Qualifications for TEFL teaching

The basic qualification for teaching English is an undergraduate degree in any subject, plus a TEFL certificate.

TEFL courses are a potential passport to a teaching profession abroad. If you are on a tight budget, it's useful to note that part-time courses are often significantly cheaper than their full-time equivalent.

There are numerous organizations offering training courses, and it pays to do a little research before enrolling on a course to ensure that the qualification you obtain will be recognized by employers both in the UK and overseas.

CELTA and CertTESOL

Perhaps the most beneficial qualification for anyone intending to teach English abroad is the CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), or Trinity CertTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). These qualifications can be acquired after an intensive full time course over 5-6 weeks or part-time over a period of several months.

The TEFL Diploma

The Cambridge Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA) and the Trinity Licentiate Diploma (LTCT TESOL) are high-level qualifications normally open to graduates with at least two years of ELT classroom experience.

A TEFL Diploma is often a prerequisite for school managers and teacher trainers.

Training in the US

There are now many institutions in the US offering the CELTA and CertTESOL qualifications, but the majority of TEFL training is integrated into university degree courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels.