What Benefits Does A PGCE Offer In ESL Contexts?

A TEFL qualification is a passport to new countries, cultures, and classrooms. Many people step into teaching English without any formal teacher training – and that’s ok. A (good!) TEFL course prepares you for the EFL classroom in every sense. From grammatical knowledge to teaching methods to theories of learning to classroom management skills, a TEFL qualification is all you need to teach English as a foreign language.

Read more: What Do You Learn On A TEFL Course?

But some teachers are already interested in the teaching profession. Some might even have teaching experience or a teaching qualification, such as the PGCE (a Postgraduate Certificate in Education). And that’s ok too!

Do you need a PGCE to teach English abroad or online?

Do you need a PGCE to teach English online or abroad? No!

Will a PGCE deepen your understanding of the principles and practices of teaching? Totally!

Can a PGCE open doors to positions of more responsibility and higher-paying roles? Possibly, just as a DELTA can.

But let’s talk to someone who has both a TEFL qualification and a PGCE to see what she has to say about the benefits of having a PGCE on top of a TEFL.

Yasmien is an English teacher with over five years of experience. Her ESL journey began in a public elementary school in South Korea but she’s also taught English online and now works as a TEFL teacher trainer for The TEFL Academy, delivering practical classroom workshops for aspiring teachers.

She recently completed her PGCE, specialising in English for both the Senior Phase and FET Phase. 

For me, pursuing a PGCE was about securing a stable, long-term future. It’s opened doors to local teaching jobs and international opportunities with better pay and benefits.

PGCE vs TEFL: A comparison

Language instruction essentials (grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary)
Classroom management and dynamics
Lesson planning and delivery
Cultural competence in teaching
Assessment and feedback
Teaching methodologies and approaches
Materials and resource development
Digital and online teaching skills

In contrast, a PGCE is an extensive, year-long course (two years part-time in my case), offering training in:

• Advanced pedagogy and educational theory
• Educational psychology and student development
• Diverse teaching methodologies and historical context
• Curriculum design and national standards alignment (such as the CAPS curriculum in South Africa)
• Comprehensive assessment and evaluation practices
• Practical classroom experience and management
• Extensive lesson planning, marking, and grading techniques
• Extracurricular responsibilities and professional development

This comprehensive training has significantly deepened my expertise in teaching language (in an English-speaking context) and literature.

Motivation for the PGCE

I chose to do a PGCE because I wanted better career opportunities in my home country. Teaching English online has been fulfilling, but it became clear in my case that there were limited prospects for professional growth. 

I needed a higher qualification to access teaching positions in local schools in South Africa, which would offer both job security and a more reliable income. I saw the PGCE as a stepping stone to teach abroad in better-paying roles, including international schools. 

Remember: A TEFL certification doesn’t qualify you to teach as a local teacher, in your country or abroad. It specifically qualifies you to teach English as a foreign language.

EFL teachers with higher teaching qualifications can ask for higher salaries or are offered higher positions in schools, such as Director of Studies positions. Some international schools or universities in some countries prefer teachers to have further teaching qualifications. A PGCE or DELTA are both higher teaching qualifications but a Master’s degree in Education or TESOL is suitable for these circumstances as well.

The PGCE shaped my teaching by grounding it in structured, curriculum-aligned methods and improving how I deliver content — especially in native English-speaking classrooms. But I quickly learned that teaching styles must adapt depending on students’ English proficiency.

I was surprised when I realised that many South African classrooms mirror ESL environments, as many learners speak English as a second language and require additional language support. In these cases, the content-heavy PGCE approach isn’t always enough. Drawing on TEFL practices — simplifying instructions, using visuals, scaffolding language and focussing on communication – is a better approach.

Blending TEFL’s practical tools with the PGCE’s academic depth is invaluable. It helped me adapt across mainstream and ESL settings. While TEFL may not be as academic, and the PGCE alone may not meet low-language-proficiency needs, together they offer a flexible, effective teaching approach.

Benefits of a PGCE for TEFL teachers

PGCE training gave me a structured, long-term approach to planning, aligned with national curriculum goals. 

In terms of assessment, the PGCE taught me to use both formative and summative assessments — rubrics, written work, and tests that directly contribute to a learner’s academic progress.

In classroom management, the PGCE introduced more structured strategies, like seating plans, formal behaviour systems, and consistent expectations. 

If you’re interested in going more in-depth on teaching methodologies and theories of learning after your TEFL course, you should consider doing the DELTA. The DELTA is a Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults and is the natural progression from a TEFL or CELTA course. 

In a nutshell:

• PGCE = aimed at mainstream teachers in English-speaking contexts
• DELTA = aimed at experienced TEFL teachers who want to move into higher positions in EFL/ESL contexts

Preparation for TEFL teaching

My TEFL and PGCE qualifications have prepared me for very different aspects of teaching — each with its own strengths.

The TEFL course, especially with the in-classroom practical workshop, prepared me well for both online and in-person ESL teaching. It focused heavily on speaking skills, engagement strategies, and adaptable lesson structures suited to language-focused learning. These are essential in ESL environments, where the main goal is communication.

The PGCE prepared me in depth for teaching English as a subject. It taught me how to plan according to curriculum standards, manage formal assessments, and support academic progression — things that aren’t typically covered in a TEFL course, but are learnt on the job with experience.

Each qualification brings specific value, and having both allow me to confidently move between ESL and formal education settings.

How employers value a PGCE in ESL job markets

Employers view the PGCE very favourably, particularly in international school settings, especially those schools following the British or IB curriculum.

In contrast, online ESL platforms, private language centres abroad and government and private schools abroad don’t require a PGCE, but do require a TEFL.

The PGCE is not a replacement for a TEFL qualification. To be a TEFL teacher, a TEFL qualification is always needed. A PGCE is useful if you wish to pursue higher teaching positions in a non-ESL situation. For higher positions in TEFL schools, including international schools, the DELTA is preferred.

How can a PGCE expand your opportunities in ESL teaching?

As a South African-qualified teacher with PGCE and classroom experience, I can now apply for formal teaching positions in local public and private schools — something that wasn’t possible with only a TEFL certificate [because South Africa is an English-speaking country].

It has also created new opportunities for teaching one-on-one private lessons to school learners in my area, especially in curriculum subjects like English Home Language and First Additional Language.

PGCE or TEFL first — which path makes more sense?

Short term:
If you’re looking to get into the classroom quickly, a TEFL is the fastest route. 

It allows you to start teaching abroad or online without a lengthy qualification process. TEFL positions offer valuable experience and income. 

Long term:
If you’re thinking about career progression in an English-medium environment, a PGCE is the way to go. 

PGCE or DELTA: which is right for your career path?

The DELTA is the TEFL equivalent of the PGCE. In EFL environments, the DELTA is more highly valued than a PGCE; in English-medium schools, the opposite is true.

Choosing between a PGCE and a DELTA really comes down to the direction you want your teaching career to take. 

A PGCE is ideal if you’re aiming for mainstream school positions, want formal teaching status, or plan to work within national education systems. On the other hand, the DELTA is designed for experienced EFL teachers who want to deepen their expertise, move into senior roles like Director of Studies, or specialise in foreign language education. 

By understanding the type of institutions you want to work in — and the learners you want to teach — you can decide which qualification aligns best with your long-term goals.

Combining TEFL and PGCE for a flexible teaching career

Pairing a TEFL qualification with a PGCE gives you one of the most versatile teaching profiles in the global job market. TEFL provides the practical classroom experience and international exposure, while the PGCE equips you with formal teaching credentials and access to higher-paying, structured roles. 

Together, they allow you to move between ESL classrooms, international schools, and even online teaching, giving you the freedom to shape a career that’s both stable and globally mobile.

Author Bio

Written by

Kirsten Colquhoun

Kirsten Colquhoun is the Content Manager for The TEFL Academy. A graduate of Cambridge University and DELTA-qualified, she first started teaching kindergarten in Thailand in 2003. A South African, she has also taught in China, the UK, Spain, Qatar and South Africa, but these days she is a teacher trainer and freelance writer and editor. Read Kirsten Colquhoun's story →