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Yes, you can get TEFL certified and teach English if it isn't your first language. Thousands of non-native speakers teach online and abroad. Here's where your passport can take you, what level of English employers look for and how to stand out, with an honest look at where it's harder.
Yes. Anyone with good English can take a TEFL course, wherever they're from. You don't need to be a native speaker, and you don't need to speak your students' language either.
Can non-native speakers teach English abroad?
Yes, in many countries. Online teaching, Cambodia, Latin America, Japan and Europe (with an EU passport) are open to fluent non-native teachers. A few countries, such as China and South Korea, usually limit English teaching visas to citizens of 7 native English-speaking countries.
What level of English do I need to teach?
Most employers look for C1 or above on the CEFR scale, and C2 makes you a strong candidate. Many ask you to prove it with an IELTS score of about 7.0 or higher, a TOEIC score or Cambridge C1 Advanced.
Do non-native English teachers earn less?
Sometimes, at schools that pay by nationality, but not always. Many schools pay by qualifications and experience, and online you set your own rate. A TEFL, a strong test score and a specialty such as young learners or Business English all help you earn more.
Is being a non-native speaker an advantage?
It can be. You learned English yourself, so you understand the grammar from the inside, you know which parts are hard and you can share tips that worked for you. Many students find that inspiring.
Which countries hire non-native English teachers?
Many do, including Cambodia, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica and Japan, plus online platforms. Thailand, Vietnam and the Middle East hire non-native teachers too, often with a degree and a test score or teaching license.
Do I need a degree as well as a TEFL?
It depends on the country. Online teaching, Cambodia and parts of Latin America are open without one, but Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and the Middle East need a degree for the work visa.
Which TEFLmasters course is best for non-native speakers?
The $59 Practical course, because you can send 2 lesson plans for a tutor to mark within 24 hours, so you get personal feedback on your teaching, and you have 24 months to finish.
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