TEACHING ENGLISH ABROAD

Certifications for 
Teaching English Abroad

While you do not need any prior teaching experience, nor do you need a degree in education to teach English abroad, it is imperative that you hold a proper certification that will qualify you to teach English. But which one do you need? TEFL, TESOL, CELTA... You can find yourself quickly overwhelmed by all of the acronyms when searching for the right certification.

However, when it comes to teaching English overseas, an accredited TEFL certification is the most popular qualification and is recognized by employers worldwide.

Learn More: TEFL/TESOL/TESL/CELTA/DELTA Differences Explained

“TEFL” is the acronym for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or simply put, English language instruction for non-native speakers. Also known as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or English Language Teaching (ELT), the field of TEFL/TESOL is one of the fastest-growing educational fields in the world, presenting thousands of excellent professional opportunities in all corners of the globe to native and fluent English speakers who achieve their TEFL/TESOL certification. These terms are essentially interchangeable in the international English teaching market, our certifications list both terms.

Read more: What is TEFL Certification?

To get TEFL certified, there are commonly two options:

• Take an in-person TEFL course, such as one of the courses ITA offers in 20+ locations worldwide.
• Take an online TEFL course, a more convenient and the most popular option amongst our students.

The cost of TEFL courses typically varies depending on the location of the class but online TEFL courses are generally cheaper. You can also usually discuss payment plans when you enroll in a course, so finding a TEFL certification course that's within your budget shouldn't be too hard.

Where Can I Teach English Abroad?

Meeting the right requirements and qualifications, you can teach all over the world! English teaching jobs can be found in nearly every major city across the globe.

A native English speaker with a four-year degree and a TEFL/TESOL Certification from International TEFL Academy can find opportunities in as many as 100 countries around the world from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East to South and Central America, even Africa (though opportunities are more limited). 

Check out our in-depth and regularly updated Country Comparison Chart to help determine which region or specific country is right for you. 

Even without a four-year degree, a native English speaker with a TEFL Certification from International TEFL Academy can realistically find great opportunities to teach ESL abroad in dozens of countries around the world including Spain, Russia, Brazil, and many nations in Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Non-native speakers who are fluent both in written and spoken English can also find opportunities in a wide variety of countries, particularly E.U. citizens looking to work within Europe, and those who wish to teach in their home country.

Go Further:

• The Best Countries for Teaching English Abroad
• Top 5 Countries to Make the Most Money Teaching English Abroad

How to Find a Job 
Teaching English Abroad

To become a professional English teacher, you will need to apply & interview for jobs. The hiring process for English teaching jobs will vary from country to country, region to region, and even school to school. Getting a job teaching English in Peru will be a much different process than getting a job in Japan, for example. 

International TEFL Academy provides lifetime, worldwide Job Search Guidance to all students & graduates to assist with navigating the ins and outs of getting hired as an English teacher overseas. We also offer Guaranteed Job Placement in select countries for those who want a less stressful international job search.  It is critical to your success that you research and understand both your options and what the process will be prior to enrolling in your TEFL class. Some matters that you will need to learn about include:

• What Are Hiring Seasons for Teaching English Abroad?

• How quickly can I get TEFL certified & begin teaching English abroad?
  

• Job Search Guidance vs. Job Placement: What's the Difference? 
• Interviewing for jobs in-person compared to interviewing for positions in advance.
• Tools & strategies for teaching ESL abroad that you will use in your job search, such as recruiters, job boards, alumni networking, approaching schools in-person & more.