So, you’ve decided you want to teach English abroad.
This is amazing!
It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make and it can completely change your life. (Like it changed mine, over 12 years ago!)
But here’s the thing: not all TEFL courses are created equal. With hundreds of companies out there, each claiming to be the best, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The truth is, the course you choose will shape not just your training experience, but also your confidence, your job options, and how supported you feel once you step into the classroom.
To save you months of second-guessing and Googling, here are 7 key questions to ask before choosing a TEFL course:
1. Who is training you and how much experience do they really have?
Some TEFL providers hand you pre-recorded videos and click through slides and call it “training.” But ask yourself: Who’s actually behind the course? Do they have real classroom experience? Have they taught abroad themselves?
Are they in this game because they genuinely care about creating good teachers or because they realised it was a profitable post-covid money-making scheme?
A good trainer isn’t just qualified on paper (although they definitely should be!!)
They understand the realities of walking into a classroom in a foreign country, with 30 expectant faces staring back at you. The right trainer should be someone who’s been where you’re going and can guide you with empathy as well as expertise.
They will have ideally taught in multiple countries for an extensive period of time (at least 3-5 years) and taught all ages and abilities from 3 years old to advanced adults.
Don’t be scared to ask about your trainers qualifications and experience!
2. Are you happy to jump into teaching with only theory or do you want real classroom experience?
Here’s the hard truth: theory alone won’t prepare you for teaching abroad. If you’ve never stood in front of a class before, it’s a bit like learning to drive a car from a textbook.
Look for courses that include practical classroom experience with real students, plus feedback from qualified trainers. That way, you don’t just graduate with a certificate. You walk away with actual teaching practice under your belt. Trust me, that confidence boost is priceless.
On top of that, you need a TEFL course that will help you answer questions like:
- How would you teach the present perfect simple?
- Give me an example of how you would adapt an ESL matching activity to make it more engaging?
- What techniques do you use for classroom management?
3. Does the country you want to work in accept online TEFL, or do they prefer face-to-face training?
Every country has its own rules. Some places are flexible and accept online TEFL certificates. Others (like Japan, South Korea and South East Asia) often prefer, or even require, face-to-face training.
If you already have a destination in mind, check the requirements before you spend money on a course that won’t be recognised where you want to teach. The last thing you want is to invest in training that limits your options.
A lot of employers, especially in Asia, are now wise to these online TEFL courses and while they may get you a job teaching kids online, they won’t get you past your lesson demo or interview in a lot of face to face teaching roles because they just don’t properly prepare you for the classroom.
4. How do they prepare you for teaching?
It’s not just about the certificate. A quality TEFL course should prepare you with the real tools you’ll need in the classroom:
- Classroom management practice (what to do when students don’t listen).
- Lesson planning templates that you can reuse again and again.
- Training for teaching complete beginners.
- Practical teaching fundamentals that go beyond theory.
- Grammar basics and how to teach it.
- Ways to drill vocabulary and maximise retention
If these aren’t included, you’ll be left to figure things out the hard way and that’s exactly what leads many teachers to burn out or give up too soon.
Moreover, it’ll take much longer for you to get a pay rise and climb the career ladder if you have learn everything from scratch while others are ahead of you because they got more comprehensive training.
5. What do people say about them online (especially the bad stuff)?
Every TEFL company has glowing reviews on their website. But dig deeper: What do the negative reviews say?
Are there complaints about poor aftercare once the course is complete? Were teachers left to fend for themselves when it came to job placement or relocation? Negative reviews can reveal the gaps in support that glossy brochures and polished websites won’t tell you.
Remember, choosing a TEFL course isn’t just about the training itself. It’s about the support you’ll receive long after the certificate is in your hand.
6. Is the TEFL provider actually accredited?
This one’s huge and it’s often overlooked.
A lot of companies create official-sounding acronyms (like The International TEFL and TESOL Accreditation Council or TEFL training and TESOL Governing Body) to make themselves look legitimate. But many of these are self-accrediting bodies with no real authority.(Ironically, they will also often warn you about scams, fake TEFL providers and tell you how important “real” accreditation is).
A good rule of thumb? Look for courses that are government-accredited through an official Department of Education in countries like the UK, US, or Australia. That way, you know your certificate will be recognised worldwide and won’t cause issues when you start applying for jobs or visas.
7. How personal is the program, really?
This might be the most important question of all.
A lot of TEFL companies make big promises about “support” or “hand-holding” but what does that actually mean? Do you ever speak to a real teacher who’s currently living abroad, or are you just passed from one third party to another? Will you ever see the same person twice, or are you left with an info pack and a generic email address?
The difference between a truly supportive program and a cookie-cutter one comes down to real human contact. Ask:
- How much direct time do I get with an experienced teacher?
- Will I have ongoing access to the same person, or just a faceless support inbox?
- Is the process actually personalised or just a PDF checklist and pages of documents sent to everyone?
If you’re going to uproot your life and move abroad, you deserve more than an info pack. You deserve to feel like someone actually knows your name, understands your fears and is ready to help you through them.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right TEFL course isn’t about picking the cheapest or the flashiest option. It’s about choosing a pathway that will give you the confidence, the skills and the support you need to actually succeed abroad.
Ask these 7 questions before you make your decision. And if you’re feeling stuck, remember this: you don’t have to figure it all out alone. With the right guidance and support, the leap into teaching abroad becomes so much easier and so much more exciting.
