How To Get TEFL Certified In 5 Steps
One day I decided to Google, “how to make money and travel the world,” and teaching English abroad popped up as one of many results, but I wasn’t too familiar with the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). After searching for information on teaching English abroad, I watched so many videos and searched the internet for every piece of information regarding this potentially new career path.
Numerous results suggested obtaining TEFL certification, but where to start? Below, I’ll lay it all out for you. Here is the essential guide for how to get a TEFL certification, what is TEFL, and how long it takes to get TEFL so you can plan ahead. A good TEFL program can lead you into a new career as an international teacher which will allow you to travel and work. Here’s what you need to know.
Feel free to skip around:
- What is a TEFL Certificate?
- How long does a TEFL certification take?
- How To Get TEFL Certified
- How Much Does It Cost To Get a TEFL Certificate?
- My Advice
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What is a TEFL Certificate?
Before we get too far into this, it’s important to understand what a TEFL certificate is and when you’ll need it. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and is an extremely useful course in how to instruct non-English speakers in how to speak, read, and write English. TEFL programs provide you with a certificate that establishes that you have professional level training that meet international requirements and TEFL standards. This is different from a teaching degree so keep that in mind.
To teach English in South Korea, this is NOT a requirement if you’re looking to teach in an after school academy however, as of 2015, it is if you’re hoping to land a public school job in South Korea. Check out this post for all of the differences between public schools and academies/hagwons in Korea so you know which to apply for and when. If you’re looking to come to Korea and begin teaching abroad, you can without a TEFL Certificate, however, it’s very useful for in class instruction.
Many academies in Korea will tell you that they’ll provide you with some amount of training upon arrival and before you’re thrust into the classroom, this is really not what you think it is though. A TEFL program is far more useful than any “training” the academies will provide. When you get your TEFL Certificate, note that you do not need to get it notarized or an apostille on it though you do need that on some of the other documents like your background check and bachelor’s degree which you need to get a visa/job in Korea.
How Long Does TEFL Certification Take?
This question has a few answers and it’s really up to you and the course that you choose. The program can take as little as one month but can take up to six months. Note that there are 100 to 200 hours of coursework, again depending on the course you choose, and 6 to 20 live practice teaching hours in standard programs. If you’re ready to come to Korea and start teaching, then get started now. You could be here sooner than you think.
How To Get TEFL Certified
Step 1: Find Out If You’re Qualified
This should really be the first question you ask yourself before you even start the process of getting TEFL certified. The qualifications are pretty straight-forward, and you don’t have to be a well-traveled, global citizen to make the cut for this field. What you do need is 3 things;
- be at least 18 years old
- be a native English speaker
- have a Bachelor’s degree (this one isn’t an absolute necessity, but most countries DO require it).
Don’t fret if you aren’t a native English speaker, you can still qualify if you take a test to prove your proficiency. That includes if you are from Montreal or Quebec, Canada.
Step 2: Find A TEFL Program
Here you are, ready to embark on the journey of becoming a certified English teacher, but where the heck do you even begin? The most important part is finding the institution where you will get your certification. These are key things you should be looking for; 100 hours of coursework (class time), at least 20 hours of practicum (student teaching), and job assistance. It’s worth mentioning that 120 hours is the absolute minimum international requirement.
A lot of times, there are companies who will advertise a TEFL certification that isn’t from a reputable place (mostly online). This can be a major problem for you as some schools around the world, especially in Asia are super picky about where you get your certification from. Going with a cheap, sketchy school can prevent you from getting a job.
I ended up finding my school through an old college friend who also got her certification. The school I chose was the International TEFl Academy (<– you get a free copy of their textbook when you use this link). This school is not the only option! You can also go through CIEE. Another friend of mine also did this after graduation, as it is more geared towards recent graduates. There’s a program fee depending on which location you choose, and a deposit to secure your spot. What I do know is that they put you through TEFL training, then you teach where you are trained.
Another option is International TEFL and TESOL Training (ittt) (<– This link will get you 15% off their courses.) which was ideal for another friend who was already in Korea and had taught at academies but wanted to transition into the public school system. This program took into account teaching hours done while already in Korea. Here’s a rundown of each of these programs to help you decide which might be best for you.
- International TEFL Academy: Founded in 2010, ITA is an internationally accredited TEFL program which is both online and in-person in 25 locations around the world. They certify 6,000 people per year and have graduates teaching in over 80 countries. All of their programs meet or exceed international standards. It is rated #1 best US TEFL Course by GoAbroad.com and they have 25,000 alumni worldwide.
- Perfect For: Students with no teaching experience that want a TEFL certification and further job placement assistance.
- Costs: Varies by country and program.
- Time Involved: 3-6 months
- Website: International TEFL Academy (Get a free copy of their textbook when you use this link)
- International TEFL and TESOL Training: ittt provides a wide choice of high-quality TEFL course options at realistic and affordable options. Whether you have no experience and are still at home or you’re already abroad and have begun teaching but want to further your prospects and gain certification, ittt has options for you.
- Perfect For: Anyone either with or without experience teaching and still at home or already abroad.
- Costs: $299.00 ~ $1990.00
- Time Involved: Varies by program.
- Website: International TEFL and TESOL Training (ittt) (Get 15% the course through this link.)
- CIEE: This program includes 130 hours of online course work and a 20 hour practicum component. You will get individual tutor feedback and support and CIEE TEFL’s Complete Comprehensive Job Assistance Guide.
- Perfect For: This program is ideal for someone with no teaching or TEFL experience.
- Costs: $1,100
- Time Involved: Courses start every two weeks and they recommend starting the program at least 6 months before you intend to teach if it’s abroad in order to have enough time to complete all work.
- Website: CIEE
Step 3: Decide Between Online or On-Site
You finally chose the school that you’re getting certified through, hooray! Every single day you are getting closer and closer to your new and exciting adventure. Now you must decide if you are taking an online or on-site (in person) course. The International TEFL Academy has campuses all over the world and online. You have the option of completing your course in The United States (Chicago and New York), or you can go to the country that you plan to teach in, complete your course, then get job assistance to land a position there. My friend from college went to Mexico to take her course, then she got a job a week after she finished. As for me, I wasn’t quite sure where I was going to teach. Therefore, the only option that made sense to me was the online course.
Keep in mind, there are a few differences between taking an online vs on-site course. Taking an on-site TEFL course typically only lasts 4-weeks, with school being the same hours as a regular full-time job (30-40 hours), and super fast-paced. Another thing to remember is an on-site course generally costs more. Not to mention, if you decide to go to Chicago or New York, you’re responsible for covering your accommodation, transportation, etc. For online, you’re looking at about an 11-week course that is still very fast paced, but cheaper. This option was definitely more convenient for me, because it allowed me to still work and save money before I moved abroad.
Step 4: Sign Up!
Now for the easy part, signing up for the program of your choosing. This basically applies to any school that you are getting certified at, check the schedule. Most places will follow a schedule where class dates are split up by semesters (fall and spring). The International TEFL Academy splits their courses 2 – 3 weeks apart, but make sure you sign up for online courses 2 weeks in advance because it fills up fast. Whereas the on-site courses, it’s recommended that you sign up 3-6 months in advance.
One important thing I’d like to point out with the school I went through is that before even signing up, you are required to get in touch with a recruiter. Rather than leaving you to fend for yourself, the advisors will assist you to decide what course you should sign up for based on your financial needs, when you plan to move abroad, or what kind of English you want to teach.
Step 5: Complete The Course
Whether you’re online or on-site, you’ll need to strap in for an intense course that will have you learning new and amazing things about teaching. You can become an effective instructor and gain certification in just a couple of months if you put your mind to it. Once the course is completed, the company will send you a certificate and there you have it.
How Much Does It Cost To Get a TEFL Certificate?
I will be really honest and say that if you want to get certified and teach abroad, you need to save money wisely. This is obviously not a cheap decision by any means. Saving to get your certification depends on if you choose the online or on-site program. I mentioned before that on-site is definitely more expensive. I recommend saving around $3,000 dollars in total, because you have to consider the class cost ($2,195-2,175), plus accommodations and other necessities for the duration of the course. Although, this will not be a factor if you are already a Chicago or New York resident.
The online course is only $1,399 and that includes that ebook for the course, you also have the option of buying the physical textbook, but it’s unnecessary. However, the academy runs a deal that if you sign up by a certain date, you can save $100 which is why I only paid $1,299 for my course. From my personal experience, if you are on a tight budget and want to save before you go abroad, online is without a doubt your best option.
My Advice
The one piece of advice that I want to give is, don’t go into a TEFL course thinking that it will be easy. Many people see it as some BS course so they can go on vacation for a year in a different country. This is just like any course that you have taken in school. It’s very fast paced, very intense, and requires about 20+ hours a week to dedicate to your coursework/studying.
When you go abroad to teach, you are essentially responsible for the success of the next generation. Being bilingual in today’s globalizing world is so crucial to improving your life. Whether it’s getting accepted into a good school, studying abroad in an English speaking country, or getting a job that allows them to climb the economic ladder. That’s what a majority of the students you’ll be teaching are working towards.
Most importantly, it’s not an easy process by any means, earning your TEFL is just the beginning. I can promise you, once you arrive in a new country, despite all the unfamiliarity, it will all be 100% worth it.
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