Take a TEFL course

TEFL course through WorldSupporter: Teaching English as a Foreign Language

TEFL course

What is a TEFL course?
What TEFL course variants are available internationally?
International TEFL courses through JoHo WorldSupporter
Why take a TEFL course through JoHo?
How to find a job as TEFL teacher?
More about TEFL: course options, prices and TEFL alternatives

What is a TEFL course?

The TEFL course is a course that trains you, with no background as a teacher, to teach English to children and adults.
The course is entirely in English, and focuses on developing teaching skills and methods for teaching the English language to non-native speakers.
With the globally recognized TEFL certificate, you can demonstrate the essential skills for an English teacher.
Internationally, the demand for English teachers is rising, and with a TEFL course, you significantly increase your chances of getting a paid teaching job!

What TEFL course variants are available internationally?

A 120 hour TEFL course is generally the basic option TEFL schools and institutes offer
Depending on the school, you can take the TEFL course online, locally or in a hybrid format.
The online TEFL is a course you can take from home, or any location abroad with internet connection.
You can choose between a basic course (starting at 120 hours) and more extensive courses (up to 420 hours) with one or more specializations.
if you choose a local TEFL course, it will generally be more intensive, ranging from 4 to 8 weeks and have an approach with more hands-on experience. These local TEFL course suppliers often offer assistance in finding a teaching job locally

International TEFL courses through JoHo WorldSupporter

By booking the TEFL course through JoHo and JoHo partners you support JoHo and the JoHo WorldSupporter projects

Online TEFL courses: take the course at your own pace; with JoHo WorldSupporter discount
Online TEFL courses: including Teacherpreneur Academy
Go to Malaga, Spain: take your TEFL course including job search assistance
Go to Rome, Italy: start working as an English teacher in Italy after your TEFL course
Go to Bangkok, Thailand: Intensive TEFL course with practice hours with real students
Go to Chiang Mai, Thailand: onsite courses on level 3 and level 5, paid intership program available
Go to Costa Rica: Intensive 4-week TEFL course with practice hours with Costa Rican students

Why take a TEFL course through JoHo?

You can take the course through JoHo both online and abroad, kick start your teacher career in Spain, Italy or Thailand.
You have access to online WorldSupporter pages with extensive information to prepare for your teaching job abroad.
After completing the course, you can contact JoHo for more information about your possible move abroad and advice on administrative and insurance matters
By taking out your TEFL course with JoHo WorldSupporter, you are also securing another person a better life through the WorldSupporter Projects

How to find a job as TEFL teacher?

Find your first job as a TEFL teacher abroad with the help of TEFL providers' career services. Although the exact details of the guidance vary from TEFL course provider to provider, the basic assistance at each reputable TEFL provider is broadly similar: career guidance, exclusive job postings, networking, personal coaching and work experience as part of the course.

Before selecting a TEFL provider, think carefully about your needs for career counseling. Some schools offer personal coaching around your CV and job interviews, others limit themselves to an online job board with (exclusive) TEFL vacancies.
The geographic range of job offerings also varies by school. Generally, local TEFL providers have the strongest network of employers in that particular region. If you already know which country/region you want to work in, a local provider can greatly increase your job prospects

More about TEFL: course options, prices and TEFL alternatives

See below for answers on:

What is a TEFL Course for teaching English abroad as a foreign Language?
What is is the difference between TEFL, TESOL, CELTA and TESL?
What are the main differences between an online TEFL course and an intensive TEFL course abroad?
What are the main differences between a Level 3 and a Level 5 TEFL course?
How to select the right TEFL course?
Cost or investment: what is the price of the TEFL course?
Taking a TEFL Course: blogs and contributions of WorldSupporters

i-to-i TEFL Courses

i-to-i is a British TEFL provider that offers online and hands-on courses that train you to teach English to children and adults. After completion of the course i-to-i can assist you with finding your first job as an English teacher abroad

....read more on this page

5951 reads

TEFL in Malaga

Activities: TEFL in Malaga offers a 4-week (fulttime) or 8-week (parttime) TEFL course in Málaga, accredited by Trinity College London.
Career service: Lifelong Careers Service after completion of the TEFL course
Sister school: TEFL in Italy

....read more on this page

9959 reads

TEFL in Italy

At TEFL in Italy, you will start your career as an English teacher in Italy. You can not only take the TEFL course in Rome, but also learn the local language with an Italian language course. In addition, TEFL in Italy will help you find a paid job as an English teacher in Rome or elsewhere within their extensive

.......read more on this page

1478 reads

Bridge Education and TEFL

Bridge Education offers comprehensive language training solutions for both novice and experienced teachers. The various TEFL courses are accredited and prepare you optimally for an international teaching career. Thanks to collaborations with global job partners, you can easily start working as an English teacher anywhere in the world after your certification. Would you rather be self-employed? The Bridge Teacherpreneur

.......read more on this page

6295 reads

Costa Rica TEFL

Costa Rica TEFL is a training center for international students who want to become qualified English teachers. TEFL Students complete 160 hours of training over four weeks, including a minimum of 10 hours of hands-on teaching practicum to local Costa Rican students. Located in Playa Samara their TEFL course is also called 'TEFL in paradise'!

At Costa Rica TEFL local children and adults

.......read more on this page

3553 reads

Essential TEFL Bangkok and Education Staffing

Essential Education Staffing guides people to teach and live in Thailand. This teacher recruitment agency offers the Essential TEFL course in Bangkok. They can help you find work as an English teacher with all kinds of schools: private, bilingual, and international across Bangkok and the south of Thailand.

For native English speakers a paid volunteer program is available in

.......read more on this page

7543 reads

SEE TEFL Thailand

SEE TEFL offers onsite TEFL courses in Chiang Mai, Thailand, available on level 3 and level 5. The 120 hour level 3 TEFL course includes a set of observed teaching practices at local schools and a Thai language instruction and a comprehensive Thai cultural awareness training. During your SEE TEFL certification course you will become more familiar with an established

.......read more on this page

5918 reads

TEFL en JoHo

De cursus Teaching English as a Foreign Language is een cursus die je opleidt om aan kinderen en volwassenen Engelse les te kunnen geven. De TEFL cursus kun je via JoHo zowel online, in Nederland, in Spanje of in Italië volgen

Lees verder in het Nederlands over de TEFL opties via JoHo

The Teaching English as a Foreign Language Bundle

What is a TEFL Course for teaching english abroad as a foreign Language?

What is a TEFL Course for Teaching English abroad as a Foreign Language

TEFL literally means Teaching English as a Foreign Language. In a nutshell, a TEFL course is a training program which gives you the skills and confidence you need to teach English as a foreign language to children and adults.
TEFL: The TEFL course is entirely in English, and is made up of various modules aimed at developing didactic skills and the methodology of teaching the English language to non-native speakers. With the globally recognized TEFL diploma, you demonstrate the essential skills for an English teacher. Internationally, the demand for English teachers is increasing and with a TEFL course you significantly increase your chances of a paid teaching job!
More about TEFL courses - online and abroad

What is is the difference between TEFL, TESOL, CELTA and TESL?

What do the abbreviations TEFL, TESOL, CELTA and TESL stand for?

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
CELTA stands for Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults
TESL stands for Teaching English as a Second Language

What is the difference between these TEFL, TESOL, CELTA and TESL certificates?

In practice, the difference between these courses is relatively small. The target group for the courses are people who want to improve their English skills
In many countries a teaching skills certificate is requested, this can be TEFL, TESL, TESOL or CELTA.
TESL is a course that fits best to people who want to teach English to foreigners in an English-speaking country
TESOL tends to include practical English skills that help learners adjust to life in an English-speaking environment but is generally seen as broader in scope then the TESL course
The TEFL course is mainly preparing students to teach English in countries where the first language isn't English.
The CELTA certificate always contains practical teaching training and is an internationally recognized qualification that usually ranks above the other three certificates.

What are the main differences between an online TEFL course and an intensive TEFL course abroad?

Both the online TEFL course and a local 4-week course train you in roughly the same skills, namely teaching skills in the English language. Some of the main differences to take into account when picking a TEFL course:

Planning and time commitment: One of the main differences is that the online course allows you to work much more at your own pace. This makes it easy to combine the online course with your studies or job, for example, or even while traveling abroad. If you have time for a one-month course (e.g., during your vacation or sabbatical), then the intensive practical course is the right choice for you.
Interaction: In the 4-week course, you will be taught in a classroom, which means you will get more practical experience than online and have a lot of direct contact with your teacher(s) and fellow students. With online courses, the amount of contact with teachers and fellow students varies greatly depending on the provider. In so called 'blended' TEFL courses a mixture of live interaction and personal planning options is offered
Practical experience: Local courses often offer more opportunities to practice in practical situations, sometimes even with practical lessons at a local elementary school, for example.
Target group: The four-week intensive courses are primarily aimed at people who are seriously pursuing a teaching career and who want to teach for a longer period of time. It may also be that your employer requires a 4-week practical course. If your goal is to teach abroad as temporary work in the run-up to emigration or during your backpacking trip, then the online TEFL course is an option that will enable you to teach anywhere in the world, either voluntarily or for pay.
Career assistance: although most online providers offer some degree of CV writing and job application assistance, local providers in particular often have strong ties with educational institutions in the region, making it easier to find a (paid) job locally. If you don't yet know where you want to work, the more broadly oriented job boards of online TEFL providers might be more suitable.
The price: Finally, there is also a difference in price. The online course costs between €200 and €500, while the four-week practical course costs around €1,500.

What are the main differences between a Level 3 and a Level 5 TEFL course?

What do ‘level 3’ and ‘level 5’ mean in a TEFL course?

The level 5 course (as well as the cerTESOL or CELTA courses) are equivalent to a Foundation Degree within the English education system (Regulated Qualifications Framework). In most countries, this would be equivalent to the second year of a bachelor's degree.
Level 3 in the English education system is comparable to the Dutch vwo final exam or the Belgian ASO diploma, or more general: a level that would allow you to start a bachelors study
Non-British providers of TEFL courses usually only differentiate in terms of number of hours and specializations and do not use the terms level 3 and level 5 at all.

What is the difference between the Level 3 and Level 5 TEFL courses?

The main difference between the Level 3 and Level 5 TEFL courses is that the Level 5 course consists of more intensive training with more challenging assignments.
Both a Level 3 and Level 5 course will allow you to teach worldwide, but with a Level 5 course, you will generally be eligible for better-paid jobs in popular destinations.
A Level 3 course is suitable if you plan to teach for a relatively short period (1 to 2 years) or volunteer. If you are pursuing a teaching career, a Level 5 course will be more appropriate.

How to select the right TEFL course?

TEFL course selection

Choosing a TEFL course based on your work experience
Choosing a TEFL course based on the type of work you want to do

Choosing a TEFL course based on your work experience

For students without teaching experience

300 or 420-hour TEFL course, select extra modules that help close some gaps in your resume
Online, local, or blended, but choose a course that focuses sufficiently on practical exercises to help you discover how to deal with teaching situations.
TEFL course providers that also offer a TEFL internship are a good bridge to the work experience that is often required/desired for paid TEFL jobs. These can be interesting programs, especially for non-native speakers.

For students with teaching experience outside of English language teaching

180-hour online TEFL course, including specialization modules fitting your personal needs, like grammar and teaching young children

For students looking for a paid teaching job abroad

300 or 420 hours (online) TEFL course, even if you already have teaching experience outside or in language teaching
Take the TEFL course in the country where you want to work, so you can get specific tips and help to find a local TEFL job.
For students who want to teach English in China for pay, a 180-hour online TEFL course is the minimum requirement, but a more extensive course with practical components will increase your chances of finding a job

For students looking for a volunteer teaching job abroad

A Level 3 or a 120-hour online TEFL course to learn the basics of teaching English

Choosing a TEFL course based on the type of work you want to do

For students looking for a well-paid teaching job abroad:

A 300 or 420-hour online TEFL course, if you already have teaching experience outside or in language education.
A local TEFL course in the country where you want to become a teacher.

For students looking for a volunteer or temporary teaching job abroad:

A 120-hour online TEFL course to learn the basics of teaching English

Cost or investment: what is the price of the TEFL course?

How much does a TEFL course cost?

Because obtaining a TEFL certificate will positively influence both your job prospects and your average salary, it is best to view the cost of the TEFL course as an investment in yourself.
In many cases, you will recoup the cost of the TEFL course within a month of working as an English teacher.
When you compare the TEFL certificate with other adult education courses, it is a very affordable option.

Online TEFL course

For a 120-hour online TEFL course, the costs vary from 125 to 450 euros.
If you add extra modules and specializations to the course, the price can rise to almost a thousand euros.
The price depends greatly on the number of hours you receive instruction, the amount of personal feedback, and the amount of direct contact with teachers.

TEFL Practical Course Abroad

The intensive nature of the TEFL practical courses ‘on site’ means that these courses are more expensive than the online courses.
The four-week practical courses usually consist of approximately 120 teaching hours, plus homework assignments, bringing the total effort to between 150 and 180 hours.
4 weeks full-time or 6 weeks part-time TEFL course in Rome => €1,600
4 weeks TEFL in Malaga => €1,600
4 weeks TEFL in Bangkok, via Essential TEFL => €2,300
4 weeks TEFL in Chiang Mai, via SEE TEFL => €1,200
4 weeks TEFL in Playa Samara, via Costa Rica TEFL => €1,550

TEFL Discounts and offers

When making your selection, try not to let the price, and in particular the many temporary offers, weigh too heavily in your decision. The choice of course location, course composition, and additional career services can easily offset this price difference.
Many providers offer early bird discounts of up to 20 percent. Daily and weekly offers often include discounts of up to 75 percent. Please note that these often show ‘normal’ prices that are never actually charged.

Taking a TEFL Course: blogs and contributions of WorldSupporters

Blogs and contributions of WorldSupporters about taking a TEFL Course

“I did it – so can you!” A recent TEFL graduate shares

TEFL in Spain or Italy - Bundle

TEFL: selectie van bijdragen van WorldSupporters over de TEFL cursus - Bundel

Taking a TEFL Course and Teach English as a Foreign Language Abroad

Access:

Public

Taking a TEFL Course and Teach English as a Foreign Language Abroad

258 reads

Teaching English abroad: what is it, why should you do it and where should you go?

What is teaching English abroad?

On which schools can you teach English abroad as a foreigner or as a (non) native speaker?
What do you get out of teaching or helping at a school abroad?
What do you need or can you learn if you teach or work in the education sector abroad?
Where is the best place to go when you want to teach English abroad?
To what extent are you insured for the risks while teaching abroad?

On which schools can you teach English abroad as a foreigner or as a (non) native speaker?

When you are going to teach abroad, this can range from a paid job as an English teacher at a local school in Asia to helping children with their English at a nursery school somewhere in Africa.
As a non-native English speaking foreigner, you have the most opportunities as an English teacher at a primary school or as a private teacher.
In addition, there are also opportunities within secondary education and special education.
The general rule is that as the age of the students increases, the requirements for your experience and diplomas also increase.

What do you get out of teaching or helping at a school abroad?

Helpfulness: for rewarding work you often get as much, or more, back than you put in.
Involvement: it strengthens your sense of involvement with a group of children or adults who want to develop or need help.
Experience: you are pulled out of your comfort zone and experience all kinds of things every day.
Creativity: you can really use your creativity when creating or using teaching materials or lesson content.
Empathy: you train yourself to immerse yourself not only in another culture but also in the thought processes of your students.
Income: if you teach English abroad, you can often earn enough to pay for your stay. If you have been able to get one of the better positions, you can usually live well on it or save something to be able to travel further afterwards.
Flexibility: you strengthen your ability to flexibly look for solutions for situations that suddenly arise.

What do you need or can you learn if you teach or work in the education sector abroad?

Being aware of your surroundings: wherever you teach, you will always have to take your surroundings into account. Every country has its own rules and customs that you will have to adhere to to a certain extent.
Being aware of the organization: every school or educational institution also has its own way of looking at education or teaching. Here too, you will have to take more account. Just like with the limitations/challenges that some schools have due to a lack of money or facilities.
Communication skills: knowledge of the local language makes your work a lot easier and of better quality.
Being able to be convincing
Being able to plan
Being able to radiate self-confidence

Where is the best place to go when you want to teach English abroad?

Southern Europe: Spain, Italy and Portugal.
Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
Africa: Egypt, South Africa.
Eastern Europe: Hungary, Czech Republic.
Asia: China, Thailand, Vietnam.
Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile.
Check out the JoHo WorldSupporter partners that offer TEFL courses

To what extent are you insured for the risks while teaching abroad?

There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance for paid or unpaid work abroad, or at least check your insured situation carefully.
The local organisations generally don't offer any or only offer very limited insurance.
There is a chance of accidents because, for example, you are doing work with which you have little experience.
During your work abroad in specific cases, you will need special insurance to remain insured against illness and accidents.
Read more about Travel insurances and insurances for long term abroad - Theme

In Dutch: