Why a TEFL Certification Is the Perfect Idea for Students

Between classes, part-time jobs, and the pressure to start planning a future career, being a student can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff—exciting, full of possibility, but also completely overwhelming. Many students dream of traveling after graduation, want to boost their résumés, or hope to find flexible work that fits around their studies. A TEFL certification offers all of that in one neat, manageable package. In fact, earning a TEFL certificate as a student is one of the smartest, most practical decisions you can make for your future.

Whether you’re looking for a flexible side hustle, a guaranteed post-grad adventure, or a gift idea that actually changes someone’s life (hello, parents of college-aged kids!), here’s why getting TEFL-certified with myTEFL is the perfect student move.

1. TEFL Courses Are Designed to Fit Into Busy Student Schedules

Students have complicated, often unpredictable schedules. Some semesters are packed with labs or group projects. Others leave room for part-time work or extracurriculars. A good TEFL course, like the ones offered through myTEFL, is built to work with that reality—not against it.

Online TEFL programs are:

Self-paced

Study for 20 minutes between classes or binge-work on a weekend—your course progress is entirely under your control. No mandatory Zoom sessions, no rigid deadlines, no stress.

Mobile-friendly

You don’t need to be glued to a desk. Review lesson planning strategies on the bus or read a grammar module over coffee.

Affordable

Students often avoid “extra” certifications because of price, but TEFL courses are far more affordable than most professional programs—and the return on investment is incredibly high (more on that soon). myTEFL also offers a student discount!

No teaching experience required

Even if your major has nothing to do with education or language, you can still excel in a TEFL course. The training walks you through everything step-by-step.

In short: TEFL fits into your life now and prepares you for the life you want later. Don’t know if you can balance work and school? Check out this article from Harvard Business School that offers some helpful tips!

2. A TEFL Certification Opens Doors—During School and After

Most students think TEFL only matters after graduation, but earning the certification while studying unlocks opportunities immediately.

Remote Tutoring for Extra Income

Online English teaching is one of the most flexible ways for students to make money. You can teach a few hours a week to help cover textbooks or rent. A TEFL certification instantly boosts your credibility and qualifies you for better-paying platforms.

Internships and International Work Experience

Many TEFL job placements abroad don’t require you to be done school—just certified. Students can teach during summer breaks, gap semesters, or co-op periods. It’s an incomparable way to build a résumé that already stands out before you even graduate.

Post-Grad Jobs Guaranteed

Unlike many degrees that leave you searching endlessly for an entry-level job, TEFL practically hands you the opportunity. Countries across Asia, Latin America, and Europe are consistently hiring certified English teachers. myTEFL even offers job placement assistance, making the transition from student to working traveler smoother than ever.

Employers love TEFL-certified grads because it shows initiative, communication skills, and global awareness—traits that translate beautifully into any career path, even outside education.

3. TEFL Helps Students Travel the World—Affordably

For students dreaming of backpacking Asia, experiencing Latin America, or exploring Europe, the biggest question is always:

How do I afford it?

A TEFL certification is the travel hack no one tells you about.

You earn money while traveling

Teaching English abroad is one of the few travel opportunities where your expenses are covered through your job. In many placements, teachers receive:

• A monthly salary
• Housing or housing stipends
• Flight reimbursements
• Health insurance
• Paid holidays
• Visa assistance

When you add those benefits together, TEFL isn’t just a way to travel—it’s a way to sustainably travel without draining your savings.

You experience the culture from the inside

Instead of being a tourist passing through, you become part of a community. You learn the language, build friendships, and explore a country on its own terms, not through a tour brochure.

For students craving adventure but worried about finances, TEFL is the bridge between “I wish I could travel someday” and “I’m living abroad and loving every minute of it.”

4. It Makes Your Résumé Stand Out in a Crowd

Graduates are entering an increasingly competitive job market. Employers want more than a GPA—they want adaptable, globally minded candidates with real-world experience.

A TEFL certification demonstrates:

• Leadership
• Communication skills
• Cross-cultural competence
• Adaptability
• Independence
• Creativity
• Patience
• Public speaking ability

It’s proof that you can step into unfamiliar environments and thrive—something employers value across all fields, from business to law to tech to social work.

Even if you don’t plan on becoming a teacher long-term, TEFL gives you transferable skills that pay off in every job interview.

5. It’s a Gift That Actually Means Something

If you’re a parent, partner, grandparent, or friend trying to find a genuinely meaningful Christmas gift for a student, a TEFL course is the kind of present that can change someone’s entire future.

Instead of:

• another sweater
• a gadget they won’t use
• a gift card that disappears in a week

—you can give them an opportunity. A skill. A job. A passport to the world.

myTEFL courses are easy to gift, instantly delivered, and something a student can begin the very same day. If you’re gifting to a student who’s unsure of their post-grad direction, a TEFL certification provides clarity, confidence, and an open door to global possibilities.

It’s the kind of present that becomes part of their story.

6. The Payoff Is Huge—Financially, Professionally, and Personally

A TEFL certification isn’t a one-time use credential. It’s a lifelong tool.

Students with TEFL can:

• Teach abroad for a year, a summer, or a decade
• Teach online for side income
• Travel the world without going into debt
• Build international work experience
• Discover new passions
• Explore different cultures
• Make lifelong connections

Long after graduation, a TEFL certification remains useful—something you can always fall back on, return to, or use to enhance your career trajectory.

Few certifications offer this much flexibility or reward.

TEFL Is the Smartest Move a Student Can Make

For students, a TEFL certification checks every box:

✔ Flexible
✔ Affordable
✔ Future-proof
✔ Travel-friendly
✔ Résumé-boosting
✔ High-payoff
✔ Gift-worthy

Whether you’re a student preparing for life after graduation or someone looking to give a meaningful gift this holiday season, TEFL is more than a course—it’s a doorway to opportunity and adventure.

And with myTEFL’s globally recognized courses and job placement support, that doorway is wide open.