Can I Use My TEFL Certification to Teach English in the United States?

In addition to teaching recent immigrants and migrant workers to business professionals moving to the United States on assignment, as well as international students studying (and enjoying a little fun in at the same time) in the States, there are students in need of English language instruction from all walks of life and corners of the globe. This creates many opportunities and formats for Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) here in the United States.

About Teaching English in the United States (USA)

To teach English in the United States, you will likely require a university degree. Most states and public school districts require a state teaching license or education-related certification. However, a TEFL certification with experience overseas will open the doors to many private language schools, community centers, colleges, and even local libraries.

Can I Find TEFL jobs in the USA?

Yes, you can teach English in the United States with your TEFL certification. There are millions of non-native English speakers living, working and studying in the United States and the demand for English language instruction is huge.

What Kind of Students Can I Teach English to in the USA?

Typical ESL (English as a second language) students are adults who have immigrated to the United States and are often in need of and seek out English classes to improve their language skills. For these students, the practical need is apparent; to run their businesses, to function in an English-speaking society, to integrate socially, to take care of logistical matters, and to enhance professional and educational opportunities.

Where are These ESL Students Taking English Language Classes in the USA?

Many will enroll in English classes through private language schools, community centers, colleges, and even local libraries. Given the size of immigrant populations, there are dozens, if not hundreds of private language schools in nearly every major American city and many will hire TEFL certified English teachers, particularly those with professional teaching experience abroad.

Adult International students who come from abroad to take intensive English courses looking for a complete immersion experience often enroll in classes with private language schools found in major U.S. cities, like New York, Chicago, Boston, and Seattle, to name a few. 

These language schools often play host to students from dozens of nationalities, ranging in age from 16 – 60 with different educational/professional backgrounds and motivations for bettering their English, including:

• Desire to study abroad and experience life in a major U.S. city, fully immersed.
• Preparing for the TOEFL, a prerequisite exam for international students applying to American universities.
• Future career aspirations:  an exponentially growing number of professions in non-native English-speaking nations need/require a certain level of English fluency (local tourism, engineers, businesses doing work/trade overseas).
• Adults moving from abroad on assignment to the United States.

Is a TEFL Certification Equivalent to a State Teaching License or Certification that Would Qualify me to Teach English in Public Schools?

Not typically. Most states and public school districts require a state teaching license or certification that entails earning a degree in education and completing a specific program of training and extensive practice teaching. That said, as noted above, many private language schools, institutes, community organizations and other educational institutions will employ TEFL certified teachers.

For those looking to become a career teacher, if you possess an education degree, or are already an experienced, licensed teacher, earning your TEFL certification and teaching English abroad will certainly enhance your resume and credentials, while giving you an absolutely unique experience as an educator.

If you already have an education degree, the certification definitely comes in handy in the public school system with an ESL population.  It is not uncommon for a school in a smaller community without an ESL teacher to have one of their staff teachers become TEFL certified (as it can be done in 1 month full-time or 3 months part-time online). 

How do I Find English Teaching Opportunities in the United States?

Like any job search gaining employment as an English teacher in the U.S. will require initiative and effort.  In many cases, it's simply a matter of reaching out to local language schools and other venues like community centers that provide English classes.

Many language schools hire teachers on a part-time or freelance basis, particularly when they first hire a teacher, so if you want to work full-time, there's a chance that you may need to seek work at one than one school.

Some language schools may also announce positions on local job boards and on TESOL and educated-related websites and job boards.

Consider Giving Private Lessons

Throughout the United States, demand for private English lessons remains high, which can be ideal for those looking to teach English part-time. In addition to adults, parents in many non-native English-speaking families seek private lessons for their children to supplement the instruction they receive in school.

To find private tutoring jobs, it's a matter or marketing yourself and networking, including posting notices in community centers, cafes and other venues where non-native speakers may congregate. You may also consider placing ads in local foreign language news publications and websites, and you should also reach out to anybody you know in local non-native English speaking communities and inquire as to whether they know anybody looking to take English lessons. Also consider making business cards and flyers in foreign languages that are widely spoken in your community (Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, etc.).

A couple of additional pointers to help you gain employment teaching English in the U.S. after returning from abroad:

• Ask employers and school directors from your experience abroad if they will write a letter of reference for you to provide to prospective employers when you return to the U.S.;

• If you can, get some good video footage of yourself teaching while you are abroad

Teaching English Online in the USA

Teaching English online represents one of the fastest-growing fields of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) and offers almost limitless opportunities for TEFL certified teachers to gain experience & make money.

You can begin making money teaching English as a foreign language from home before you head overseas to save for start-up costs. Then, when you get abroad, teaching English online enables you to make money right away and to supplement your income as a teacher at a local school. This is great not only for paying off start-off costs (like your first month's rent), but also if you want to save money for extra travel or need to pay off student debt.

One of the best aspects of teaching English online is the incredible flexibility that it offers. You can teach English online from virtually anywhere in the world & you can teach as many hours as you like, or even make it your full-time profession. 

To learn more, please check out our Teach English Online FAQs.

Go Further: What can I do with a TEFL Certificate?