It might come a time for English teachers to ask themselves is TEFL worth it? To answer this, you must know your career targets and why tutoring is important to you.
Getting a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate can get you closer to your goals by increasing your skills and giving you a better job opportunity. However, choosing the right TEFL program or other certifications that work best for you and your goals is crucial. The benefits of getting a TEFL include:
- Gaining effective teaching skills
- Helps you become proficient in English
- A positive impact on your resume
- A TEFL certification never expires
- It gives you the possibility to live abroad
So, is becoming a TEFL teacher worth it? The short answer is yes, you will have a better chance of finding a job abroad, and if you aim to work from home with your convenient schedule, you can become an online English tutor at Ostado.
Do I Need to Get TEFL Certification?
First, what holds great importance is your goals and motivations as an English teacher or online tutor. TEFL courses can increase your English teaching skills. TEFL certification can be a great tool if you are considering living abroad.
Getting a TEFL certification allows you to gain a working visa from several countries. Moreover, you need to decide where you want to live. You must explore if the particular country needs TEFL or other certifications for a work visa.
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Can I Start Teaching English after I Get My TEFL?
You can start teaching English right after or, in some cases, during getting your TEFL. You need to assign the TEFL course that works best for you and your goals. If you wish to live abroad, you can do online research about the requirements of the particular country and the companies you wish to apply to. Some companies may require English teaching experience before hiring.
You can also start your job as an inline English teacher at Ostado to work from the comfort of your home.
The Benefits of Having TEFL Certification
A TEFL certification can be a great advantage to many English teachers. But figuring out what exact certification you need to get can be challenging; you might ask yourself, Why TEFL Certification is Essential? Below is a list of benefits and disadvantages of TEFL certification:
- A TEFL Certification Provides Effective Teaching Methods
Teaching English as a foreign language needs a great amount of skills. TEFL courses can instruct you with extensive skills in lesson planning, classroom management, and how to teach English to students of different languages. Plus, you can gain more confidence as a professional English teacher.
- Helps You Become Proficient in English
Even for native speakers, knowing the structures and grammatical rules of the English language can be challenging. TEFL courses can provide you with a robust knowledge of English and how to teach English to your students.
- A TEFL Certification Gains Benefits for Your Resume
Job hunting can be very competitive depending on your goals and desirable destination. A TEFL certification can benefit your resume and help you stand out.
- A TEFL Certification Never Expires
One of the greatest aspects of having a TEFL certification is that it never expires. So once you get your certification, you won’t need to renew it or have any additional training.
- A TEFL Certification Allows You to Live Abroad
TEFL is a great choice for those who think about why tutoring is important and love to travel. A TEFL certification makes it possible to live and work abroad.
Disadvantages of TEFL Certification
While TEFL certification has several advantages, it also has its downsides. So, if you’re trying to figure out is TEFL worth it, consider these points as well:
- Not a the highest wage, especially for teachers with less experience
- Limited chance of progress in one’s job
- TEFL is not a guarantee for a work visa in all countries
Is Becoming a TEFL Teacher Worth It?
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification has many advantages. It can increase your professional skills as an English teacher. If you want to work from home, finding an online English tutor job would be much easier with a TEFL certification. You will also have job opportunities in many other countries.
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Is There a Demand for TEFL Teachers in the US?
While most TEFL-certified teachers move abroad, some people want to teach in the USA or look for online language tutoring jobs in the USA.
According to TEFL, there’s a high demand for TEFL-certified English teachers in the USA due to the number of immigrants living there.
How Much Do TEFL Teachers Make?
English teacher wages vary in each country depending on your qualifications, destination, and the company you join. The table below shows how much TEFL teachers can make in several countries.
Country |
TEFL Teachers Wage on Average per month |
Cost of Living on Average per month |
|
South Korea |
$1800 to $2000 | $1087 |
|
Thailand |
$800 to 1,200 | $900 |
|
Japan |
$1,500 to $3,500 | $1,200 |
| Vietnam | $1,495 to $2,050 |
$500 to $1,000 |
| Portugal | $1,300 to $1,850 |
$1,500 |
| China | $1,200 to $2,600 |
$564.7 |
|
Finland |
$2,000 to $4,000 | $999.9 |
|
Switzerland |
$2260 to $3015 | $1,806.9 |
| Austria | $850 to $3,200 |
$ 1,723 |
| Denmark | USD $43,000 to $58,000 |
$1,159.9 |
|
Italy |
$900 to $1,500 | $1,730 |
|
France |
$1,630 to $2720 |
$1,039.2 |
| Norway | $2,580 to $3,090 |
$1,215.4 |
|
Argentina |
$600 to $1,200 |
$1,000 |
|
Brazil |
$800 to $1,300 |
$571.5 |
| Egypt | $300 to $700 |
390.2$ |
|
South Africa |
$1,573 to $2360 |
563.8$ |
| Morocco | $1,000 – $2,100 |
466.3$ |
| Turkey | $800 to $1,200 |
$ 365 |
Can I Teach English Abroad with My TEFL Certification?
Teaching English abroad is a life dream for many people. If you’re wondering, is TEFL certificate worth it? and whether you would find jobs in other countries, the short answer is yes. Many countries allow you to work as an English teacher with a TEFL certification.
However, each country has its own hiring rules, depending on your university degree, citizenship, and qualifications.
Which Countries Accept My TEFL Certification?
If you’re wondering how to teach English in another country, the information below can give you an insight.
According to the International TEFL Academy, an English teacher with a TEFL certification can find job opportunities in around 100 countries worldwide. Your chances of finding a job abroad rise if you are a native English speaker with a bachelor’s degree.
Without a bachelor’s degree, a native English teacher with a TEFL certification can find English teaching jobs in dozens of countries, including China, Spain, Argentina, and several nations in Latin America and Eastern Europe. No native speakers fluent in written and spoken English can also find many job opportunities.
Non-native speakers without a bachelor’s degree can also find opportunities in Central and South America.
To answer the question, is a TEFL certificate worth it? For those who admire culturally rich countries, Morocco, Egypt, and Turkey offer jobs to first-time English teachers.
What Qualifications and Requirements Do I Need to Teach English Abroad
If you wish to teach abroad, you need to investigate your desirable destination for the qualifications they need. Let’s take a brief look:
- Accent and Fluency in English
For those with a TEFL certification, verbal skills are crucial for finding a job abroad.
- Citizenship
Some countries like Canada, South Africa, the USA, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia require English teachers holding citizenship from a native English-speaking country. However, citizenship from a native English-speaking country is not the case in many other countries.
- University Degree
In some countries, it is required that teachers hold a bachelor’s or association degree
- Age
In some countries with age restrictions, there’s a limit for hiring English teachers under 55; in some countries, it isn’t easy to find a job after 40. However, in some countries you can find English teaching jobs after 70.
Which is Better? TEFL or TESOL?
TEFL and TESOL are both English teaching certifications that have many perks. However, choosing the right program depends highly on your career goals.
TEFL certification is a better option for those who want to become an online English teacher and those who want to teach English abroad. In other words, TEFL is a better choice if you want to teach English in a country where English is not the primary Language.
TESOL certification is best for those who want to teach English in an English-speaking country.
The table below can help you determine which program is more suitable for you.
| Certificate | Online course | Duration | Best choice for | Cost |
| TEFL | Yes | 100-150 hours (4-10 weeks) | People who want to teach English in countries where English is not the main language E.g. Japan | $99 to $3,000 |
| TESOL | Yes | 100-300 hours
(4-12 weeks) |
1. People who want to teach English in countries where English is spoken E.g. Canada
2. People who want to teach English in countries that English is not the main language |
Online 100 hours: $400 to $500
university-level TESOL: $1,000-$2,500 |
Start teaching TEFL at home at Ostado website
Ostado is the perfect platform for tutors and students who want to learn English in the comfort of their own homes. Tutors who use Ostado will benefit from several features including an intuitive, user-friendly interface that allows them to quickly and easily search for available tutoring opportunities, or post their own with ease. They can also quickly connect with potential tutors and students in real time, making it easy to build relationships and create long-term teaching partnerships.
Registering on Ostado is free and our platform allows anyone from anywhere around the world to access our services with ease. So don’t wait any longer; start your tutoring jobs today at Ostado and get ahead in your conversation English skills.
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Why Ostado?
Our extensive experience in education has led us to believe that private tutoring is the most effective method for academic success. We have carefully selected and partnered with top tutors in various fields who undergo a thorough evaluation process and continuous performance monitoring to ensure the highest quality of education. Ostado is trying to give this opportunity to all tutors worldwide to have their job at home and will stay with you on the way to progress.
Start your journey today with Ostado – the premier destination for tutoring and connecting with students around the globe!
Conclusion
Being an English teacher abroad can be possible with a TEFL certification. You will gain more knowledge and skills as an English teacher. Depending on your destination and lifestyle, you can have a decent salary or even save money with a TEFL certificate.
FAQ
Is it hard to pass a TEFL course?
High-level TEFL courses are comparable to university courses and need dedication. However, the statistics of failure are very low. Plus, the courses are suitable for those with no experience in learning languages or teaching English.
Is TEFL a good side hustle?
Yes. Depending on your free hours, you can have extra income by becoming an online English tutor with a TEFL certification.
Does TEFL make you a qualified teacher?
TEFL courses provide vast knowledge and skill sets for those who want to teach English. You can gain language teaching knowledge, classroom management, and communication skills.
Is TEFL enough to work abroad?
A TEFL certification is not a guarantee for a job. Some countries and companies prefer native English speakers or people with a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certification.
