A Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate (TEFL) is an internationally recognized certification that proves that you have the skills and knowledge to teach English to students who are not native speakers. There are several online and in-person courses available that will help you achieve this goal, and many universities worldwide also offer TEFL/TESOL degree programs. Upon successfully completing one of these courses, you will be eligible to apply for a teaching job overseas (or online). Because most foreign countries require teachers to have a valid TEFL certificate from an accredited institution, having this credential gives you the necessary qualifications when applying for jobs.

No, you do not need previous teaching experience to work as a TEFL teacher. To become a TEFL teacher you need to be fluent in English and have an interest in teaching and education.

To qualify as a TEFL teacher you need to complete a minimum of 120 hours of TEFL training by a recognized TEFL training provider.

As with any industry, there will be entry-level TEFL jobs for newly-qualified teachers who have little or no experience. Once teachers gain experience they can apply for higher paying roles and progress in their TEFL teaching career.

There are a few ways that you can get a TEFL certificate. One option is to study with an English teacher training institution, such as Premier TEFL, offering government regulated TEFL qualifications. Alternatively, you could take online courses as part of a fully inclusive TEFL internship program. Finally, some budding teachers complete TEFL scholarships that include TEFL certificates and up to three weeks of teaching practice in Europe for a subsidized fee.