Getting a TEFL certificate costs money and time. And a lot of time, they don’t seem worth the outlay, with poor quality instruction and doubts about whether they’ll be recognised around the world. So can you teach English abroad with no TEFL certificate?
Most TEFL jobs require a TEFL certificate, however there are several ways of teaching English abroad without one. These include volunteering, government-sponsored programs, internships, private tutoring and jobs in certain countries where English teachers are in high demand.
So, the answer is no, you don’t need a TEFL certificate to teach English abroad, although in many cases it helps a great deal. In this article, I’ll run you through the options for teaching without a certificate, and help you decide if you really need one.
What is a TEFL certificate?
A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate is a qualification showing you have a basic understanding and capacity for teaching the English language to people who don’t speak it as their native tongue.
It is usually awarded upon the completion of a TEFL course. The most common is a 120-hour program in which you brush up on English grammar, learn rudimentary teaching skills and do some observed teaching practice.
Courses and certificates are provided by private companies. The industry is unregulated, so anybody can sell you a course, but the best ones are accredited by major international institutions.
The TEFL industry has a shady side. Most companies are legit and reputable, but there are some dodgy online practices you need to avoid. Learn how by reading my article: Is TEFL Legit? Guide to trustworthy certificates and jobs.
What if I already have a teaching qualification?
Teachers who already have a degree-level teaching qualification, or a teaching license won’t need to get a TEFL in most cases. This is especially true if the qualification is from a native English-speaking country like the UK, USA, Australia, etc.
If you’re already a teacher with classroom experience, you’re far more qualified than most TEFL practitioners, so you can compete for higher paying jobs in international schools and universities.
I’m guessing most people reading this article don’t have a degree-level teaching qualification, though, so read on to find out what’s open for you.
What options are there for people without a TEFL certificate?
Whatever your reasons for not wanting to get a TEFL certificate, there are several opportunities open to you.
1. Volunteering
If money is no issue, it’s pretty easy to start teaching abroad as a volunteer.
In less wealthy countries around the world, for example in Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia, volunteer teaching is common.
Some programs will provide you with accommodation and food. Others will charge you for those things, meaning you’re actually paying to work. Great for getting experience in another country and immersing yourself in their culture, but not a long-term career.
2. Government-sponsored programs
If you want a slightly longer-term experience than volunteering, with all the benefits of living in another country and getting paid to do it, take a look at some of the government-sponsored programs available.
Only certain countries run them, but you get paid a good enough wage to live on over the course of a full academic year. On most programs you can repeat for a couple more years.
The main programs like this are:
- Auxiliares de Conversación – Spain
- Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF)
- Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET)
- English Program in Korea (EPIK)
For these programs, a bachelor’s degree (in any subject), or working towards one, is required. The application process can be a pain, especially with the JET, but it’s well worth the effort.
My second job as a TEFL teacher was as an Auxiliar de Conversación in a school near Madrid. I loved it so much I stayed for three years (the maximum allowed) and now live and work in the same town. (I already had a TEFL certificate, but it wasn’t needed).
3. Internships
TEFL internships are short-term teaching jobs where you get your TEFL certificate as you work.
In this way you can start teaching abroad without any qualification. You don’t have to do the course online or at a training centre beforehand and you’ll come out with the certificate, allowing you to pursue further jobs.
Some internships give you a salary. Others, you have to pay for. And in some cases there might be no payment in either direction. It usually depends on the country you work in and the company you choose.
My first TEFL job was an unpaid internship. I worked 40-hour weeks with very little training for 3 months and got myself an advanced TEFL certificate. The company paid for accommodation.
Doesn’t sound like a good deal, does it? It wasn’t. But I was young and naïve. The upside was I met some awesome people, got set up in a new country (finding accommodation is really hard when you first arrive) and learned about all the better jobs I could be doing.
Please don’t think that because I had a poor experience that all TEFL internships are bad. Just do your research before choosing one.
4. Language academies and private schools in certain countries
In parts of the world, English teaching is so in-demand that some employers don’t even demand a TEFL certificate.
Japan, China, Thailand, some parts of Latin America, and Africa are such places. If you have a bachelor’s degree (any subject) and are a native English speaker, some language academies and even low-level private schools are happy to train you on the job and aren’t worried that you have no prior training.
If you have some teaching or coaching experience (even if it’s just tutoring kids in a lower grade at school), they’re even more likely to accept you.
The big downside to working at these schools is the salary. In general, it’s not going to be as high as if you worked somewhere that demands a TEFL certificate.
And this is also where shady businesses might prey on new teachers. A good salary with no qualifications or experience necessary? Sounds too good to be true. Do your research, and look for others who have worked there. If the company doesn’t have a website, or has only existed for a few months, avoid.
5. Private tutoring
If you want to work as a private English tutor, in theory, you don’t need a TEFL certificate. You can contact clients directly, without having to meet the requirements of a company.
In practice, things are different, though. Most prospective students have a choice of teachers, and will pick the one with the TEFL certificate over the one without. Saying that, not all students know about these things, and some might not care.
I’m a full-time private tutor, with a long waiting list of students. Nobody has ever asked to see my TEFL certificate. Admittedly, most of my students are from the public school where I used to work as an assistant, so word of mouth and reputation are on my side.
If you want to teach private classes online using one of the various companies which provide you students, whether you need a TEFL certificate or not depends on the individual company.
Independent online tutors will absolutely need a TEFL certificate, and probably some extra qualifications or specific experience too, to compete with all the other tutors around the world.
To learn about becoming a private EFL/ESL tutor, read my full guide: How to Get Started as an EFL/ESL Private Tutor.
Should you get a TEFL certificate?
For most people, the answer is yes. However, it really depends on why you want to teach English abroad.
If money is no object, volunteering may be your easiest option.
If you want to spend a year living abroad, working a bit to pay the bills, but intending to return home after, a TEFL certificate may not be necessary. Consider a government program.
However, if there’s no program for the country you’d like to visit, you could consider doing an internship or getting a 120-hour certificate. That’ll get you a job with decent pay to live off.
How valuable is the 120-hour TEFL certificate? Find out here: Is a 120-Hour TEFL Certificate Enough? All you need to know.
If you’re planning to make TEFL a short-term (a few years) or even long-term (decades) career, a TEFL certificate is an absolute must.
For 2-3 years, the industry standard 120-hour certificate is a good choice, but if you want to be a bit more competitive in the job market, a Level 5 (168+ hour) certificate might be worthwhile.
Longer than that, and you may want something beefier. Consider investing in a CELTA. This is a much more respected qualification and will help you get jobs in prestigious language academies like the British Council, and in some countries, you can even get international school positions with one.
To find out more about the CELTA and long-term TEFL career prospects, read my articles: TEFL vs. CELTA: What’s the difference? Which is best? and Can TEFL Be a Long Term Career? 9 ways to make it happen.
Which TEFL certificate provider should you choose?
So, if you’ve decided you need a TEFL certificate, the next step is to find a reputable provider that won’t charge you a fortune.
You don’t really want to shell out a lot of money on an online course. But neither do you want to pay $5 and get a certificate that isn’t recognised by any employers?
So, with all these companies competing for your attention, which one should you choose?
My recommendation is International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT).
Why? Three main reasons:
- They provide online, in-person and hybrid courses, so you can study in the way you feel most comfortable (very few companies are this flexible)
- Their “practicum” (teaching practice you do at the end of the course observed by an instructor) is with real students. This is so valuable. Almost all other courses have you practice with other trainees, and it just isn’t the same.
- It’s great value for money. The ITTT course is more affordable than most other reputable companies. You get the certificate for less, and it’s recognised around the world.
Plus, if you use my link, you get 15% off!
At this point, I have to say that I’m an affiliate of ITTT, that means they help me out when you follow my link. But please note, all TEFL course providers have an affiliate program just like this, and I could have chosen any of them. I picked ITTT because I truly believe it’s the best option.
If you want to read more about ITTT and why I recommend them, follow this link: Which TEFL Course Provider to Choose? Why my pick is ITTT.
To learn more about becoming a TEFL teacher, you should definitely read my other articles:
Big Guide to Starting Out in TEFL: All you need to know
Is TEFL Teaching Hard? A guide to whether TEFL is right for you
What Are EFL/ESL Classes Like For Teachers?
Is TEFL Legit? Guide to trustworthy certificates and jobs
Do You Need a Degree to Work as a TEFL Teacher?
How to Pick the Right TEFL Destination: 5 steps to success
What Type of TEFL Teaching is For You? Jobs explained
What is the Best TEFL Certificate? Guide to choosing right
TEFL vs. CELTA: What’s the difference? Which is best?
10 Steps to Passing Your TEFL: Study and assignment tips
Is There an Exam for TEFL Courses? What you need to pass
Which TEFL Course Provider to Choose? Why my pick is ITTT
Is it Hard to Get a TEFL Job? Tips on finding employment
