TEFL/TESOL certification guide (2025): 

How to choose the right course on a budget

Written by Kevin, TEFL/TESOL course designer at simpleTEFL
Last updated: November 2025
So, you're thinking of teaching English. Maybe you want be self-employed and set your own schedule teaching online, or perhaps you’re ready for a new adventure teaching abroad.
But once you start looking at TEFL/TESOL courses, things get confusing fast – different hours, prices, accreditors and “advanced” options everywhere. $10 Groupon courses to $1000+ diplomas, scary stories about fake accreditation, and a lot of loud marketing can mean it's difficult to know the best way to proceed.
Our hope with this TEFL/TESOL certification guide is to calm that noise and leave you with a solid understanding of the options available to you.
We’ll walk through what a TEFL certificate actually is, how many hours you really need, what a course should cost, and how to avoid wasting money on something schools won’t take seriously.
By the end, you’ll know which type of course fits your goals and budget and what to do next.

In a hurry? Here’s a summary:

  • A TEFL/TESOL certificate is a short training course that prepares you to teach English to non-native speakers. Most schools and online platforms look for at least a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL from a recognised provider.
  • You don’t legally need a TEFL everywhere, but if you want paid, legal work online or abroad, a 120-hour accredited certificate makes it much easier to get interviewed, especially if you don’t have teaching experience yet.
  • Prices can range from $20 deals to $2,000+ diplomas. Great courses can be under $50, but ultra-cheap options often cut corners on content, support or accreditation. Very expensive Level-5/CELTA-type courses are nice to have, not essential for a first job.
  • Accreditation is non-negotiable. Always look for a named accrediting body and then check the provider is actually listed on the accreditor’s own website. Vague badges, made-up “institutes”, or logos you can’t verify are red flags.
  • Rough process for choosing a course (details in the sections below):
    • Get clear on your goal (teach online, teach abroad, side option vs long-term career).
    • Decide on course type & hours (usually an online 120-hour TEFL/TESOL to start).
    • Shortlist 2–3 providers whose websites, policies, and pricing feel transparent.
    • Check real accreditation and what’s actually inside the course (syllabus, sample lessons, platform screenshots).
    • Read some independent reviews (Trustpilot, Google, Reddit, GoOverseas, etc.)
    • If in doubt, email them and see how they respond.
    Note: Each of these steps has important caveats. The rest of this guide walks through the details so you don’t miss anything.
  • Where simpleTEFL fits: our accredited 120-hour online TEFL/TESOL course is deliberately priced at the affordable end of the market, but built to be a reliable low-cost TEFL: real accreditation (ACCREDITAT), clear contents, no hidden fees, and ongoing support for new teachers.
Table of contents:
  1. What is a TEFL/TESOL certificate?
  2. Do you actually need a TEFL/TESOL to teach English?
  3. How many TEFL/TESOL hours do you need?
  4. How much Should a TEFL/TESOL course cost?
  5. Accreditation: What it is and how to check it’s real
  6. Step-by-Step: How to choose a TEFL/TESOL course
  7. How we can help you get TEFL/TESOL-certified
  8. TEFL/TESOL certification FAQ

1. What is a TEFL/TESOL certificate, really?

Short answer:
A TEFL/TESOL certificate is a training course that prepares you to teach English to non-native speakers. A good TEFL/TESOL course covers lesson planning, grammar, class management and practical teaching skills to help you succeed in the classroom. 

Most employers and recruiters look for at least a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL from a recognised provider.
Now the slightly longer version!
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It’s used as an umbrella term for courses that train you to teach English to learners whose first language isn’t English, either online or in another country.
A TEFL course usually means a foundational teaching course that gives you:
  1. A structured introduction to how people learn languages
  2. Techniques for planning and delivering lessons
  3. Practice with common grammar points and error correction
  4. Classroom management basics (even if your “classroom” is online)
Note:
There isn’t one single global "TEFL license”. Instead, schools look at:
  • Number of hours of training (often 120hrs+)
  • Accreditation (who checks the course quality)
  • Your potential (your class demos and interview)

TEFL vs TESOL: What’s the difference?

You’ll often see both TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). In practice, they’re used almost interchangeably.

TEFL is more commonly used when talking about teaching English abroad in non-English-speaking countries. TESOL is sometimes used as a broader term, including teaching English to immigrants in English-speaking countries.

When you're choosing a course, the important thing is that it’s properly accredited, at least 120 hours, and recognised by employers. As an example, our course is marketed as TEFL, but it prepares you for the same types of roles that require TESOL training.

2. Do you actually need a TEFL/TESOL to teach English?

Short answer:
In many cases, yes. If you’re new to teaching, most online platforms and many schools abroad expect at least a 120-hour TEFL. There are exceptions, such as some volunteer roles or informal tutoring, but if you want real, legal, paid work and more choice, a TEFL makes your job search much easier.
You'll probably find yourself in three main situations:
1. You want to teach English online
If you want to teach online, most reputable online teaching companies list a TEFL certificate as:
  • Required – you must have it to apply
  • Preferred – you’ll be chosen ahead of applicants who don’t have one.
2. You want to teach English abroad
For teaching abroad, requirements vary wildly by country and even by school. You’ll see job ads asking for:
  • 120-hour TEFL/TESOL - South America, parts of Southeast Asia, etc.
  • 120-hour TEFL/TESOL + Bachelor's degree - South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, etc.
  • Bachelor's degree + CELTA - more competitive roles, such as British Council, some university language programmes.
3. You don't have a degree
Luckily, there are many countries and roles where you can teach without a degree.
For example, private language schools, volunteer programmes, or positions in parts of Southeast Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and many more. In those cases, a TEFL certificate becomes even more important because it’s your main proof that you’re serious and have some training.

Do you legally need one?

There isn’t a single worldwide rule, but in many countries your legal work visa is based on a mix of your degree, nationality, clean criminal record, and proof of qualifications.
In some destinations, a TEFL/TESOL certificate is explicitly part of the visa or sponsorship requirements; in others, the visa is technically based on your degree, but employers and recruiters still expect a TEFL and use it to filter candidates.
The takeaway is, when it comes to getting a job, having a TEFL puts you in the worth interviewing pile, which is especially important these days as more people compete for jobs in popular countries.

3. How many TEFL/TESOL hours do you need?

Short answer:
For most first-time teachers, an accredited 120-hour TEFL is the standard baseline. Many employers and recruiters list 120 hours as their minimum. Shorter 40–60 hour courses are usually taster courses, not full qualifications. Longer or Level 5 courses go deeper but aren’t essential for your first job.
You’ll see lots of different numbers when trying to find a course, so here’s how to think about them.

Common TEFL courses

Type of course
Typical hours
Good for…
Limitations
Short taster TEFL
20–60 hours
Getting a feel for TEFL
Not enough on its own for paid jobs
Standard TEFL certificate
120 hours
Online jobs, entry-level roles abroad
Less depth than higher-level qualifications
Advanced / Level 5
180–300+
Career advancement, more competitive roles
Expensive, takes longer

Common TEFL courses

Short taster TEFL
Hours: 20–60
Good for: Online jobs, entry-level roles abroad
Limitations: Not enough on its own for paid jobs
Standard TEFL certificate
Hours: 120
Good for: Getting a feel for TEFL
Limitations: Less depth than higher-level qualifications
Advanced / Level 5
Hours: 180–300+
Good for: Career advancement, more competitive roles
Limitations: Expensive, more time-consuming
Overall, we'd skip the short taster courses and advise one that hits 120-hours minimum. For most new teachers, especially if you’re changing career or watching your budget, this is the sweet spot. It’s widely recognised by employers as enough to start, affordable compared to longer programmes, and realistic to complete while working.
Note:
One thing to be aware of is that some providers advertise “150-hour” or “180-hour advanced” TEFL courses that are really just a standard 120-hour core with one or two extra bolt-on modules (for example, teaching young learners or teaching online). 

Those topics can be useful, but employers won’t treat “150 hours” as fundamentally different from a solid 120-hour certificate. They just want to see that you’ve completed at least a recognised 120-hour TEFL and can actually teach.
Level 5 diplomas and higher-end courses can be a great next step if you already know you can afford it and want to target the most competitive schools from day one. 
But you definitely don’t have to start there to get your first real job or your first online students. And once you have experience and your foot in the door,  more opportunities will naturally open up for you.

4. How much should a TEFL/TESOL course cost?

Short answer:
This is a tough one to answer. You’ll see everything from $20 TEFLs to $2,000+ intensive courses. You can find great courses for under $50, but predictably there are also plenty of low-quality offerings at this price-point.

Just know that cheap doesn’t automatically mean bad, but if you think a price looks too good to be true, check:
  • The quality of the website (does it look like it's been thrown together in an afternoon?)
  • The accreditation (more on that here)
  • Hidden fees (are there "admin" or "certification" fees thrown in at the end?)
  • Problems people have had in the past (does the company have genuine reviews on third-party websites?)
You don’t want to overpay for something that might be unnecessary for you right now. But you also don’t want to save money up front and end up with a certificate that schools don’t really respect.

Why are some TEFL courses so cheap now?

Over the last decade, TEFL has moved heavily online. Instead of running physical training centres, many providers (like us) now deliver everything through a learning platform. That cuts a lot of overhead, which is why online TEFL courses are often much cheaper than traditional in-person courses, sometimes 40–50% less for the same number of hours.
At the same time, there are far more providers than there used to be, plus coupon sites and year-round “sale” promotions. That competition has dragged prices down and created huge gaps between what companies are marketing their headline price as (“Was $399!”) and what people actually pay (“Now $20!”).
This sounds great for the consumer, but the downside is that it’s harder to tell the difference between a genuinely affordable, accredited course and something that’s cheap because it cuts corners. That’s why it’s so important to look past the price and do your research (more on how to do this here).

What a lower-priced course TEFL course should look like

If you’re looking at lower-priced TEFL courses, use this as a quick filter. A genuinely affordable TEFL should look different from a too good to be true deal:
What to check 🕵️
Good and affordable ✅
Accreditation: Names a real accreditor and shows you how to verify it on their site. The accreditation company is used by more than one or two other TEFL companies.
Website quality: Looks modern, readable and cared for; clear policies and contact details.
Reviews & outcomes: Has independent reviews and real stories from past students
Support & contact: Easy to contact, and replies sound human and helpful when you ask questions
Sales tactics: Fair, consistent pricing with occasional genuine promos
Red flag central 🚩
Accreditation: Vague badges or logos, no accreditor named, no way to confirm it’s genuine. No verifiable client list.
Website quality: Looks like a rushed template, random stock images, poor design and broken links everywhere, unclear terms or policies
Reviews & outcomes: Only vague claims and no real outcomes displayed. No genuine reviews hosted on third-party platforms.
Support & contact: Hard to reach, pushy responses, or sound defensive when asked questions about legitimacy
Sales tactics: Permanent “90% off”, countdown timers that mysteriously reset, year-round “flash sales”
What to check 
Good and affordable
Red flag central 🚩
Accreditation
Names a real accreditor and shows you how to verify it on their site. The accreditation company is used by more than one or two other TEFL companies.
Vague badges or logos, no accreditor named, no way to confirm it’s genuine. No verifiable client list.
Website quality
Looks modern, readable and cared for; clear policies and contact details.
Looks like a rushed template, random stock images, poor design and broken links everywhere, unclear terms or policies
Reviews & outcomes
Has independent reviews and real stories from past students
Only vague claims and no real outcomes displayed. No genuine reviews hosted on third-party platforms.
Support & contact
Easy to contact, and replies sound human and helpful when you ask questions
Hard to reach, pushy responses, or sound defensive when asked questions about legitimacy
Sales tactics
Fair, consistent pricing with occasional genuine promos
Permanent “90% off”, countdown timers that mysteriously reset, year-round “flash sales”
When you’re looking at cheaper courses, the goal isn’t to hunt for the absolute lowest number.
Just try to find ones that lands firmly in the good and affordable column: 
  • accredited and easy to verify
  • honest about what’s inside and what you’ll pay
  • run by people who look like they clearly care about the course and their students
Our 120-hour course is deliberately priced at the affordable end of the market, but it’s built to match that good side of the checklist: accredited, transparent about the contents, no hidden fees, a site we actually look after, and we really do care about our graduates and their futures.
If a low-priced TEFL course can’t tick most of those boxes, it’s usually a sign to be careful and keep looking.

5. Accreditation: what it is and how to verify it

Short answer:
Accreditation is basically quality control for TEFL courses. A genuine accrediting body (separate from the course provider) reviews the course content, assessments, policies and support, then approves it if it meets their standards. 

Employers expect an accredited TEFL certificate. The trouble is that the TEFL industry isn’t tightly regulated, so there are many fake or meaningless accreditations floating around. That’s why you should always verify accreditation instead of just trusting a logo.

What TEFL accreditation actually means

In simple terms, TEFL/TESOL accreditation means an independent organisation has checked the course provider.

They’ve reviewed things like:
  • syllabus and learning outcomes
  • tutor qualifications
  • assessment methods
  • student support and complaints procedures
The provider is then approved to display that accreditor’s name or seal, providing they pass ongoing checks or renewals.
Unlike universities, which are regulated at a national level, TEFL doesn’t have one global official regulator. Instead, there are multiple accrediting bodies with different levels of strictness and reputation.
That’s why you’ll see a mix of:
  • long-established education / accreditation organisations
  • TEFL-specific accreditation bodies
  • and, unfortunately, made-up “accreditors” created by course providers themselves.
The key idea being: real accreditor means external quality control and accountability. Fake accreditation means no real guarantee of quality, even if the logo looks impressive.
Note:
Many TEFL providers list things as accreditation or accreditation partners that have nothing to do with course quality. For example, some will point to:
  • apostille or legalisation services
  • being a registered learning provider or having a company registration number
  • membership in a generic professional body
These can be useful administrative or legal details, but they're not the same as academic accreditation and don’t say anything about how good the course itself is. Always look for a named accreditor and check you can find the course or provider on that accreditor’s website.

Why accreditation matters

For most people comparing TEFL courses, accreditation matters for three main reasons:
  1. Employers care.
  2. It protects your time and money.
  3. It’s a quick filter for scams.
That said, accreditation alone doesn’t automatically mean a course is perfect for you.
You should obviously still look at:
  • The cost (Will it fit your budget?)
  • The level and depth of the course (Will you be getting enough training for your goals?)
  • How it’s delivered (Is it self-paced and online, or in-person? Will it fit your schedule?)
Think of accreditation as a baseline must-have when picking a course, but not the only deciding factor.

How to check if a TEFL course’s accreditation is real

Luckily, you don’t need to be an expert to verify accreditation.
A quick 5-minute check will usually tell you a lot:
  1. Go to the accreditor’s website
    On their site, look for a list of approved providers or courses and check that the TEFL company you’re looking at is actually listed there.
  2. Check that the accreditor looks legitimate
    Have a look whether they accredit multiple TEFL or education providers, and not just one. If they do, check whether the other providers look legitimate themselves. It's also worth checking if they have been around for a while, or if they look like a shell site that's been set up quickly.
  3. Look at the bigger picture
    It's still important to combine what you’ve found with other signals: website quality, transparency about what’s in the course, genuine reviews (more on these later), and how they respond when you contact them. 

    Seemingly     good accreditation + everything else looking shady is still a red flag.

How our course handles accreditation

Since accreditation is such a big part of choosing a TEFL, we thought it'd be a good idea to show you how we handle ours, and how that lines up with the checks in this guide.
When we were setting up this course, we knew we didn’t just want a nice-looking badge. We wanted an accreditor that already worked with multiple TEFL/TESOL providers, had clear published standards, and enough experience to hold our course to a genuinely high bar and give graduates confidence that their certificate would be taken seriously.
In our case, our 120-hour course is accredited by ACCREDITAT, an external body that works with over 25 clients and specialises in evaluating TEFL/TESOL courses.
That means:
  • the course syllabus, assessment and tutor support have been reviewed against their standards
  • our accreditation is ongoing and reviewed each year, not a one-time rubber stamp
  • you can verify us directly on their website by searching for our provider name on their Clients page
We always recommend you double-check any course you’re considering (including ours). If a provider is confident in their accreditation, they shouldn’t mind you looking it up.
The bottom line: whatever course you choose, make sure you’re happy with who stands behind it, not just the number of hours or the price on the front. An accredited TEFL from a transparent provider is far more likely to be accepted by employers and to actually prepare you for real classrooms and online lessons.

6. Step-by-step: How to choose a TEFL/TESOL course (Checklist)

There are hundreds of TEFL courses out there, all claiming to be “fully accredited” and “internationally recognised”. And if you don’t already know the industry, it’s hard to tell what’s actually worth your time and money.
This step-by-step checklist is designed to help you sort through the noise and find the perfect course for you.

Step 1 – Get clear on your goal

Before you look at providers, decide what you actually want to do.
Ask yourself:
  • Teach online, teach abroad, or keep it as a side option?
  • Do you want this as a short-term adventure, a stepping stone into a new career, or a long-term career path?
  • How much time and money do you realistically have right now?
In general, if you're just starting out and want to teach online or find your first job abroad, go with an accredited 120-hour course. 
If you later decide that teaching is really your thing and you want to move into more competitive schools or university programmes, you can always add a CELTA-type or higher-level qualification on top to strengthen your options.

Step 2 – Decide on course type and format

Next, set a few basic filters so you’re not comparing everything with everything:
Online vs in-person
Online: Most online TEFL courses are self-paced. You log in, work through the modules in your own time, and submit assignments as you go. Some higher-priced online options add live classes or cohort start dates, but the majority are flexible enough to fit around a job or studies.
In-person/Intensive courses: These run on a fixed timetable in a physical centre (or occasionally as a live online intensive). They’re more expensive, but can include observed teaching practice, which certain higher-end schools look for.
Hours
20–60 hours: fine for the curious that just want to know more about TEFL
120 hours: good for those looking to get their first job, need a work visa, or want to teach online
Level 5/CELTA: good for those who want to go deeper and have the budget, but not necessary for every job and you can always take one later if you decide to specialise. For a broader look at long-term TESOL career paths, you can also check out TESOL International Association’s overview of beginning a career in English language teaching.
Once you know “I definitely want to learn online and only need 120-hours” or "I know I want to target high-end schools and have the budget for it", it becomes much easier to filter out options that simply don’t fit.

Step 3 – Create a shortlist of 2-3 providers

Now, rather than try and juggle 20 different tabs, make a shortlist of potential providers.
Look for providers that, at first glance:
  • Are transparent about what’s in the course
  • Have a website that looks like it’s been properly designed, updated, and maintained
  • Offer a course type that matches what you decided in Steps 1–2
You’re not making your final decision here. Just pick a small group of providers that seem promising enough to investigate properly.

Step 4 – Check accreditation

Before you go any further, make sure each course on your shortlist actually passes a basic accreditation check.
If you haven’t already: 
Scroll up to the section TEFL Accreditation section and follow the quick 5-minute test there.
If a course fails that test, it’s usually best to cross it off your list and move on to the next option.

Step 5 – Check what’s actually inside the course

Next, look at the content. Many providers will hide everything behind a paywall, so it's difficult to know exactly what you're going to get. This is by design, as they know you probably wouldn't buy it if you could see the contents of the course.
Good providers will:
  • Provide a reasonably detailed module-by-module syllabus or outline
  • Show examples or screenshots of the platform and course
  • Have a free taster module so you can see what you're getting
Be cautious if there’s almost no information about what you’ll be learning or it's phrased in a vague kind of way (You'll learn classroom management, how to teach grammar, etc.), or you can't see any of the actual contents.
You want to be confident that by the end, you’ll actually feel ready to plan and teach lessons, not just own a certificate!

Step 6 – Check reviews (and the type of review site)

Reviews are obviously hugely helpful, but you need to be smart about where you read them.
Look for:
  • Independent platforms – Trustpilot, Google reviews, Reddit, GoOverseas
  • Specific stories – people explaining how they actually used their certification to get a job, teach online, or move abroad
Be careful with "review” sites that don’t seem as independent as they claim.
Warning signs include:
  • almost every article ends by recommending the same provider
  • competitors are routinely described as “scams” while one course is presented as the only safe option
  • the same "award" is given to the same provider multiple years in a row
  • nearly every button or link pushes you toward one company
These kinds of sites can look pretty convincing at first glance, especially when you’re nervous about picking the wrong course. But cross-check what you see there with the proven independent sources like the ones mentioned above. 
You don’t need perfect consensus though, just a general idea that “Oh, people like me have taken this course and actually used their certification.”

Step 7 – Check pricing, hidden fees, and policies

Once you’re happy with the content and reviews, look closely at money and terms.
Is it clear what the price includes? Some common extra fees across TEFL courses are:
  • Printed certificates
  • “Admin fees” or "assessment fees"
  • Extensions if your course has an expiry date
It's worth noting that some add-ons are perfectly reasonable. For example, a provider might keep the base price low by only issuing a digital certificate (which is usually fine for employers and visa applications), and only charge extra if you want a printed, posted copy.
So the simple fact that there are optional extras isn’t always a red flag. What matters is how clearly those extras and their prices are explained up front, and whether the amounts feel fair.
If you only discover important fees at checkout, or you’re seeing things like a $50 “admin fee” for a basic certificate, that’s usually a sign to slow down and ask what else might be hidden.

Step 8 – Contact the provider and notice their response

Before you enrol, do a little research about your own situation (your passport, degree status, age, etc.) and then email the provider with a specific, realistic question.

For example, you could ask:

I have an Indian passport and a degree. Is it realistic for me to get legal work in South Korea with this certificate?
A good provider will explain any limits or complications, even if it’s not what you were hoping to hear. If your research tells you that it's unlikely you'd get legal work in this instance, but the provider glosses over the issue and promises the world, that’s a good sign you should be sceptical.

Step 9 – Make a decision you feel comfortable with

By this point, you should have:
  • a clear idea of the type of course you need (hours, format, level)
  • 1–2 providers that pass your checks on accreditation, content, reviews, and pricing
  • a sense of how each provider treats you when you contact them
At that stage, it’s usually better to make a decision than to keep researching endlessly.
No TEFL course is perfect, but: an accredited 120-hour online TEFL from a transparent provider with clear content, fair pricing and decent support is more than enough for most people to get started teaching online or in many schools abroad. You can always specialise, upgrade, or take more advanced qualifications later. 
The main goal of this first course is to give you a solid, recognised starting point, and the confidence to actually step into a classroom.

7. How we can help you get TEFL/TESOL-certified

simpleTEFL offers an accredited 120-hour online TEFL/TESOL course designed as a solid entry-level TEFL course that doesn’t break the bank.
You absolutely don’t have to choose our course just because you’re reading this guide, but if a good, affordable, accredited 120-hour online TEFL/TESOL course sounds like what you’re after, that’s exactly what simpleTEFL is designed to be.

What’s Inside Our 120-Hour TEFL Course

Our course is 100% online and self-paced. Inside, you’ll work through modules on:
You study in your own time, from any device with an internet connection. There are no fixed class times, which makes it easier to fit around work or studies.
On our course page, we show a full, module-by-module syllabus, screenshots of the platform, and a short video so you can see exactly what you’re getting before you enrol.

Accreditation and transparency

Our 120-hour TEFL course is accredited by ACCREDITAT, an external body that evaluates TEFL/TESOL providers. You can verify us directly on their website.
In line with the checks in this guide, we aim to be very clear about:
  • Who accredits us and how to verify it
  • What’s included in the price (marking, support, digital certificate)
  • How long you get access to the course
  • Any optional extras (such as printed certificates) and what they cost
We don’t run permanent “90% off” sales or hide important fees in the small print. The aim is that you can look at the course page and immediately understand what it is, what it costs, and what you’ll get.

How we keep our price low

We've managed to keep the cost of our course down without cutting corners because we:
  • Aren't chasing large profits to satisfy our marketing budget
  • Run the course entirely online with no expensive training centres to maintain
  • Focus on one main 120-hour course, instead of a huge catalogue of overlapping products
  • Keep our team and operations lean
We feel like this gives us the best chance of offering an honest, recognised 120-hour TEFL at a price that’s realistic if you’re changing careers, travelling, or just getting started.

Is this course a good fit for you?

Our 120-hour TEFL course is likely a good fit if you:
  • Are changing careers or starting your first one
  • Interested in teaching online or taking your first job abroad
  • On a realistic budget and not keen on spending hundreds or thousands right away
  • Prefer self-paced online study you can fit around work, studies or travel
  • Nervous about scams, and want something simple and transparent
That said, it may not be the best first choice if you already have substantial teaching experience and have the budget to go straight into a high-end, in-person qualification.

View all the details of our accredited 120-hour online TEFL/TESOL course here:

8. FAQ: TEFL courses, cheap deals and getting certified

Is a 120-hour TEFL certificate enough to get a job?

Short answer: For most beginners, yes. An accredited 120-hour TEFL is the standard baseline many schools and online platforms look for.
More detail:
A 120-hour TEFL is usually enough to get started with:
  • entry-level jobs in many language schools abroad
  • many online teaching roles
  • your first private students
For very competitive schools, universities or top-end language centres, you may later add a higher-level or in- person qualification (e.g. CELTA / Level 5), but you don’t have to start there.
For the full breakdown, see the section “How many TEFL/TESOL hours do you need?” above.

Do I need a degree as well as TEFL?

Short answer:
It depends where and how you want to teach. Some countries and platforms require a bachelor’s degree, others don’t.

More detail:
Many government programmes and better-paid jobs abroad want a degree + 120-hour TEFL.

But there are countries and online platforms that will hire teachers without a degree, especially for lower-barrier roles or freelance / private students.

If you have a specific country in mind, it’s worth checking their current visa rules and typical job ads. If you have a specific country in mind, it’s worth checking current visa rules and typical job ads, and you can also see the section “Do you actually need a TEFL/TESOL to teach?” above for more context.

Are cheap TEFL courses legit?

Short answer:
Some are, some definitely aren’t. A low price doesn’t automatically mean a scam. No matter the price of the course, you need to look closely at accreditation, transparency and hidden fees.

More detail:
A cheap TEFL course can be legit if:
  • it’s properly accredited and easy to verify
  • it clearly shows what’s in the course
  • the price and any extras are explained up front


Be cautious of courses that:
  • use vague “internationally accredited” claims with no named accreditor
  • don't show any of the course contents
  • run permanent “90% off today only!” style sales


For the full list of things to watch out for, see the sections “How much should a TEFL/TESOL course cost?” and “What a good affordable TEFL course should look like.” above.

Is TEFL the same as TESOL? Which one do I need?

Short answer:
In most job ads, TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are used almost interchangeably.

More detail:
A few universities or specialist programmes use TESOL in a more academic, long-term-career sense, but for most language schools and online jobs, employers mainly want to see a recognised teaching-English qualification, not one exact label.

If a school specifically asks for TESOL, an accredited TEFL/TESOL certificate from a known provider will be acceptable – but you can always email and ask them to confirm.

For a fuller explanation, see the section “TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, Level 5 – what’s the difference?” above.

Will my TEFL certificate expire?

Most TEFL certificates do not expire. Once you’ve completed the course, the qualification is yours.

Is TEFL certification recognised worldwide?

Short answer:
There is no single global official “TEFL licence”, but a properly accredited 120-hour TEFL is widely accepted by language schools and online platforms around the world.

More detail:
What matters far more than the brand name is whether the course has:
  • accreditation that can be independently verified
  • at least 120 hours of structured training
  • a provider with a decent, transparent reputation

Acceptance is always up to individual employers, but if your course passes the basic checks in this guide, it should be recognised by most employers who accept online TEFL/TESOLs.

For more detail, see the sections “How many TEFL/TESOL hours do you need?” and “How to check if a TEFL course’s accreditation is real.” above.

How long does it take to finish a 120-hour TEFL course?

Short answer:
It depends how much time you can give it. If you study part-time, many people finish in a few weeks. If you treat it like a full-time project, you can complete it faster.

More detail:
“120 hours” usually means the estimated study time, not a fixed schedule. With an online, self-paced course you can log in whenever you have time and stop when you need to, which makes it easier to fit around work or studies.

When you compare courses, check how long you have access (for example, 3 months, 6 months or 12 months) so you know you have enough time to finish comfortably.

Can I teach English online with just a TEFL and no experience?

Short answer:
Yes. Many people start teaching online with a 120-hour TEFL and no formal teaching background.

More detail:
Some companies will hire new teachers with:
  • a 120-hour TEFL
  • a good internet connection and basic tech setup
  • a successful demo lesson and interview
Others prefer a degree plus some teaching or tutoring experience. Private tutoring (one-to-one classes you arrange yourself) can be more flexible but requires more initiative on your part.

In all cases, a decent TEFL course should give you enough lesson-planning and classroom skills to feel prepared for those first lessons. For more on this, see the parts of this guide that talk about teaching English online and what employers actually look for.

Do I need CELTA or a Level 5 course as well?

Short answer:
Not to start. For most new teachers, an accredited 120-hour TEFL is enough for first jobs online or abroad.

More detail:
CELTA and Level 5 courses are great options if you:
  • already know you want a long-term career in ELT
  • want to work in more competitive schools or language centres


Many teachers start with a 120-hour TEFL, gain some experience, and then decide later whether a CELTA or Level 5 course is worth the extra time and money for their goals.

You don’t need to go straight to the most expensive option to find out if you actually enjoy teaching.

What if I buy a TEFL course and then realise it isn’t right for me?

Short answer:
That’s why it’s important to check the refund policy before you enrol.

More detail:
Good providers clearly state:
  • how long you have to change your mind
  • whether you can get a full or partial refund
  • what happens if you haven’t started the course yet


Be cautious if refund information is buried, vague, or missing altogether. If in doubt, email and ask them to confirm in writing. For more on this, see the pricing and “hidden fees” parts of this guide above.
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