A 120-hour TEFL certificate is a foundational qualification for aspiring English teachers planning to work abroad. This certification not only equips you with essential teaching skills but also significantly enhances your resume. In the competitive landscape of English teaching positions globally, holding a 120-hour TEFL certificate often distinguishes candidates. While some positions might not mandate it, having this certification invariably gives you an edge, making you a preferred choice for employers in many countries.
Table of Contents
Can I teach English abroad with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Which countries recognize a 120-hour TEFL certification?
Can I teach English in Europe with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Can I teach English in Asia with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Can I teach English in Latin America with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Can I teach English in the Middle East with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Can I teach English online with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Can I teach English abroad with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Yes, a 120-hour TEFL certificate is a vital credential for those aiming to teach English abroad. It is the universally recognized standard for securing paid English teaching positions in countries across the globe. While the 120-hour denotes the course's accredited content and estimated study duration, individual completion times may vary based on a learner's pace. ITTT offers a self-paced 120-hour online TEFL course, typically completed in about three months by dedicating roughly ten study hours weekly. This flexibility ensures you can juggle the course alongside other responsibilities, making it a preferred choice for aspiring English educators worldwide.
Which countries recognize a 120-hour TEFL certification?
A 120-hour TEFL certification is globally recognized and paves the way for English teaching opportunities in numerous countries. Notably, countries like Spain, China, Japan, South Korea, and many others welcome teachers with such certification. While individual schools and institutions might have specific hiring criteria, a 120-hour TEFL certification is universally acknowledged and can also open doors to online English teaching positions and jobs in English-speaking nations.
Can I teach English in Europe with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Europe has a very competitive job market for teaching English as a foreign language. If you want to teach English in Europe you will need a TEFL or TESOL certificate of at least 100 hours and most of the time a four-year university degree.
Major European cities such as Madrid, Milan, Prague, Rome, and Istanbul all have dozens, if not hundreds, of private language schools specializing in English language instruction, and between 3,000 and 5,000 English teachers work in these cities each year.
Spain, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Turkey, and France are major job markets in Europe. Portugal, Greece, Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, Poland, and Romania also have a large number of teaching job openings.
Teaching programs like the French government's assistantship program, which recruits over 1,000 qualified Americans every year to work as assistant English teachers in public schools, is a great option. Spain also has a comparable teaching program.
Turkey has a high demand for English teachers and a great job market, especially for Americans who do not have to deal with a bias against EU citizens because Turkey is not a member of the EU.
Can I teach English in Asia with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Asia has become the world's largest market for English language instruction as it is the driving force of the international economy and the world's largest population center. More than 100,000 foreign English teachers work in Asia, and each year, Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and other Asian countries face a shortage of tens of thousands of new English teachers. Every month, a thousand English teachers are hired in Korea and China alone.
A four-year degree and a 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate are typically required in major Asian countries and native English speakers are strongly preferred throughout the region. Asia has more opportunities than any other region for teaching English to children.
Can I teach English in Latin America with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Costa Rica, Santiago in Chile, Buenos Aires in Argentina, and the great Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are all popular places to teach English in Latin America. While salaries are not as high as in Asia or the Middle East, the region's low cost of living makes it financially appealing while also providing a rich cultural experience.
Central and South America also provide numerous opportunities for those without a four-year degree, as well as fluent English speakers from non-native English speaking countries.
Can I teach English in the Middle East with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern countries are all looking for certified English teachers. Many Arab countries have English-taught university classes, and the region's location at the crossroads of East and West has made cities like Dubai major hubs of commerce and leisure where English is the norm.
Most positions in the wealthy Gulf States, in particular, are offered to experienced teachers with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in education, as well as an accredited TEFL/TESOL certification. Such jobs frequently come with lucrative contracts ($2,000 - $5,000 per month tax-free, free airfare and housing, and free health insurance).
Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey provide numerous job opportunities as well as opportunities to visit some of the world's most historically and culturally rich countries.
Can I teach English online with a 120-hour TEFL certificate?
Many online teaching platforms now require TEFL certification, and many of them simply dismiss unqualified teachers because they lack the necessary skills and knowledge.
However, a TEFL certificate is not required to start your own online teaching business, though it is safe to say that your future students will prefer a certified teacher.
If you want to earn a good living by working in a professional teaching environment and believe that your students should have every opportunity to succeed, we believe you should definitely get TEFL certified.
