Those looking to get into the TEFL industry will almost certainly have learned that you need to get a TEFL certificate in order to work as an English teacher abroad. But does the certificate guarantee you employment? And what kind of job can you get?
A TEFL certificate does not guarantee employment in an English teaching position. It is a minimum requirement for the majority of TEFL jobs, but having a bachelor’s degree, being a native English speaker and fulfilling other requirements of each specific employer are just as important.
TEFL certificates are really important. However, they aren’t equally valued across the globe, so in some places, they’re pretty much all you need to get employed at a good school, while in others, you’ll struggle to get even entry-level positions.
As always, things aren’t clear cut. In writing this article, I hope to make the situation a little clearer, and help you on your way to getting employed in TEFL.
First, we’ll look at the kind of jobs you get with a TEFL certificate. Then we’ll consider requirements in different countries, the prospects of the various types of TEFL course, and other things you may need to get employed. We’ll finish off by asking if you can get a job in TEFL with no certificate at all.
If you’re thinking of becoming a TEFL teacher, I really recommend you take a look at my article Big Guide to Starting Out in TEFL: All you need to know. It takes you step-by-step through the whole process, from deciding if it’s right for you, all the way to getting your first job.
What jobs can you get with a TEFL certificate?
The 120-hour TEFL certificate is the most common qualification for new and inexperienced EFL teachers, and is required for the vast majority of roles around the world.
The kind of job you can get with the certificate depends on location, but in general, you’re looking at language academy positions and maybe some private school work in certain countries.
Many TEFL teachers spend their whole career working for language academies. These privately owned businesses provide individual or group classes to kids after school, or adults looking to improve their skills or pass an exam.
They’re not always the best-paid jobs, but in places where TEFL is a strong industry, notably East Asia, the salaries are enough to live on and even save a little.
To learn more about the types of TEFL job available, read my guide: What Type of TEFL Teaching is For You? Jobs explained.
Private schools may employ TEFL practitioners with just a 120-hour TEFL certificate in certain Asian and Latin American countries, but experience is also a factor. The certificate alone might not compete with other, better qualified candidates. A Level 5 certificate or a CELTA will improve your chances.
Private and international schools in most other countries require far more than a TEFL certificate. Typically, a teaching degree is needed. And you can rule out public schools in almost every country, as they either require a teaching degree, or don’t hire foreign teachers.
Which countries value a TEFL certificate most?
I’ll be honest with you here. A 120-hour TEFL certificate does not automatically make you a good teacher. It’s an introduction, but very limited. A lot of wealthy countries, mostly in Europe and the Middle East, know this, meaning the qualification won’t get you very far.
However, in other parts of the world (East Asia and Latin America), there’s a huge demand for English teachers, and their education systems are a little less demanding, so they’re more than happy to hire people who aren’t super-qualified.
Of course, each country is different. Companies in Spain, for example, often hire teachers with a basic TEFL certificate, while in neighbouring France, you’ll struggle to find work with anything less than a CELTA (much more prestigious).
And each location pays differently depending on the qualifications you wield. Typical salaries in Ecuador, for example, range from $400 to $700, while someone with an identical CV could expect to earn at least $1,300 in Taiwan.
If you want to learn more about how much each country pays its TEFL teachers, I’ve got the perfect resource for you – a full country comparison, listing the pay ranges for all different types of job. Find it here: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make? Countries compared.
What type of TEFL certificate will get you the best job?
The world of TEFL certificates is murky. Not only are there hundreds of course providers, but there are dozens of different course types, addons, combinations, in-person, online, hybrid… it’s overwhelming, I know.
In simple terms, anything less than a 120-hour certificate is worthless as a standalone qualification. There are plenty of shorter courses, but these are optional extras.
Beyond the 120-hour (also known as Level 3), there’s the Level 5 certificate, which must be 168 hours or more.
A step above that is the CELTA, which, although it’s considered Level 5, is actually far more respected and valuable than the Level 5 TEFL.
If you’re looking for great value TEFL certificates, I recommend International TEFL and TESOL Training. Click the link for 15% off all courses (I receive compensation, so you’re supporting me, too). Not convinced? Read why I’d choose ITTT over other TEFL course providers.
The 120-hour TEFL is a minimum almost everywhere. The Level 5 TEFL is a nice extra, but it doesn’t make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things.
The CELTA will allow you to compete for much better jobs. It’ll get you a language academy spot anywhere you want, and in some places it’s enough for private school work.
But not everyone needs a CELTA. In fact, due to its cost and time commitment, it might not be worth it in the end, especially as a 120-hour certificate is enough for most popular places.
To learn about the different types of TEFL qualification, head to my article: What is the Best TEFL Certificate? Guide to choosing right. And to compare TEFL certificates with the CELTA, read: TEFL vs. CELTA: What’s the difference? Which is best?
What other things do you need to get a TEFL job?
Just having a TEFL certificate doesn’t mean you’ll get a job. While in some cases, it might be enough on its own, most of the time, you’ll need one or more of the following three things:
- A bachelor’s degree (in any subject) from an accredited university.
- To be from a native English-speaking country.
- Some level of experience.
If you have all these things plus a TEFL certificate, you’ll find it relatively easy to get employed in most TEFL hotspots. But depending on the country you hope to work in, lacking one of them may be a serious problem.
First up, let’s look at the bachelor’s degree. The reason this is required by so many employers is purely a visa issue. This is the case in almost all Asian countries. To get the necessary permits to work for a company in the nation, a 3-year bachelor’s degree in any subject is a must.
What’s more, some companies (rightly or wrongly) consider those with a degree to be better quality candidates.
The topic of bachelor’s degrees in TEFL is a complicated one, so if you want to learn more, head to my article: Do You Need a Degree to Work as a TEFL Teacher?
Next up, there’s the controversial topic of native English speakers.
Like it or not, the TEFL industry favours those who speak native English above those who don’t, often disregarding how good each individual is at teaching.
Language academies and schools in some countries won’t even consider hiring teachers who aren’t native speakers. So in this case, no, a TEFL certificate isn’t enough to get you a TEFL job.
Fortunately, most places are a little more sensible. And if you’re a good enough teacher, it shouldn’t matter where you’re from.
Finally, there’s experience. It goes without saying that employers prefer candidates who have taught TEFL before, and jobs in wealthy countries (Middle East and Western Europe) are quite competitive, meaning those new to TEFL can’t get a look in.
For more on the difficulties of finding employment in TEFL, read my guide: Is it Hard to Get a TEFL Job? Tips on finding employment.
Are there TEFL jobs which don’t require a certificate?
There are three types of TEFL job which don’t require any sort of qualification. They are:
- Government-sponsored programs (JET, EPIK, Auxiliares de Conversación, TAPIF)
- Private tutoring
- Low-paid language academy positions in less wealthy nations
Government-sponsored programs are a fantastic way to get into TEFL without needing a certificate, provided you meet certain criteria.
The JET Program, EPIK, Auxiliares de Conversación and TAPIF are the four most famous examples. They get you working in public schools in Japan, Korea, Spain and France, respectively. Pay is generally good, and hours are reasonable.
The downside is, they’re not open for everyone. There are requirements on age, study, and proficiency with the language in the destination. Some are easier to get on than others.
I have personal experience with a government-sponsored program. From 2016 to 2019, I worked as an Auxiliar de Conversación in Spain, and loved every minute. No TEFL certificate was ever required.
Private tutors working as freelancers don’t need a TEFL certificate, because they’re self-employed.
However, there are two BIG caveats here. First, having no credentials to your name makes finding students a lot trickier.
Second, working full-time as a freelancer is impossible in most countries, as visa laws generally require you to work for an employer in the nation to get the right documents. As a result, you’ll probably need a TEFL certificate to get employed by such a company, then do private classes on the side.
For more on how to get started as a private EFL/ESL teacher, read my article on the topic: How to Get Started as an EFL/ESL Private Tutor: Full guide.
A small number of language academies employ teachers who don’t have a TEFL certificate.
They’re mostly in less wealthy nations in Latin America, but can appear everywhere. Instead of a TEFL certificate, they might hire you on the basis of being a native English speaker (so it’s near impossible to get hired in these places if you’re not a native).
My advice is to avoid these companies. While there are some that will be genuinely good places to work, a lot of them are shady. If they have low standards of recruitment, they probably have low standards elsewhere in their business, and that means they might disappear overnight, or refuse to pay you on time.
That’s not to say all companies that require a TEFL certificate are perfect, but not doing so is a red flag for me.
To learn more about the legitimacy of the TEFL industry and how to steer clear of shady companies, read my article: Is TEFL Legit? Guide to trustworthy certificates and jobs.
So, do I need to get a TEFL certificate?
The answer is a resounding YES.
Will it immediately get you a job? No. But it’ll get you most of the way and open a lot of doors. You still have to do the applications and due diligence, but with such a high demand for TEFL teachers, you can definitely get employed somewhere.
Can you guarantee you’ll get the ideal job in your dream destination? No, but there are plenty of fantastic places to work as a TEFL teacher which may surprise you.
If you’re looking for great value TEFL certificates, I recommend International TEFL and TESOL Training. Click the link for 15% off all courses (I receive compensation, so you’re supporting me, too). Not convinced? Read why I’d choose ITTT over other TEFL course providers.
Remember to check out my other articles and guides on the TEFL industry, from choosing a destination to knowing which certificate is best. You can find plenty of links right here:
Big Guide to Starting Out in TEFL: All you need to know
Do You Need a Degree to Work as a TEFL Teacher?
Which TEFL Course Provider to Choose? Why my pick is ITTT
How to Pick the Right TEFL Destination: 5 steps to success
What is the Best TEFL Certificate? Guide to choosing right
Is it Hard to Get a TEFL Job? Tips on finding employment
Is a 120-Hour TEFL Certificate Enough? All you need to know
