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4 Reasons to Get a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certification

Written by CB Community

If you have wanderlust and a talent for teaching, you’ve probably thought about jetting off to teach English as a second language.

But, before you book your plane ticket or sign on for that slightly-sketchy program that wants to hire you regardless of credentials, it’s worth a bit of research into the benefits of getting your TEFL certification.

TEFL simply stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and is primarily geared towards people who want to teach English to students abroad. 

This is different from TESOL, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, which is primarily for teaching English to non-native speakers in the US.

There are a variety of different TEFL certification programs, some of which are available remotely online, in person, or a combination of both. There are even some that will teach you on-site in the country of your choice and guarantee job placement for you following the successful completion of your course.

Before you know it, you could be living your best life as an English-teaching Thailand resident.

Read on for four more reasons to enroll in a TEFL certification program today!

1. Stand Out to Future Employers

While not every country or school requires teachers to have a TEFL certification, higher caliber schools do, and some countries like China and South Korea won’t even sponsor your visa without one!

Having a TEFL certification will expand your employment options, both in terms of location and compensation. 

Most of the best (and highest-paying) schools will require you to have one, and it will offer you protection from potential scammers.

But even if you choose a location or a school that doesn’t require TEFL certification, having one will make you stand out to hiring managers.

And, if you don’t have much teaching experience, a TEFL certification can help fill out some of the gaps in your resume.

2. Become a Better Teacher

Even the most seasoned teachers will admit that teaching English as a foreign language is a whole different ball game from teaching a course to native speakers.

A TEFL certification isn’t just a resume-booster, it’s also a training experience that will make you a better teacher

Teaching certainly isn’t a way to get-rich-quick; most of us are drawn to it because we want to make a difference in the world. 

The best way to do that is to take the job seriously!

A TEFL certification course can help you take your skills to the next level and be a better teacher to your English-learning students. 

3. Long-lasting Investment

The cost of a TEFL certification course varies greatly depending on the program, whether it’s in person or online, and whether or not it includes a practicum component.

However, the best part of TEFL certifications is that they are lifelong investments — your certification never expires. 

Most teaching professionals would of course recommend semi-regular training to brush up on your skills and new techniques, but once you have your TEFL certification, you’ll have it for life.

Most TEFL courses can be completed in a month full-time, or a few months if you attend part-time. Definitely a drop in the bucket for something you’ll have for the rest of your life!

4. Travel the World

We saved the best (and most obvious) for last. Having a TEFL certification will expand your opportunities for living abroad!

Teaching English as a foreign language is an amazing way to live and work in the country of your dreams while doing something truly worthwhile.

A TEFL certification is a huge step in making that dream a reality. 

About the author

CB Community

Passionate members of the College Basics community that include students, essay writers, consultants and beyond. Please note, while community content has passed our editorial guidelines, we do not endorse any product or service contained in these articles which may also include links for which College Basics is compensated.