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Glam Fame Journal

What is a TEFL course

Author

Matthew Perez

Updated on April 26, 2026

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. A TEFL course is a course that trains you how to be a TEFL teacher.

What is TEFL in full?

TEFL is an acronym that stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Essentially, it involves instructing non-English speakers in how to read, write, and speak English. And typically, in order to secure a position teaching English you need TEFL certification.

How does TEFL certification work?

A TEFL certification is the qualification you get from successfully completing a TEFL course(Teaching English as a Foreign Language). … The term TEFL is generally used for teaching English to non-native English speakers in non-native English-speaking countries.

Does TEFL get you a job?

According to the British council, there are 750 million EFL speakers. This combined with a shortage of English language teachers’ means good news for TEFL teachers as it shows us that TEFL jobs are available all over the world. Most people who study TEFL courses online have lots of options.

Is TEFL a teacher certificate?

A TEFL certification is not a teaching license. … TEFL is an internationally recognized certificate for teaching English abroad as a second language at all levels. Whereas, a teaching license is a domestically recognized certificate for teaching specific subjects/levels in your home country.

How long is a TEFL course?

Online TEFL courses are usually 120 hours plus in order to meet the benchmark required by employers. You can add on specialist modules and even combine with a classroom course to give yourself a really rounded learning experience.

How do I become a TEFL teacher?

  1. Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (Cambridge CELTA)
  2. Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Trinity CertTESOL)
  3. Level 5 TEFL Diploma.

How much money do TEFL teachers make?

So, how much do English teachers abroad get paid? Overall, a TEFL teacher’s salary can vary anywhere from $600-$4,000 USD per month.

Who can do TEFL course?

TEFL course is basically open to all. There is no particular requirement of any special eligibility criteria. Any graduate in any discipline with basic knowledge in English makes one eligible to pursue professional TEFL course.

Can you teach English abroad with just a TEFL?

Yes. Schools in countries the world over will hire you to teach English abroad without a college degree if you have an accredited TEFL certification. Numerous destinations throughout South America, and some in Europe and Asia, will hire you to teach English abroad without a 4-year degree.

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Can you teach with just a TEFL?

One of the best things about the field of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is that it’s open to just about anyone.

Where can I teach TEFL without a degree?

  • Cambodia. Cambodia is a popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia thanks to its ancient temples, such as Angkor Wat, and its incredible beaches in the South. …
  • Mexico. …
  • Costa Rica. …
  • Nicaragua. …
  • Argentina. …
  • Russia. …
  • Spain. …
  • Romania.

Is TEFL course difficult?

Generally speaking TEFL is not hard to pass. Face-to-face courses generally have interviews and strict admission requirements so if it is not likely to complete or pass the course, they will not be admitted in the first place.

Which TEFL certificate is best?

  • Best Overall: International TEFL Academy.
  • Best Online Program: Premier TEFL.
  • Best Budget-Friendly Option: ITT.
  • Best for Student Support: TEFL Org.
  • Best Hybrid Program: ITTT.
  • Best for Specializations: Teach Away.
  • Best for Overseas Job Placement: TEFLPros.
  • Best for Online Teaching: i-to-i.

How much is TEFL course?

Depending on the location and what’s included, a TEFL course in South Africa can cost anywhere from about $900 to $1,700. In addition to the tuition, programs include costs for housing, cultural and immersion activities, and meals.

Does TEFL expire?

No, an accredited TEFL certificate does not expire and never needs to be renewed.

Which is best TEFL or tesol?

If you’re going to teach in a country where English is not the primary language, then the TEFL vs. TESOL Certification deliberation becomes more comfortable as a TEFL will serve you better than a TESOL certificate.

How can I get my TEFL certification online for free?

  1. Henry Harvin TEFL Academy.
  2. English First.
  3. London Teacher Training College.
  4. TEFL Professional Development Institute.
  5. Future Learn.
  6. Introduction to Applied Linguistic and TESOL –University of Leicester.
  7. Teaching English Online – Cambridge Assessment English.

What countries can you teach in with TEFL?

  • China. China is first on this list for a reason. …
  • Costa Rica. One of the most desirable countries in the world for teachers is also one of the most accepting of online training. …
  • Brazil. Want to head even further south? …
  • Thailand. …
  • Turkey.

Can I teach abroad without TEFL?

You might be able to get a teaching job abroad without a TEFL if: You have experience. If you’re already an experienced teacher, you might not need a TEFL. An impressive resume, packed with lots of teaching jobs, could be enough for some schools to hire you.

Do TEFL jobs pay well?

How much do TEFL teachers earn? … A teacher’s salary can be as little as $600 USD per month to as much as $4,000 USD! Each country not only has different salaries, but also different teaching requirements, expectations, and contract lengths to think about.

What does Level 5 TEFL mean?

A Level 5 TEFL qualification is an equivalent level to a CELTA or Foundation Degree. This level is ideal for accessing the best TEFL jobs out there. Better paid TEFL jobs, whether that’s online or abroad, will be more accessible.

Do I need a degree to take a TEFL course?

You don’t HAVE to have a degree to participate in TEFL courses or to be eligible for many EFL teaching jobs around the world, nor do you have to be a native English speaker. However, many international schools will only hire non-degree holders who have completed at least a 100+ hour TEFL certificate training course.

Do you need a bachelor's degree to do TEFL?

Although teaching English abroad without a degree is possible, earning your TEFL certification will help your develop your teaching skills, certify your competency in teaching the English language to non-speakers and increases your job opportunities.

How old do you have to be to do a TEFL course?

The minimum age requirements for TEFL and CELTA courses is usually 18 years old. A qualified candidate is always in with a chance. However, employers in many countries require their teachers to possess a university degree, which boosts the minimum age effectively to 21.

How do I get a TEFL job with no experience?

  1. Get TEFL qualified. …
  2. Make sure your CV is up to scratch. …
  3. Apply for vacancies listed on TEFL jobs sites. …
  4. Send your CV proactively to language schools. …
  5. Go to where you want to teach. …
  6. Use a TEFL recruitment agency. …
  7. Get some TEFL experience.

Which country pays the most for English teachers?

1. The United Arab EmiratesUS$3,500 – 5,000 per month2. JapanUS$2,200 – 5,000 per month3. Saudi ArabiaUS$3,000 – 4,000 per month4. KuwaitUS$2,600 – 4,000 per month5. OmanUS$2,000 – 3,500 per month

Which country is best for Indian teachers?

  • China. The demand for English-speaking international education in China is still growing, and more and more international bilingual schools are being set up for local Chinese families. …
  • Spain. …
  • Kazakhstan. …
  • UAE. …
  • Malaysia. …
  • Mexico. …
  • Vietnam. …
  • Qatar.

What qualifications do you need to be a teacher abroad?

Although it’s possible to find EFL teaching jobs without any experience or qualifications, the majority of language schools require a university degree in any subject and a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certificate.

How can I become an English teacher online?

Requirements: Lingoda have some of the higher requirements for online English teachers. To work for them, you must have at least 2 years of teaching experience, have a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certification and be a native speaker of the language you want to teach (in this case, English).

Is TEFL enough?

When searching for a TEFL course, many students ask ‘is a 120-hour TEFL certificate enough to teach in a classroom or online?’ … It may not feel like enough time to become a qualified teacher, but we can assure you that it is. 120 hours is the bare minimum that most ESL employers will ask you to complete.