So you’ve been thinking about teaching English abroad or online – how exciting! The first step you need to take on your teaching journey is to get TEFL certified in 2025 and beyond.
There are a few different types of TEFL certificates and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this blog post, I’ll break down the different kinds of TEFL certificates to help you decide which is right for you. I’ll also recommend some TEFL certificates that I have personally taken or recommend as a teacher coach.
So read on and start planning your next great adventure!
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. This means that I receive a commission when you make a purchase using my link – at no extra cost to you. This helps me continue to create free content for teachers. Thank you!
Post Contents
What Is a TEFL/TESOL Certificate?
What is a TEFL/TESOL Certificate?
To begin, TEFL stands for “Teaching English as a Foreign Language” and TESOL stands for “Teaching English to Students of Other Languages.”
Some countries use the acronym TEFL while others prefer TESOL. Essentially, there is no difference between a TEFL and TESOL certificate.
TEFL = TESOL
You may have heard of other certificates like CELTA and CertTESOL. CELTA is the Cambridge English brand of a TEFL/TESOL certificate, and CertTESOL is a certificate from Trinity. Other popular brands you may have heard of are International TEFL Academy, Premier TEFL, The TEFL Academy, Bridge TEFL, and The TEFL Institute.
These certificates are often required when looking for ESL/EFL teaching positions abroad and online. The minimum requirement is a 120-hour course.
TEFL courses generally last from four to 12 weeks and cover topics such as grammar, lesson planning, classroom management, and how to teach different levels of students. The best courses require trainee teachers to complete a practicum component, where you will be able to put your new skills into practice by teaching real students.
As for accreditation, there is no one, single worldwide accreditation. There are a few different accrediting bodies, like OFQUAL, mostly in native English speaking countries, that certify TEFL courses.
Not every TEFL/TESOL course is equal – there are also a lot of scams – so keep reading to find out which certificate is right for you.
Which TEFL/TESOL Certificates Will Help Me Get Hired to Teach English Abroad in 2025 and Beyond?
If you want to teach abroad, you’ll want to take a high-quality TEFL course. Cheaper courses are ok for online teaching, but when it comes to teaching abroad, you’ll need a quality course in order to apply for your visa. Courses like Teacher Record and Alison are not accredited for teaching abroad.
International TEFL Academy
My favorite TEFL course is International TEFL Academy because it can be completed online or abroad, it includes a 20-hour teaching practicum, you’ll get lifetime job search assistance, and it’s geared towards teaching both kids and adults.
I tested out the 11-week part-time ITA course and you can read my full review here. I really enjoyed the assignments and peer-to-peer forum, which aren’t often included in other online TEFL courses.
Also, no other TEFL provider offers such extensive job search assistance. This along with ITA’s pre-enrollment guidance and 50,000+ member alumni group are what sets ITA apart from other TEFL providers.
I recommend International TEFL Academy to anyone who is seriously interested in teaching abroad, but especially for teachers without previous teaching experience, without a degree, or who are non-native speakers as you’ll want a high-quality course. This course is the best all-around TEFL course in my opinion.
The TEFL Academy, The TEFL Institute, and Premier TEFL
Hold a passport from a native English-speaking country like the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or South Africa and have some previous teaching or tutoring experience. You can teach abroad with a more affordable TEFL course like The TEFL Academy The TEFL Institute, or Premier TEFL.
These courses are more affordable than International TEFL Academy, but aren’t as rigorous. The TEFL Academy, The TEFL Institute, and Premier TEFL all offer both basic 120-hour level 3 courses as well as more in-depth level 5 courses. However, do be aware that a level 5 course from these companies is NOT equal to the International TEFL Academy course or a CELTA course in terms of teaching practicum or assignments.
Watch the videos below for my personal reviews of all these courses:
My Discount Coupon Codes for Each Course
- Click here to enroll in The TEFL Academy and use code ESL365 at checkout to get an extra 10% off
- Click here to enroll in The TEFL Institute and use code ESL365 at checkout to get an extra 10% off
- Click here to enroll in Premier TEFL and use code JamieESL10 at checkout to get an extra 10% off
CELTA
CELTA is a Cambridge English TEFL course aimed at teaching adults and includes teaching practice and assignments. This is the most well-known TEFL certificate in the industry and is often preferred in Europe and the Middle East.
There’s a part-time (10-11 week) option and a full-time (4-5 week) option. This course is very intense, and you will learn a lot – but expect to be busy preparing lessons and working on assignments during your course.
You can watch this video to learn about my experience with the part-time CELTA course in Brisbane, Australia. There isn’t usually any job search assistance provided which is why I created my online self-study course The TEFL Teacher Roadmap and free downloadable Teach Abroad Jobs Guide.
You can find a CELTA course being offered near you by clicking here. If you want to take the course online, you’ll need to check with centers that offer the CELTA in your timezone to see if this option is available.
TEFL Courses Abroad
Another option is to do your TEFL course abroad. If you choose this option, some programs have a job placement guarantee or make it easy for trainee teachers to network with local schools after their course.
- TtMadrid – TEFL course, visa with 30 hours of working rights, Spanish classes, plus job and relocation assistance in Madrid, Spain
- International TEFL Academy – TEFL courses abroad in select locations
- Premier TEFL – Internships abroad in select locations
Which TEFL/TESOL Certificates Are Best for Teaching English Online in 2023?
If you want to teach ESL online, most online ESL companies only require a basic 120-hour course.
I recommend these courses for online teaching:
If you are new to teaching online, I have created a 10-day online self-study mini-course called “Teach Online in 10 Days” which prepares you to teach online with confidence. You’ll learn about the three different ways to teach online (companies, marketplaces, and freelancing) and take action each day with the help of a video lesson and PDF on topics like creating demo lessons, lesson planning, applying to job,s and more.
It also includes free access to my Online Teaching Jobs List with information on how to apply to different online ESL companies, online teaching marketplaces, and freelance teaching tips.
For all the details about “Teach Online in 10 Days,” click here.
Final Thoughts
So, what’s the bottom line? Well, if you’re looking to teach English abroad in 2025 and beyond, a TEFL/TESOL certificate is essential. TEFL/TESOL courses offer you a solid foundation in teaching theory and practice, and will help prepare you for the realities of the classroom.
If you still aren’t sure which TEFL course is right for you, send me an email at jamie@eslteacher365.com with the following information and I’ll email you back:
- If you want to teach abroad, online or both (and which countries)
- Which passport(s) you hold
- If you have a bachelor’s degree in any subject
- If you have previous teaching experience or a teaching license
Happy teaching!
Jamie
