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tefl frequently asked questions

TEFL Courses FAQs Welcome to the world of TEFL Our TEFL Experts have over three decades of experience in the world of teaching English as a foreign languageand have helped thousands of students get the skills and certificate they needed to start a great new career. Now, it’s your turn! Here are the answers to […]

TEFL Courses FAQs

Welcome to the world of TEFL

Our TEFL Experts have over three decades of experience in the world of teaching English as a foreign language
and have helped thousands of students get the skills and certificate they needed to start a great new career.

Now, it's your turn!

Here are the answers to many of the questions we are often asked about TEFL. From how you qualify to eligibility, finding work and everything else in between!

If for some reason your question and answer isn't listed, please get in touch with us and our TEFL Experts will be happy to help.

Email:   info@tefl.org
Phone:   +1 332 255 2417

General FAQ

What is TEFL?

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is teaching English to people who do not speak English as their first language. This is largely done abroad; however, increasingly many people are teaching English here in the US.  You will also find other acronyms like TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), which are both very closely related to TEFL.

Am I too old/too young to do a TEFL course?
Age doesn't matter, honest! People of all ages come along to do our courses.

Can I add on further TEFL courses later?

Of course, you can. But, we like to encourage you to enroll on the higher level courses, which is cheaper than adding on courses later on. It's up to you.

Can I take the course if I have a disability?

Of course.  If you require any special arrangements to take either the classroom or online course, please get in touch and we will be happy to help you.

Can TEFL Org set me up with a job following the course?

We are continually setting up arrangements with schools overseas, so keep an eye on the TEFL Jobs Centre to see what jobs are available. Once you enroll on a TEFL Org course, you will be able to call us any time to discuss your TEFL job options, just make the call.  You'll also have full access to the TEFL Jobs Center, so you can apply for your dream TEFL job!

Do I need to purchase any textbooks for the course?

You don't, but we recommend a grammar reference book since this is the most essential resource any teacher can have. There are a number on the market. Ones we have used when we were starting are Practical English Usage by Michael Swan or A - Z of Grammar by Geoffrey Leach.  Just bring a notepad and a pen to the course.

Do I need to know grammar?

You don't need any prior knowledge. You'll get an introduction to grammar on the course, plus you can take our grammar course to really build your confidence in English grammar.

Do I need to know the local language?
Absolutely not! Even if you do speak the local language, DON'T use it in the classroom. The whole point of having native English-speaking English teachers is that you provide a feeling of total immersion in the classroom and the students are forced to communicate in English. Of course, learning the language helps in your life outside the classroom.

Does the certificate expire?

No, it doesn't. But, realistically, employers might be less attracted to you if it has been more than a couple of years since you took your course and have done no teaching in that period. You may want to take a shorter weekend course to refresh your memory if you haven't used your TEFL certificate for a long time.

How do I apply?

You can apply online through our secure payment system or over phone or even by post. You can use credit / debit cards, PayPal or check. To make it even easier, we will also accept a £50 deposit to reserve your place.

How long do the courses take?

The weekend course is done over one weekend! The online courses will depend on how much time you set aside for completing it. Two or three months should be more than enough to cover the online course and the grammar course, although some have completed them in 6-10 weeks.

How many people are in each course?

For the weekday and weekend courses there is minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 people per classroom.

I have a qualification with another provider - can I still apply for a job with you?

The positions we offer are only available for TEFL Org graduates. However, have a look on TEFL.com or ESLcafe if you're looking for jobs without a TEFL Org certificate.

Is there international TEFL accreditation?

There is no one single awarding body for TEFL. Most course providers provide their own accreditation or seek accreditation from accrediting bodies that are not TEFL-specific.

On average, how long does it take to complete the online course?

Usually between 6 - 10 weeks.

What is the difference between the online and weekend course?

What you learn on both of the courses is pretty much the same. The weekend course is practical and fast-paced whereas the online course is more theoretical and you can progress through the course in your time, plus you have one-to-one tuition. Many TEFL students take both courses so they can see the theory of the online course put into practice on the weekend course.

What qualifications do I need to apply for a course?

We believe that if you can speak English then you have the potential to teach it. Therefore, we only ask that you are a native-level speaker of English and that you have the enthusiasm to learn something new. No other qualifications or experience is necessary.

What support will I get on the course?
All our courses are tutor-guided so you will receive the support you need. You can access the TEFL Org forums and community and discuss aspects of the course with others in the same position as you. You will also have access to our help desk should you have any queries about your course, and you can call us at any time.

When will I receive my certificate?
After completing your course, and finally submitting and getting graded for the "Have I passed?" tasks, your certificate will be sent for printing. You should expect to receive your certificate within 10 working days after passing the course.

If in the rare case that you don't receive your certificate within 28 days then please contact our admin team at info@tefl.org

Which course should I take?

There are a number of different courses, but a simple rule is that the more you learn, the more prepared and more confident you are. Also, your CV will look more competitive if you have a 130-hour course rather than a 20-hour course. However, some already have the confidence and just need the basic weekend or online course (perhaps with the grammar course too). It really depends on you. All our courses will find you paid teaching work overseas. If you have any doubts, then give us a call.

Will a TEFL Org certificate get me a job?

Yes it will, and much faster if you are open-minded and willing to travel. TEFL Org graduates are teaching all over the world. See where they are teaching by visiting the TEFL Org community.

Will I be able to apply for jobs straight after the course?

You can apply for work as soon as you make the decision to go abroad and do it; just log on to the TEFL Job Centre after enrolling on a course and you can begin your search.