TEFL Certification Courses

There are three main ways to get a TEFL certificate to teach abroad. You can get certified in-person, online, or even through a hybrid course, which is a mix of in-person and online lessons! Many TEFL certification programs are flexible and can be earned in your home country or while overseas.

While certified teachers who’ve taken the course in person rave about the hands-on learning, immersive teaching exercises, and increased accountability, online TEFL graduates appreciate being able to balance their course with daily responsibilities at home, while learning at their own pace.

Choose the TEFL certification course that is right for you by browsing the Go Overseas database of available courses.

While it is possible to land an English teaching job without being certified, having a TEFL certificate can lead to a higher paying ESL salary, make you a more competitive applicant, and help you build the skills and confidence you'll need to successfully lead a classroom.

Plus, if you're looking to teach in countries where the demand for English teachers is high, like China, Japan, or South Korea, obtaining your TEFL certification may be mandatory. Many schools will not even consider applicants without proof of certification or prior teaching experience.

The cost of a TEFL certificate course can vary depending on the provider, course duration, and where you get certified. Generally, TEFL courses can range from $200 - $2000.

You can expect to pay nearly $2,000 if you want to be TEFL certified on-site, from a reputable program. Some schools and language programs may even offer to pay for your TEFL certification if you agree to teach at their school.

Online TEFL courses are cheaper and typically range between $250-$600, but it's important to ensure the program offers a live teaching component, otherwise your certification may not be seen as valid by employers. Though other programs may advertise cheaper, discount classes, be sure to review the fine print closely, as those courses may not meet the hour minimum or accreditation requirements of the school you want to teach at.

Certain countries prefer to hire teachers with a college degree (and some even require it) but not all. Luckily, TEFL certificate programs do not require a degree to take the course and can be used to supplement a degree when applying for teaching jobs in many countries. All you have to do is speak native English or demonstrate advanced English-speaking skills.

If you are seeking a TESOL or CELTA certification course, depending on the program, you may be required to have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.

While a four-year degree may be required in many high-paying schools and countries (like Qatar, Japan, the UAE, Korea, and Saudi Arabia), other countries have more lax education laws and hire teachers who don’t have a college degree at all -- let alone, a master’s degree.

Absence of a graduate or Master’s degree in teaching English as a foreign language will not prevent you from securing a job abroad. Having one, however, will definitely help you access bigger opportunities! For teach abroad candidates seeking extensive international experience and high pay, a Master’s degree is totally worth it.

Here's the short answer: it depends! You should consider your budget, how much time you can commit to, and what kind of classroom experience you're looking for!

If an in-person TEFL course doesn’t fit your busy schedule and lifestyle, you’ll end up wasting your money and never finishing it. Online courses, on the other hand, provide convenience and flexibility, but may sacrifice immersive learning if it doesn't offer a live, practice teaching component.

Regardless of whether you opt to take the TEFL course remotely or in person, it's important you pick a TEFL program that is accredited, offers plenty of support, and provides students with real teaching practice.

With an abundance of TEFL course choices available, the options can feel overwhelming. In general, you should pick a course that is accredited, covers at least 100 hours of training, has a live teaching practice component, and offers job placement support to help you land a job teaching English at a school.

To enroll in a TEFL certification course, you'll need to be at least 18 years old, a native (or near-native level) English speaker, and have a proficient knowledge of English grammar. Many schools may also require you to have your high school diploma or GED.

Full-time TEFL certificates can usually be completed in a month while part-time programs run for as long as 6 months.