The TEFL job market is all based on the global demand for English language learning and this doesn’t seem to be slowing down – even with the increase of learners of other global languages such as Chinese or Spanish, English still maintains a dominant presence in the world with many learners choosing this language to communicate for a variety of reasons. 

Many international students choose to study at English-speaking universities and need to learn English not only to access the course but to be able to participate and pass that course. Others use English for work in business deals or working in industries where English is key, such as tourism. Then you have many students who learn English as a passion – perhaps they love the sound of it, they want to sound like their favourite singers or actors, or they travel a lot and use it to communicate worldwide.

Whatever the reason, the demand for TEFL teachers is not slowing down, as the demand for English lessons continues to grow. This results in many TEFL job opportunities for both new and experienced TEFL teachers across the globe in a variety of contexts. 

What are some developing trends in TEFL teaching?

Online learning

Of course, we cannot deny that this has achieved a huge boost in the last few years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. More and more students are choosing to take lessons online. This method allows them greater flexibility and access to teachers they might not otherwise have. It allows them to fit studying into a busy life so they can still achieve their language learning goals even with a full schedule and family responsibilities. 

Many teachers are also choosing to deliver lessons online as they continue to enjoy the flexible lifestyle that teaching online can offer them. They can teach from anywhere in the world and keep a full schedule by working with different companies. You can negotiate higher pay by tapping into markets in other countries and work with people on a global scale.

Hybrid learning

Whilst online learning is certainly incredibly popular, a lot of schools are also offering a hybrid option where some learning takes place online and some in the classroom. This is a best-of-both-worlds approach that can allow students some convenience at home but also allows them to mix with their peers and be face-to-face with their teacher. There are plenty of people that, are learning online for so long, have started to miss the classroom and the interactions you can get there.

More opportunities for non-native speakers

The industry has often been guilty of native-speakerism, and in some countries this is still present due to requirements for visas but this is changing. There are TEFL job opportunities for fluent, qualified speakers to teach English with their experience and certifications valued. This presents a more diverse work field and different points of view. More and more laws are coming into place banning the use of ‘native speakers only’ in advertisements, so we are seeing a change in the right direction!

Qualifications are key 

The market is competitive so being qualified is more important than ever. Employers want to see that you have been trained to teach and are equipped with the right knowledge to tackle different situations. If you want to stand out even more at an interview, undertaking specialist courses such as Business English or Young Learners is a great way to show you have that additional knowledge and might give you the edge over other applicants. 

Online teaching in China

A few years ago many online TEFL companies working out of China were shut down as the government banned them. This did give rise to a panic that there wouldn’t be a lot of work in China left for TEFL teachers but this hasn’t been the case in recent years. The landscape has changed and shifted to more work in schools and private schools where teachers can earn more money. There are also companies that have found a way to break into other markets (Taiwan, Korea) and continue to work. 

The Middle East

The Middle East is emerging as a more popular place for students to teach TEFL. Whereas teaching might have been limited to certain countries before, the scope has opened up, and teachers can find work in others, such as Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Tourism is also increasing in these countries, creating accessible infrastructure and jobs for those who can teach English.

How to avoid scams in TEFL jobs

Unfortunately, TEFL is not exempt from scams, just as with other professions. Some promote fake jobs, jobs with poor conditions and even take money for jobs that don’t exist. A lot of them are walking red flags, so make sure you know what to look out for!

Asking for payment 

No TEFL job will ask you for payment for anything so this is red flag number one! If a job requires you to pay anything to secure the role or to gain access to the interview, run away! The only instance you might pay is for a legitimate internship abroad with a legitimate company. This is commonplace!

Unrealistic job offers

Do some research about salaries in the area and this will help guide you when looking for jobs. If you come across a job offer that offers double the local rate, then watch out. It might mean that it’s not real – why would they offer so much? 

Direct job without an interview 

If a school offers you a job without an online interview or a phone call, this might be problematic. Think about it, why would you offer someone a teaching job without meeting them first to see if they are the right fit? 

Pressure

A school might give you a realistic deadline for accepting a TEFL job offer and will let you know this, but if any continuous pressure comes to get you to make up for mind, this could be a red flag. If the potential employer also implies you need to decide quickly as they have other candidates, this is also fishy. Regardless of any scam, do you really want to work for someone who puts pressure on you before you’ve even started?

No social media presence 

In 2025, most schools or companies will have an online presence. They might not have the biggest amount of followers but if they’ve been in operation for a few years, they will amass some sort of social media presence with followers, photos, videos and posts. Take a look and research this. If the account exists but doesn’t have any followers or photos then this could be a scam. Websites can be faked also so watch out for this.

Not paying on time

Unfortunately there are companies that won’t pay their teachers fairly or on time for a TEFL job. Companies like this gain a bad reputation and fast so look out for any reviews from other teachers about this. If you’ve seen the school advertise on a regular basis for staff, think about why they are always looking for teachers.

To avoid getting scammed in TEFL:

• Check social media – look at the socials and website of the school or company. There should be some evidence that they are an up and running business. LinkedIn is a good place to look also where you can find current teachers – you could even reach out to them and ask any questions you have.
• Look at reviews – there are two types of reviews you can look at here. Firstly, websites such as GoOverseas or Glassdoor which review schools. You’ll find information about rates of pay, paying on time and the general treatment of teachers. Secondly, you can also check out reviews from students. Happy students normally mean a happy place to work!
• Don’t pay any money. As soon as you get a request for money, cut contact and move onto the next job advert!

When taking a TEFL job, ensure you get everything in writing – the pay, the hours, the responsibilities of the job. It’s also good to ask about class preparation hours – are these included in the pay and contract hours? Are you expected to be present at the school any other time except for the class hours outlined? You can always say no if you’re not happy with the conditions but it’s important to understand what those conditions are.

Succeeding in a TEFL job:

When you begin a new job, it’s always good to have a few months’ worth of savings that cover your expenses. This way, if the job doesn’t work out or isn’t what you thought, you won’t be under too much financial stress.

To succeed in a TEFL job, it’s good to understand how the market works and what are the growing trends – this is how you know where the work is but also where everyone else is aiming for in the market. Scams are unfortunately too common these days but many are also quite apparent to the trained TEFL eye – inform yourself of what to look out for and how to spot those red flags. Whether you’re starting your first TEFL job or planning your next move in a growing career, the world of English teaching is vast, vibrant, and waiting for you, just be sure you’re walking into the right classroom.