Is it Hard to Get a TEFL Job? Tips on finding employment

Getting employed is one of the biggest worries for prospective TEFL teachers. Once you’ve navigated the world of TEFL certification and chosen a country you want to work in, then comes the job hunt. But is it hard to get employed?

Generally, finding employment as a TEFL teacher is quite easy. The demand for English teachers (and particularly native English speakers) is high. However, achieving a well-paid position in a quality, respected establishment can prove more challenging, especially for new teachers.

As with all things, the real answer is, “it depends.” I expect most of you reading are new to TEFL and are wondering whether it’s a plausible option for you. I hope to answer your questions in this article by outlining the most common difficulties and give you some help on how to succeed.

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.

Is it hard to get a TEFL job?

If you aren’t too worried about what type of job and which country you want to work in, there are plenty of positions available for TEFL teachers.

The fact is, there are more people wanting to learn English around the world than there are English teachers, so opportunities are widespread.

Countries in East Asia, Latin America and parts of Europe have a big drive to learn English. It’s the global language of business. Thanks to the continued dominance of the USA in world politics and economics, that’s unlikely to change soon.

Additionally, there’s a high turnover of teachers. Many people who do TEFL only spend a year or two in the industry before returning home. That means a lot of vacancies open up throughout the year.

The problem is, some TEFL jobs aren’t great. It’s an industry full of shady companies looking to exploit naïve workers, and a fair few people have ended up working long hours for little pay.

Is TEFL legit? Find out how to avoid the dark side of the TEFL industry by reading my article: Is TEFL Legit? Guide to trustworthy certificates and jobs

Getting a good TEFL job isn’t too hard, though. It requires a bit of research and common sense, as well as knowing how to present yourself well to companies. There are plenty of routes for new teachers to get in the door without being conned.

Your prospects depend on a few factors:

Where you want to work
What kind of job you want
How strong your CV is – bachelor’s degree, TEFL certificate, native English speaker & teaching experience

We’ll look at each of these factors in turn right now.

Which countries are easiest for getting TEFL jobs?

East Asian and Latin American countries typically have lower barriers to entry, while some European nations offer good entry-level positions.

The likes of Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand are popular TEFL destinations in Asia. They often only require a TEFL certificate and a bachelor’s degree to get a reasonably paid job.

Things are even easier in Latin America. Most countries don’t require you to have a bachelor’s degree and sometimes not even a TEFL certificate if you’re a native English speaker. However, pay is much lower than in other places.

Searching for the perfect TEFL destination with the best earnings? Compare countries around the world with my free resource: How Much Do TEFL & TESL Teachers Make? Countries compared.

Southern and Eastern European countries have some possibilities for first-time TEFLers. Spain is a great option, especially if you can get on the Auxiliares de Conversación program. Saying that, work in the major cities is getting more and more competitive.

Japan and South Korea are hugely popular places to work. They pay well and living conditions are good, but they’re very competitive for new and inexperienced teachers.

Photo by **Andrea Piacquadio** from **Pexels**

The Middle East offers great salaries. However, it’s much harder to get a good job there if you don’t have prior teaching experience or hefty qualifications.

It’s a similar story, if not worse, for most of Western and Northern Europe. For example, in Nordic countries like Denmark, so much of the population already speaks English, so there’s scant demand for foreign teachers.

If you’re not sure about where you want to teach, read my guide to making the best choice: How to Pick the Right TEFL Destination: 5 steps to success.

Which types of jobs are easiest to get?

Language academies

By far and away, the most common TEFL employers are language academies. These are private institutions, often based in major cities, which offer classes to individuals and small groups.

In most countries, they provide entry-level teaching positions. Classes can be with young children and school-age kids, as well as adults. Depending on the academy, you may get a position without needing any teaching experience.

Be wary of some of these academies, though. They’re the worst for exploiting teachers and operating in the grey area of the law.

My first TEFL job was in a language academy. Long hours and poor conditions meant most teachers quit very quickly. The company’s model was to open, hire naïve graduates (like me), squeeze as much out of them as possible, get a bad reputation, then close, only to open under a new name a few months later.

For a full, detailed guide on the different TEFL jobs out there, read my guide: What Type of TEFL Teaching is For You? Jobs explained.

Assistant Programs

Language assistant programs are relatively easy to join, but only operate in a few countries. Spain’s Auxiliares de Conversación, France’s TAPIF, Japan’s JET and South Korea’s EPIK are the four biggest ones.

The application process can take a while. There’s lots of paperwork and interviews to go through, especially with JET and EPIK, but they’re designed for young people without any teaching experience so can be a great option.

When I left the language academy, I joined the Auxiliares de Conversación program in Madrid. It was the easiest job I ever got. You do need to have a bachelor’s degree (or be studying for one) and be a native English speaker, but no experience or TEFL certificates are needed.

Advanced TEFL jobs

The next level up for TEFL teachers is working in corporations teaching their employees business English. These jobs require a good TEFL certificate (ideally a CELTA) and a few years of experience. In return, you get competitive pay.

Above that, you can advance to private and public school positions. In some countries, a TEFL certificate and limited experience is all you need to get this kind of job, but expect to work long hours without many resources.

To find out which TEFL certificate is right for you, read my guide: What is the Best TEFL Certificate? Guide to choosing right.

Most places need at least a CELTA and a few years experience, and more developed countries will demand you have a teaching licence from your home country. The best international schools are extremely competitive and only hire the most experienced and qualified teachers.

Private tutoring

For teachers of any level, private classes are a good way to make money. The more qualifications and experience you have, the higher rates you can charge, but in theory, you can get classes without any sort of TEFL certificate, as long as there’s a demand for tutors.

To learn more about becoming a private EFL/ESL tutor, I’ve written a whole series on it. Go straight to the parent article here: How to Get Started as an EFL/ESL Private Tutor: Full guide.

What degrees, certificates and attributes make you more employable?

There are four main things employers look for on CVs for TEFL teachers. They are: bachelor’s degree (in any subject), TEFL certificates, native English speaker, and teaching experience.

A bachelor’s degree in any subject is required by many employers, often because you need one to get a working visa in the country. Some also demand a degree to show you have academic rigour.

Some places aren’t as fussy. Latin America, for example, is one of the easiest places to find work for those without a bachelor’s degree.

To find out more about bachelor’s degrees for working in TEFL, I’ve written a whole article on the topic: Do You Need a Degree to Work as a TEFL Teacher?

TEFL certificates are a must for almost every employer. The exceptions are the teaching assistant programs listed above and TEFL internships/courses in which you gain your certificate on location while training on the job.

If an employer doesn’t ask for a TEFL certificate or help you get one, that’s a red flag for me. Some countries (mostly Latin America again) are less stringent. Even so, any employer who intends to pay you well and provide good working conditions should ask for a TEFL certificate as a minimum.

Plus, qualifications make you more competitive in the market. If you haven’t got one yet, I highly recommend you get a 120-hour certificate before you even think about applying for jobs.

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 next thing employers look for is native English. While it seems unfair to those who weren’t born in an anglophone nation, some employers only hire people whose first language is English.

It means they can publicise their classes better. The truth is, native English speakers get a massive leg up, even if they aren’t particularly good teachers.

The final factor is teaching experience. Having a couple of years under your belt is a massive help to getting jobs. Since most people go back home after a year or two, those who stick around for longer are much more competitive in the job market.

On the other hand, since there aren’t a massive number of people who stay on long-term, and those who do usually take the higher-paid jobs, there are plenty of opportunities for new TEFL teachers. You might not get the best jobs available, but you’re still very employable.

How to find TEFL jobs

There are two main ways of finding TEFL jobs – online and in-person.

Online is a great option because you don’t have to spend money on travelling and surviving in a new country before finding work.

If you’ve already figured out where you want to work, just do a Google search for “TEFL jobs in [country]”. Or go straight to the page of the EFL course provider you trained with. If you chose my recommendation of ITTT, they have huge lists for each country which you can find by clicking here.

Alternatively, you can browse for TEFL jobs in general, regardless of destination.

Some TEFL companies offer internships. These can be a worthwhile choice if you’re worried about starting out on your own – they’ll help you get your foot in the door. The TEFL Academy and OneWorld365 have some great programs.

You may have to pay a fee to get started, but you can earn a decent salary on the job. They often come with local language classes, too.

The big problem with finding jobs online is you miss out on a lot of opportunities. In some places, it’s not usual to advertise jobs online. They prefer prospective teachers to come directly to the academy or school.

If you’re set on a particular destination and committed to being a TEFL teacher, consider going to that place and setting yourself up. After a few weeks of hard job hunting, you’ll find something. Obviously, if you haven’t decided where you want to teach yet, you can’t do this.

For guidance on choosing a great TEFL destination, read my article: How to Pick the Right TEFL Destination: 5 steps to success.

The benefits of applying in-person are:

The employers see your face, so are more likely to trust you
You don’t have to compete with hundreds of other people online
You can get a good idea of the academy/school and avoid dodgy employers
Local language academies are more viable – they’re the ones least likely to advertise online and may offer better rates

How to present yourself to employers

Whether you’re applying online or in-person, you need to show potential employers what you bring to the table. Focus on your strengths.

This article isn’t about CV-writing, but here are some quick tips:

Highlight any experience of tutoring/teaching, especially with the age group of the job you’re applying for.
Make sure your TEFL certificate and bachelor’s degree are front and centre.
Provide any evidence that shows you have good communication, organisation and team work capabilities.

In interview and application statements, express your ability as a communicator. Also, make sure you come across energetic and dynamic – able to excite and engage students.

Research, research, research

I can’t express how important it is to research what you’re getting into before committing to any TEFL job.

Even if it sounds like the perfect position, scrutinise everything. If it’s a major company or program, ask on TEFL forums or Reddit (r/TEFL) for others’ experiences. Check out the school/academy’s website and look them up on Google maps, seeing what the building is like with Street View.