TEFL internships are a great way to gain experience in the field of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). They allow you to combine experiential learning with life changing travel and are offered in numerous countries around the world. You might say they are an opportunity not to be missed!
In this article, we share all of the places where you can find TEFL internships and provide information to help you decide if a TEFL internship is right for you. So, read on to find out about the benefits of TEFL internships and learn where you can find them.
Where to Find TEFL Internships?
TEFL internships are offered by a number of TEFL course providers and language schools around the world. The best way to find one in 2024 is through a reputable TEFL course provider. That way you’ll receive high-quality support and always have a point of contact if you have any questions.
Here is where you can find TEFL internships:
MyTEFL
MyTEFL offers internships in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, and Hungary. No experience is required and over half of them don’t require a degree. They all come with TEFL training and you won’t have to worry about looking for TEFL jobs either. Every location apart from South Africa is a paid position!
The duration of their internship range between 3 to 12 months and you can enroll for start dates throughout the year.
The TEFL Academy
The TEFL Academy offers internships to a multitude of locations including Argentina, China, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, India, and many more. All of their internships come with in-country support, with many offering free accommodation.
Programs range from between 3 to 12 months and all come with a monthly salary or stipend. You’ll need to enroll on their level 3 or level 5 TEFL course to be eligible for an internship. However, if you already have a TEFL certificate you can speak to them to see if they’ll accept you on a program.
Premier TEFL
Premier TEFL offers internships across three continents:
Asia: Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Korea.
Europe: Germany, Spain.
South America: Argentina, Colombia.
Outside of Europe, they all come with potential salaries of $1,000 plus a month, making them appealing TEFL internship packages. Each package comes with online TEFL training and internship preparation with visa assistance (if required) and orientation on arrival.
i-to-i TEFL
i-to-i TEFL offers internships in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Full training is provided and you’ll receive a 120-hour accredited TEFL certificate once you complete the TEFL course. i-to-i TEFL boasts continuous in-country support, and you’ll get to socialize with 20+ other interns. This should be a good chance to make some friends!
TEFL UK
TEFL UK offers a variety of internships in locations including Argentina, China, Vietnam Costa Rica, South Korea, Madagascar, and Romania. Perfect for first-time teachers, they come with a TEFL certification course and accommodation is provided. They have available start dates throughout the year, so don’t hesitate to find your ideal location!
See TEFL
See TEFL offers a TEFL internship in Thailand.
TEFL Trainer
TEFL Trainer offers multiple unpaid internships in Spain.
Our Picks
If you’re after the highest-paid TEFL internship, the Japan internship from i-to-i TEFL pays up to $2,300 per month. For an unforgettable experience look no further than Argentina with MyTEFL.
Why You Should Do a TEFL Internship?
A TEFL internship is a perfect opportunity to gain experience teaching English as a foreign language by doing actual teaching. Forget having to look for TEFL courses with teaching practice, with a TEFL internship you get to do the real thing!
TEFL internships can be found all over the world, and they vary in length and type. A number of TEFL course providers offer them and they usually come with a TEFL course included. This means that you don’t even have to worry about getting a TEFL qualification before you apply.
Even if your internship doesn’t come with a TEFL course, it can still be a great way to find a job after completing your TEFL certification. There are plenty of placements out there for teachers who are already qualified.
Plus, if you’ve taken a TEFL course already nothing is stopping you from applying to a TEFL internship that includes a TEFL course. You could think of it as a small price to pay for guaranteed work, or an opportunity to brush up on your existing knowledge with further training.
All you have to do is select your desired program, apply to it, get accepted, and then pay the deposit. You’ll be guided through the whole process of getting abroad and will receive in-country support while you’re there. Before you know it you’ll be on the plane on your way to an adventure of a lifetime and an amazing teaching experience.
The hard part of finding a TEFL job is taken care of for you. It’s almost like being given a TEFL career on a plate!
A shortcut to a TEFL job
When looking for TEFL jobs, there are many different routes you can take. You could apply directly to a language school, go through a recruiter, or apply to different online English teaching jobs. However, you may have noticed it can be quite hard to find a suitable teaching job and get hired. This is particularly true of teaching English abroad where you often have very limited knowledge of the place or the companies offering the positions.
Furthermore, if you take the recruiter or language school route they’ll usually ask for experienced teachers. This can put you in a difficult spot if you’re just starting out.
If only there was another solution I hear you say… The good news is that there is, and it comes in the form of TEFL internships!
What are the Benefits of a TEFL Internship?
If you want to do a teaching internship abroad, there is not much that can rival a TEFL internship.
They are a great way to get your foot in the door as an English teacher. They guarantee you work and present an opportunity to learn more about English teaching and living abroad. This will help you to see if you want to teach English long-term and if it is the right career for you.
They also offer some other benefits that aren’t always available with other types of jobs. Some of the standout benefits of doing a TEFL internship include:
- The chance to live abroad and experience a new culture.
- Gaining hands-on English teaching experience in a foreign country. This is ideal if you plan on a career teaching abroad.
- No previous teaching experience is necessary.
- You can choose if you wish to do a short or long-term internship. This could be over the school holidays or up to and over 6 months.
- Receiving good quality training and learning new skills. A TEFL certification is usually included.
- Learning about different methods and approaches to teaching, as well as how to create and use materials. Training on classroom management and how to deal with difficult situations.
- Receiving support on everything from help with your visa to settling into teaching.
- Getting to know other teachers and professionals in the industry.
- Making friends from all over the world.
- Earning money.
- Building your resume.
Not only that, you’ll also help young learners and adults improve their English skills. It’s not an exaggeration to say that you can help change your student’s lives. Your teaching can have a huge impact. The great thing about a TEFL internship is that you can also have fun whilst you’re doing it!
Are TEFL Internships Paid?
Some are unpaid, some offer a small stipend (or living allowance), while others can pay upwards of $2,000 per month. Depending upon where you are in the world, this sort of money can go a long way.
TEFL interns usually work in exchange for accommodation and/or a stipend. Not to be confused with a salary, a stipend is a fixed amount of money that should cover your living costs and basic expenses. The amount of stipend paid is usually less than that of a traditional salary, but the benefits come in the form of reduced expenses elsewhere such as free accommodation. This means that with a paid internship you should be able to save money in other areas and may actually come out on top!
However, it is important to do your research before committing, as not all TEFL internships are created equally. Some will pay you a lot more money but may not include accommodation or be in an expensive country. Others may pay a small amount of money but be in a country with comparatively low living costs. This can have a big impact on how far your money goes.
If money isn’t a concern and you want to do something charitable, there are always volunteer TEFL teaching internships where you can get volunteer experience and start teaching English abroad.
Several TEFL course providers offer volunteer English teaching internships, and you can also find similar placements with organizations like Pod Volunteer.
Things to Consider When Looking for a TEFL Internship
When looking for a TEFL internship, you should always do your research and make sure you choose wisely. After all, with a teaching internship, you are committing your time and money so you need to find one that is right for you. With that in mind, it is worth considering the following:
Where is it located?
Make sure it is in a country that you’re prepared to live and spend time in. The last thing you want to do is choose a program in a location you’re uncomfortable with. You should also think about the future in terms of where you want to live and work. For example, if you want to work in a country where you can get the highest salary for teaching English abroad, it would make sense to try and do your internship there.
Is it a paid TEFL internship?
Some TEFL teaching internships are unpaid, which can be an issue if you don’t have any money saved. You’ll therefore need to make sure you can support yourself abroad during your chosen internship.
How many hours does the internship require of you?
If it requires long hours this can be challenging, especially if you have other commitments outside of work. You should always check what is expected of you before signing on the dotted line. Fortunately, most TEFL internships should allow you plenty of time to explore your new surroundings!
How long is the internship?
Some short-term internships may not offer a great deal of teaching experience. This can be frustrating for those who are primarily looking to gain as much teaching experience as possible as part of their internship. However, most TEFL internships last between 4-12 months so this shouldn’t be an issue.
How much does a TEFL internship cost?
A TEFL internship can cost anywhere between $0-2,500.
What are the Requirements for Doing a TEFL internship?
Requirements to do a TEFL internship tend to be quite simple and include fluency in the English language and a desire to teach English. Most TEFL course providers who offer internships will also want you to have completed a 120-hour TEFL course before starting work. However, given that the majority of internship programs include this anyway it shouldn’t be a concern.
Some TEFL internships will require you to have a degree, and this is dependent on the visa and government regulations of that country. Not all countries require a degree, so doing a TEFL internship without a degree is still feasible.
Conclusion: Is a TEFL Internship Right for You?
A TEFL internship is a great way to intern abroad, experience another culture, make lifelong friends, learn a new language, and gain English teaching experience. By opting for a TEFL internship you take your TEFL certification experience to the next level. You get guaranteed work and have the chance to go on the trip of a lifetime. You’ll also receive great support along the way, so you know that someone has always got your back whilst you’re abroad.
So, if you want to broaden your horizons, learn more about the world, and get into English teaching, we can’t recommend TEFL internships enough!
James has been helping people teach English abroad for over twelve years. He’s traveled to over 30 countries, lived in 3, and taught English in Chile and online.
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