Frequently Asked Questions

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

With so much choice and such a vast amount of conflicting information available on the Internet it can be difficult for potential TEFL course students to make the correct choice.

The most internationally recognised TEFL courses lead to a level 5 qualification, which is the same level as the CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL. The minimum entry requirement for most well paid jobs, with the best packages, is a level 5 TEFL qualification. The level 5 version of our course leads to a Level 5 TEFL Diploma (168 hours), it's regulated by Ofqual (UK government department) and awarded by Qualifi, a UK government recognised awarding body.

A TEFL Diploma is simply a slightly higher level of qualification than a "Certificate". It will help your CV/Resume stand out against other applicants for TEFL jobs. Our Diploma is the highest Level 5 Diploma available, so courses advertised as an "Advanced Diploma" are equal to our qualification.

If you are looking for an introduction to TEFL and plan to look for casual work teaching English, such as volunteering, teaching whilst backpacking and some online teaching roles, then we recommend you choose a level 3 course. The level 3 version of our course leads to a Level 3 TEFL Certificate (120hrs).

We know that navigating your way through the TEFL web of courses is very confusing. This is why we try to keep it simple, giving you exactly what you need to get the best jobs around the world!

You can contact our team of dedicated tutors through our online course ticket system. They will respond to you within 24 hours via email. If you have any non-academic enquiries, then please contact the team at head office.

The 10-hour classroom training session on the combined course is not assessed. As long as you attend and participate, you will pass it. It is possible to fail the online tests and the coursework assignments on our online courses. However, if you fail a test, you can see which answers you got wrong, revise the Unit and take it again as many times as you need to pass it. If you do not pass a submitted assignment you will receive very clear feedback on what you need to do to pass, and be given the opportunity to resubmit. You can make up to three submissions for each assignment. If you fail to pass your assignments we will provide you with a full refund. Over 90% of our students pass their course.

You do not need to be a native speaker to study our course. Roughly 20% of our students are non-native speakers. Please see the FAQ 'What level should my English be?' for advice on the level of proficiency you need.

Native speakers of English will naturally be above the minimum standard of English for this course. Non-native speakers should have an English level of C1 (Advanced) as a minimum.

If you are not sure what level your English is there are several websites where you can test it yourself, for example:

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/content
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/test-your-english/general-english/
https://www.examenglish.com/leveltest/index.php
https://englishtest.duolingo.com/home (You will need Chrome or Opera to do this test)

C1 is the level represented by the following public exams:

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) General Level 4
Trinity ISE III
Trinity GESE Grades 10 and 11
Cambridge CAE (Grade A, B or C)
Cambridge Business Higher
IELTS score 6.5-7.5
Michigan ECPE
TOEFL score 95-120
TOIEIC Listening: 490-495 Reading 455 Speaking: 180 Writing: 180
Duolingo English Test: 95 minimum

We are fully aware that most of our students have not studied grammar since they were at school as children, as a result grammar is covered in the course. Your grammar skills will be satisfactory to complete the course if you are fluent in English.

You will be qualified to teach children and adults both online and in the classroom.

As our courses are fully accredited and OFQUAL regulated, there are certain checks and processes that must be completed before awarding your certificate. PDF certificates will be emailed to you within 14 days of you passing all required aspects of the course. Hard copies will be dispatched within 7 days of your PDF certificate.

There are literally hundreds of jobs boards and other resources newly qualified teachers can use to find employment. We will point you in the right direction and assist you in making job applications. All students who complete one of our courses can also apply for jobs on our exclusive jobs board.

You can start applying for jobs as soon as you have enrolled on one of our courses.

There aren't any specific technology requirements for doing the online course, other than having Internet access with a modern Internet browser and a PC, laptop or tablet.

Yes this is possible via our student services team. Please contact [email protected] for further information.

The Level 3 and Level 5 versions of our TEFL course are regulated by Ofqual (UK government department) and awarded by Qualifi, a UK government-recognised awarding body. The Level 3 and Level 5 versions of our TEFL course are DEAC-approved as meeting the criteria for Approved Quality Curriculum (AQC) status. The DEAC is a U.S. Department of Education National Accreditor.

The TEFL Academy is fully accredited by Qualifi an Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, a UK government department) regulated awarding body. Qualifi have robust quality assurance systems and procedures in place which all course providers must successfully pass in order to be accredited under the scheme.

You can find out more about Qualifi on their website: https://qualifi.net

The Distance Education Accrediting Commission was founded in 1926 and is a U.S. Department of Education National Accreditor. DEAC's goal is to ensure a high standard of educational quality in the distance education institutions it approves by requiring compliance with its published standards, policies and procedures.

Our Level 5 TEFL Course is DEAC-approved as meeting the criteria for Approved Quality Curriculum (AQC) status.

You can find out more about the DEAC on their website: https://www.deac.org/

No, but it is suggested to have started the online course before attending the classroom course, as some of the areas covered are supported by elements of the online course. You can still attend the classroom course even if you haven't started your online training.

With our Flexi Date option, simply book your course now and use your unique code to take your 10 hour classroom course at a later date within the next 12 months. Perfect if you want to get started but you haven't worked out your classroom availability yet.

You will need to extend your classroom course option for a fee. Please contact [email protected] for further details.

Yes, if your Flexi option is in date you can redeem it at anytime.

No, only once you have paid for the course in full will you receive access to the online course. Balance payments must be made no later than 7 days before your classroom training. Once you have paid your course in full you will be sent your online course access details.

You will be provided with a unique discount code with your booking confirmation email which can be redeemed against each course. We recommend you redeem your code after you have successfully completed the main course.

All course materials are included in the course fee. You do not need any books or special materials to bring with you to the course.

Peer to peer teaching practice is one of the fundamental aspects of the course.

On average around 20 people will attend each one of our course dates. Please note these are only averages and course numbers do fluctuate.

Disabled access varies from one training facility to another. Please contact us to find out specific information for individual training centres.

Your TEFL journey starts here!

Would you like to teach English as a foreign language around the world?

Great! You’re in the right place. The TEFL Academy provides the very best in accredited TEFL courses, meaning your qualification is recognised throughout the world. The TEFL Academy is the world's leading TEFL course provider. We can help you acquire the skills needed to teach English as a foreign language. Check out our TEFL internships, volunteer placements and the thousands of jobs on our exclusive TEFL jobs board...

Download 2024 Prospectus

Download 2024 Prospectus

Download your free 2024 prospectus and discover which TEFL course is best for you. Discover the amazing opportunities for our TEFL course graduates!

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 <

    Got questions? Ask our experts

    Hang-out in our TEFL Learning Centre and hear from current students and recent graduates who made the choice to join The TEFL Academy.

    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:

      captchaType characters on the left:

      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!

      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 <

            $
            $