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Teach English as a Foreign Language in the UK or Abroad
Are you looking for a rewarding teaching career with global job opportunities?
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) offers a flexible career with the chance to work in the UK and around the world.
Part-time, full-time, seasonal, and flexible teaching roles are available.
Download our TEFL booklet (PDF) >>
Why Work in TEFL?
Rewarding and Varied
You'll be helping people from all over the world to speak English and achieve their goals. Expect variety and fresh challenges with each class.
Work Around the World
Do you want to experience life in another country? TEFL teachers are in demand all over the world, from the UK to Japan and Brazil.
Flexible Hours
There are full-time, part-time, flexible, and summer English language teaching roles available. You can take up teaching around other projects and commitments.
Gain Transferable Skills
Working in TEFL, you will develop intercultural communication, presenting, and leadership skills, which will look great on your CV.
Job Requirements
Confident, Friendly Personality
- Clear communication skills
- Strong planning and organizational skills
- A love of learning
- Appreciation and sensitivity to other cultures
- Creative, adaptable approach
Where Can You Teach?
Teach in the UK
Specialist English language schools need teachers throughout the year to teach students of all ages.
Universities and colleges need teachers to support international students with their English skills.
Summer Schools
Residential junior centers offer English and activity courses for under-18s during school holidays. They are often based at boarding schools, and staff may live on-site.
Many teachers work in the UK during the summer and teach abroad for the rest of the year.
Teach Abroad
The opportunity to work around the world motivates many people to become TEFL teachers.
You can work at publicly funded schools as a language assistant or for private language schools.
You don't need to speak another language. You just need a high level of proficiency in English.
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Most schools abroad will ask for a TEFL qualification and previous teaching experience.
Teachers who train in the UK often work at a UK school first to gain experience before going abroad.
Get Started with the Right TEFL Qualification
There are two ways to qualify as a TEFL teacher in the UK. Choose the best qualification route for you, to have the best start as a new English teacher.
Training Courses
To teach at most English language schools in the UK, you will either need a CELTA or CertTESOL, or to be enrolled on AccessTEFL, an on-the-job training programme.
These qualifications will also give you access to the best English language teaching jobs abroad.
Other Equivalent University Qualifications May Also Be Considered.
In a CELTA, CertTESOL, or AccessTEFL programme, you will learn how to:
- Plan lessons
- Use teaching resources
- Understand and explain grammar
- Teach reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills
- Understand diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
Requirements
- 18 years old or over
- Level 3 qualifications (e.g., A levels or Scottish Highers)
- Advanced (C1) level of English
- No teaching experience is required.
CELTA/CertTESOL
CELTA and CertTESOL are entry-level teaching qualifications you complete before starting a job. They are recognized worldwide.
Course Format
- Hours: 120 hours minimum
- Duration: Four or five weeks full-time, up to a year part-time
- Format: Face-to-face, online, or hybrid options
- Assessment: Observed teaching practice and written assignments
- Pre-requisites: None
Find a course
Find out more and book your CELTA or CertTESOL course online:
- CELTA: cambridgeenglish.org/CELTA (awarded by Cambridge Assessment English)
- CertTESOL: trinitycollege.com/CertTESOL (awarded by Trinity College)
AccessTEFL
AccessTEFL is an on-the-job teaching qualification recognized by British Council accredited schools across the UK.
Course Format
- Hours: 120 hours
- Duration: Three to nine months
- Format: On-the-job
- Assessment: Observed teaching practice, classroom-based, and desktop research tasks
- Pre-requisites: Online 'Introduction to TEFL' qualification (min. 30 hrs)
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Find a course
Look for advertised AccessTEFL jobs or ask a school that interests you if they accept AccessTEFL trainees:
- English UK member center directory
- Find out more about AccessTEFL
Find a CELTA or CertTESOL Training Course in the UK
There are training centers across the country that offer CELTA and CertTESOL courses:
- Find a CELTA course (awarded by Cambridge English Assessment)
- Find a CertTESOL course (awarded by Trinity College London)
What Career Progression is There for TEFL Teachers?
Experienced teachers have career path options within the English language teaching sector.
Teachers who want to stay in the classroom can specialize in a specific teaching area, like Business English.
Teachers can also progress to become academic directors and directors of studies, managing and supporting other teachers, overseeing the curriculum, and developing new courses.
Teachers can also move into other management and leadership roles within the sector, including center operations and student services. Marketing and sales roles are also available that offer travel opportunities to meet potential students and clients around the world.
Learn about other careers in the UK's English language teaching (ELT) sector
Further Information About Starting a Career in TEFL
- PROSPECTS career guide
- National Career Service career guide
- British Council: Why it's never too late to become an English teacher
What Does TEFL Stand For?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
Other Terms You Will Come Across Include
- ELT - English Language Teaching
- EFL - English as a Foreign Language
- ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages
- EAL - English as an Additional Language
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