One of the first steps toward becoming an English teacher abroad or online is earning a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate. I’m Jamie, and I’ve tested countless TEFL courses to help new teachers make informed choices. In this review, I’ll share what the TEFL Institute 120-hour program is like, a sneak peek inside the course, and weigh in on its pros and cons.
Updated October 2026
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About the TEFL Institute 120-Hour Course
The TEFL Institute’s 120-hour TEFL course is a popular entry-level certification for aspiring new teachers. It’s suitable for individuals seeking a flexible, affordable way to qualify for English-teaching jobs abroad or online.
The key features of the course are:
Online and Self-paced
- It is 100% online. You have up to 6 months to complete the course, but you can finish sooner if you prefer.
Accredited by Highfield Qualifications
- Highfield Qualifications is a recognized UK awarding body, ensuring your certificate is internationally accepted.
Accessibility
- The course is accessible on both computers and mobile devices via the TEFL Institute app, so you can study at home or on the go.
10 Structured Modules
- There are 10 in-depth modules covering everything from lesson planning and grammar to teaching vocabulary and pronunciation. You can learn through text, audio, and video formats.
Interactive Learning
- It includes videos, quizzes, clickable activities, and external resources.
Weekly Live Zoom Sessions
- Connect with CELTA-qualified trainers for Q&A sessions, teaching demos, and guidance.
Extra Benefits of the Course
Unlike other basic TEFL courses, you can get more from the 120-hour TEFL course through extra offers.
In terms of job support, you will get access to 6 hours of live career coaching each month to help you craft your resume and cover letter. Coaching will help you prepare for interviews and demo lessons, as well as access their exclusive job board, featuring reputable hiring companies.
If you are based outside Europe, you can view recordings of these seminars.
Additionally, you’ll get free access to four micro-credentials, which let you dive into a niche topic to boost your CV’s appeal.
- Teaching English Online
- Teaching Young Learners
- IELTS Exam Preparation
- Teaching Business English
Lastly, they recently launched a community forum on Discord, where you can connect with other TEFL Institute graduates and current students. Teachers can share classroom tips, offer career advice, and participate in competitions.
Together, these extras make the course stand out from providers that only provide a certificate without ongoing support.
A Sneak Peek Inside the TEFL Institute Course
Now, let’s take a look at what’s inside the TEFL Institute Course. When you log in, you’ll find the program broken into 10 modules, each ending with a quiz. The design mixes reading material, interactive activities, and video content. You can expect the following from the modules:
- Interactive tiles and clickable images. Flip tiles or click spots in an image to reveal more information, making the experience less text-heavy.
- Practice quizzes. You’ll do practice quizzes at the end of each lesson to prepare you for module quizzes.
- Pronunciation support. Lessons cover the IPA chart and provide practical strategies for teaching pronunciation to others.
- External resources. You’ll get links to external websites for more information.
- Writing correction codes. A handy system to help students improve their written English and learn from their mistakes.
- Videos for young learners. Short clips demonstrating techniques for teaching children.
This setup provides a clear roadmap for completing the course, along with opportunities to interact with instructors and fellow students.
The Pros of the TEFL Institute’s Course
After testing the course myself, here are the highlights:
- The course is accessible on a computer or app. You can study on your computer or mobile device, giving you flexible options. In this way, you will not always be tied to your desktop computer.
- Content is similar to CELTA. There is some overlap with the CELTA course, including CCQs (concept-checking questions) and varied lesson-planning approaches, not just PPP (presentation, practice, production). Additionally, you can dive into more depth with the four micro-credential courses.
- Weekly Zoom sessions and forums. Attending the weekly live sessions can help reduce the isolation of self-paced learning and give you direct access to experts.
- Job search assistance. Get support from CV creation to demo videos and interview strategies. It is far more comprehensive than most competitors.
- Variety in quizzes. The quiz formats are diverse, not only multiple-choice. You’ll encounter different question types, making the assessment less repetitive.
- Email support with a tutor. You can get dedicated help with a tutor if you get stuck. I found this helpful when navigating the platform.
The TEFL Institute Course Cons
- Inconsistent video quality. Some videos are polished (like BBC clips), while others appear outdated or of lower quality.
- No assignments. You won’t submit lesson plans or essays for feedback, which limits the chance to practice and improve before teaching real students. So it’s up to you to do your own planning and reflect on your readings.
- Your progress isn’t saved during the course, which is different from the other TEFL courses I’ve taken. If you exit in the middle of an activity, you can’t continue where you left off, and you’ll need to repeat it. This can be frustrating compared to other platforms that auto-save.
- The TEFL Institute platform is difficult to navigate. You have to unlock quizzes in a specific order to move to the next module. It can be confusing when you’re just getting started, but thankfully, a tutor can help.
- No teaching practicum. The curriculum does not include a teaching practice, but this is typical of most 120-hour courses. If hands-on teaching is a must for you, you might opt for the more advanced 180-hour or Level 5 diploma courses.
Who Should Take This Course?
The TEFL Institute’s 120-hour course is not a one-size-fits-all option, but it’s an excellent choice for several educators. Primarily, it is best suited for new teachers who want a quick and affordable way to qualify. If you’ve never taught before, this course provides the essential foundations you need to get started in the classroom.
If you’re planning to teach English abroad for a year, the 120-hour TEFL course is the training you’ll need to prepare. You can secure an entry-level teaching position in places like Thailand, Cambodia, and across Latin America, where a basic TEFL certificate is often sufficient.
Online teachers or digital nomads can also benefit from the 120-hour TEFL course if they want to get started with platforms like Cambly, Preply, or italki.
Lastly, this is ideal for professionals considering teaching as a new career path or side hustle. The course gives you a low-commitment way to test the waters before investing in a more advanced diploma.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for long-term international teaching careers or competitive positions at universities, you may want to invest in a Level 5 diploma or a CELTA course instead.
Summary
The TEFL Institute 120-hour course is definitely worth it, especially for beginners. The course offers flexibility, an interactive learning experience, job support, and free specialization courses, making it an excellent value for money. There are several pros and cons to consider, including the availability of extra support and resources, as well as the lack of teaching practicum and feedback. Nevertheless, it is one of the most affordable ways into teaching English abroad or online.
I hope you found this review of the TEFL Institute course helpful!
Ready to Start Your Teaching Journey?
The TEFL Institute regularly runs promotions, and the 120-hour course remains one of the most affordable accredited options.
You can enroll through this link and use my discount code ESL365 at checkout to save an extra 10%.
If you need help getting started in teaching abroad or online, you can fill out my survey here, and I’ll email you back with recommendations.
Happy teaching!
Jamie
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Is the TEFL Institute’s 120-hour course worth it?
Answer: It is an affordable entry-level certification course, and you’ll get what you paid for. However, please note that it does not include a teaching practicum or give an assessment of your progress.
Question: Do I need any qualifications beyond the 120-hour TEFL certification?
Answer: The 120-hour TEFL certificate is often the minimum requirement for teaching English online or abroad. But depending on your goals and location, you might need a Bachelor’s degree or benefit from additional credentials.
Question: What are the prerequisites for the TEFL Institute 120-hour course?
Answer: To enroll, you must be at least 16 years old with a C1 level of English or higher. There is no formal degree required, and you only need to have access to a computer and the Internet.
