| Every year thousands of adventuresome souls | | | | and a minimum of 6 hours of practicum. Some |
| leave their home country for six months or more | | | | countries and schools will require this. You should |
| with goals of teaching English abroad. Yet a | | | | also consider taking a course that provides you |
| common question for those without experience | | | | with a CELTA certificate. |
| teaching English abroad is, "will an online TEFL | | | | 2. Evaluate your personal goals (short-term |
| certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign | | | | teaching opportunity, cross-cultural experience, |
| Language) be sufficient?" | | | | learning the local language, etc). If you are not |
| The answer varies depending on your short or | | | | seeking a 3-5 year term as a "professional" TEFL |
| long-term goals, the country in which you intend | | | | teacher, an online TEFL course could very well be |
| to teach English abroad, and ultimately the | | | | sufficient to prepare you for the time in front of |
| requirements of the teaching institution. | | | | your students. |
| 1. Evaluate your personal goals (professional TEFL | | | | 3. Consult with your recruiter and/or the local |
| teacher / TESOL teacher) | | | | teaching institution. |
| If your goals are for teaching English abroad for 3 | | | | The people in these organizations know what is |
| years or more, you should strongly consider | | | | required and what will be accepted or not |
| taking an in-classroom TEFL course of 120 hours | | | | regarding TEFL / TESOL certification. |