If you fancy the idea of teaching English online from home, or teaching English abroad in the classroom in an amazing country, then TEFL is the perfect career option for you. 

But what qualifications are needed to be able to take a TEFL/TESOL course? We have great news, because there aren’t any!

To be able to take a TEFL course:

You need to have a great command of the English language, obviously. 

To teach English, we need to have excellent reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, as well as great pronunciation. 

Although you do not need to be a native English speaker to be able to teach English, your ability should match that of a native speaker. A native English speaker has an English level C2. This is the highest level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).  

TEFL/TESL teacher characteristics: 

The position of a TEFL/TESL teacher will require a confident and motivated individual. You need to encourage your learners and find different ways to keep your lessons engaging, interesting and fun. 

A quality TEFL/TESOL course should challenge you while teaching you at the same time. It should include practical work to ensure you get the best paying job opportunities as most companies require that your course include practicum.

You do not need a matric to teach English online and abroad:

You do not need a matric certificate to be able to teach English online or abroad. Some online companies require a degree, just as certain countries abroad require a degree for you to be eligible to receive a visa to work in the country. But there are many online companies that do not require a degree. 

Read more in our blog post Do I Need a Degree to Teach English Online?

If you would like more information about teaching English online and abroad, download our informative e-book: Everything You Need to Know About Teaching English Online & Abroad. Or head over to our Contact page and get in touch with any questions you might have.