Frequently Asked Questions

There are so many acronyms out there! What do they all mean?

We understand your confusion. There are a lot of English programs out there, and we want to help you understand to get you through the maze to get you what you need to do what you want- teach English abroad!

EFL- English as a Foreign Language. This is a class where the students are learning English in a country such as Thailand where English is not the native language.

ESL- English as a Second Language. In this classroom, the students are in an English-speaking country such as the United States or United Kingdom, and English is not their native, or first, language.

TEFL- Teaching English as a Foreign Language. This is the activity of teaching an EFL class. Often the teacher is a native-English speaker, and is in a non-English-speaking country teaching, and the teacher may not be familiar with the native culture or language.

TESL- Teaching English as a Second Language. Here a native-English speaker is teaching ESL to students in an English-speaking country.

TESOL- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. This is generally considered synonymous to TEFL.

CELTA- University of Cambridge Certificate in English Language Training to Adults. Standardized by the University of Cambridge, this course will be nearly the same anywhere you take it.

TOEFL- Test of English as a Foreign Language (pronounced “toe-ful”). This is a standardized test put forth by the Educational Testing Service, the same company that puts forth the SAT-, GRE-, and TOEIC exams, which evaluates a English learner’s ability in English.

Do I really need certification?

In many countries (see our directory of qualifications), some kind of certification is required. For those without Education or English degrees, a TEFL-type certification is a must, as it shows you have undergone the training required to know how to present an effective lesson plan.

In some countries, just being a native English speaker is enough to qualify to teach, but as more and more people get into the EFL field, you will find that having TEFL/TESOL certification can give you a much-needed edge over the competition in finding the job you want. You’ll be able to speak with confidence in an interview on how to conduct an English class when others are struggling to understand the questions.

If you already have an English or Education degree, or are licensed to teach in an English country, you’ll find that our courses will give you a thorough training in how to present English lessons in a country where you don’t know the native language, as well as giving you an invaluable introduction to the culture and language of where you will be teaching. Again, this will boost the effectiveness of your lesson planning an execution, giving you more confidence and job security.

What qualifications do I need to enter a TEFL course? Do I need a university degree?

You must be a native or fluent English speaker, 18 years of age or older, and willing to work hard in your course and on the job. Good study skills are needed for the courses.

Different countries have different degree requirements (see directory of qualifications). Some countries, such as Thailand, require degrees but because of teacher shortages, employers hire teachers without degrees. If you want to work in such a country, there are jobs, but you should be prepared to face some obstacles.

Do I need to be a native-English speaker to teach English?

No. Many fluent English speakers are excellent English teachers. You do need to have a very good handle on the use of English and understand its structure in such a way that allows you to teach it effectively.

Am I too old to enroll in a course? It’s been years since I’ve been in school.

We have had students of ages 18-65 in our courses. Many people in their more mature years look to take a TEFL course to help them be more effective volunteers teaching EFL/ESL, for a career change, to help earn extra money, or out of general interest to expand their knowledge.

Although the TEFL courses are intense and require a good amount of effort, they are geared towards people of all ages and for those who may not have been in school for some time. Our trainers are earnest, compassionate educators who genuinely want to help trainees learn a new skill and enter a new field.

Can I only teach in the country I am trained in?

All of our certification courses are recognized internationally. We have had teachers from our courses go on to teach in every continent where EFL and ESL is taught. Many trainees may choose a specific location because of the course quality and location, eg. Phuket, then do a job search in China or Korea, where they would like to teach.

Especially after gaining some experience, many opportunities to teach EFL will afford themselves to you. EFL teachers can choose travel the globe or stay put in a place they feel comfortable. Some may decide to live in a country that allows them to save money to pay off student loans, then move to another with a culture they find interesting. The choice and freedom is yours!

How do I start teaching English abroad?

Download our “Easy Steps to Teaching English Abroad” guide to find out!