Tired of your everyday work routine, and craving adventure? Why not start looking for the best TEFL certification to get your foot in the airplane door? While you don’t necessarily need a TEFL certification to teach English abroad, it is absolutely a great idea if you’re looking into earning a higher salary and to make yourself a top-notch candidate.
Getting the best TEFL certification you can is a wise choice to fund your travels, and it will prepare you for rewarding professional experiences teaching English abroad. If you’ve made it to this article, you’re no doubt looking for options to suit your needs, so we’ve rounded up a list of the best TEFL certification programs, ranging from low-cost options to online choices.
Start exploring the best TEFL programs now!
Ready to turn your travel goals into a teaching career? Check out our picks for different categories...
Best Online TEFL Certification Program
Our pick: International TEFL Academy (ITA)
Whether you’ve got your eyes set on teaching English in Argentina or Italy, ITA can prep you for it. Since ITA TEFL courses are completed online, this is a great pick for would-be TEFL teachers who need a flexible certification program. Their university-level, 170-hour online course grants you access to a virtual classroom where you can complete homework and quizzes at your own pace. You’ll get 150 hours of online training and 20 hours of in-person observation in an ESL classroom in your hometown.
The great thing about online TEFL Certification programs is that they’re usually the cheapest and most flexible choices. If you have a busy schedule, it’s a relief to be able to complete a course like this from your home at the right pace for you.
Request more info about International TEFL Academy's TEFL Course
Look for the best low-cost TEFL certification to keep a little green in your pocket.
Best TEFL Certification for Long-Term Teaching Careers
Our pick: The TEFL Institute
The TEFL Institute offers a government-regulated 180-hour Level 5 TEFL Diploma that goes beyond the standard 120-hour requirement and is widely recognized as a gold-standard qualification by employers worldwide. It’s designed for those aiming not just to teach abroad, but also to build long-term careers with opportunities for advancement into senior or specialized roles.
What sets this program apart is its strong focus on career sustainability, with access to innovative tools. Moonrise Teacher Wellbeing Collective is a community and resource hub focused on mental health and burnout prevention. The TEFL Explorer platform helps you research destinations, compare hiring requirements, and map out your next contract after your first job abroad. Combined with lifetime job support and career coaching, The TEFL Institute provides a solid choice if you're serious about long-term success in the English language teaching industry.
Secure your teaching career with an internationally recognized TEFL certification
Best Low-Cost TEFL Certification Program
Our pick: Premier TEFL
Tight budget? Premier TEFL understands that. They often have deals, such as up to 50 percent off TEFL certification courses and 50 percent off TEFL teaching internships. Their least expensive course, the 120-hour advanced TEFL course (from $99-$250 depending on their sales), offers fully accredited training, personal tutor support, a three-month study period, an internationally recognized certificate, and career advice.
In general, the fewer hours a TEFL certification program lasts, the cheaper it is. TEFL courses can be as short as 20 hours or as long as 250+ hours. While you’ll save money with a low-cost TEFL program, keep in mind that most employers will just recognize certificates of AT LEAST 120 hours. Cheaper courses also offer less hands-on teaching time. This choice is the best TEFL program for you if you plan on volunteering or if you’re dabbling with English teaching.
Look for the best online TEFL certification programs to fit your busy schedule.
Best TEFL Certification Programs Abroad
Our pick: MAXIMO NIVEL
Maximo Nivel offers a four-week TEFL certification course in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru, featuring 150 hours of intensive training and 10 to 12 hours of practical teaching with non-native speakers. Graduates receive lifetime job placement assistance and a professional recommendation letter. The program also provides 24/7 onsite support and can arrange local accommodations in San Jose, Antigua, or Cusco.
This is one of the best TEFL certification programs available, offering high-quality, intensive training that meets international standards and includes extensive teaching practice. While it requires travel to Latin America, the hands-on feedback and immersive cultural experience significantly enhance your growth as a teacher.
Our (other - we couldn't choose just one!) pick: TEFL Worldwide Prague
Pairing the usual 120 hours of courses with hands-on teaching experience and personalized TEFL advice, TEFL Worldwide Prague fits right in with the best of the best. Thanks to TEFL Worldwide Prague, more than 3,000 graduates have gone on to teach English all over the world with their TEFL certification in hand. If you are looking for an accredited course with lifetime job guidance and a magical setting, TEFL Worldwide Prague will definitely cross off all your must-haves.
Find the best TEFL certification programs abroad in your dream locale – like Thailand!
Best TEFL Certification Programs in the U.S.
Our pick: International TEFL and TESOL
International TEFL and TESOL (ITT) offers flexible, accredited online courses that let you get certified from anywhere in the USA. With options ranging from 60 to 180 hours, including a Level 5 qualification, you can choose the path that best fits your schedule and career goals. Follow modules packed with interactive content like videos, quizzes, and assignments, plus guidance from a personal tutor who provides feedback on lesson plans and progress.
If you’re from the United States, you’ll most likely benefit financially from being able to stay closer home to earn a TEFL certification (but don't forget the reasons to take TEFL courses abroad instead of at home).
If you’re coming to the U.S. from another country, you’ll benefit from experiencing American culture and practicing your (American) English. At the same time, you have to keep in mind that your ESL students will probably have a higher base for learning the language than they would in a non-English-speaking country, so your classroom experience may be more challenging elsewhere.
The best TEFL certification programs might be in your own back yard!
Best TEFL Certification Programs for YOU
After having taken the above categories into account, now is the time to think about the best program that fits YOUR needs. Some things to consider before getting TEFL certified abroad include: Is this program accredited? What’s my budget? Do I have enough time to dedicate to an in-person certification or would I breathe easier with an online course? The on-site vs. online TEFL courses debate is a big one to think about.
It will also be important to ask yourself which country you would like to become TEFL certified in. If you’re planning to teach in one country, why not get certified there? Then, you can decide whether or not you enjoy the local cuisine, work culture, and other factors that can make or break a teaching stint abroad.
The important thing is to find the best TEFL certification for YOU.
The absolute best TEFL certification is hard to say...
Whether you’re dreaming of delicious noodles to slurp in Vietnam or you can’t wait to make bank teaching English in the Middle East, doing your homework will help you find the right fit, as will reaching out to program alumni. You’ll also be better able to weed out suspicious certifications. Teaching placements should require you to be TEFL certified with a minimum amount of teaching hours, then any job that doesn’t meet this minimum is probably a scam. When in doubt, get a second opinion (or a third!).
No matter which accredited TEFL certification program you pick, you’re bound for a life altering experience, and some professional development and cultural integration to boot (especially if you choose one on GoAbroad)! Once you have gained experience and maybe a higher qualification, like a TEFL diploma, you’ll nail down more competitive ESL teaching jobs overseas, like an English program, TEFL teacher trainer, or curriculum designer. Just be open to the possibilities, and the world won’t cease to deliver!
Once you’re ready to put your TEFL magic to use — find teaching jobs on GoAbroad!
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Charleen Johnson Stoever
Meaningful Travel Insider
Char is an introverted lover of dragon fruit juice. She loves sitting with Nicaraguan children on the side of the street while patiently breaking down North American stereotypes. With a short haircut and watermelon shaped earrings, she is passionate about mental health and the rewards that come with vulnerable travel. Not only does she write for five different blogs, she also teaches art and English classes in the mountains of Nicaragua.
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