Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or TEFL, is a time honoured and tested way for travellers to work, earn money and travel the world at the same time. Here are some of the best TEFL courses to get you started.
Teaching English abroad is almost a tradition amongst backpackers at this point, with countless companies offering the TEFL certificate and giving travellers the chance to earn money as they travel.
Not only are native English speakers in high demand in countries like Japan, Korea and Thailand, travellers can make a huge difference in peoples lives and experience a side of the country as an ex pat than they never can by simply passing through. Of course the opportunity to boost their CV with valuable teaching experience and skills is always good too!
The TEFL is a certificate that is awarded after completion of a course and whilst not technically necessary to get a job, it is extremely difficult to get one without it thanks to the sheer competition.
As well as the TEFL certificate there is also the TESOL certificate which stands for Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages, and is essentially the same thing but focused more on adults. You may also hear about CELTA, which stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching To Adults and is simply Cambridge University’s own branded CELTA.
So with all these options which company do you choose to get your TEFL certificate from? Here are just some of the best.
MyTEFL.
MyTEFL is one of the best courses out there and gives a well recognised qualification as well as support in finding a job once you get it.
i-to-i TEFL.
i-to-i has been around for a long time and is simply one of the most established and well respected courses out there. Their basic course lasts for 120 hours with more in depth courses lasting for 300 hours or more, and covers the three core sections, lesson planning, classroom confidence, and teaching grammar and vocabulary to foreign students, either online or at physical locations throughout the UK.
Asian College of Teachers (ACT).
Like its name suggests these courses are run primarily in Asia but they are also held all over the UK and Europe. These courses take place in the classroom so you get a lot of physical teaching experience, and the qualification is a respected one around the world.
TEFL Pros.
This is an online course that offers 120 hours of learning over a great video heavy platform. There are tons of modules, exercises and worksheets to get through and the qualification is well known and solid.
International TEFL Academy.
This online course is one of the most expensive out there but is also one of the best. Taught by university lecturers, the course takes roughly 11 weeks and is packed with coursework and teaching modules.
The TEFL Org.
This Scottish based organisation has courses in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh, and offers weekend courses, three day courses and a variety of other options. They also give access to a wide variety of online resources and has exclusive jobs available to graduates.
Study Celta.
Study Celta is one of the UKs best TEFL courses and has bases all over the country. This qualification is highly recognised all over the world and is one that will give you a stronger chance at the better paid jobs.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language is one of the best ways to earn some good money as you travel, immerse yourself in a different culture and perhaps even find your calling for a new career. If it is something you are looking into doing then these are some great options to get you started.
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Michael Huxley is a published author, professional adventurer and founder of the travel website, Bemused Backpacker. He has spent the last twenty years travelling to over 100 countries on almost every continent, slowly building Bemused Backpacker into a successful business after leaving a former career in emergency nursing and travel medicine, and continues to travel the world on numerous adventures every year.
Bemused Backpacker 
I’ve always wanted to do this but just feels like the market is so competitive now that unless you have every top qualifucation going you’ll be shoced to the bottom of the pile.
It is competitive Emily I won’t lie, but you’ll never know what you can achieve unless you try. Think of some way to stand out from the competition.