally recognized, meaning you can teach online or around the globe. If you want to teach in your home country at a language centre or would like to go to the UAE, we suggest doing our higher level qualification, our 180 hour level 5 TEFL diploma, as this is the requirement in such competitive countries.
Both courses are your main TEFL qualification and give you the opportunity to start your ESL career. However, there are a few differences between them, and the right choice will depend on your story and goals.
The 120 hour TEFL course is the minimum standard around the world. It is a lovely laid-out course with 10 modules outlined in the course content. This certification can be used primarily to teach online and travel the world. It is the fastest route to getting a qualification.
The 180 hour course is a level 5 qualification and can be compared to a CELTA or TrinityTESOL. This course is harder and longer to complete, but worth it in the end, as it opens up so many opportunities. If you’d like to teach in your home country or certain places in Asia, this course should be taken.
This is dependent on each country. As a whole, along with your TEFL certificate, you will need a clean criminal record, to be in good health, travel insurance, able to fly, funding to make the trip, and most importantly a flexible and positive attitude.
The first thing to do before accepting a job abroad is to check out the visa requirements. Although our TEFL certificate stands alone as a qualification, some countries do require a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. This is not just for teachers but for anyone who wants to enter the country on a work permit. Some of these countries include China, Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea.
For jobs abroad, most schools will ask you for a demo class. This may sound weird at first, but it is a very common request. Remember to be as confident and clear-speaking as you can.
If you have no experience in teaching online, a good idea is to get some teaching practice in as they may ask for “experience” hours, which are unpaid. You can alternatively complete our 10 hour Methodologies course, which has a section focused on teaching English online.
Most online companies will ask for your TEFL certificate, teaching practice to have accessibility to good WiFi, a laptop or other computer devices, and headphones. Some online companies may ask their teachers also to have a Bachelor’s Degree. This is evident in Chinese online companies, as it is a government regulation (no matter where you are currently living).
Online English teaching jobs are advertised on TEFL jobs board and the education sections of national job sites. Another option is to become a freelance online TEFL teacher and recruit students directly. For your virtual classroom, it can be as simple as a quiet room, headphones and Skype or zoom. An excellent way to recruit students is via social media.
You do not need any prior teaching degrees or experience to teach abroad. Once you have your TEFL certificate, you are 100% able to work as a TEFL teacher. A B.Ed. will of course help your resume, but it is definitely not necessary.
Our courses are filled with course content, videos, podcasts, reflective tasks, and tests. They are online courses and can be completed in your own time and from home.
Our 120 hour TEFL course has 10 modules with a multiple-choice test at the end of each module. You will need 80% to pass. We offer free retests, so if you fail the first time, simply go through your coursework again and retake the test. All examinations are completed online and at your own pace. You are given 6 months to complete the course to accommodate people who have full-time jobs and dependents, but ultimately it doesn’t take this long.
Our 180 hour TEFL course has 11 modules with a test at the end of each module, consisting of both MCQs and open-ended questions. This level 5 course has a 100% pass mark. All of the tests can be taken online and submitted. Our system will correct your multiple-choice answers immediately, and you’ll be asked to retake the test if they are not correct. You can retake the test as many times as you need. The open-ended answers are checked by our assessment team, and you will get feedback if your answers need to be changed. You won’t get an unlimited number of times, and there may be an extra to repeat, so be sure to take their feedback into account. Once our assessors pass you, your level 5 government-regulated certificate will be issued. You are given 6 months to complete the course, but extensions are available if needed.
Our specialist courses are much shorter than the main TEFL qualifications. They are all completed online and in your own time. All tests are done online and corrected instantly. They have course content and tests throughout the course. They can be completed before or after the main TEFL qualification.
Our 10 hour Classroom Methodologies Course is completed through Zoom. You will join a class of no more than 12 students with your tutor, Kate. It will be held over two 5 hour days. She will be responsible for your passing mark based on your attendance, involvement and completion of an assignment.
All online course tests are corrected instantly, with the exception of our 180 hour Level 5 TEFL diploma. All accredited courses require an 80% pass rate, and retests are free.
The 180 hour level 5 TEFL course contains both multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The multiple choice questions are corrected instantly, like normal, but word count is the only factor corrected instantly with the open-ended answers. After you have completed the modules, our expert assessors will correct your answers and give you some tips if an answer is not up to standard. Although the instant corrections are free to redo, you may be charged if your long answers are incorrect for a third time, so please take their advice into account when completing the reassessment process.
The TEFL Institute is fully accredited by ACDL. Our 180 hour Level 5 TEFL diploma is regulated by OFQUAL.
All of our accredited courses include a PDF version of the certificate. This is perfect for applying for jobs online or abroad. Sometimes, perhaps for visa reasons, you may need a hard copy. We have options available, but there is an extra cost for print and postage. For our Level 5 TEFL diploma, the price of the physical certification is included.
Absolutely not. Our TEFL certificates stand-alone and fully qualify you as a TEFL teacher. The more you have and the more specialist courses you do, your resume will grow, and you will become more desirable.
Although you do not need any other qualifications, you may need a Bachelor’s Degree or higher for visa reasons when travelling or some school preferences.
All courses are all done online, and no travelling is required for the tests. Except for the 10 hours of Virtual training, you can log on at any time. This is to ensure our TEFL courses can be done while working or for other studies. There is a 6 month deadline for the courses, but you can contact us for extensions.
The 10 hour Classroom Methodologies course is now virtual and done through Zoom. You will need to be available and online during your chosen times.
The two most popular ways to start teaching English online are to either set up your own business; alternatively, it pretty simple to find work with an online school or employer. If you are TEFL certified, teaching English online is a brilliant alternative to traditional classroom-based TEFL. One of the most important things you will need to teach English online is a good wi-fi connection and the correct technology. If you are teaching English online for a school, they will typically have their own online teaching platform that you can use – although you will still need to have a quiet, well-lit space from which to deliver your online English lessons. If you are working for yourself, you will need to create your virtual classroom to teach English online – typically via Skype or zoom, with a microphone and headphones at the beginning. At the very least, you must have a good computer and a fast broadband speed.

TEFL Institute The TEFL Institute +44 20 3318 5366 6 Mornington Pl., Greater London NW1 7RP, United Kingdom
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