Is it possible to teach English abroad without certification?
If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to teach English abroad without certification, you’re probably pretty serious about getting that TEFL adventure started. Thankfully, we’re here to help. We’ve slung together this guide to run you through the ins and outs of it all. We’ll start by taking a look at exactly what qualifications are and why they’re required. Then, we’ll see what sort of openings you can expect without one, compared to those you can expect with one.
What exactly is a teaching certification?
A teaching certification is a professional qualification that shows you’re qualified to teach. That’s it. Simple. It really is what it says on the tin. Basically, they offer training to help you efficiently communicate the ideas of speaking English. That typically – but not always – entails modules to bring your grammar up to scratch, lessons on classroom management, homework, vocabulary teaching, and a whole load more.
What teaching certifications can I get?
Anyone who’s ever dipped their toe in the teaching world will know that not all teaching certifications are the same. TEFL, CELTA, TESOL – there are more acronyms flying around than you can shake a past participle at. On top of that, you’ve got 40-hour courses, 120-hour courses, multi-week residential courses. The variety is endless. The variety is daunting!
Why a TEFL certificate is so important
Generally speaking, a 120-hour TEFL qualification is the most common of all the teaching certifications out there. It’s risen to become something of the gold standard in the ESL world, a sort of rite of passage for all would-be teachers. The good news? These sorts of certifications can be completed entirely online and remotely. You don’t have to attend classes to get them finished.
So, can I teach English abroad without certification?
Now you know just how integral TEFL courses are to the global teaching industry, it should hardly come as a surprise that opportunities for those who don’t have one under their belt are few and far between. In fact, it can be downright impossible to score a paying teaching position if you haven’t completed your 120-hour course. What’s more, the ones that are available are more than likely going to be in countries that don’t pay well, or in schools with dubious reputations.
On top of that, some countries simply won’t issue working visas to folk who come applying without a TEFL course. They see it as a basic proof that you’re serious about your new career direction and have the necessary skills to do the job.
Teach English abroad without certification voluntarily
The only reliable way to get teaching English abroad without certification is to go down the volunteering route. There are lots of charities and NGOs out there willing to hire English speakers for frontline work, especially in less economically developed regions, like sub-Saharan Africa and rural South America, for example. It’s rewarding stuff, and job descriptions are often relaxed when it comes to those TEFL qualifications. Of course, you won’t be paid, but you might find it a good way to test the waters and see if a full career in teaching abroad is right for you.
TEFL internships
Another way to guarantee a path into a teaching job, even if you don’t have that qualification yet, is to opt for a TEFL internship. These packages include that all-important 120-hour certification. They also promise hands-on experience teaching in all sorts of destinations around the planet. We currently run internships in Thailand, Argentina, Myanmar and South Africa.
To sum up, if you’re wanting to teach English abroad without certification, it might be better to consider unpaid and voluntary work until you do get that qualification. There are also internships worth thinking about that can get you qualified and offer teaching experience right away.