TEFL stands for:
“Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
NOTE: Teaching English to native speakers of English is very different to teaching English as another language to non-native speakers of English!
Whether you are a teacher, a teacher of English as a foreign language, someone who would like to be trained in TEFL or an English Language Agency trying to find colleges to bring students to … We can help!
How do I become a teacher of English?
I am already a TEFL teacher looking for some new teaching ideas and tips
I am an English Language Agent and want information on bringing students to learn English in an English speaking country
Note: Just because you can speak English does not mean you can teach it! Knowing your subject as a teacher is extremely important, but it does not mean you can teach.
All teachers know that first you need to learn how to teach (primary, secondary or tertiary/adult students) and then learn your subject matter and how to teach it.
First decide which age group you would prefer to teach - children or adults and if you would prefer to teach in your home country or abroad.
Next contact your local, or your country of choice’s, schools and colleges that offer English as a foreign language. Ask them what their requirements are for the teachers they employ to teach English. These will vary from country to country and will range from requiring you to have a primary degree (preferably in teaching) and at least 100 hours of an internationally recognised TEFL course to just being able to speak English! So it is important to get the right qualifications for where you want to teach. If you are not sure, choose an internationally recognised TEFL course of at least 100 hours e.g. CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) as many schools will accept this, especially if it is just for a summer teaching course, even if you do not have a full teaching qualification. However, if you wish to make TEFL your full-time career, then it is advisable to investigate teaching qualifications in your area (which may specialise in primary, secondary or tertiary teaching).
Lastly don’t stop learning! The best teachers are those that keep up with current teaching trends and practises and constantly learn more about their teaching topic.
How can I learn more? – check our Tips for Teachers and our BLOG sections.