If you are new to TEFL the array of courses available can be a little bewildering, so hopefully the information here will help to make things a little clearer.

I have seen lots of different TEFL courses advertised at very different prices - are they all the same?

No, all TEFL courses are not the same, and it is very important that you understand exactly what you are paying for before you enrol. There are some cheap introductory courses available (such as ours) either on-line or held over one or two days, but these courses do not offer an externally validated qualification that will enable you to work for a British Council accredited organisation.

So what's the point of doing an Introduction to TEFL Course?

Most CELTA (or equivalent) courses cost £700 - £800, which is a big investment if you're not 100% sure that TEFL is what you want to do. An Introduction to TEFL Course is a cheap way of learning about TEFL and finding out if it's for you, and could help you get a job with one of the organisations which run summer courses for teenagers in the UK which do not insist on a CELTA qualification.

Do I need a degree to teach EFL?

In many countries all teachers are expected to be educated to degree level, and a CELTA qualification is not a substitute for a degree, so even with a CELTA you may find it hard to find a job without a degree.

I am serious about pursuing a career in ELT. What kind of jobs are available?

The majority of accessible TEFL jobs for newcomers to the industry are abroad, and contracts usually run from September to June, but this can vary slightly from country to country. Temporary work is available in the UK through June, July and August when there is an enormous influx of foreign students into the country.

If I get the right qualification will I be able to get a permanent job in the UK?

It's very unlikely, because there is so much strong competition for relatively few permanent jobs in the UK. Most of the teachers in permanent jobs in the UK have several years experience and a higher qualification, such as the DELTA. If you plan on staying in the UK any available work is likely to be patchy, resulting from temporary fluctuations in student numbers, staff illness or maternity leave.

Can I teach EFL anywhere in the world?

Yes, more or less, but conditions and pay vary enormously from country to country. For most jobs in Western Europe qualifications and experience are important. In developing countries it is still possible to get TEFL work without formal qualifications, but don't expect to get rich doing it.

I am serious about pursuing a career in ELT. What kind of course should I enrol on?

Choose a course which meets the criteria of the British Council, otherwise you will seriously limit your employment opportunities. This means any course must:

• be externally validated by a reputable examination body (usually a university or recognised examination board)
• contain at least six hours' supervised teaching practice (i.e. teaching practice where a qualified assessor observes the trainee teacher teaching real TEFL students and gives feedback on his/her performance)
• contain at least 100 hours of TEFL input.

Doing a cheaper course which does not fit the criteria above will almost certainly turn out to be a false economy in the long run.

Where can I get further information about TEFL?

Visit the websites listed below. They all provide information about TEFL qualifications, jobs and many other English language teaching topics. LSC has no commercial links with these sites - I'm just recommending them because I think they're good!

www.eflweb.com
This site is aimed at new and prospective EFL teachers. The quality of the information on courses is good, and the country by country directory is excellent.

www.cactustefl.com
Part of their mission statement is 'to provide a professional, rapid, and impartial service free of charge, for all', and on this evidence they are achieving it. The site offers a price comparison of recognised certificate courses available in the UK and abroad, and lots of other quality information besides.

www.onestopenglish.com
This is a resource site for EFL teachers run by the publishers Macmillan Education. A wide range of good quality free material available here.

www.hltmag.co.uk
The Humanising Language Teaching magazine, reading material for more experienced teachers. Current and back issues available free.