Editor’s note: This article is part of our Meaningful Travel Forecast series and official travel report for 2019. ☆ Ever wanted to travel the world for a living, make a difference to people’s lives and future prospects, and have infinite opportunities to be immersed in different cultures? A TEFL, or Teach English as a Foreign Language, certificate is a really useful little qualification for keen travelers. Qualified English teachers are in demand virtually all over the globe and for all levels of students. Even international businesses hire EFL teachers for their employees, or at the other end of the scale, pre-schools may recruit teachers to give kids a head-start in English.
Read the GoAbroad Official Report on the 10 Best Types of TEFL Courses in 2019
Anybody who wants to travel long-term, or dip their toes before embarking upon a full-time teaching career, can benefit from undertaking reputable TEFL certification programs. But, how to get a TEFL certification? There is a huge variety of top TEFL programs that will get you qualified to teach in a way that suits your needs and lifestyle. From online in your own home to in a school abroad, read on to find out how to get a TEFL qualification this year. Let’s dive into the best types of TEFL courses in 2019!
The best types of TEFL courses in 2019
1. Online
GoAbroad team member Megan Lee predicts: “Online TEFL courses will see major growth in 2019 as people are looking for ways to travel and make money, and more people will be fitting in these certification courses while still working full time in their home country.” Online TEFL certification courses are one of the most convenient, accessible and affordable ways to get qualified, so you can rest assured that your dream of teaching English abroad is well within your reach! With a range of accredited online schools offering different options to study, depending on your timeframe and budget, online TEFL courses are an ideal to fit around work or college studies. Most courses require approximately 100-200 hours of self-study which can be completed at your own pace, meaning you could be fully qualified to teach English abroad in as little as a month or two.
But, are online TEFL courses valid? Yes! As long as you check your course comes from a reputable provider. However, online courses do not provide you with any real-life, practical classroom experience. This doesn’t mean you will be any less likely to get a job, but you will need to bring all your confidence to the classroom and be able to dodge any curve balls that teaching English might throw your way.
- GoAbroad’s program pick: International TEFL Academy
- Traveler’s program pick: International TEFL and TESOL Training
The sheer number of online TEFL certification providers floating around is undoubtedly overwhelming, but once you narrow down the accredited, high quality programs that include live tutor support, career coaching, and a well-rounded curriculum, you can’t go wrong!—Fulbright Alumni, Raquel Thoesen in 7 Best Online TEFL Courses
2. In-Person in a New Country Abroad
One of the best types of TEFL course is in-person training programs. In-person courses abroad are a great way to combine travel, studying and work experience, plus gaining a qualification. If you want to make the most of the travel opportunities a TEFL course offers, you can study and qualify in one country before moving on to another to teach!
Many top TEFL programs offer intensive tutoring in the components of the English language and in teaching techniques, in combination with classroom experience. Qualifying in one country and teaching in another will quickly build your confidence as a teacher, and the varied experience could make it easier to find jobs in even more countries in the future.
- GoAbroad’s program pick: Teaching Nomad
- Traveler’s program pick: Maximo Nivel
3. In-Person in the Country You Want to Work Abroad
If you have a specific country in mind already, check out accredited TEFL certification programs in that country. Not only will you get hands-on experience of teaching English within that culture, many of these courses can help you to find a job locally after you qualify. As well as learning on the job through an intensive training course and getting your confidence level up before you start teaching for real, training in the country in which you plan to teach will prepare you for any cultural differences in education systems or learning styles.
An in-person TEFL course is also an amazing support network in the country in which you are planning to live and work. Studying a course will have you meeting and working with lots of new people, and usually, reputable TEFL certification programs will help you get settled into a job and life in a new country. And—it can be cheaper! Traveler Cathryn Fortuna shares: “Accommodation is often included in tuition for courses in Southeast Asia.” Woot!
- GoAbroad’s Program Pick: Via Lingua International LLC
- Traveler’s program pick: Teaching House
“Most people will want to get TEFL certified in the country they picture themselves teaching so they can build connections and understand the classroom dynamics of that particular area.”—Nikki Powers, GoAbroad CCO
4. In-Person in Your Home Country
Not ready to move abroad just yet? You might be wondering how to get a TEFL qualification in your home country, whilst still getting all that valuable classroom experience. The answer? Find an in-person TEFL course in your home country! You can choose whether you want to stay in your own home, or move temporarily to a new city.
Studying one of the accredited TEFL certification programs in your home country could be the ideal opportunity for college students or recent graduates, who could study and get qualified in a different city over the summer.
- GoAbroad’s Program Pick: International TEFL & TESOL Training: New York City, USA
- Traveler’s program pick: International TEFL Academy (ITA) in the USA
5. Blended In-Person/Online Course
Some top TEFL programs combine the best of both worlds. Study some course modules online, at your own pace, and get some hands-on tuition and experience to learn the ropes of teaching English. Depending on your personal learning style, you might find it easier and more practical to study the theory elements of TEFL online, and put them into practice straight away in the classroom.
Blended courses, like online courses, can fit around your lifestyle - so, if you’re a student thinking about teaching after you graduate, you could study this type of course in your city. Or, if you want to travel abroad and have plenty of time to explore as you study, this type of program offers a lot of flexibility. As long as you are motivated enough to complete your assignments in your own time, a blended course has all the advantages of in-person experience, and all the freedom of an online course.
- Traveler’s program pick: PremierTEFL in Krakow
The best reason to study TEFL abroad is that it puts you in the best position to get a teaching job right out of the gate. You’re already in-country, you know how to get around, you’ve established your new normal, and it’s easy to put feelers out for a teaching job and meet for that quick cup of coffee or last minute in-person interview.—Erin Oppenheim, Former TEFL Course Abroad Participant
6. In-Person Through your University
You may be able to study accredited TEFL certification programs through your university, meaning you can kill two birds with one stone—getting your degree and your TEFL certificate at the same time! Whatever subject area your degree relates to, you may be able to take TEFL classes as a minor, earning credits towards your degree and an extra qualification.
Alternatively, it’s possible to take a much more in-depth type of TEFL course through your university. Studying a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in TEFL or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is, naturally, more intensive and more time-consuming, but a university-level certification is one of the best types of TEFL courses for scoring a high-paying, highly-qualified teaching job.
7. One Month Intensive
Intensive TEFL courses are ideal for getting the best grounding in teaching English in a short space of time. One month might not seem like long, but that’s all it takes to get qualified and prepared to launch your career as an English teacher abroad. A full-time, 4-week TEFL course will guide you through EFL teaching techniques, lesson planning, classroom management and job hunting, usually in an in-person environment.
One month, intensive courses are another great option for students, or for anyone who wants a change in career (and wants it now!) An intensive course is a realistic, insightful introduction into the world of teaching EFL as a full-time job, especially if you study the course abroad. Whilst this type of course may not be the cheapest, it is one of the most effective ways to get up to speed with TEFL, and before you know it, you can start earning money as a qualified teacher.
- GoAbroad’s Program Pick: Maximo Nivel
- Traveler’s program pick: TEFL Toulouse
8. Online Course to Teach English Online
You don’t even have to stay in one place and teach at one school to succeed in EFL teaching. There is a huge demand for online English classes, taught through video-calls, to students of all ages from all over the world. Any kind of TEFL certificate is useful for this kind of work, but if you want to control your own schedule and be free to travel as often as you wish, you might consider an online TEFL course, specifically designed for online teaching.
Just like your future job, an online TEFL course for online EFL teaching is totally flexible. As they’re a bit more niche than a regular TEFL course, courses to teach online tend to require fewer hours of study and therefore, be cheaper. Whilst a course to teach online probably won’t land you many classroom teaching jobs, teaching solely online will never leave you short of work, and the experience will be valuable if you decide to teach more traditionally.
- GoAbroad’s Program Pick: UNI-Prep Institute
- Traveler’s program pick: UNI Prep Institute
Regardless of whether you teach abroad in a classroom or if you go for the online gig, do it right! Go into class—or turn on your computer—and love it, have fun with your students, and don’t just opt for the job that seems easier.—Lauren Kubik in The Pros and Cons of Teaching ESL Online vs. in a Classroom
9. Advanced TEFL Course
A Level 5 NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) TEFL course is much more advanced than a standard, basic, online or month-long intensive course. For reference, a Level 6 NVQ is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree, so as you can imagine, a Level 5 TEFL course involves a lot of work.
However, there are some options that can get you this qualification, which is regulated and recognized by the UK government, very quickly. Despite being the equivalent of two years at university, a blended online/in-person course can get you Level 5 qualified in as little as 168 hours! As well as being a recognized NVQ, the Level 5 TEFL qualification is also accepted as being equivalent to a CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), which is often required to teach EFL in the UK.
- GoAbroad’s Program Pick: Premier TEFL
- Traveler’s program pick: OxfordTEFL
10. 120 Hour TEFL Course
The 120 Hour TEFL course is the standard certification that will get you up to speed with the basics of teaching EFL. This type of course alone will qualify you to teach in most types of EFL jobs and get you started in your teaching career. Combined with a little experience, the sky is the limit!
A popular choice for first-time EFL teachers, a basic, 120 Hour course includes self-study, video classes, and in-person teaching for an overview of English teaching theory and techniques.
- GoAbroad’s Program Pick: myTEFL
- Traveler’s program pick: UNI-Prep Institute
Next steps to finding TEFL courses abroad, at home, online
Here are handful of resources to get you started on your very own TEFL certification journey. 2019 could be YOUR year to travel—and we can help make it happen! Get free program recommendations that match your travel goals, or use MyGoAbroad to bookmark and compare program options with confidence.
Still hungry for more? Bookmark these bad boys:
TEFL Course Inspiration
Program Selection Advice
- How to Choose a TEFL Course That’s Right for You
- 7 Best Online TEFL Courses
- 14 Short & Sweet TEFL Summer Jobs
Paying for Your TEFL Course
- 10 Cheap TEFL Certificate Programs
- Tips to Foot the Bill of Your TEFL Certification Course
- Breaking Down the Cost of TEFL Courses / Programs
[Get Matched with 5 TEFL Certification Programs for FREE]
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We’re confident these TEFL program types will continue to rise in 2019. But what are YOU waiting for? With so many accessible, affordable options to get TEFL qualified, you can take your life on the road and try your hand at teaching. Whether teaching English is your long-term career goal, or just a way to get by as you see the world, a TEFL qualification will never go to waste, and the best types of TEFL courses are within your grasp. With so many doors opened, the world is your English-speaking oyster.
Ready to make 2019 your best year EVER for travel? Now you know how to get a TEFL certification, go ahead and sign up for a course, start planning your journeys, and read MORE of GoAbroad’s Meaningful Travel Forecast!
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