TEFL FAQs

TEFL stands for “Teaching English as a Foreign Language.” The student’s native language is not English while the teacher may or may not be a native English speaker.

Demand for TEFL has never been higher with students all over the world actively seeking to learn English. TEFL used to be a mainly private sector industry, in which the student centric, communicative approach was a departure from the stiff traditional English methodologies employed in public school systems. However, that has changed in recent years with public education systems around the world seeking qualified TEFL trainers for updated programs, goals, and better results.

There are many settings in which TEFL takes place including:

• public schools
• private training schools
• summer or winter learning camps
• universities employee
• training government
• sponsored programs

Our courses are carefully designed, peer reviewed and tested to ensure strict standards of quality are met. Our 120 hour course will take approximately 120 hours to complete! This includes reading each section thoroughly, completing all the exercises, quizzes and tests, keeping track of new vocabulary and definitions, and achieving a passing mark. Depending on individual learning and study habits, you may take a little less or a little more time. And remember, our dedicated tutors are always available to consult with, make suggestions, help explain difficult sections, and guide you throughout your course!

By default you have approximately three months to complete your course in. Most students finish in 3 – 6 weeks. If you require additional time, extensions are available.

Yes, some students may even start applying for jobs before they start the course as many employers are happy to offer positions with the understanding that you will arrive with the course completed, ready to teach. If a letter of enrollment is required by your employer, please contact us and we’ll be happy to oblige.

Take our TEFL Quiz and find out!

TEFL Destination Quiz

The certificate never expires. However, the longer you have been away from teaching or learning, the less attractive it might be for employers. If you’ve been away from teaching and TEFL for a while, taking a course to refresh your knowledge would be a good idea.

We’re a Vancouver-based Canadian Education company that has been providing TEFL courses to the public since 2013. myTEFL is accredited and moderated by two independent accrediting bodies; ICOES and ITEFLAC. Our courses have been crafted by a team of professionals with both relevant academic credentials, and years of real, hands-on experience within the industry. They cover all topics required by TEFL employers.

Our certification is accepted worldwide. This includes prestigious governmental programs like EPIK in Korea, JET in Japan, the Teach English in Colombia Program, the Teaching Assistance Program in France, and the Auxiliares de Conversación in Spain. Our certificates can be notarized and authenticated to obtain an EFL work visa, including China & Vietnam (a requirement for legal employment). Our graduates are currently teaching in 40+ countries around the world.

Click on the Courses menu button and select the online course you are interested in. You will then be asked to register and complete payment with a credit card. You will receive login details and a quick start guide. Your Personal Tutor will email you within 24 hours to ensure you are having a smooth start. If you are paying by a different method (wire transfer, check, Interac etransfer etc.) please contact us.

Alternatively you may click on the Enroll button to register first. Then you will be able to make a course selection and complete payment.

To contact a Tutor (if you have not kept his/her contact information on file) you may directly email tutor@mytefl.com from the email address you registered with.

Be as specific as possible when emailing so your Tutor can prepare an effective and helpful answer for you.

Securing a TEFL job without a degree varies by country. Some accept teachers without a degree, while others require one for visa eligibility. Research the specific visa requirements of your chosen country.

Some countries may need a bachelor’s degree for a work visa. Others are more flexible and do not require one. Some countries have alternative options for certain candidates without a bachelor degree: Japan, Czech Republic, Taiwan and many more.

A TEFL certification enhances prospects, especially if you complete additional training in-country. Check out some of the options available to non-degree holders: Mexico, Cambodia, Hungary, Costa Rica, Argentina.

These programs include a 120 hour or a 140 hour TEFL course (onsite or hybrid), and a guaranteed 3 to 12 month teaching placement at a full TEFL salary plus additional benefits.

Upon completion, many of our interns continue teaching with the same school or travel and teach elsewhere. It is an excellent way to kickstart your TEFL career without a degree.

Many non-native English speakers successfully secure TEFL jobs worldwide, and the majority of EFL teachers around the world are non-native speakers. Employers value language proficiency, teaching skills, and a TEFL certification.

Factors that improve your chances of obtaining a great position include:

• Holding a Bachelor degree or higher
• Being able to demonstrate language proficiency (through a formal test, or video demo)
• Possessing some teaching experience (even if not TEFL related)
• Being flexible with regards to destination (not all countries can legally hire non-native speakers)
• Willing to complete a TEFL program that includes in country training & placement
• Great options include Mexico, Cambodia, Vietnam, Czech Republic, Hungary and Thailand.

Go to your student dashboard and click on “course” on the dashboard bar. You will see a detailed breakdown by Unit, Section and Module.

Your marks are not published on your TEFL Certificate. Most employers are not interested in the grade you receive; they care that you have successfully completed a well regarded, comprehensive TEFL. At myTEFL, our focus is on material understanding and skills retention that translate to great classroom results.

You can sign up and immediately start an online course at any time. You have 90 days from registration to complete the course (on average our students complete the 120 Hour online course in 4 to 6 weeks.)

As soon as you enroll, you will have 24/7 access to the course material. You progress through the course content and evaluations at your own speed at your preferred schedule.

You will be appointed a tutor upon course enrolment. S/he is available to assist you with content related questions, evaluation related questions, and provide additional resources where helpful.

All our tutors have degrees from Canadian Universities, and have over three years of experience as TEFL teachers.

There are two ways we offer job placement assistance for our graduates:

1. We partner with multiple EFL employers in various countries around the world and online. These employers seek out qualified myTEFL graduates and tend to have positions available year round.

If you meet the requirements of the position, and have completed your TEFL with us, you do not need to go through the job hunting, application and lineup processes. Our Placement Coordinators will help you compile and edit your application package, and submit it directly to a hiring manager. This puts your application at the top, and let’s you skip straight to the interview stage.

We vet all employers to ensure they are legit, provide legal contracts, full support, and operate professionally. This takes away the stress of trying to deal with an unknown employer from overseas.

We also ensure the compensation package being offered is in line with industry standards or higher.

Please check here: https://mytefl.com/tefl-jobs/ You can click on each destination for individual details and requirements.

2. If you do not meet the requirements of the positions listed, or you would like to seek employment in a different country we provide you with placement assistance. This includes directing you towards job boards and localized groups which will help you find options within your criteria, providing you with TEFL oriented CV/resume and cover letter templates. We’ll provide constructive feedback and suggestions on your overall application package as well as review any demo lesson plan, and provide you with tips on how to ace your job interview.

You are accountable for your airfare, but certain TEFL destinations might offer partial or full reimbursement for the ticket. Please review the ‘includes’ box to check if this applies to your chosen destination.

TEFL Destinations which reimburse some or all airfare include: Korea, Japan, China, Thailand,  Indonesia.

You are fully responsible for your airfare with our TEFL internships.

Some TEFL destinations provide teachers with housing or a housing stipend. This includes: Japan, China, Korea, Indonesia.

In other destinations you will be responsible for your accommodation while teaching English abroad. However, in all destinations your employer will arrange temporary accommodations for you, and then provide full on the ground assistance in securing long term, safe, clean and affordable options. Usually employers have apartments close to work which are rented by TEFL teachers.

It depends on the TEFL Program you choose. For Internships in Mexico and Argentina, participation in the month-long onsite TEFL course is mandatory. The other TEFL Internships are based upon a hybrid TEFL course. In these instances you may not have to retake the online course if our employee partners accept your TEFL certificate. Email your TEFL certificate to our internship team – intern@mytefl.com and if it is an acceptable alternative, you will proceed directly to the in-country Orientation + Placement.

We don’t provide add-on TESOL courses as they’re unnecessary. One of the keys of being a successful EFL teacher is to be able to independently format classes and lessons for the target student group.

Our 120-hour Professional course and 140-hour Master course are all-encompassing, ensuring you learn to be an outstanding TEFL teacher, irrespective of your students’ age or English language proficiency level.

A lot of the uncertainty about TEFL courses stems from their listed durations, leaving aspiring TEFLers questioning if a longer course enhances employability. The unequivocal answer is ‘no.’ A 120-hour TEFL certificate is all you need – anything beyond that is superfluous unless you are trying to add to your career after teaching for a couple years. In this case a qualification like the DELTA would be more appropriate/valuable.

The industry standard is 120 hours of TEFL training, which is more than sufficient for securing TEFL employment abroad. Extended TEFL training courses often include the same 120-hour core and mostly irrelevant add-ons, serving as mere revenue streams for providers.

Our online TEFL course fees are all-inclusive, encompassing the chosen course, all course materials, tutor assistance, and job placement aid. There are no extra fees for paying with a credit card, or other addons that some other TEFL providers charge.

A digital employer verifiable TEFL certificate is included in the course package and sufficient for most job applications.

If you require a physical copy of your TEFL certificate, we charge a fee of $15. The Certificate comes professionally printed on high quality card stock, is embossed for autheticity verification, and has a gold foil. Postage via airmail to anywhere in the world is included in the $15 fee.

If the TEFL job application documents don’t upload, your files may be greater than 2 MB. You have 2 options.

1. Compress the files using a free online tool, OR
2. Attach them to an email and send the email to our placement team – jobs@mytefl.com. In the subject line please enter ____________’s (your name) application documents for __________ (the destination country).

Please note if the files are too large, they may not make it to our inboxes, so we suggest using option 1.

While we assist students in securing employment teaching English globally, our primary focus is on destinations that offer sustainable, legal and livable employment packages. In some locations, obtaining a legal work permit may not be feasible (such as most of Latin America, Europe, and Africa), leading teachers to work informally, a practice we, as an incorporated entity, cannot support.

Despite these challenges, we have successful graduates working in various countries, including Brazil, France, Germany, Malta, Turkey, Ethiopia, Nepal, and others. However, our priority is to place you in a stable and sustainable environment for your initial year of TEFL teaching.

Alternatively, consider one of our TEFL Internships which offer a few destinations that are typically unsupported as a direct hire.

We have a few alternative payment methods. You can make a deposit directly into our company bank account in Canada, or via Interac etransfer. You could also make a wire payment to our company account in Canada. You may use a Visa/Master Debit card. Alternatively, you may use a prepaid credit card as well; a popular option is https://paymaya.com/.

The Modules you will complete in the 140 Hour TEFL includes the following:

• introduction to EFL
• effective classroom management
• language systems
• teaching speaking
• teaching listening
• teaching writing
• teaching reading
• using teaching materials & aids
• curriculum planning
• grammar: form, meaning & use
• grammar: verb tenses & time
• grammar: modals & stative verbs
• teaching lexis
• teaching functions
• teaching phonology
• designing testing systems
• teaching online

Email us either a copy of your student ID card (the date on the card should be under 6 months ago) or a copy of a transcript showing enrolment within the past 6 months. Once reviewed and approved, the 65% off discount code will be emailed back to you. The process typically takes less than a few hours.

Email us either a copy of your student ID card (the date on the card should be under 6 months ago) or a copy of a transcript showing enrolment within the past 6 months. Once reviewed and approved, the 65% off discount code will be emailed back to you. The process typically takes less than a few hours.

Resetting individual tests isn’t possible due to both technical limitations and restrictions imposed by our accrediting bodies. To maintain a fair scoring system, every student is granted an equal number of opportunities to complete each section and quizzes. However, in the event of a student failing an entire unit (below 65%), we have the capability to reset that specific unit and document it in our database.

On a side note, please do not be too concerned about your grades. There are over 150 quizzes throughout the course so you have plenty to work on to achieve a great mark. In addition, your grade will not be printed on your Certificate. We’d rather you focused on understanding and retention.

What is the difference between TESOL, TESL, TEFL?
There are some subtle differences between the various acronyms. According to the British Council:

TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is often used to mean the same thing as TEFL, but it is also used to describe English language teaching to people living in an English speaking country who are not native English speakers – such as refugees and first generation immigrants. In the UK, ESOL courses provide students with a level of English that will allow them to integrate into the country’s educational, work and cultural environment. There may be a need to teach basic literacy and other life skills as well.

TESL stands for Teaching English as a Second Language. English is spoken as a common second language in the context of official communication and administration in many countries where several other language groups co-exist – such as Nigeria, Kenya, India and Singapore. Another term that may be used in this context is TEAL (Teaching English as an Additional Language).

(britishcouncil.org)

Can I apply for a work permit or work visa in foreign countries with myTEFL.com’s certificate?
Yes, you can! Our internationally recognized certificates can be used to apply in countries where a successful, accredited course completion is required! Please note, most countries require a minimum of 100 hours of TEFL training in order to apply for a working visa. If you are planning on applying to a country with these requirements, you will need to complete either our 120 Hour or 140 Hour TEFL course.

We strive to provide the best value for our students. That means we feel obligated to not only match a competitor’s price, but beat it by 10%! It can be a promo or sale price as long as it is publicly advertised. *

The course must be of equal or greater hours in length, and of a comparable quality. We reserve final rights when deeming whether a competitor’s course is equivalent in nature.
If you find a cheaper course and are ready to purchase, email the link to admin@mytefl.com. We will send you an invoice or a one time promo code for our equivalent course at a price of 10% lower than the competitor.

That’s the myTEFL lowest price guarantee!

* we do not price match ‘groupon’ or ‘group buy’ style promos

There are two ways we offer job placement assistance for our graduates:

1. We partner with multiple EFL employers in various countries around the world and online. These employers seek out qualified myTEFL graduates and tend to have positions available year round. If you meet the requirements of the position, and have completed your TEFL with us, you do not need to go through the job hunting, application and lineup processes. Our Placement Coordinators will help you compile and edit your application package, and submit it directly to a hiring manager. This puts your application at the top, and let’s you skip straight to the interview stage and a near guaranteed job.

We vet all employers to ensure they are legit, provide legal contracts, full support, and operate professionally. This takes away the stress of trying to deal with an unknown employer from overseas.

We also ensure the compensation package being offered is in line with industry standards or higher.

Please check here: https://mytefl.com/tefl-jobs/ You can click on each destination for individual details and requirements.

2. If you do not meet the requirements of the positions listed, or you would like to seek employment in a different country we provide you with placement assistance. This includes directing you towards job boards and localized groups which will help you find options within your criteria, providing you with TEFL oriented CV/resume and cover letter templates. We’ll provide constructive feedback and suggestions on your overall application package as well as review any demo lesson plan, and provide you with tips on how to ace your job interview.

You will find it quite easy to seek and secure a position independently. Once you are enrolled in our course, we provide you with listings and resources that will get you started. You can apply for and secure multiple job offers within a short timeframe. There is strong demand for MyTEFL graduates across the globe. You will also complete a section in your TEFL course that provides information on seeking, negotiating and accepting contracts overseas in various countries.

Yes, it is. Our 120 and 140 Hour courses are recognized, and popular with teachers in the JET Programme. Many teachers in the JET Programme choose myTEFL as their TEFL provider, and successfully receive the CLAIR Grant. We offer the support you need (documentation required) to receive the Grant throughout, and after your course.

In order to successfully pass our course, you must obtain 65% or higher on each unit. It is Ok if you score below this on some sections or individual assignments, but your average overall must be 65% or more.

Throughout the course you will encounter tests and assignments which are graded. The collective average of all the assessments make up your final score. In addition you must receive a passing score on every Unit. If you fail a Unit, you will need to reset it and complete it again. Please note you may only reset a Unit if you fail it

Certificates are sent within 2 working days after the course has been finished. Please check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox.

You are able to review your exam results after each and every test. For the questions answered incorrectly, you will be provided with the correct answer as well.

Absolutely not. When you teach English, you do not use the native language of the students. Your entire class will be in English!

In order to successfully pass your course you must obtain a minimum average of 65% across each unit. It’s okay if you fail a few quizzes as long as your average score is over 65% per unit. If you do end up failing an entire unit, you will be prompted to reset and retake it before moving forward.

We recommend the 120-hour Professional course – Tailored for those intending to teach in countries mandating an internationally accredited TEFL certificate for work permits, this comprehensive course covers all the essential areas of study.

If you’re planning to teach online, consider the 140-hour Master course, which includes the 120 hours plus a 20-hour module specifically for online teaching.

Units of study include:

– introduction to EFL

– classroom management

– teaching methodologies

– teaching the 4 main skills and subskills

– incorporating technology in the classroom and lessons

– curriculum & lesson planning

– in-depth grammar

– teaching vocabulary

– designing effective testing and feedback systems

The 40 Hour online course is for those who just want to know what the TEFL is about, or if you just need a TEFL certificate for your CV/aemployer’s request.

The 80 Hour is an option for those who plan on doing private tutoring in a non-professional capacity, or for teachers with at least 6 months of experience, who are just looking to upgrade their teaching skills and repertoire (don’t need the TEFL for employment purposes).

Upon successful course completion, your myTEFL account is good for life – that includes access to course content, evaluations, and the TEFL Library (full of downloadables including lesson plans, templates, activities etc). You will also continue to have access to your tutor and our Job Placement services.

Upon course completion, expect to receive your eCertificate and an official Letter of Recommendation via email within 48 hours.

A physical copy is $15 USD. This includes the Certificate on thick quality stock, embossed and with gold foil. Airmail is also included in the fee. This is the standard option which we subsidize in order to ensure everyone has access to a hardcopy. Please email certificates@mytefl.com if you would like to order a hardcopy.

This depends on the destination where you plan to teach English in, and which TEFL program you sign up for.

Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Cambodia:  Accommodations are included during the in-country Orientation. During your official paid teaching position, our helpful staff on the ground helps secure safe, comfortable, and affordable housing. The housing is usually near the school, and in areas where other TEFL teachers are staying.

Hungary: Furnished, private accommodations with all utilities and internet are provided for the duration of the 10 month TEFL program. The accommodations will be convenient to training and teaching locations.

Mexico: Furnished, private accommodations are provided for the duration of the onsite course for $280 per month. You may also choose other accommodation options with our helpful on the ground staff support. During your official paid teaching position, we help secure safe, comfortable, and affordable housing. The housing is usually near your employer, and in areas where other TEFL teachers are staying.

Argentina: Vetted, shared (with other TEFL Interns) and safe housing is available nearby the school at a reasonable price. A home-stay experience can also be arranged if you prefer to be in an environment which will help you integrate and practice the language in Argentina.

South Africa: TEFL interns stay in a beautiful group home with Ocean views in Port Elizabeth for the duration of the program. Meals and accommodations are included in the Internship fee.

It depends on the Internship you choose. For TEFL Internships in Mexico and Argentina, participation in the month-long onsite TEFL course is mandatory. The other programs are based upon a hybrid TEFL course. In these instances, you do not need to retake the 120 Hour Online Course. Instead, you will proceed directly to the in-country Orientation + Placement. The amount paid for the online course is deducted from your Internship fees.

We cannot 100% guarantee a job because there are many factors that affect success which are out of our controls. This includes personal interview skills, professionalism, coordination of vacancies with availability, and a commitment to teaching abroad.

That being said, if you meet the requirements and successfully complete your TEFL course, we are most likely able to place you. We have a success rate of over 90%..

“Level 3” and “Level 5” are classifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England and Northern Ireland, and do not hold much significance internationally. Online TEFL course providers often use these “levels” for marketing purposes, potentially causing confusion.

Some claim their TEFL Level 5 course equals the CELTA, but this is untrue. The “Level 5” designation doesn’t guarantee equivalence or quality; it merely indicates that the course’s complexity matches that of completing a Foundation Degree. Essentially, it requires skills and knowledge similar to those expected from an average British high school graduate over 18 years old with an equivalent level of English and education.

We are a Canadian TEFL provider, and do not promote courses with a “level” system.

The majority of our TEFL students complete the 120 hour course in 4 – 7 weeks, while the 140 hour course tends to be completed in 4 – 8 weeks. It depends on your study habits, and schedule.

If you are unable to complete your TEFL training course within 3 months, you may purchase a one month or three-month extension. If you just require couple of extra days, please let us know and we will be happy to add a few at no charge.

You can teach English either through an ‘online school’, through an ‘online learning platform’, or completely independently using tools like Zoom.

Online schools design their own English language courses, and in some cases, create custom software for online EFL classrooms. In this model, all educators adhere to a standardized TEFL curriculum, receive pre-prepared materials, and exclusively engage with the students enrolled in the respective online school. Teachers are paid per class and are more likely to follow a fixed schedule. Rates per hour tend to be fixed with advancements scheduled in.

Online platforms might be compared to dating sites. English Learners and TEFL teachers get matched up. Teachers distinguish themselves with video resumes, video demos, and unique skills/experiences which make them stand out from other. For example, a TEFL teacher with a few years experience as a realtor may be attractive to a student who is a newer immigrant to an English speaking country and would like to pursue RE as a career. Rates are usually within a range, but the teacher has more freedom in setting a rate they desire. Further info can be found here.

Some TEFL teachers also choose to recruit students independently. After completing training, teachers create a simple website or Social Media presence and populate it with video resumes, teaching clips, introductions, learning tips, and other attractive content. They join various groups and advertise their services. The main benefits to this are a higher rate of pay (as the teacher isn’t sharing the fees with an employer or platform) and more control over your scheduling. The drawbacks are the additional work required upfront and in maintaining the business.

Login to your Student Dashboard and navigate to the TEFL Library. We have a few useful templates in there, including TEFL resume and cover letters.

After you have created your documents, you may email them to us for a review and further edit suggestions if necessary.

TEFL courses are generally not very difficult. We have a pass rate of over 98%. If you fail a Unit, you will have the option to reset that Unit and try it again. You can do this multiple times if you need to. If you are finding it difficult to achieve a passing grade, contact your tutor for some help.

On a side note, your grades are not printed on your Certificate as we prefer you focus on understanding and retention.

The Modules you will complete in the 120 Hour TEFL includes the following:

• introduction to EFL
• effective classroom management
• language systems
• teaching speaking
• teaching listening
• teaching writing
• teaching reading
• using teaching materials & aids
• curriculum planning
• grammar: form, meaning & use
• grammar: verb tenses & time
• grammar: modals & stative verbs
• teaching lexis
• teaching functions
• teaching phonology
• designing testing systems

Online education has come a long way over the past decade, and the vast majority of TEFLer’s around the world have completed their courses online. Many students question the value of paying an average of $1600 for an onsite TEFL course when an online TEFL can be completed for under $300. Aside from the familiarity of learning in a physical environment, the real additional value an onsite course provides is a few hours of observed teaching practice. In the teaching world, a few hours of teaching practice is no longer that valuable. Most reputable employers will spend a few weeks of additional training and monitoring in their classrooms before deploying you as an independent teacher with your own classes.

If you feel you would like some teaching practice before obtaining a position, we suggest you gain experience tutoring, or volunteering at a local community centre. There are always opportunities to get hands on teaching without paying for the privilege. Finally, the truth is that most employers do not require a “practicum” anymore as their own internal training and orientation will include hands-on TEFL teaching practice.

Congratulations! Please contact us and one of our staff will help you out promptly.

Your friend can register you in a TEFL course using their credit card.

Here is how it would work:

1) Your friend enrolls and registers using his/her name and credit card; however the registration is completed using your email address.

2) You will receive the course information and login details on your e-mail address.

3) Login to the course and go to the ‘Edit Profile’ option.

4) Change the name and address (it will be your friend’s) to your own.