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Which TEFL Course Should You take?

Find out which TEFL certification best suits your needs and current level of English teaching experience

TEFL Courses

TEFL courses provide a great foundation for the start of your English teaching journey. They are offered at different levels, time durations, and prices, and be done either online or in the classroom.

TESOL Courses

TESOL courses come under the same umbrella as TEFL courses and are largely interchangeable with them, but can have more focus on teaching English to non-native speakers in an English-speaking country.

CertTESOL Courses

CertTESOL courses are accredited by Trinity College London. They are ideal for people starting out in English teaching, or those with experience, who require an internationally recognized qualification.

CELTA Courses

CELTA courses are accredited by Cambridge University and are designed for people with little or no English teaching experience. They will train you teaching techniques that you can use anywhere in the world.

DELTA courses

The DELTA course is a comprehensive course accredited by Cambridge University. You’ll build upon your existing TEFL qualifications and knowledge of English teaching to gain a diploma equivalent to a Masters.

Online or in-class?

Choosing between an online or in-class TEFL course depends on your goals, schedule, and learning style. Online courses offer flexibility, while in-class courses provide hands-on experience and can be done abroad.

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TEFL Course FAQs

A TEFL course trains you in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Upon completion of the course you get a TEFL certification. This qualifies you to start teaching English online and abroad.

TEFL certification courses will typically be at least 120 hours in length. They prepare you to teach the four key language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. You will also learn about classroom management, making lesson plans, how to build effective learning materials and brush up on your English grammar. Plus you’ll have the opportunity to study any additional modules the course provider chooses to include such as Business English.

The word ‘TEFL Course’ can be used as an umbrella term that covers TEFL, TESOL, CertTESOL, CELTA and DELTA courses. All of these could be categorized as TEFL courses even though they are unique qualifications. You can learn more about the difference between TEFL, TESOL, CertTESOL, CELTA and DELTA here.

A TEFL course can cost anywhere between $30 to $3,000. This can depend on a number of factors such as:
 
What type of TEFL course you choose.
 
You can pick from TEFL, TESOL, CertTESOL, CELTA and DELTA courses. Both the TEFL and TESOL course tend to be cheaper than CertTESOL, CELTA and DELTA, which are usually more intensive classroom based courses.
 
Is it an online TEFL course or a classroom course?
 
Classroom courses are more expensive because they generally offer teaching practice and a more immersive learning experience. You’ll also receive TEFL training from a qualified tutor, whereas online courses are often completed without direct tutor input.
 
Is the TEFL course accredited?
 
Accredited TEFL courses are more expensive because they are recognized by an external organization who evaluate the quality of TEFL qualifications. Finding an accredited course is important because you can have more confidence that you will receive a decent level of TEFL training and tuition.
 
The reputation of the TEFL course provider.
 
If they have a good reputation, then you can be more confident in the quality of their courses.
 
The course content and course materials.
 
All TEFL courses will have similar content but some will offer additional modules and specialist qualifications. These can raise the price of the course, so pick wisely when selecting any additional TEFL course options.
 
The amount of tutor support.
 
If the course has no tutor support you can guarantee it will be a lot cheaper than one that does. However, tutor support can be very valuable so you’ll need to decide how important this is for you.
 
The level of the TEFL course.
 
You can take a level 3 TEFL course, a level 5 TEFL course or a level 7 TEFL course. Each of these qualification levels represent the level of study of the course. For example, a level 5 TEFL course is evaluated to have an equivalent level of study to an undergraduate degree, whereas a level 7 course is of a Masters level. Needless to say, the higher the level, the higher the cost of the course. You can read more about TEFL levels here.
 
The length of the course.
 
Usually, the longer the course the more expensive it is. For most budding TEFL teachers it is recommended that you take at least a 120-hour TEFL course. The average 120-hour online TEFL course typically costs around $300 – $600.
 
TEFL course discounts.
 
These are offered by nearly all TEFL course providers and can significantly reduce the TEFL certification cost. These usually come in the form of a sitewide offer or a discount code for a particular course. Check here for the latest TEFL courses special offers and discounts.

Yes, it is worth getting a TEFL certificate. In most cases you will need one in order to teach English as a foreign language. Without a TEFL certification your job opportunities will be reduced. You’ll also have a harder time finding a good English teaching job. The majority of language schools worldwide require you to be TEFL certified, so it’s an important step for your TEFL career.

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) can open up a whole new world of opportunities. If you want to work abroad, or travel the world whilst working, not much comes close to English teaching. If you don’t fancy travelling, don’t worry. Now more than ever people are teaching English online. This can be a great way to earn some extra money or even start a new career.

Teaching English, and TEFL in particular, is ideal both if you’re looking for a career break or if you’re thinking about embarking on a teaching career. Due to the massive growth of the English language around the world, demand for English teachers is higher than ever. However, with more and more people looking at TEFL as a career option, it has become increasingly important that you get a well-recognized certificate in TEFL in order to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

Doing a reputable, accredited TEFL course can give you access to a much wider choice of teaching positions and give you a better chance of landing your dream job. It also introduces you to other teachers and helps you expand your network. But perhaps most important of all, it equips you with the English teaching skills that can improve people’s lives. For that reason alone it is worth getting your TEFL certification.

But how do you go about choosing a reputable TEFL certification course that is right for you? After all, there are an incredibly wide variety of courses to choose from. This is where we come in at DoTEFL. We provide you with a global directory of TEFL courses, TEFL course reviews and articles, to help you find the best TEFL course for you.

Start by taking a look at the different types of TEFL certification courses above to see what course best suits your needs.

This will depend on the TEFL certification provider. As a general rule of thumb you will need to be able to show that you:

  • Are at least 18 years old.
  • Have sufficient educational qualifications to enter higher education.
  • Have a good grasp of the English language.

You don’t need to be a native speaker, but some course providers might ask you to demonstrate your English level in some way.

Is having a certificate in TEFL necessary to teach English abroad? Yes! Nearly all reputable English language schools around the world will ask you to be TEFL certified. Many won’t even consider you if you don’t have a TEFL certification. This especially applies in an English-speaking country where job requirements can be a lot stricter. So, our advice is to get TEFL certified!

Some schools and online TEFL companies will even require you to have a specific TEFL qualification. Therefore, you should take job requirements into account when picking out your TEFL certification. After all, it’s important that you go with the right certificate in TEFL for your chosen position.

Having said that, you don’t always need a TEFL certification to teach English abroad. In countries where English is in very high demand and there are few teachers you may get away without it. However, without any form of qualification your options will be severely limited. Furthermore, and putting your own ambitions to one side for a second, teaching English abroad without a TEFL certification is doing a disservice to your students.

The best English teachers always want their students to benefit from their teaching as much as possible. By obtaining a TEFL certification you’ll receive in depth training on lesson planning, lesson content, grammar and instruction. Consequently, you’ll be in a much better position to deliver great lessons with a TEFL certification under your belt.

Yes, you can do TEFL without a degree. You don’t need a degree to undertake a TEFL, TESOL, CELTA or CertTESOL course. So, when it comes to getting qualified your options are open!

You’ll be pleased to hear that you can also get a TEFL job without a degree. In some countries in South East Asia and South America, a TEFL certificate and a demonstrable grasp of the English language is sufficient. However, other countries have different entry requirements for TEFL teachers. For example, in countries such as Japan and South Korea you need a degree in order to get a visa. Each country has their own requirements so it’s important to do your research before you go.

In addition to this, different language schools can have different requirements and some will require a degree. So even if the country you intend to work in doesn’t require a degree it’s always worth checking on this. Likewise, if you intend to teach English online some companies don’t require a degree and others do. You can get a full breakdown of these requirements in our guide of online English teaching jobs.

With hundreds of TEFL courses to choose from, it can be hard to know which TEFL course is best. Each course offers something different and there are various different types of TEFL certification available. Therefore, it’s always important to do your research to find the right course for you.

What you should consider when choosing your TEFL course:

  • What TEFL course fits with your level of experience and requirements?

When searching for TEFL courses you’ll come across a range of options. These include TEFL, TESOL, CertTESOL, CELTA and DELTA courses. Both the TEFL and TESOL course offers a great entry level option and are ideal if you want to pick up some English teaching work online or abroad.

CELTA courses and the Trinity CertTESOL are generally more expensive and taken by people serious about pursuing a career in TEFL. Whilst DELTA courses are reserved for those with existing teaching experience who want to progress into more senior roles. Each of these are different so make sure you pick the right course, and best TEFL certificate, for you.

  • Is it an in class TEFL course, an online TEFL course, or a hybrid TEFL course (both in class and online)?

If you want to get a TEFL job in a specific country it can be a good idea to do your course there. This will help you build your network there and open up opportunities in that country. However, there are also many great online TEFL courses. Obtaining an online TEFL certificate can be equally as effective in securing you a job teaching English abroad, online or at home.

If you can’t decide or want the best of both, you can go for a hybrid course. The first part is usually done online and then you travel out to the country to do your teaching practice and complete the course.

  • How long is the course?

Many employers who ask for a TEFL qualification will expect you to have taken at least a 120 hour TEFL course.

  • Is it an accredited TEFL course?

A TEFL accreditation from reputable organizations such as Ofqual, the University of Cambridge, British Council, TQUK and/or ACTDEC are highly valuable. They can provide you with reassurance that you’ll be receiving good quality training and a recognized, trusted TEFL qualification.

  • TEFL Level 3, TEFL Level 5 or TEFL Level 7?

You may have seen that some TEFL courses come in levels. These represent the level of the qualification, which is assigned by Ofqual. For the purpose of choosing your course, you should be aware that TEFL level 5 is the same level of study as an undergraduate degree. TEFL level 3 is below this and TEFL level 7 is above it. Most people starting out should be looking at either level 3 or level 5 TEFL courses. You can learn more about what level of TEFL course you should take here.

  • How much does the TEFL certification cost?

The price of a TEFL program can range anywhere between $30 to $3000, and like with most things in life you do get what you pay for. You’ll still find some great value online TEFL courses around the $100 mark but you should review them carefully. This is important, as you’ll need to ensure that the course matches the requirements of your target online TEFL job or desired location.

  • Is it from a reputable TEFL course provider? 

If you want to land a your dream teaching job after completing your TEFL certification course, you need to make sure you go with a good TEFL course provider. They will be able to offer you the best TEFL training so that you can take your pick of teaching locations around the world.

  • Does it have good reviews? 

TEFL course reviews can be particularly helpful when it comes to deciding upon the best course for you. If the course receives good reviews both for its content and instruction you can be fairly sure that it’s worth doing.

No, a TEFL certification does not expire. Once you get TEFL certified you’re qualified for life!

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