What is TEFL & TEFL Certification?

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. In other words, TEFL is an English instruction for non-native speakers. 

For example, when kindergarten students in China, or university students in Mexico, or business people in Germany learn English, that’s TEFL. Similarly, when a Japanese engineer relocates to the UK for work, or a Dutch student goes to study abroad in the United States, or a Saudi Arabian family emigrates to South Africa, they will learn English as a foreign language in those countries. 

Clearly there are many different situations in which you can learn English as a non-native speaker. You might be learning English as a second language, in which case you might be referred to as an ESL learner. 

If you are learning English as your third, fourth or fifth language, you will be called an EFL learner, an English as a Foreign Language learner.

In terms of learning, there is not much difference between an EFL learner and an ESL learner. 

They are both non-native speakers learning English. These days it is more and more common for people to be fluent in more than one language, it’s the norm to use the blanket term EFL or TEFL to refer to all English language learners and teaching English language learners.

Besides TEFL, there are a bunch of other acronyms and abbreviations you might come across in this field. And you’d be right to be confused when trawling the internet and reading about TEFL and TESOL and EFL and ESL and TESL – who wouldn’t be? What do they all mean? 

Let’s find out.

• ​TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language
• TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Some teachers make a distinction between TEFL and TESOL, and TESL. TEFL and TESOL used to refer to teaching English in a country where English is not spoken, such as Thailand. TESL, then, is teaching English in a country where English is spoken, such as the United States. Generally speaking, the terms are used interchangeably.

In a nutshell, TEFL, TESL, TESOL: do they all mean the same thing? Basically, yes.

TEFL certification is the qualification you need to teach English as a second or foreign language. It is a certificate you are awarded once you have completed a TEFL course.

TEFL is a general term for the certification. There is not one TEFL qualification. There are loads. Think of it as a teaching diploma. All teaching diplomas should cover the same basic content, but some diplomas will be more in-depth, some a higher quality, and others more expensive. 

So the next question is: what is the difference between all the different TEFL courses and TEFL qualifications?

If you want to teach English as a foreign language there are a few things that you should bear in mind: To be a TEFL teacher, you should:

• know about theories of learning and teaching,
• have an awareness of the ins and outs of teaching in a classroom,
• have a thorough understanding of the English language, and
• be able to plan and execute effective English lessons.

It is a myth that if you speak English you can teach English. You wouldn’t hire someone to fix your car just because they know how to drive, would you? This is why it’s important to do a TEFL course and get a TEFL certification before you step into the classroom. 

This is why employers all over the world prefer teachers with a TEFL certification.

A TEFL certification from an accredited, reputable and internationally recognised TEFL course provider opens the door to the TEFL job of your dreams. 

With a TEFL certification you can teach in your home country, abroad or online. 

Different jobs will have different requirements for teachers but a high-quality TEFL certification is the bare minimum of what is required.

The requirements for a TEFL certification vary according to the provider. To do a TEFL course with The TEFL Academy, you need to:

• be at least 18 years old, 
• a native English speaker, 
• or have an English level of Advanced (C1) or higher.

If you are not sure what level your English is there are several websites where you can test it yourself, British Council and Cambridge English are some of the more popular ones. 

It’s important to note that you do not need to have a degree or any previous teaching experience to obtain a TEFL certification. You do not need to have studied Teaching or Education.

The TEFL Academy offers a Level 3 (120-hour) and a Level 5 (168-hour) online course, and a Level 5 (168-hour) combined course which includes a 10-hour Classroom Teaching Practice Course. 

If you’d rather do everything online, in place of the Classroom Practice course there is a 40-hour Online Observed Teaching Practice Course – the first of its kind!

Plus, when you sign up you are given access to our Top-Up Courses for free – you can choose from Teaching Business English, Teaching Young Learners, and Teaching Online and 1:1. 

You might see TEFL courses advertised which are shorter than 120 hours or courses which are cheap as chips. Don’t be fooled! Don’t waste your time or money on TEFL courses which won’t be worth your while. Do your due diligence and make sure your chosen TEFL course provider is able to give you everything you need to get a job teaching English online or abroad. As a leading TEFL course provider, we’ve assisted over 200 000 students get their TEFL certifications. See our alumni stories or read verified reviews on trustpilot.

With TEFL certification, career opportunities abound. With a TEFL qualification, you can:

• teach in schools, universities and language centres,
• teach on summer camps or homestays,
• teach privately and online,
• teach General English, Business English, English for Exams, English for Specific Purposes, 
• become a Head Teacher or Director of Studies,
• Curriculum development and book writing
• become an exam assessor,
• write and develop classroom materials,
• present at conferences,
• train teachers, or
• be a digital nomad.
• Or even become a freelance content writer for TEFL related content

The beauty of a TEFL certification is that if you fall in love with teaching (which is highly likely!), you can continue teaching until you can’t see the whiteboard anymore. Or you can use it as a stepping stone to a whole range of related careers.

How much does TEFL certification cost?

The cost of a TEFL certification varies, but a Level 3 (120 hours) course from reputable providers can typically cost around $300 – $500, while a Level 5 (168 hours) course costs around $600 – $850. Discounts and specials are often available to make the certification more affordable. However, it’s important not to choose the course because it’s the cheapest but choose it because the provider is reputable and many people are happy with it (a.k.a read reviews). 

Is getting a TEFL certificate worth it?

A TEFL certificate is so much more than a piece of paper. It provides you with the foundations of teaching English as a foreign language, equipping you with the tools to create lesson plans and execute lessons, and gives you the confidence to step out of your comfort zone and into the classroom. 

How Long Does It Take To Get TEFL Certified?

Completion time can range from a few months for those working full-time to a few days for those with plenty of time on their hands. The type of course you take also affects the duration. At minimum, a TEFL course should be at least 120 hours long, level 3 course. There are also level 5 courses which start at 168 hours and might be longer depending on any additional requirements e.g., classroom training component might be added. 

Is your TEFL certification accredited? 

Yes it is! The TEFL Academy’s Level 5 TEFL Diploma is internationally recognised, regulated by Ofqual (UK government), accredited by Qualifi, and approved by the DEAC (U.S. Department of Education recognised awarding body). We were the world’s first TEFL course provider to have received official recognition from government-regulated awarding bodies both in the USA and the UK!

What is the salary of a TEFL teacher?

TEFL teacher salaries vary by location and experience. In the UAE for example, a teacher can earn up to $5,000 per month, while in Thailand, a new teacher can expect to start around $1,000 per month. It’s important to consider the cost of living in each location, as well as any additional benefits such as free accommodation, when evaluating potential salaries.

What’s important to remember is the cost of living in a particular country. Your salary can go a lot further in Bangkok (Thailand) than Dubai (UAE). Additionally you’ll also need to take into account any benefits that come with a position too, such as free accommodation, flight reimbursement, healthcare, etc.

Are TEFL teachers in demand?

Absolutely. The demand for English language instruction is only growing. With the rise of online learning there is a greater scope for TEFL teachers to reach students. 

Of course, this also means there has been a recent surge in teachers qualifying to teach English online, so make sure your TEFL qualification is up to scratch by taking a course with The TEFL Academy.

Which country pays the most for TEFL teachers?

The countries with the highest salaries for TEFL teachers include the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, with salaries going as high as $5,000 per month for some of these countries. However, it’s important to note that the cost of living in these countries is typically high, so the actual value of the salary may be lower than expected. In some cases, TEFL teachers may actually save more money by working in countries with lower salaries but lower costs of living.

Is there an age limit for TEFL teachers?

It depends on the country. Theoretically more mature teachers are valued in most countries for their life experiences,  but the issue that comes in relates to visas. Some countries won’t offer work visas for people older than a certain age.

Let’s get to the important bit: how to get started teaching English abroad or online.

1. Find a TEFL course: Choose a TEFL course provider that suits your needs and that is reputable, accredited and internationally recognised. We think we’re the right fit for you and you’ll be the right fit for us. 

2. Sign up for the TEFL course: Dedicate yourself to learning everything you can about TEFL, and reach out for help if you need it. When you sign up with us you’ll have access to a range of resources and support to help you succeed in your TEFL journey.

3. Ace the course: Because we know you will.

4. Receive your certificate: Congratulations, you’re now a qualified TEFL teacher and the only thing standing in your way is finding the perfect teaching job.

5. Find your dream TEFL job: And now you’re ready to apply for jobs and make your dreams come true! We have plenty of resources for our graduates to help you find the perfect TEFL job.

By beginning your TEFL journey with The TEFL Academy, you can benefit from our comprehensive and flexible courses, expert instructors, and ongoing support, all of which can set you up for success as a TEFL teacher and improve your chances of success as you begin your TEFL journey. 

Our courses are accredited in both the US and the UK and 200,000+ students have already taken our courses and are now changing lives across the globe.

So, what are you waiting for? Join the thousands of successful TEFL teachers who have kick-started their career with us and start making a difference in the world today!

READ MORE: 

How to Get TEFL Certified: Everything You Need to Know