Get your FREE ticket to the International TEFL day online conference! Get your FREE ticket to International TEFL day! Register here →

How Do I Get My First TEFL Job?

Join a global community of over 200,000 TEFL teachers working throughout the world! Enrol me!

So you’ve got the piece of paper and you’re ready to explore the world. You’re ready to pack your bags and say goodbye to your loved ones, in search of paradise. The only thing standing in the way of your dreams, is the teeny tiny stumbling block of employment. So, what’s the best way to find a TEFL job?

The first port of call for the majority of TEFL teachers is the internet. There are numerous websites which are used by employers to advertise jobs. The most popular of these is tefl.com, but it’s also worth looking at eslcafe.com, eslbase.com and tefl-jobs.co.uk. Be warned, the sheer number of jobs available can be overwhelming, so it pays to refine your search, in terms of country or type of position. In fact, if you already have an idea of which country you would like to work in, do some research and find the websites specific to those countries. If you’re interested in Thailand, for example, a useful website is ajarn.com, which only advertises jobs for Thailand.

As with any online research, it is necessary to do some investigation into any potential employees. If you have reached the interview stage or if you have been given an offer, it’s a good idea to do some digging and make sure you know exactly what you are signing up for. There are loads of EFL forums and it shouldn’t be hard to find someone who has worked for the employer or who knows the employer and they will be able to give you a better picture of the situation. Sadly, sometimes jobs can be too good to be true, so it pays to be conscientious before you sign a contract.

Another route to try is to look at the websites of specific schools or organisations. If you’re interested in working for a particular employer – maybe the school where you did your TEFL – have a look on their websites to see any vacancies they might have.

If you are already in the country, there’s nothing wrong with the old-fashioned way of pounding the pavements. Turning up at language schools with your CV in hand is never a bad thing; the worst thing that can happen is they say they have no positions available right then. You never know, now that they have your CV and they have met you and know that you are dedicated enough to actively find a job, they might give you a call in a couple weeks when a vacancy comes up. Considering that most TEFL environments have a high staff turnover because teachers usually only sign up for a limited contract, chances are that a teacher will leave the school sometime soon.

If we’re honest, finding a TEFL job is not always easy or straightforward. It may take you a number of applications before you find what you are looking for and an offer of employment. Just be patient and remember never to rush a decision. If a school wants to employ you, they should be reasonable and allow you some time to consider their offer. Don’t make a decision under any pressure. And don’t give up hope: for every TEFL job you don’t get, there are ten more!

Get Social

Follow us on social networks, join our newsletter - get the latest news and early discounts

Sign up to our newsletter

Follow us on social networks, sign up to our e-newsletters – get the latest news and early discounts

Accreditation Partners

The TEFL Academy was the world’s first TEFL course provider to receive official recognition from government regulated awarding bodies in both the USA and UK. This means when you graduate you’ll hold a globally recognised Level 3 (120hr) Certificate or Level 5 (168hr) Diploma, meaning you can find work anywhere and apply for jobs immediately.

Product added to your cart

You have added to your cart:

Request call back

    Please leave your details below and one of our TEFL experts will get back to you ASAP:

    Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

    Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

    Thank you! Your message has been sent!

    Register Now

    Download the TEFL World Factbook

      Please enter your details in order to download the latest TEFL World Factbook.

      Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

      Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

      Thank you for downloading the TEFL World Factbook!

      If the TEFL World Factbook did not download
      > Click Here To Download <

      Download the Online Teaching Guide

        Please enter your details in order to download our Online Teaching Guide.

        Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

        Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

        Thank you for downloading our Online Teaching Guide!

        If the Online Teaching Guide did not download
        > Click Here To Download <

        Download Prospectus

          Please enter your details in order to download our latest prospectus.

          Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

          Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

          Thank you for downloading our prospectus!

          We hope you enjoy reading our prospectus, we have tried to make it as useful as possible! Please get in touch if you have any questions.

          If the prospectus did not download automatically
          > Click Here To Download <

          $
          $