How Much Does a TEFL Certification Cost Really?
Are you considering getting TEFL certified, but wondering what getting a TEFL certification can cost? The reality is that the price could be anywhere between $50 – $2,500 (or £40 – £2,200).
The cost of a TEFL certification can vary depending upon the country in which you take the course, the length of the course, and whether or not you choose to do the course online or in-person.
Generally speaking, courses that are taken in-person and those that are longer in duration tend to be more expensive than online TEFL courses.
There are also a number of ways to save money on your certification, such as by taking advantage of early bird discounts or looking out for TEFL courses special offers and discounts.
In this article, we’ll breakdown the different ways of getting TEFL certified and what you can expect to pay in each case. So, read on to find out how much getting a TEFL certification costs and see what fits your budget!
What are the main factors that affect the cost of a TEFL certification?
There are a variety of factors that can affect the cost of a TEFL certification. Let’s take a look at each one in more detail:
Length of the TEFL course
You will find that TEFL courses can vary in length from 10 hours all the way up to 300 + hours. And yes, the length can have a significant bearing on TEFL course cost.
Courses in the 10 – 60 hour bracket are usually what’s referred to as a TEFL taster course. These can cost anywhere between $50 – $200. They are best suited to exploring TEFL to see if it is something that you might be interested in. Additionally, they can be valuable for brushing up on a particular area of TEFL training, such as teaching English to young learners or teaching business English.
However, if you’re serious about getting TEFL qualified you shouldn’t really be looking at anything less than a 120 hour TEFL course. The majority of employers worldwide will require you to have completed one of these as a minimum. For this reason we’ll use the 120 hour TEFL course as a benchmark when looking at prices here.
Naturally, there are courses longer than 120 hours. These tend to be more expensive and represent different TEFL qualification levels. For example, whilst a level 3 TEFL course is 120 hours +, level 5 TEFL courses have at least 168 hours of study time. This makes them more expensive.
Reputation of the TEFL course provider
Brand and reputation can have an impact upon price, this is true in all industries. Established TEFL course providers have built up trust and credibility over the years. This allows them to charge more for their courses.
When it comes to choosing a course, you should opt for one from an accredited TEFL course provider. This will inevitably be more expensive than a non-accredited course that you might find on Groupon from a ‘TEFL cowboy’ as they are sometimes referred to in the industry!
However, you can rest assured that an accredited course is worth it. It will be of higher quality and put you in a better position to get a TEFL job.
Learn more about why finding an accredited TEFL course is important here.
Involvement of a tutor/instructor
Some TEFL courses are self led. This means that they don’t come with a tutor or instructor. So, you’ll receive very little support outside of the course instructions.
On the flip side, a tutor or instructor don’t have to be paid by the course provider. This makes such courses much cheaper than those that do offer tuition.
However, if a course doesn’t come with a tutor it doesn’t necessarily make it a bad course. Many people prefer self-paced learning, so it can dome down to personal preference.
If you do want a tutor with your course you’re going to have to pay more, even if the course is the same length. Nevertheless, the extra support and tuition provided can certainly be worth it. Especially if you’re serious about pursuing a career in TEFL.
Location of the TEFL course
One of the main drivers of cost is the location where the course is taken. For example, courses in Western Europe, North America and Australia tend to be more expensive than courses in other parts of the world.
So, if you want to do your course in person and are on a budget, it might be worth looking at South America and Asia. Just don’t forget to take your travel costs into account! And if you don’t want to travel, taking your course online is always an option.
Is the TEFL course online or abroad?
Online courses tend to be less expensive than in person courses abroad, but they may not be as comprehensive. However, this isn’t always the case and there are some great online TEFL courses out there. We’ll take a look at how much they can each cost below.
How much does an online TEFL certification cost?
The average online TEFL certification program costs between $200 and $600. Some programs may be as low as $50 when on offer, while others may cost upwards of $1,000.
The cost of an online TEFL program will vary depending on a number factors. This can include the length of the program, and the level of tutor support as well as the materials included. Many programs include a course manual, access to online resources, and/or tutor support. Some also include a job guarantee or placement assistance upon completion.
The cheapest 120 hour online TEFL course is currently offered by the World TESOL Academy. Right now it is on offer under $50. You can check out some of the cheapest online TEFL courses here for a more detailed overview.
Online TEFL courses in the next bracket up come in between $200 – $500. Although these are still relatively cheap TEFL courses, they tend to offer a bit extra compared to the cheapest courses. This includes benefits such as more support, job assistance and in some cases even teaching practice.
A number of the best online TEFL courses will now include teaching practice. This is considered a vital element of a TEFL course by certain employers, especially those who require some form of teaching experience! This used to only be reserved for in-person TEFL courses. Online courses have come a long way over the last few years!
The best online TEFL courses are all level 3 TEFL courses and above, and can cost anywhere between $500 to $1,400.
How much does a TEFL certification abroad cost?
A TEFL certification abroad can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500. The cost will depend on the country you choose to get certified in, as well as the length of the program. For example, a 120 hour TEFL course in Thailand could cost around $1,200, while the equivalent in New York could cost upwards of $2,300.
If you decide to get TEFL certified abroad it can be a great way to open up new opportunities for travel and work. This is particularly true if you want to teach English as a foreign language in another country. You’re more likely to get a job teaching English abroad if you’ve done your TEFL course there.
However, before you pack your bags and jet off for sunnier shores, you should take into account any expenses that you might incur for the duration of your trip. Things to think about include:
- Flight tickets
- Accommodation
- Visa
- Food
- Transport
- Entertainment
The cost of living can also have a major impact on the amount of money you need to save if you want to teach English abroad. Take a look at these steps to help you prepare to move to another country.
Short on cash? If you’re looking to do your course abroad, there are a few things you can do. First, try to find a program that includes lodging and meals in the price. Second, look for scholarships or grants that can help offset the cost of the program. Finally, consider fundraising or crowd-sourcing to help cover the expenses.
If you want to some more money, you can check out these TEFL course discounts. Many of the major course providers offer these fairly regularly.
It goes without saying that you’ll need to have some money saved to do your course abroad. However, they are often cheaper than doing onsite TEFL courses at home in the U.S. or UK for example. Plus, there are a number of great reasons why you should take your TEFL course abroad.
How much does an onsite TEFL course cost in your own country?
If going aboard doesn’t appeal to you, you can take a course in your home country. The price will of course depend upon where you are from among other factors.
A four week, onsite TEFL course in the U.S. or UK can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $2,500. They are generally taught in a classroom with other students and at university level.
Even though you won’t need to travel abroad for it, you’ll still need to take any travel costs or time off required into account. As an onsite course, it’s also likely to be highly intensive. This means that you won’t have much time for other things during the course.
You can find prices of TEFL courses in your country by searching our global TEFL course directory here.
How much do hybrid TEFL certifications cost?
If four weeks in the classroom sounds like too much, you might want to consider a hybrid TEFL certification. These offer a combination of studying online alongside the face-to-face element of a classroom based course.
The bulk of a hybrid TEFL course is usually completed online. The classroom element is reserved for that all important teaching practice.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the cost of a hybrid TEFL certification comes in somewhere in between that of an online course and a in-person course. You can expect a hybrid TEFL certification to set you back around $400 – $750 on average. Although prices can be anywhere between $300 – $1,000.
Once again, it’s important to remember that this cost doesn’t include any flight or accommodation expenses. Keep this in mind if you choose to do the classroom part of the course abroad.
What about other TEFL certifications?
So far we’ve only talked about TEFL courses, and haven’t touched upon CELTA, DELTA or CertTESOL. So, it’s only fair that we give them some attention too! After all, there are many different types of TEFL certification available, each with their own unique content and cost.
CELTA course cost
Outside of the standard TEFL courses, the most popular type of TEFL certification is the CELTA (although this is actually a TEFL course in itself).
CELTA typically costs between $1,000 and $2,000. It is 120 hours in length and is usually studied in the classroom over an intensive four week period. It also includes 6 hours of live teaching practice.
Although the CELTA course curriculum is standardized wherever you take it, the price can vary depending upon where in the world you study.
DELTA course cost
The DELTA certification is an advanced qualification equivalent to a Masters (and the next level up from a CELTA course). It’s therefore for people with existing teaching experience and this is reflected in the price. DELTA typically costs anywhere between $3,000 and $4,000.
CertTESOL course cost
The CertTESOL certification is possibly slightly less well known but is still widely recognized. It typically costs between $1,000 and $2,000 and can be studied in language centers all around the world.
Like the CELTA course, it is for people starting out in teaching English as a foreign language
Conclusion: Is a TEFL certification worth the money?
While the initial investment for an online TEFL certification may seem like a lot, it’s important to remember that this is a lifetime investment.
With a TEFL certificate, you’ll be able to work in any number of countries around the world and earn a very respectable salary. You can earn upwards of $5,000 per month in the countries that offer the highest salaries for teaching English abroad.
Without a TEFL certificate you may still find some opportunities to teach English abroad. However, they are likely to be low paid and you’ll be doing a disservice to both yourself and your students. By obtaining your TEFL certification, you’ll be equipped with the skills necessary to deliver quality English lessons that your students deserve. You will also be better placed for more job opportunities and increased compensation.
If you don’t fancy traveling the world, there are a number of other things you can do with a TEFL certificate. You can take on one of the many online English teaching jobs that are available, start your own tutoring business or even go into EdTech. Either way, having a TEFL certificate it will help you land your dream teaching job and earn some decent money.
So, provided you’re within your budget, try not to overthink the cost right now. Long term, it will be far outweighed by the benefits that possessing a TEFL certificate will bring you.
Start your TEFL journey today and see how far you can go.
