FAQ

General FAQs

Q. Can I add on courses later?

A. Of course, you can. But, we like to encourage you to enrol on the higher level courses by making it cheaper for you. It's up to you.

Q. Can TEFL England set me up with a job following the course?

A. We are continually setting up arrangements with schools overseas, so keep an eye on the website to see what jobs are available. Once you enrol on a TEFL England course, you will be able to call us any time to discuss your TEFL job options, just make the call.

Q. Do I need to get anything for the course?

A. You don't, but we recommend a grammar reference book since this is the most essential resource any teacher can have. There are a number on the market. Ones we have used when we were starting are Practical English Usage by Michael Swan or A - Z of Grammar by Geoffrey Leach.

Q. Do I need to know grammar?

A. You don't need any prior knowledge. You'll get an introduction to grammar on the course, plus you can take our grammar course to really build your confidence in English grammar.

Q. Do I need to speak the local language?

A. Absolutely not! Even if you do speak the local language, don't in the classroom. The whole point of having native English-speaking English teachers is that you provide a feeling of total immersion in the classroom and the students are forced to communicate in English. Of course, learning the language helps in your life outside the classroom.

Q. Does the certificate expire?

A. No, it doesn't. But, be realistic. Employers might be less attracted to you if it has been a couple of years since you took your course and have done no teaching in that period.

Q. How do I apply?

A. You can apply online through our secure payment system or over phone or even by post. You can use credit / debit cards or cheques. To make it even easier, we will also accept a £50 deposit to reserve your place.

Q. How long do the courses take?

A. The weekend course is done over one weekend! The online courses will depend on how much time you set aside for completing it. 2 - 3 months should be more than enough to cover the online course and the grammar course.

Q. Is there international TEFL accreditation?

A. There is no one awarding body for TEFL. Most course providers provide their own accreditation or seek accreditation from accrediting bodies that are not TEFL-specific.

Q. What is TEFL?

A. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is teaching English to people who do not speak English as their first language. This is largely done abroad, however, increasingly a lot of people are teaching English here in the UK You will also find other acronyms like TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), there are the same as TEFL.

Q. What is the difference between TEFL England courses and other courses?

A. TEFL England courses have been written by some of the most experienced teacher trainers in TEFL. Having over 25 years of experience between us we have designed the courses to give first-time TEFL teachers everything they need to become the best they can be.

Q. What is the difference between the online and weekend course?

A. What you learn on the courses are pretty much the same. The weekend course is practical and fast-paced whereas the online course is more theoretical and you can progress through the course in your time, plus you have one-to-one tuition. Many TEFL students take both courses so they can see the theory of the online course put into practice on the weekend course.

Q. What qualifications do I need to apply for a course?

A. We believe that if you can speak English then you have the potential to teach it. Therefore, we only ask that you are a native-level speaker of English and that you have the enthusiasm to learn something new. No other qualifications or experience is necessary.

Q. What support will I get on the course?

A. All our courses are tutor-guided so you will receive the support you need. You can access the TEFL Scotland forums and community and discuss aspects of the course with others in the same position as you. You will also have access to our helpdesk should you have any queries about your course.

Q. When will I receive my certificate?

A. You will receive your certificate within 14 days of completing your course. If you need it sooner then give us a call and we'll see what we can do.

Q. Where are TEFL England courses held?

A. TEFL England courses are held throughout England, if you think we should be holding a course somewhere we are not, then let us know.

Q. Which course should I take?

A. There are a number of different courses, but a simple rule is that the more you learn, the more prepared and more confident you are. Also, your CV will look more competitive if you have a 110-hour course rather than a 20-hour course. However, some already have the confidence and just need the basic weekend or online course (perhaps with the grammar course too). It really depends on you. All our courses will find you paid teaching work overseas. If you have any doubts then give us a call.

Q. Will a TEFL England certificate get me a job?

A. Yes it will. TEFL England graduates are teaching all over the world. See where they are teaching by visiting the TEFL England community.

Q. Will I be able to apply for jobs straight after the course?

A. On average, about a third of students have secured jobs before they go on the course, others will apply for work after having done the course. So, you can apply for work as soon as you make the decision to go abroad and do it.