Here's Everything You Need To Know About Doing A TEFL Course

If you're looking to try something different on a year off college or even if you've finished college, a TEFL course can be a great opportunity. It means you'll immerse yourself in the culture, genuinely make a difference in children's lives and of course, have a lot of fun.

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and is what you need to teach English abroad. If you're thinking of heading off in the near future but have no idea where to even start, we've decided to give you all the information you need to get going. With everything from visas to online hours, it'll all make much more sense to you.

1. Figure out how many hours you need

It's important you study a TEFL course that's fully recognised worldwide. You'll need a basic 120-hour course to get things started and from there, you can choose to do more hours in order to have more experience.

2. Sort out your visa before you go

If you choose to do something like a TEFL internship sometimes the company you do your TEFL training through will assist you in securing a visa. If, however, you decide to try and find a job by yourself, you'll have to sort out your visa before you leave. It's all very much dependent on which country you teach in.

3. Consider doing an internship

With a TEFL internship, you normally get your accommodation, airport transfers and in-country orientation for free! Sometimes this even includes meals, but most importantly internships feature on the ground support, in case something goes wrong or if you're heading over by yourself.

4. If you have a degree you can earn more money

By having a Bachelor's degree in any field you are automatically entitled to a wider range of courses and jobs. This means you'll get priority over non-degree holders as well as more cash to match.

5. Shop around for different TEFL providers

By doing some research you'll find that companies can charge vastly different rates for doing the same course. Make sure to click on as many companies as you can but also keep in mind that a recognised company is probably safer. Ask friends who have done TEFL courses who they went with in order to get a full scope on what to expect.