What’s the difference between TEFL courses?

When it comes to TEFL certificates, it can sometimes be hard to know what you need. Imagine this: you’re totally new to an industry, and there are lots of different sources telling you you need this qualification, and others are saying that’s wrong, you need this other certificate… it’s overwhelming!

Theoretically, you’re reading this because you’re interested in taking a TEFL course. It could be a 120-hour TEFL certificate, a CELTA, a Level 5 Diploma… so what’s the best choice for you? What are the differences, and what do they mean when it comes to the world of work?

It can all be a bit confusing. So, we’re here to help you navigate this world of numbers, acronyms and certificates. It might be prudent to try out our TEFL Course Quiz before reading on, but either way, we’ve got you covered!

Combined v Online v In-person

Firstly, let’s delve into the differences in how courses can be conducted. This won’t be hard to keep up with - it’s pretty obvious.

An online course is conducted solely online and is typically entirely self-paced. Since the pandemic in particular, this kind of course has skyrocketed in popularity, with course providers moving materials and tutors online to accommodate a whole new audience of prospective TEFL teachers. 

An in-person course is, as you’d expect, conducted entirely in a classroom setting. There may be online elements - for example, handing in coursework, and managing a shared calendar - but the teaching is done in person.

A combined course includes online plus live training, either over Zoom or an equivalent, or in person. So what are the advantages and disadvantages? 

Advantages and disadvantages

In-person teaching gives students a chance to meet face-to-face, which can aid friendships and create networking opportunities in the future. Some prospective TEFL teachers will live in cities where in-person classroom sessions take place, and would prefer to engage with physical materials. For some, simply getting back into a physical learning environment is exciting. However, there are disadvantages: in-person courses typically cost more, and there’s inflexibility in terms of study environment.

Learning online, on the other hand, provides a fantastic learning environment for those who live outside of cities, or too far from a learning centre to commute. The online sphere is inherently more accessible, and it’s possible to engage with the material at a different pace - some may wish to speed through a course, others may need more time. However, online courses don’t suit everyone, especially if you struggle to keep yourself motivated and on-task.

With a combined course, you can get the best of both worlds!

Online TEFL courses

120-hour TEFL courses

One of the most recognised TEFL certificates today is 120 hours. Why 120 hours? According to industry experts, teachers and curriculum designers, 120 hours is the minimum amount of time to really prepare for the world of TEFL teaching, mixing theoretical and practical study. 

Whether combined, in person or online, doing a 120-hour TEFL course from an accredited , respected provider will get you a job. These courses are short, yes, but have a reasonable intensity to them. Depending on the provider, you can take as long as 6 months to complete the 120 hours of study (some may let you take longer but will charge you to do so).

A 120-hour TEFL certificate will provide you the foundational knowledge of core teaching concepts and will arm you with the theoretical grounding to competently teach English as a foreign language for the first time.

Typically, a 120-hour online TEFL course will cost between £150-£400/$185-$495.

Level 5 TEFL diploma

So, 120 hours isn’t enough for you, is it? Try a Level 5 TEFL diploma , which will impress any TEFL employer worth their salt.

A Level 5 will provide much of the same foundational teaching as a 120-hour course However, it will expand on a range of themes and, in some cases, provide more of a practical element. Simply put, a Level 5 course is a fantastic choice if you have the time and inclination. 

If you’re debating between a 120-hour TEFL qualification and a Level 5 diploma , what else does a Level 5 have in its favour? Well, if you don’t hold a degree, want to work in a very competitive TEFL market (Japan, South Korea, Spain for example), or English isn’t your first language, a Level 5 is likely to give you more confidence and a better impression from employers. 

Finally, what does Level 5 mean? Well, it means that it’s the equivalent difficulty to a CELTA, according to Ofqual’s Qualification Framework , and that it’s a course that’s been specifically assessed by Ofqual. No accreditation? Then it’s not really a Level 5 course.

An accredited Level 5 diploma will typically cost £250-£800/$310-$990.

Short classroom TEFL courses

What about shorter classroom courses? These are fantastic if you want to try TEFL out, or if you took a TEFL course a while back and need a refresher.

Consider, for example, a 20-hour weekend classroom course or a 30-hour TEFL weekday course . These courses provide foundational knowledge that can let you know if the world of English teaching is right for you!

Generally, these courses will cost anywhere between £150 and £300/$90-$375, but are often more cost-effective if combined with online training.

In-person TEFL courses

CELTA 

CELTA stands for Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. This course used to be essentially the only course for those who wanted to qualify to teach English as a foreign language. It’s a specific type of TEFL course created by Cambridge Assessment English and focuses on teaching adults. 

The course is usually completed in person over the course of around a month. Formerly, the CELTA was one of the only quality TEFL courses on the market and so it still holds significant sway around the world. However, online learning has progressed enormously, so the CELTA isn’t the only course sought after by employers these days.

Only approved CELTA centres are able to run CELTA courses. To find your nearest one, a Google search will keep you right. The CELTA course typically costs just over £1,500/$1,860, with prices changing annually.

Trinity CertTESOL

Trinity College began competing with Cambridge when it launched the Trinity CertTESOL . According to the college themselves, the Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL) is “a certificate designed for people with little or no experience of teaching English, and for those with experience who require an internationally recognised initial teacher education qualification.”

Both the CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL are Level 5 qualifications, with the Trinty qualification comprising 200 of intense study. Similar to CELTA, only Trinity-affiliated institutions can offer this qualification. At the time of writing, the Trinty CertTESOL costs just under £1,000/$1,240.

Comparisons

To read more about the differences between some of the main TEFL courses, we have a page dedicated to 120 hours v Level 5 and TEFL v CELTA . 

If you’re looking for a brief summary, then consider the following: a CELTA used to be the primary means of gaining qualification to teach English as a foreign language. However, in more recent years, 120-hour TEFL certificates - from reputable, accredited providers - have proved valuable in the job market, as have Level 5 Diplomas, which take a little longer to complete.

The biggest thing here is time commitment. Depending on your circumstances, you might only have time for a 120 hour qualification. The 80 hour difference between a TEFL certificate and a Level 5 certificate really do add up, and it may well be the case that the time isn’t there. 

Equally, price is a major consideration. Investing your time is one thing, but depending on your financial circumstances, a CELTA or Level 5, for example, might be a stretch too far. The general affordability of 120 hour TEFL certificates has been a big part of their popularity in recent years. 

Ultimately, it’s about the time you can dedicate, what you’re specifically interested in and the job market where you want to live and work.

Advanced TEFL/specialist courses

Consider, for a second, the world of academia. If you can get a bachelor’s degree, it’s likely to get you a job. What if you wanted to boost your CV with a master’s degree in a certain field? Would that help your employment prospects, and prove a fun and worthwhile experience?

TEFL is a bit like that. The opportunity for study doesn’t end with a CELTA, a 120-hour Certificate or Level 5 Diploma. Advanced TEFL courses are a brilliant idea for anyone wanting to sharpen their skillset. Alternatively, if you want to advance to the step beyond a CELTA 

If you want to teach English online , there’s an advanced TEFL certificate for that. Let’s say you want to teach young learners , specifically. There’s an advanced TEFL certificate for that, too.

Specialist areas like Business English and Exam Preparation are fantastic fields to get into as a TEFL teacher, and there are courses specifically for these modalities. If there’s a specific niche you want to find as a TEFL teacher, it’s likely there’s an advanced TEFL qualification.

These qualifications are becoming increasingly affordable and can fit around your schedule.

TEFL courses - it’s your choice!

Our best advice for navigating the world of TEFL courses? Mix and match to suit your needs. There is no one “right” answer as long as your course is from an accredited and recognised provider.

Like studying anything, it’s got to have a clear purpose and, crucially, it’s got to be fun! If you would be more comfortable in a classroom environment then go for it. If it’s a more modern, practical qualification you want, then try an online option.

It’s always a good idea to check job descriptions for the kinds of places you want to teach. Then, get the qualification to match the requirements. It’s that simple!

Again, we’d direct you to our TEFL course quiz if you’re still unsure. Happy learning: the world awaits!

To see The TEFL Org’s full range of opportunities, take a look at our courses page!