what-is-tefl-certification

Whether you suspect you already know all about TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language), what it stands for, and have a good idea about the opportunities it offers, or are far earlier on your journey, we will help you learn all about TEFL certification on this page.

As long as you think earning money by teaching English abroad or through online teaching companies, along with potentially travelling the world, boosting your CV, and gaining a TEFL certificate for life, you will find the following few hundred words invaluable.

Let’s get going. Within the next five minutes, TEFL certification and English language teaching abroad will no longer be a mystery.

So, what does TEFL stand for?

TEFL simply stands for teaching English as a foreign language, and that alone gives you a great idea as to what it involves.

TEFL itself is the process of teaching English to non native English speakers – whether in an English-speaking country to people whose first language is different, or in nations where English is not the primary language, whether this is for business purposes, in language schools, to teach children, or purely for personal reasons of English language learners.

However, TEFL also implies a formal, structured process of English language instruction, breaking down the language into manageable chunks so each lesson builds on the last. It ensures real progress, rather than ad hoc teaching.

Isn’t there also TESL and TESOL?

Yes –  there are other similarly lettered terms related to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). They all broadly focus on teaching English to those for whom it isn’t their first language.

Traditionally, TESL/TESOL is applied more where English is spoken locally, whereas TEFL is most often associated with teaching abroad roles. 

Yet a TEFL-certified person can also teach in the UK, the US, or online.

TEFL is the most widely recognised TEFL qualification, and it is a TEFL certification course that will open the most doors internationally.

TEFL Foreign Language Teaching Certification Explained

TEFL certification is the formal process of demonstrating that someone is qualified to teach English, by completing a TEFL course and passing to earn a TEFL certificate.

Most employers require candidates to be TEFL certified and expect proof of certification. 

However, not all certifications are the same…

TEFL certificate – TEFL level 3 vs TEFL level 5

When you take a course, you’ll end up with either a Level 3 or Level 5 TEFL certification. There’s no Level 1, 2 or 4!

While the levels might sound close, they’re worlds apart:

• Level 3 is an introductory online TEFL course, often adequate only for volunteer or lower-paid roles.
• Level 5 is the benchmark for international TEFL academy-style, government-regulated TEFL programs—widely accepted by visa-regulated countries and international language schools, and qualifies you as a professional English teacher with the credentials to teach abroad and teach English online.

We always recommend going straight for Level 5. Yes, you could start at Level 3 and top up later—but if you’re willing to put in the time, getting the right TEFL certification the first time is smarter.

What is learnt on a TEFL teaching course?

A TEFL course provider structures lessons so you go from fluent English speaker to skilled TEFL teacher:

• Classroom management
• Lesson planning
• English grammar & pronunciation
• Confidence for live practice teaching

It’s designed to enable students to make real progress. While learners may not become fluent instantly, they’ll gain key basics and know how to improve further.

Methods of gaining TEFL certification to teach non native speakers

Traditionally, TEFL certification courses were in-person, often weekly, over months. These still exist.

But now you have accredited TEFL courses like ours at Full Circle TEFL – fully accredited TEFL courses, accessible online, self-paced to suit your lifestyle. 

You can get TEFL certified online, at 120 hours the “magic number” that meets most hiring requirements and includes assessment and recap modules.

Finding the right TEFL course provider

Not all TEFL certification providers are equal. At Full Circle:

• We’re a fully accredited TEFL course provider offering Level 5 TEFL certification
• Our TEFL training guarantees over 100+ hours of on-course learning (120‑hour standard)
• We offer flexible learning (classroom or online TEFL)
• We fit your budget—our TEFL certification cost starts low
• We have money‑back and pass guarantees
• We help students get TEFL certified and find tefl jobs

Salary expectations

Earnings vary, especially between Level 3 and Level 5 certified roles. As a rule, Level 5 teachers earn roughly double, with top-tier countries offering $6,000+/month plus benefits.

How Long Does It Take?

Most take 3–6 months to complete a 120‑hour Level 5 TEFL certificate program, depending on pace. Online programs let you finish faster if you’ve got time.

What Does It Cost?

Costs vary, but at Full Circle TEFL, you can start today for as little as £44.99 –  a small investment compared to potential monthly earnings.

Who Is It For?

• Career changers, recent grads, digital nomads, mid-life explorers—anyone with good English who wants to teach English to speakers of other languages.
• No need for prior teaching experience or fluency in another language.

Where Can You Work With It?

A Level 5 TEFL certification lets you:

• Teach in Europe (Spain, Italy, Poland, Greece)
• Work in Asia (South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand)
• Take up Middle East jobs (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia)
• Teach online or find teaching English online gigs
• Offer high‑paying private tutoring

Essentially, it gives you global options.

TEFL Salaries & Benefits Around the World

TEFL isn’t just about flexibility –  your earning potential and lifestyle perks can be game‑changing:

• Typical monthly salaries range from $600–$6,000+, with top-paying regions offering $2,000–$5,000 or more depending on location, qualification level, and benefits.
• For example, teachers in China may earn £1,200–£1,600 per month, often with accommodation included. In Japan, salaries average £1,600–£2,200, though housing is typically not covered.
• In parts of South America, such as Chile and Colombia, salaries range from $500–$1,000, but low cost of living can mean a comfortable lifestyle.
• Middle Eastern markets like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar often provide $2,000–$6,000+ monthly, frequently alongside housing, flights, and medical insurance.
• Accommodation, airfare, health insurance, and relocation bonuses significantly boost overall compensation. Even when base salary is modest, employer-provided benefits can leave you with more disposable income.

Why Accredited Level 5 TEFL Matters

Pursuing a Level 5 accredited TEFL course can be life-changing. It is…

• Accredited Level 5 TEFL is equivalent to a UK Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) or HND, demonstrating mature-level study.
• Ofqual-regulated accreditation ensures your credentials are trusted by schools, visa bodies, and international employers.
• Accreditation carries tangible benefits: risk reduction, market confidence, due diligence, continuous improvement, and expert oversight.
• The Level 5 TEFL is on par with CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL, widely recognised in professional circle.
• Beware of courses that claim “Level 5” without accreditation—true Level 5 meets strict external standards and includes live practice teaching, formal assessment, and tutor support.

How TEFL Opens Your Teaching Career

A strong TEFL foundation (especially Level 5) paves the way to real-world teaching roles:

• International programs, such as JET in Japan, public school assistant roles, or NGO-led schemes in Chile, often require at least 120 hours of accredited TEFL training.
• In visa-regulated countries (e.g., the UAE, South Korea, Saudi Arabia), recruiters typically require Level 5 or equivalent credentials, such as CELTA or CertTESOL.
• TEFL-qualified teachers are a high-demand commodity; Brits leaving the UK’s system are joining international schools by the tens of thousands for better pay, working conditions, and a better lifestyle.
• TEFL opens doors across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and online, you can also build freelance income with private tutoring or online teaching.
• You’ll gain lifelong teaching practice, classroom management skills, and confidence, ideally suited to teaching English as a foreign or second language, to young learners, adults, or specialised groups.

About Full Circle Online TEFL courses

Since 2015, we’ve helped 70,000+ learners become certified TEFL teachers:

• UK Government Regulated Diploma – Level 5 (CELTA equivalent)
• Start earning in 6 weeks
• Access the highest‑paying jobs in Middle East
• Start today for as little as £44.99 / $54.99

Our vision: affordable, accredited certification that prepares you fully for Day 1 of your TEFL career.