What Length TEFL Course Do I Need?

Doing the TEFL is the time for you to become familiar with common methodology and activities in the classroom, to solidify and brush up on the foundations of grammar and put all this theory into practice, so that when you start teaching you are not starting from zero. You are starting from a place of basic knowledge which you will build on. Besides that, when you start any job, there is so much information flying around – where the classrooms are, what paperwork is expected from you, what coursebooks are being used – even before you step into the classroom that you don’t want to be panicking about the actual teaching. To put a number to it, you should only be considering courses that are at least 120 hours.

A 120-hour course for TEFL is really the minimum you should do for your own sanity and the success of your future classes. Moreover, it is the recognised standard for TEFL certificates. If you’re worried about getting a job, go for a course that’s at least 120 hours, because that’s usually what employers are looking for. Any more than that may benefit you and your development, but it’s not vital to get a job. Anything less than that and you are putting yourself at a disadvantage not only in terms of employment, but also for your teaching skills.