TEFL Courses in the United States

Opportunities abound for teachers to earn TEFL certification in the USA, which is why the it’s one of the most popular places to enroll in TEFL courses abroad.

San Francisco. Living on the edge of the Pacific Ocean seems to inspire creativity in a lot of people, and it has had an influence on eclectic San Francisco. If your TEFL certification classes in the USA take you to the Bay area, your studies will be easily complemented by cool coffee shops and trendy shopping districts.

Chicago. Chicago is New York’s friendlier Midwestern brother, and arguably just as exciting (and with arguably better pizza). Chicago TEFL courses in the USA will leave you wanting more of the Windy City, and fortunately there’s plenty of classes to choose from.

New York City. New York is a natural choice when it comes to TEFL certification classes in the USA—with culture oozing out of its ears, it’s a logical choice. NYC is both the best and worst parts of the United States, so bring a sense of humor with you. Here, there are plenty of options for TEFL classes, so you can afford to be a little bit more picky.

There will be no lack of TEFL courses in the United States for you to choose from. That being said, it’s important that teachers do their research and consider how much time they can devote to TEFL certification courses in the USA.

The structure of TEFL certification programs in the USA will depend on the type of course you sign up for. You can expect a standard 100+ hour course to incorporate academic training and practical experience. This combination will typically hold accreditation by the most reputable institutions, though standards may vary from one institution to the next.

For those who don’t have as much time to spend on training, a four week TEFL program in the U.S. is another great option. These courses are condensed into a few weeks, so expect learning to happen at a faster and more intense pace.

Individuals who require even more freedom with a schedule will enjoy online TEFL courses. The type of learning involved is more self-directed, and is the most cost-effective for those who can’t relocate to a new place. If you’re looking for a shorter timeline, an online course may be more efficient than a classroom-based course.

Affordability. If you already call the United States home and you’re still trying to save up on funds to travel, earning your TEFL certification in the U.S. is one of the best moves you could make. Not only does it allow more time to save up before teaching English abroad, but you’ll also end up spending less money when participating in a course that’s close to home (and it’s cheaper than flying somewhere international). Costs will vary by location and organization, so it is recommended to lay out a realistic budget while researching different states and cities.

Native Experience. Living arrangements for students who want to get TEFL certified in the USA will be different based on the location and organization offering the course. If you’re traveling out of state or out of your native country for your TEFL program, you can typically expect that an organization will work with you to arrange accommodation beforehand. If you’re living in a bigger city, like San Diego or Boston, your organization may assist you in getting set up with an apartment, or potentially on-campus housing. Other organizations may require that you go about setting up accommodations independently, though assistance is usually offered.