English as a foreign language (EFL) teacher

Some employers may expect you to have a degree or postgraduate course that gives you qualified teacher status (QTS). Useful subjects include:

• English
• linguistics
• modern foreign languages
• education studies

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You can take Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) courses at colleges and private training providers all over the world. They vary widely in cost and length. You can do:

• a full-time course lasting 4 weeks or 120 hours
• a part-time course lasting 11, 16 weeks or 36 weeks
• a distance learning course where you may need to arrange your own teaching practice

The most common TEFL qualifications are:

• Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (Cambridge CELTA)
• Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Trinity CertTESOL)

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• an excellent standard of English
• A levels or equivalent qualifications

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could get experience as a paid language assistant in schools abroad. You do not need Teaching English as a Foreign Language qualifications for this, but you'll need to have completed at least 2 years in higher education.

The British Council has information about working abroad as an English language assistant.

You may need foreign language skills for some jobs.

You can work as an EFL teacher in further education. You'll usually need a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, which you can do through professional development. After the Diploma, you can get qualified teacher learning and skills status (QTLS).

To work in schools in the UK, you'll usually need to be a qualified teacher.

Further information

You can get more details on TEFL qualifications from Trinity College London and Cambridge English.

You can find out more about how to become a teacher in further education from FE Advice.

You'll need:

• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• excellent written communication skills
• analytical thinking skills
• persistence and determination
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults

In this role you could be:

• preparing and teaching language lessons and activities
• producing learning resources
• encouraging talking, to develop language and understanding
• setting and marking tests and exercises
• organising social and cultural activities, like sports, social events and trips
• keeping learner records

You could work at a language school, at a college or from home.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.