Talk to a real personBest value
120-hour Premium TEFL
$49one-off
- The full 120-hour course, with human-voice narrated video and subtitles
- Practical scenario tasks and real teaching videos
- Tutor support, plus the lesson plan and Job Support bundles
- 12 months to finish
TEFL explained
What is TEFL?
TEFL is your ticket to teaching English around the world, or from your laptop at home. Here's what it means, what a TEFL course teaches you, who it's for and how to get certified, all in plain English.
TEFL (say "teffle")Teaching English as a Foreign Language: teaching English to people whose first language isn't English, usually abroad or online.
TEFL in 30 seconds
The four things to know
A certificate
Proof you're trained to teach English as a foreign language. Schools, recruiters and some visa rules ask for it.
120 hours
The international standard. Longer courses add young learners or Business English.
Online or in person
Most people study online, at their own pace, in a few weeks. In-person courses take about 4 weeks full time.
From $49
Online courses usually cost $200 to $500. Ours start at $49. Price guide
How it works
How to get TEFL certified in 4 steps
- 1
Today
Choose an accredited course
Pick at least 120 hours from a provider with real accreditation and a certificate employers can check.
- 2
Over a few weeks
Study online
Work through the units, videos and quizzes on your phone or laptop, whenever suits you.
- 3
When you pass
Get your certificate
Download your QR-verified certificate straight away, ready to show employers.
- 4
Straight after
Apply for jobs
Apply abroad or online with our Job Support bundle. Browse TEFL jobs
What you'll learn
Inside a 120-hour TEFL course
These are the 26 units of our 120-hour Practical TEFL course. Filter them to see the mix of teaching skills and grammar.
- 1TEFL Introduction
- 2Parts of Speech
- 3ESL Teaching
- 4Classroom Management
- 5Present Tenses
- 6Motivating Learners
- 7Student-Centered Learning
- 8Culture
- 9Present Tenses Review
- 10Teaching Methods
- 11Planning Lessons
- 12Midterm Exam
- 13Past Tenses
- 14Advanced Grammar
- 15Teaching Vocabulary
- 16Teaching Productive Skills
- 17Teaching Pronunciation
- 18Teaching Receptive Skills 1
- 19Teaching Receptive Skills 2
- 20Feedback and Assessment
- 21Classroom Equipment
- 22Games in Teaching
- 23Online Teaching
- 24Teaching Different Contexts
- 25Finding Work
- 26Final Exam
The $49 120-hour Premium TEFL covers the same 120 hours, with online teaching built into every unit. See the full Premium course
Who it's for
Who takes a TEFL course?
Almost anyone with good English. You don't need teaching experience or another language.
New graduates
Take a year or two to travel and earn before your next step.
Career changers
Swap the office for a classroom, at home online or abroad.
Gap year travelers
Fund your travels with a skill schools everywhere need.
Non-native speakers
Fluent English plus a TEFL opens online work and many jobs abroad.
Online tutors
Stand out on platforms and charge more for your lessons.
Retirees
Teach part time, travel and share a lifetime of experience.
Two ways to teach
Teach abroad, or teach from home
- AbroadLanguage schools, public schools and kindergartens in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Explore destinations
- OnlineOne-to-one lessons with students around the world, on platforms or with your own private students. Teaching online
- Do you need one?Some countries require a TEFL, and most employers expect one. Country by country
Where it can take you
One certificate, classrooms everywhere
Keep reading
More TEFL guides
TEFL vs TESOL
What the letters mean and which one employers want.
Read the guideHow much does a TEFL cost?
2026 prices compared, and the hidden fees to watch for.
Read the guideIs TEFL worth it?
An honest answer, with a payback calculator.
Read the guideOnline TEFL vs CELTA
When the expensive option is worth it.
Read the guideDo you need a TEFL?
Country by country: required, expected or helpful.
Read the guideTeaching young learners
Phonics, age groups and where the kids' jobs are.
Read the guideReady to start?
Get your accredited TEFL
Every course meets the 120-hour standard, is accredited by OTCAC and comes with a QR-verified certificate.
Most popular
120-hour Practical TEFL
$59one-off
- A personal tutor and full narrated video
- 2 written assignments graded by your tutor, with helpful feedback
- Resubmit after feedback, and your certificate says "with Practical Assignments"
- 24 months to finish
Most complete
220-hour Practical TEFL
$79one-off
- Everything in the 168-hour course, including tutor-graded lesson plans
- 40 hours of Business English
- 220, 168 and 120-hour certificates
- 24 months to finish
Teaching mostly children? The 168-hour course is $69. With every Practical course, a personal tutor grades 2 written lesson plan assignments with helpful feedback within 24 hours, and you can resubmit after feedback. Pass them and your certificate says "with Practical Assignments". Compare all courses
Accredited by OTCAC (20210112A)
CPD-verified provider (002991)
UK registered learning provider (UKPRN 10089401)
FAQ
What is TEFL? Your questions
What is TEFL?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It means teaching English to people whose first language isn't English, usually in another country or online. A TEFL certificate is the qualification most employers ask for, usually for at least 120 hours of training.
What does a TEFL course teach you?
How to plan lessons and manage a class. You also learn to explain grammar, give feedback and teach speaking, listening, reading and writing. Our 120-hour course has 26 units, from parts of speech to classroom games, online teaching and finding work.
Do I need a degree to do a TEFL?
No. Anyone with good English can take a TEFL course. Some countries need a degree for the work visa, but online teaching, Cambodia and parts of Latin America are open to teachers without one.
How long does it take to get a TEFL?
A 120-hour online TEFL is self-paced. Many people finish in a few weeks, and you have 12 or 24 months depending on the course.
Do I need to speak another language?
No. English is usually the only language used in class, even with beginners. Learning a few words of the local language helps you settle in, though.
Can non-native speakers do a TEFL?
Yes. Fluent non-native speakers take TEFL courses and teach online and in many countries. A few countries limit English teaching visas to native speakers, so check the rules for where you want to go.
Is an online TEFL accepted?
Yes. Accredited online TEFL certificates are widely accepted for jobs abroad and online, including for teaching visas in South Korea, China, Vietnam and Thailand.
How much does a TEFL cost?
Online TEFL courses usually cost about $200 to $500, and in-person courses about $1,000 to $2,500. Our accredited 120-hour TEFL starts at $49. See our full TEFL price guide.
Photos from Unsplash by Maccy, Christin Hume, Robson Hatsukami Morgan, Florian Wehde, Ricardo Gomez Angel and David Emrich.