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.
Browse our popular TEFL Courses, Programmes & more
The TEFL Institute offers a wide variety of TEFL courses, programs and more to help you learn English as a second language.
Expand your Career Opportunities
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) can give you the opportunity to teach all over the world. There are over 200 countries where you can teach English and an online TEFL certification course can help you find your dream job abroad that matches your skills and interests. Getting a TEFL certification can be the start of a new adventure!

180 Hour Ofqual Government Regulated Level 5 TEFL Course

310 Hour Hybrid Level 5 Advanced Diploma in TEFL
Paid Internships
Our paid internships offer you the chance to get you started in the world of TEFL. Our internships come with accommodation assistance, application support and guidance throughout your stay. It’s a great stress-free way to get working abroad and dip your toes into TEFL.

Teach English in Thailand
Thailand is a top TEFL destination known as the ‘Land of the Free’. With some of the highest salaries and a taste of tropical paradise, it’s ...

Teach English in Vietnam
With our TEFL internship in Vietnam, you’ll receive a lifetime TEFL qualification, hands-on teaching experience, and the opportunity to live in o...

Teach English in South Korea
While enjoying the cultural delights of unique and lively South Korea, you’ll earn a lifelong TEFL qualification and improve your teaching skills...
Browse TEFL Jobs
Our TEFL alumni can utilise our free jobs board!!! Studying with us means you get access to the latest jobs all over the world and online. This is even available to you after you finish your TEFL certification program.
Join our complimentary webinars
Keep up with the latest TEFL news with our free webinars. We host a range of webinars with our TEFL experts on various topics – from teaching online to teaching in South America! Students on any of our TEFL certification programs can access these: https://www.mersinforum.net/.
What is a TEFL certification?
TEFL certification is a professional degree that trains people to teach English to non-native speakers, either in traditional classroom settings abroad or online. The acronym TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and obtaining this certification demonstrates that you have the necessary abilities, knowledge, and training to effectively instruct English learners at all levels.
An Accredited TEFL course often covers topics such as English grammar, teaching techniques, lesson planning, classroom management, and lesson adaptation for students of various ages and cultural backgrounds. Courses are meant to give aspiring teachers practical skills and confidence, particularly those who have never taught before. Depending on the program, TEFL courses can be completed online, in-person, or a combination of the two, providing flexibility for people with diverse schedules and aspirations. One of the most prevalent and commonly accepted TEFL certifications is the 120-hour TEFL course, which is frequently required for teaching employment overseas and online.
Completing a TEFL certification opens the door to various opportunities all over the world. A TEFL degree will provide you with the qualifications you need to teach children in South Korea, educate business people in Europe, or work remotely as an online English teacher. For many, it becomes a means of achieving geographic independence, allowing them to forgo the regular 9-to-5 employment and earn a living while travelling or working from home. In many countries, a TEFL certificate is not only desired but also essential for acquiring a work visa to legally teach English.
The benefits of an internationally recognised TEFL certification go beyond work chances. It builds a firm foundation in teaching abilities, develops confidence, and guarantees you’re ready to handle a wide range of classroom circumstances. Most significantly, it lets you to have a significant influence by assisting students in achieving their English language goals. Whether you are motivated by adventure, personal growth, financial gain, or the satisfaction of teaching, a TEFL certification is an excellent investment in your future. With the proper training and a recognised TEFL certificate, the globe can truly become your classroom.
How to get a TEFL certification
To get a TEFL certification, you don’t require any previous experience or qualifications! As long as you are over 18 and have a good level of English, you can apply to study for a course online with us! We have students from all over the world from all backgrounds!
Some of the courses we currently offer are:
180-hour Ofqual Government Regulated Level 5 TEFL Course
This is our fully comprehensive online TEFL course. It’s a Level 5 TEFL course meaning it is one of the best programs you can do to make your CV stand out in the world of TEFL. You can access the course whenever you want to and study at your own pace. Our materials are comprehensive and interactive too! Throughout your course, you’ll have full access to our tutor support, our student discord network and online Zoom sessions!
Accredited 120-hour Advanced TEFL Course
If you’re thinking about teaching online or if you already have some teaching experience, then our industry-standard 120-hour advanced TEFL course could be the right option for you! You can access this fast-track course in your own time and study whenever it suits you! This can be a quick way for you to get qualified and get teaching soon!
Internationally recognised and most accredited TEFL certification UK
The best TEFL certification program is one that is accredited and will be valid for your future employers. Our program online is accredited by our awarding body, Highfield. This means that your TEFL courses will be recognised worldwide as a valid qualification that certifies your knowledge of TEFL. To learn more about Ofqual or verify Highfield’s status as our accrediting body, visit their website: Ofqual.
Studying a TEFL course that is accredited such as our range of courses means that it has been approved by an external body and that it meets the standards for the level. This means that your TEFL course has been verified to meet the industry standards. An accredited TEFL course ensures that you are taking a course that is to the highest standard. This is very important for you and your potential employers to see!
Our course also holds accreditation for distance learning, which means that although you are studying at home, you’re in safe hands with us! Your course has been validated by the Accreditation Council for Distance Learning ensuring a high quality for online learning. Your course is accredited and accepted worldwide, even as an online course. The accreditation number is 2854-2540.
Government Regulated TEFL Certification
Our government-regulated TEFL certification online assures that your course meets the highest TEFL standards. Our 180-hour course is a level 5 course, which is equivalent to the CELTA qualification. These courses are well-known internationally, have high certification standards, and will make you stand out to employers. These courses can lead to job offers all across the world, including online.
Taking a government-regulated course online gives you access to the best quality courses in a convenient way for you. You can receive extensive training all from your living room!
There are some countries which require a higher level of training (South Korea, China, and Japan for example) and taking a government-regulated TEFL certification will ensure that you receive the best training for roles in these countries. You will most likely need to validate your certification to work in these countries. Undertaking an accredited, government-regulated TEFL course means that this process will be smooth. Our courses are accepted worldwide so you won’t get the nasty surprise of having to redo your TEFL course because you didn’t go with an accredited provider!
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about us
World's Most Accredited And Recognized TEFL Certification Provider
A modern language institute that offers an international academic experience . We offer three primary TEFL qualifications with many additional high-quality courses to add to your resume!
We are one of the most Accredited TEFL Certification Provider in the UK
As a renowned and internationally recognized TEFL provider, your mind will be at ease when choosing the right TEFL course. The academic team consists of reputable professionals who work hard to ensure that our courses are high quality and standard.
As a recognisable global TEFL institute to employers worldwide, you will have the ability and confidence to secure your first TEFL job online or abroad.
Moreover, The TEFL Institute provides a full job placement service led by our experienced recruitment team, who are there to advise and help you with your employment opportunities teaching English online or abroad.
THE TEFL INSTITUTE STUDENT APP
STUDY ON THE GO
You can now access our TEFL courses from any device, whether you are on the go or simply at home, through our exclusive TEFL app! If you are currently working on a course or simply need to review it, our app will enable you to always have it on you.

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.
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.
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.