what qualifications do i need to take a tefl course

by Bridie Kuhic 4 min read

What qualifications do I need to take a TEFL course? Having at least a high school diploma (A-Levels / Leaving Certificate / Matric or equivalent) is the minimum education level expected of TEFL teachers.

TEFL certificate entry requirements
  • Minimum education requirements for online TEFL course: High school diploma/GED.
  • Minimum education requirements for in-person TEFL course: Bachelor's degree.
  • Proof of English profiency for non-native speakers.
  • Scan of government ID.
  • Written application and essay.
Jul 30, 2018

Full Answer

What do I need to get a TEFL certificate?

Jun 10, 2016 · Some TEFL course providers will ask for the equivalent of A-levels or a high school graduation certificate, and some may even ask for a degree; but we don’t feel this is necessary. A specific TEFL qualification and teaching experience is much more important than what grades you got during your studies! A degree of high school qualification doesn’t tell us if …

How quickly can I get TEFL certified?

Apr 01, 2020 · What qualifications do I need to take a TEFL course? Having at least a high school diploma (A-Levels / Leaving Certificate / Matric or equivalent) is the minimum education level expected of TEFL teachers. Some employers prefer TEFL teachers to have a degree level education while certain countries require a bachelor’s degree or higher for visa and work permit …

What qualifications do I need to take a TEFL course?

You don’t need a degree in English language or a PhD in linguistics to apply either. In fact, to be eligible for a TEFL course, all you need is native-level English, a laptop or tablet with good WiFi connection, and bags of enthusiasm. Our Level 5 TEFL courses are designed to take you from TEFL newbie all the way through to being ready to teach your first paying class. The courses …

What can you do with a TEFL certificate?

Sep 12, 2021 · To get your TEFL qualification you don’t need to have a degree in English, or in teaching, or anything connected. You can take the qualification without having any higher education qualifications at all — although it’s worth knowing in advance that many employers prefer degree holders, and some countries require a bachelor’s degree to issue a visa to …

What is TEFL certification?

TEFL certification refers to a qualification specifically for teaching English – abroad or online – to English language learners. In the world of English language teaching there are a lot of different acronyms, which can get a little confusing!

Is there an accreditation body for TEFL?

There is no over-arching accrediting body for TEFL courses , which means providers can hold accreditation from a wide range of bodies. An easy way to spot the good from the not-so-good is to check if a provider has accreditation from government or government-affiliated bodies.

NEW Virtual Classroom TEFL Courses

Whether you’re here in the United States or abroad, taking TEFL classes has never been easier! Our Virtual TEFL Classroom gives our students a customized learning experience from the comfort of their own home. Led by an experienced TEFL tutor, you’ll be guided through how to plan, prepare, and deliver effective and engaging lessons.

TEFL certification with our most popular courses

We have a range of courses customized to your needs. There is an array of TEFL courses out there and most employers require teachers to have at least completed a 120-hour certificate. If you have no prior English language teaching experience, then we recommend the following courses best suited to your professional development and career prospects.

Level 5 TEFL Courses

Master TEFL with our Level 5 TEFL courses, our most comprehensive TEFL training available. Gain a wealth of knowledge on our OFQUAL (non-ministerial English government department) regulated qualification that will make your resume stand out.

TEFL Online Courses

Our online TEFL courses have been created to fit around your existing schedule so you can get TEFL certified in your own time, at your own pace. You’ll be supported throughout the course with the help of a personal tutor with extensive teaching and training experience.

Advanced TEFL Courses

Do you already have the TEFL certification? Further enhance your resume by enrolling on one of our advanced online TEFL courses.

Specialist Courses

Already have the TEFL qualification and want to stand out from the crowd? Boost your TEFL certification by taking one of our specialist courses that’ll help you craft a winning resume.

How long does it take to complete a TEFL course?

While many learners complete their TEFL course in as little as three weeks, the average duration hovers in or around 6–12 weeks for all of our Teach Away TEFL courses.

How long is a TEFL course?

There’s a minimum course length required. Online courses vary in length from as few as 40 hours to 200+ hours. If you’re counting on your TEFL certification to qualify you to teach abroad, you will need to ensure your TEFL course is comprised of the minimum amount of training schools are looking for.

What is a TEFL certification?

A TEFL (English as a Foreign Language) certification is the globally accepted qualification to teach English abroad to students (both children and adults) whose first language isn't English. A TEFL is what most hiring schools are looking for on a teach abroad application.

Is a practicum required for TEFL?

And that’s it, really! A teaching practicum, while sometimes touted as a critical component of any TEFL course, is not actually required as it doesn’t count as actual teaching experience by hiring schools abroad.

How many hours of TEFL online?

The TEFL course from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) comes in three customizable course options, which range from 100–150 hours of online study. Teachers in the 120- and 150-hour OISE TEFL courses can customize their course with specializations like Teaching English to Young Learners and Teaching English to Arabic Speakers.

What does TEFL stand for?

TEFL is a four-letter acronym, short for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. You’ve probably seen TEFL pop up a time or two when researching teaching abroad, along with other popular in-person and online ESL certifications like TESL, TESOL and CELTA.

What are you looking for?

TEFL FAQs > Can I teach abroad? > What qualifications do I need to teach English abroad?

Do I need to be fluent in English to get a job in TEFL?

It might sound obvious but being fluent in English is a pretty basic requirement for a TEFL teacher. If you are not fluent in English, we suggest you think of an alternative career.

Do I need to be a native English speaker to get a job in TEFL?

Job opportunities do exist for fluent, non-native English speakers – particularly in South and Central America as well as some parts of South East Asia and Eastern Europe. However, in other parts of the world being a native English speaker is pretty much an essential requirement.

Do I need a TEFL qualification to teach English?

If you want to get a reasonable, paid job in TEFL, you will normally need to prove that you have successfully completed an accredited 120 hour TEFL course from a reputable provider.

Can I get a TEFL job if I have completed a TEFL taster course?

If you simply want to do a few days of volunteer teaching, you probably could get away with a TEFL taster course (also known as a TEFL foundation or TEFL introduction course). It will help you know where to start when those scary (sorry, “friendly”) students are looking at you expectantly.

What is a 120 hour TEFL certificate course?

A 120 hour TEFL course generally is the entry-level qualification you will need to get a reasonable, paid TEFL job.

Do I need a degree to teach English overseas?

It is not essential to have a degree to teach English across the world but it definitely helps. This is usually due to visa or government requirements, rather than anything actually related to teaching – which means that it is the fact that you have a degree, rather than the subject that it is in, which is important.

Do you need a degree to become a TEFL teacher?

TEFL teachers do not necessarily have to have a college or university degree, but a bachelor’s degree might be required, or at least highly desired, for some jobs. The most common job requirement for TEFL teachers is not a degree, but TEFL certification, which you can read more about below.

How many hours do you need to take a TEFL course?

Following are the typical steps to becoming a TEFL teacher: Take a reputable, accredited TEFL certificate course of at least 120 hours.

How long does it take to get a TEFL certification?

As mentioned above, most reputable TEFL certification courses are at least 120 hours in length, which are often accelerated into “intensive” programs that students can finish in around four to eight weeks of full-time study, or longer if attending part time. Many TEFL courses are offered in an online or hybrid format, but keep in mind that an in-person teaching experience component is almost always required. Following are the typical steps to becoming a TEFL teacher: 1 Take a reputable, accredited TEFL certificate course of at least 120 hours. 2 Within the course, complete supervised practice teaching experience (commonly between six and 20 hours). 3 Begin applying to open TEFL teaching positions.

How does a TEFL teacher help students?

TEFL teachers focus on teaching students how to communicate in English, including building their skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English. TEFL teachers may work at public or private schools, language academies, businesses, or non-profit organizations or as private tutors, using their own home, the homes of students, or public locations to conduct classes. The job of TEFL teachers depends largely on the needs of their students. Some adult students might have learned the basic mechanics of English in primary and secondary school, but feel uncomfortable communicating in English as adults. In this case, a TEFL teacher might focus on improving the speaking and listening skills of these students through practice with conversation-based classes. TEFL teachers with a classroom of children might focus on building students’ English vocabulary through play. Still other TEFL teachers may teach adult classes in a work environment to help students learn to communicate using English jargon associated with a particular industry, such as medicine or marketing. TEFL teachers often have to teach students of varying levels and abilities within the same classroom.

Where do TEFL teachers work?

TEFL teachers may work at public or private schools, language academies, businesses, or non-profit organizations or as private tutors, using their own home, the homes of students, or public locations to conduct classes. The job of TEFL teachers depends largely on the needs of their students.

Is TEFL certification required?

Depending on whether teachers decide to work as part of a school or as self-employed private English teachers or tutors, TEFL certification might not be necessary. However, it is still a qualification that most TEFL teachers pursue, and the coursework usually offers necessary preparation for new teachers of English.

How many hours are required for TEFL?

Accreditation bodies require common standards for TEFL courses, such as a certain number of training hours (commonly 100) and a certain number of supervised teaching hours (a minimum of six, but commonly up to 20).

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