Thinking about working abroad? Considering teaching English as a Foreign Language, or TEFL? Yes, please! 

Not surprisingly, we’re big fans of living and teaching English abroad. For us, it’s what dreams are made of.

But we understand you may have some questions: Is it easy to find a TEFL job? What qualities make a good TEFL teacher? Where can I teach?

But today, let’s talk about another common question we get: How long does it take to get a TEFL job?

How long does it take to get a TEFL job?

Let’s break it down a bit. Getting a TEFL job requires a few steps, from getting a TEFL qualification to packing your bags. 

Getting a TEFL certificate

The first step to getting a TEFL job is to sign up and complete a TEFL certificate. Your TEFL qualification should be from an internationally recognised and reputable TEFL provider. Be sure to check out their accreditation, reputation and online reviews before signing up for the cheapest course you can find. 

Considering this is a genuine teaching qualification, you don’t want to skimp on your qualification. A rule of thumb is, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!

How long is a TEFL course?

It’s recommended far and wide that you get a TEFL certificate that is at least 120 hours long. So, that’s how long a TEFL course is, right – 120 hours? 

Well, yes and no.

What’s the quickest way to get a TEFL certificate?

In theory, a 120-hour TEFL course means your TEFL course can be completed in 120 hours, or 5 days – if you eat, sleep and breathe your TEFL course and take zero time off for, well, life and survival and those kinds of things. 

Not doable.

But if you have the time to commit full-time to the course and study 8 hours a day, your TEFL course can be done in just over 2 weeks.

If you don’t have the luxury to zip through your TEFL course like this, there are a number of other options: 

• If you do a full-time TEFL course in a face-to-face setting, you’re likely to be in class from 9 to 5, Mondays to Fridays. In this case, your TEFL course will take you 4 weeks to complete. 
• Alternatively, you can do your TEFL course while you are working part-time or full-time. In these cases your study time should be approximately 120 hours, but those hours will be spread out over a couple of months.

Bear in mind that if you haven’t been in a classroom or a study setting for a while, it might take you longer than someone who is fresh out of high school. TEFL courses require plenty of reading articles and books, and writing assignments and tests. If you’re a bit rusty with your study skills, you can expect your progress to be a bit slower than other students. (And that’s ok!).

How long is a TEFL certificate valid for?

You’ll be happy to hear that your hard work will pay off. A TEFL qualification is valid for life – the same as a degree. Your qualification cannot expire. Though you can most certainly upskill yourself by doing additional short courses or specialised courses, with a TEFL certificate you are a qualified TEFL teacher.

With the TEFL qualification out of the way, the next step is to apply for a job.

Applying for TEFL jobs

These days, applying for a TEFL job abroad or online is relatively easy, but can be overwhelming. The easiest way to apply for a TEFL job is to look online, regardless of where you want to teach.

Check out TEFL jobs boards and specific websites for TEFL vacancies for opportunities. If you have a specific destination in mind, focus on websites which are country-specific. 

When can I apply for teaching jobs?

The good news is that you can start applying for teaching positions before you’ve finished your TEFL course. As long as the end is in sight and your TEFL provider can give you a statement of enrollment, there should be no problem looking for jobs while doing your TEFL course – if you have time!

How easy is it to get a TEFL job?

The demand for TEFL teachers is high all around the globe. Of course job availability will be higher in certain places but what it comes down to are your qualifications and experience. 

If you’re applying for teaching jobs that match the job requirements, it’s pretty easy to get a  job. If you don’t match the requirements then don’t be disappointed when you don’t get called for an interview. 

Degree requirements are usually government-mandated for work visas or work permits. If you don’t have a degree but you’re looking at a job with a degree requirement, don’t waste your time. There are plenty of job opportunities which are available to you without a degree.

How long does it take to get a TEFL job?

Don’t forget the job application process can consist of a few steps. You are sure to be asked for an interview, usually done online. You may need to prepare a lesson or lesson materials for your interview. They may ask you to do a demo lesson or send through a demo video. 

The interview process may include a few rounds of interviews, so that process can take a few weeks in itself. But generally speaking, with a solid TEFL certificate behind your name, finding a TEFL job shouldn’t take too long.

In fact, The TEFL Academy recently conducted a survey of almost 1,200 people – graduates of The TEFL Academy, current TEFL students and those interested in doing TEFL. Of those respondents who had teaching experience (ie are currently teaching or have taught before):

• 45% found a job in less than a month
• 30% found a job in less than 3 months, and
• a further 10% found a job in 3 to 6 months.

In other words, 75% found a job in less than 3 months, and 85% in less than 6 months.

One way to speed up the job application process is to make sure your paperwork is in order before you send off your applications. Dust off your CV and make sure it reflects your best qualities as a teacher. Write the outline of a cover letter which can be tweaked according to the job offer. Ensure your passport is valid. Have your degree certificates and other qualifications certified and/or apostilled. Apply for your Police Clearance Certificate or Criminal Background Check. 

All of this paperwork takes time to organise. If you’ve got everything sorted from the get-go your job application process will go a lot more smoothly  – and more quickly.

So, to answer the question: how long does it take to get a TEFL job? 

If we include the time it takes to do your TEFL course, it takes on average 3 to 6 months, but it depends how long you need for your TEFL course.

6 Months from now you could be stepping onto a plane! Imagine!