What Is TEFL & Is It Right For You?
What is TEFL? If you’ve been thinking about starting to teach English online or abroad, this could well be a question on your mind. Luckily, if you’re looking for answers you’re in the right place! We’ll help you learn what TEFL means, decide if TEFL is for you, and get an understanding of TEFL certifications so that you can get qualified and start teaching.
Before long, I’m confident that you’ll be ready to take your TEFL course and get TEFL certified. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
What is TEFL?
Quite simply, TEFL is the acronym for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. In essence, this is teaching English to non-native speakers, which can be done either abroad or online.
You may also have seen TEFL described under other, similar sounding TEFL acronyms. What are these acronyms I hear you ask… Well, some of the most well-known ones are TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Whilst both of these are often used to describe TEFL, it is important to understand that there are some key differences between TEFL, TESL, and TESOL.
However, when it comes to choosing a TEFL course and getting TEFL certified, TEFL and TESOL are often used interchangeably. For instance, some courses allow you to request either a TEFL or TESOL certificate upon completion, even though the content you cover is identical in both!
What Does TEFL Involve?
TEFL involves teaching English as a foreign language to non-native speakers either abroad or online. In the past, the majority of people who got into TEFL started out teaching English abroad. However, today people are increasingly teaching English online.
If you want to teach English abroad, you need to be prepared to relocate and live in another country. This can be a great adventure but it’s not without challenges. A good way to see if you’re ready for this is by taking a TEFL course abroad. In fact, this is just one of the many reasons why you should take a TEFL course abroad!
Alternatively, you can teach English online. This is ideal if you prefer your home comforts and you can even do it whilst on the road, which makes it a great travel job.
Is TEFL Right For You?
To decide if TEFL is the right fit for you, you need to consider several factors.
First, assess your passion for teaching and interacting with other cultures. Do you enjoy helping others learn and does the prospect of working in a multicultural environment excite you? If it does, teaching English as a foreign language could be perfect for you.
As a TEFL teacher, you have the option to teach English online or teach abroad. This means you can experience a variety of different teaching environments and locations. TEFL often involves living and working in different countries and it represents a great opportunity to see the world. So, if you have a passion for travel it could be the ideal career.
You’ll also need to examine your communication skills, as effective communication is crucial in teaching English as a foreign language. Teaching English to non-native speakers also requires other teaching qualities such as patience and empathy, as it can take time to learn a new language. Who knows, if you do go abroad, you may even get to experience this for yourself!
In summary, if you’re seeking an opportunity to travel, experience new cultures, and make a positive impact on students’ lives, TEFL could be right up your street. I spent several years teaching English abroad and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
Just remember, before you start packing your bags you’ll need to get your TEFL certification! Getting some TEFL training helps you master the nuances of teaching the English language and it’s also a requirement of most employers. We’ll take a look at what TEFL certification is next.
What is a TEFL Certification?
A TEFL certification is a professional qualification that allows you to teach English to non-native English speakers abroad and online. There are several types of TEFL certification and it is important to understand the differences between these when it comes to looking at different TEFL certification programs and choosing your course.
The most widely taken certification is the TEFL certification itself. You may also come across TESL, TESOL, CELTA, and DELTA certifications, among others.
You can read more about the difference between TEFL, TESL, TESOL, CELTA, and DELTA here to decide which TEFL certification is right for you.
Which is Better, TEFL or TESOL?
This is one of those frequently asked questions, so it’s worth addressing here. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certifications are both widely accepted.
A TESOL certification is essentially the same as a TEFL certification but with a bit more emphasis on teaching English as a second language. The choice depends on your specific career goals.
If you plan to teach English in a foreign language context, a TEFL certification is suitable for you. On the other hand, if you are considering teaching in both foreign language and English-speaking environments, including ESL programs, a TESOL certification may be more appropriate. So, if you want to become an ESL teacher a TESOL certification could be a better choice.
Assess your teaching preferences and where you want to work to make the best decision for your career.
Why Do You Need a TEFL Certification?
A TEFL certification certifies that you have received training from a qualified instructor and have acquired the necessary skills to teach English professionally. Most online English teaching jobs require you to hold a TEFL certificate. It also forms one of the key requirements for teaching English abroad.
So, if you’re determined to secure a TEFL job, you’ll need to complete a TEFL certification course.
This isn’t without good reason either. When you’re working as a TEFL teacher you need to have a good understanding of English grammar. You also need to be able to prepare learning materials and teach the five key skills of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and pronunciation to your students in an informative and engaging manner.
If this all sounds a bit overwhelming don’t worry. These are the teaching skills that you learn by doing a TEFL course and acquiring a TEFL certification.
How to Get TEFL Certified
To get TEFL certified you’ll need to complete a TEFL course and obtain your TEFL certificate. You can learn how to get a TEFL certification here in a bit more detail, but you basically need to find and do a TEFL course.
To find a good TEFL course there are a number of things to look out for. Firstly, you should be looking for a course with TEFL accreditation. This is important because it means that the course training is monitored by an independent external body and helps ensure that you receive high-quality training.
You should also consider:
- Where you want to take your TEFL course
- How much it costs
- What sort of reviews it receives
Where to Do Your TEFL Certification?
Now that you understand what TEFL is and how to get TEFL certified, you need to think about where you want to do your TEFL course. Courses are either conducted in class or online. Some TEFL course providers may also offer a hybrid course, which is a combination of the two.
You can earn a valid TEFL certification through all of these course types and it really comes down to your personal preference.
In-Class TEFL Courses
An in-class TEFL course is a good option if you like to learn in person with other people. The courses are usually full-time and will require you to attend training at a specified time and location. They also act as a great stepping stone to teaching English abroad.
However, there are also several good reasons for obtaining an online TEFL certificate, and if flexibility is what you’re after then you will be better off getting your TEFL certification online.
Online TEFL Courses
You can usually take an online TEFL course in your own time, so they are a great option if you’re looking to fit the course around your own schedule and need that flexibility. They are also generally more affordable than their in-class counterparts, often whilst still covering the same content.
Having said that, you get what you pay for and the cost of TEFL courses varies greatly online. There are some good, cheap TEFL courses online out there, but if you want to get some teaching practice and receive the best tutor support you’ll be better off going with one of the best online TEFL courses.
If you have any questions about this feel free to get in touch via email or our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The duration to obtain a TEFL certificate can vary depending on the program you choose. Generally, TEFL courses can range from a few weeks to a few months based on the intensity of study. Most courses are 120 hours or over, but if you’re studying by yourself you can complete it as quickly as you want.
Yes, a TEFL certificate is worth it. It’s great for enhancing job opportunities, gaining valuable teaching skills, increasing confidence, accessing networking opportunities, and meeting visa requirements in certain countries. If you’re committed to teaching English, especially abroad, a TEFL certification is a wise investment.
Ready to Teach?
Teaching English as a foreign language is incredibly rewarding and a great way to make some money and see the world. You can either teach abroad or online and there are plenty of opportunities out there. With an estimated 1.5 billion people in the world currently learning English, the demand for teachers is high and you should be able to find work.
Once you’re qualified, all you have to do is make a teaching job application and pass the teaching interview. From there the world is your oyster. You could even find yourself managing a language school or starting your own tutoring business one day. Then you could be the one providing the courses!
