Teach English as a Foreign Language

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language to people whose first language isn’t English. In order to do this, a qualification to train you up to be a teacher should be obtained. At International House, we offer the CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL and IHC which are intensive, initial TEFL qualifications designed for people with little or no previous English language teaching experience or training.

In order to be suitably equipped to teach English in a proper school, your TEFL qualification should be certified by an official accrediting body. The CELTA is certified by Cambridge Assessment English and as a result is highly regarded internationally and recognised by Ofqual at level 5 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework. Trinity CertTESOL is certified by Trinity College London and IHC is certificated by International House World. Sometimes it helps to look at the sort of TEFL job you want and its requirements, and work backwards to the qualification.

Everyone! You might be a graduate who wants their first job to be teaching overseas. Or you might be someone who has worked in a different career for several decades and is looking for a change. Some people use TEFL as a way to travel the world; others teach students in their home country.

The short answer to this question is: yes! Teaching English as a foreign language to children – and adults – to help them understand the world beyond their own language, communicate on a global scale, study abroad one day, make friends from around the world, aid their career advancement, and understand music, film and television in English, is a worthy job.

Teaching abroad will give you valuable skills for your own CV and professional development, including (but not limited to): initiative, commitment, patience, dedication, perseverance, organisation, and actual work experience. You’ll work with children and adults of all English levels, so you’ll develop excellent personal skills. If you teach abroad, you will have the opportunity to study a new language and experience another culture, which will then enable you to learn more about yourself and your own abilities and limits.

Many graduates choose to gain a TEFL qualification and teach overseas as their first job. Or some people, who have worked in a different career for several decades, may choose to teach English to make an exciting change in their life. Whichever it is, doing a CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL or IHC is the first step of what could be a prosperous and fulfilling teaching career. International House offers opportunities to further your knowledge and experience via our Online Teacher Training Institute or in one of our schools. Of course, TEFL skills are also transferable to other jobs and career paths! If teaching isn’t for you, then you could branch into other areas of the industry like writing course books or other materials, marketing, academic management, teacher training or business development.

Academically, you can further your knowledge in a variety of areas. Geographically, you could go anywhere! The demand in schools around the world for English language teachers is ongoing (you can view our Jobs board to see which International House schools are currently recruiting) so if you’re proactive, you will be able to find work.

Adventure, experience, a global network of friends, an everyday life less ordinary, a potential career in teaching if you want it, or a springboard onto another career path if you decide you don’t. You will also get a lot out of the place you choose to teach in, so, really, you can get out of TEFL what you choose to put in.

No, you don’t have to, although we do encourage teachers to learn a language themselves as it will give you an important insight into the challenges your students face. During your TEFL course, you will learn how to teach English without using the students’ native language. This means you can teach students of different nationalities in the same class and teach in countries all over the world. Speaking the local language will help you navigate life in your chosen destination.

If you are a proficient English language user (between CEFR Level C1 and C2 or above) and educated to the standard required for entry into higher education, you are ready to take the CELTA, Trinity TESOL or IHC qualifications with International House.