11 Best Places to Get TEFL Certification

Have you ever considered teaching English abroad as your ticket to seeing the world? English is one of the most widely used languages globally, and one of the most desired to learn, too. If you happened to be born in an English-speaking country, you already have what it takes to teach English as a foreign language. All you need now is a top-notch TEFL certification.

With a TEFL certification, you can easily live the life of a nomad.

The great thing about choosing TEFL as a career path is you don’t have to wait to be certified before you can book that plane ticket and jet off to the destination of your dreams. It’s possible to earn your TEFL certification in the country where you plan to live, work, and travel—or even online when you arrive!

Before you pack your bags, it’s important to explore your options. Here are the best places to get TEFL certification in 2022.

Why get TEFL certified?

Getting TEFL certified is about more than teaching English abroad. It’s also an opportunity to travel the world meaningfully.

As a TEFL teacher, you can make money to fund your travels around the world, make a difference in the lives of your students, immerse in a new culture, and build an international career if you want to. The craziest part? You don’t even need prior teaching experience to earn your certification.

TEFL courses teach you everything you’ll ever need to know to be successful as an English teacher abroad. You’ll learn how to manage a classroom environment and teach English to those who don’t speak your language. You’ll gain killer communication skills, practical teaching experience that will boost your confidence, and you’ll have access to endless networking opportunities through your TEFL program.

The first step is choosing where to get TEFL certified, and your program will take care of the rest! You’ll be ready to hit the ground running and know what to expect as a teacher abroad.

Where to get TEFL certified in 2022

Which destination matches your personal and professional goals?

It can be daunting to scroll through countless programs and destinations, wondering which choice is the right one. Courses range in length, offer online or in-person study, and give varying options in flexibility and experience.

The best advice is to consider what kind of experience you want to have as a TEFL teacher abroad. How much experience do you want to have before you step into the classroom? How much money do you want to make? How do you want to spend your free time?

Here are the best countries for TEFL certifications, depending on your desired experience.

1. Online

• Why? It’s no secret that so much of our world is headed online. TEFL certification courses are no different. Studying online gives you more flexibility, so you can earn your certification from home or on the road. While online courses don’t offer the same degree of in-person practical experience, the quality of online learning is still high.
• With live tutor support, career coaching, and well-rounded curriculums, the best place to get TEFL certification might just be online for some. Where’s the best place to get TEFL certification online? Most programs are now offering online options, so if this appeals to you, you certainly won’t be disappointed with your options.
• Recommended program: Best Online TEFL Class For Teaching Abroad in 2022!

2. Vietnam

• Why? Vietnam is another Southeast Asian hotspot for TEFL teachers, boasting a low cost of living and a plethora of teaching job opportunities. When it comes to popular TEFL countries in this part of the world, Vietnam is often less competitive than Thailand or China, making it easier to land a teaching job when you finish your certification.
• The Vietnamese government aims to have most students speaking fluent English, so there’s no doubt you’ll be in high demand. Whether you want to spend your teaching days on the coast amongst beautiful beaches or getting lost in the big expat communities in cities like Ho Chi Minh, you won’t be disappointed with Vietnam.
• Recommended program: Paid 6 to 12-Month TEFL Internship in Vietnam

3. South Korea

South Korea has been a long-time favorite for TEFL certification (and teaching!).

• Why? South Korea always makes the list of best places to get TEFL certification and for good reason. It’s one of Asia’s most developed countries with endless opportunities to teach English in Seoul and Busan, South Korea’s two biggest cities. Teachers will fall in love with the contrast of urban city life and gorgeous mountain peaks that take you to another world.
• South Korea has some of the stricter requirements for TEFL courses, but it’s known as one of the best places to get TEFL certification because the courses are truly top-notch. They’ll include at least 100 hours of training with the option to add specializations to your certification, so you can teach inside a niche like business or medical vocabulary.
• TEFL jobs in Korea also typically come with benefits you won’t always find in other countries, like flight costs and accommodation on top of their already-high salaries. If you’re looking to make TEFL a career, South Korea is your place to get certified.
• Recommended program: XploreAsia Teach South Korea Program

4. Thailand

• Why? There are many popular TEFL countries across Southeast Asia, and there’s no doubt Thailand will be on every list. Thailand is a melting pot of some of the most sacred cities, the most pristine islands, and the most mouth-wateringly delicious street food you’ll find in the world.
• Thai culture is very expressive and Thai citizens are always eager to learn and improve their English language skills. The cost of living is affordable for westerners and there are countless adventures, from snorkeling and scuba diving to climbing up epic limestone cliffs. All of that considered, Thailand is easily one of the best countries for TEFL teachers with a wild side.
• Recommended program: TEFL Certification and Teaching English in Thailand

5. China

• Why? For those who desire hands-on learning, China is at the very top of the list of popular TEFL countries. China has one of the fastest growing economies and one of the highest populations of students who want to learn English.
• Not only that, but Chinese cultures highly respect the education system, which means there are endless teaching jobs available with the opportunity to teach students who truly desire to learn from you.
• TEFL courses in China will not disappoint, with opportunities across all the big cities, from Beijing to Shanghai and everywhere in between.
• Recommended program: International TEFL & TESOL Training: Beijing, Shanghai China

6. Japan

Japan always has high demand for English language skills and teachers.

• Why? Japan is one of the globe’s leaders in education with some of the highest quality educational institutions in the world. You know what that means? Starting your TEFL career here will no doubt be a success. Japan boasts a unique and modern culture, with thriving cities and nightlife, ancient tradition, and breathtaking mountains.
• Teachers can spend their free time exploring the art, culture, and futuristic technology in Tokyo, head to the mountains for some of the world’s best skiing, bathe in hot springs alongside snow monkeys, or feast on the most exquisite sushi. When it comes to TEFL countries, Japan hands out higher salaries, making it a well sought-after TEFL destination.
• Recommended program: Accredited TEFL/TESOL Courses Online & in Japan from ¥7,000

7. Spain

• Why? If you’re wondering where to get TEFL certified outside of Asia, consider Spain. Spain is one of the top travel destinations in Europe, known for its rich history, diverse regions, and relaxed vibes. In the land of siestas, Spain could quite possibly be the best place to get TEFL certified if you want a healthy work-life balance.
• Not only are there many TEFL opportunities in the big cities, but you’ll also have plenty of time to chill out on the beach, check out the lively bar scenes, and end your night with tapas and dancing.
• Spain also stands out from other European TEFL countries because it encourages teachers from North America, rather than preferring those from a UK background. If you’re American or Canadian, it could quite possibly be easier to land a job in Spain than anywhere else across Europe.
• Recommended program: Trinity CertTESOL Course & Visa Program for Teaching

8. France

• Why? France is a popular spot for TEFL teachers from the EU and UK, seducing them with their picturesque cities, sophisticated fashion, and luxurious lifestyle. Imagine traveling to one of the most romantic cities in the world, spending your mornings strolling along the Seine, sipping an espresso beneath the Eiffel Tower, or finding home in the cliffs of the French Riviera amongst the most beautiful blue seas.
• France boasts romance, gourmet food, and luxury, but it also has a huge number of English language schools, making it one of the best countries for TEFL in Europe. If you want to experience the French lifestyle and teach English outside of a classroom environment, it’s also a top destination to au pair abroad, bringing some diversity to how you use your TEFL certification.
• Recommended program: Get TEFL Certified & Teach English in France in 2022!

9. Italy

If you want a more relaxed work-life balance, Italy could be the move for you.

• Why? There’s no doubt that Italy offers some of the richest travel experiences in the world. It’s the home and birthplace of both Renaissance art and homemade pasta, making it one of the top TEFL countries for art aficionados and foodies alike.
• Italy tends to be a place that attracts those with Italian ancestry, and it is quite easy to get your foot in the door to teaching jobs if you have Italian-speaking roots. There are also many opportunities for private teaching jobs to supplement your TEFL salary, offering a diverse teaching experience overall.
• Recommended program: TEFL Certification with Via Lingua Florence!

10. Costa Rica

• Why? Costa Rica is easily the most popular and best place to get TEFL certification in Central America. With its small surf town vibes, it's the place where your students will show up to class in their swimsuits and barefeet, and you’ll no doubt be joining them in beach paradise when the final bell rings.
• Costa Rica is the epitome of the simple life—you may not make the most money as a TEFL teacher here, but you’ll leave richer than you came in another sense. The teaching style is laidback, the cost of living is affordable, and adventurists will have the time of their lives ziplining from rainforest canopies and surfing perfect waves.
• As a top tourist destination, there’s a high demand for English skills, which means TEFL teachers are in high demand too.
• Recommended program: TEFL Costa Rica | Teach English in Costa Rica

11. United Arab Emirates

• Why? Last, but not least, one of best places to get TEFL certification is the United Arab Emirates. In the past, the UAE has been overlooked as a TEFL destination, but it has been growing exponentially in popularity every year. Today, it is one of the most desirable teaching destinations in the world because of the high salary and benefits for teachers.
• The UAE is not the easiest place to teach English abroad, as there are strict teaching requirements, greater culture shock, and landing a job is quite competitive. But if you’re looking for an experience off the beaten path, the UAE could be the destination for you.
• You’ll find yourself in a land of luxury where everything is high quality. You’ll receive health insurance, flights, and housing along with your TEFL certification, one of the highest TEFL salaries in the world, and the experience of a lifetime.
• Recommended program: Accredited TEFL/TESOL Courses Online and in the UAE from $65

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Boost your career (and travels!) with a TEFL certificate

TEFL certification can be downright life-changing.

TEFL is truly one of the best ways to see the world. It’s an opportunity to boost your resume, fund your travels to your bucket list destinations, expand your horizons, and could be the first step to building an international career. Before you go, do your research. Consider the best countries for TEFL and don’t be afraid to invest in a certification program that’s high quality and accredited.

With endless opportunities for certification both online and in-country, you can’t go wrong! Once you’ve narrowed down your search, start packing your bags for the most incredible travel experience of your life.

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This article was written with help from International TEFL Academy. With 40,000 alumni teaching English in 80 countries & online, ITA specializes in online and in-person TEFL courses worldwide. With almost 2000 positive reviews on GoAbroad, TEFL students can expect top-quality participant support at ITA, including lifetime job guidance.