English as a foreign language teacher

English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers help adults and children develop their English language skills in the UK and internationally

As an EFL teacher, you'll plan and deliver English language lessons that build learners' confidence and ability in listening, speaking, reading and writing. You'll use a range of coursebooks, digital tools and audiovisual materials to create interactive lessons that encourage communication. Activities often include discussions, role plays and language games, supported by more structured grammar and writing tasks.

You can work in a range of settings, including language schools, further education colleges, universities and private training centres, both in the UK and abroad. Some teachers work in business or industry, while others become freelance tutors or teach online. Lessons are usually delivered entirely in English, even for beginners.

Types of English as a foreign language teacher

Common terms used in English language teaching include:

• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
• Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

These terms are often used interchangeably, although the focus of the role differs slightly.

In general, TEFL refers to teaching English in countries where English isn't the first language, while TESL is used for teaching non-native speakers living in an English-speaking country. TESOL is a broader term that covers both TEFL and TESL and is often used for qualifications or roles that apply in either context.

Responsibilities

As an English as a foreign language teacher, you'll need to:

• plan, prepare and deliver engaging lessons either face-to-face or through online learning for learners of different ages and abilities
• prepare and set tests, assignments and exercises to assess progress
• mark and provide constructive feedback on oral and written work
• adapt or create new teaching materials, including digital, audio and visual resources
• use technology and online learning platforms to support lesson delivery and student engagement
• support and advise students on their language learning goals and progress
• organise and take part in social and cultural activities such as sports events, school parties, dinners and excursions
• attend and contribute to staff meetings and training sessions
• participate in marketing or promotional events for the school or organisation
• prepare materials and records for inspection, accreditation or quality assurance processes
• carry out routine administrative tasks such as maintaining student registers, attendance records and progress reports.

Salary

• Starting salaries in the UK typically range from £23,000 to £28,000, depending on your employer, qualifications and experience. Entry-level posts in smaller language schools or voluntary organisations may be lower, while roles in further or higher education are often at the upper end of this range. With experience and additional qualifications, salaries may rise to between £29,000 and £35,000.
• Experienced or senior teachers, trainers and academic managers can earn in the region of £36,000 to £45,000 or more, particularly in higher education or well-established private institutions.
• Salaries vary overseas and are influenced by factors such as your qualifications and experience, as well as the country you work in, type of employer (e.g. a school or private company) and the cost of living. Some TEFL contracts include benefits such as accommodation, return flights and health insurance. See websites such as TEFL.org for examples of salary expectations in different regions.
• Hourly rates for private lessons can range from £10 to £30, depending on a range of factors such as whether you're teaching online or in person.

Another factor that can affect salary is your clientele. You may be able to charge more for teaching English to businesses, for example, than for conversational English.

Contracts in the UK are often short term or sessional and pay may be calculated hourly or weekly. It's also possible to work voluntarily abroad in exchange for board and lodging.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours vary depending on your employer and location and may include evenings and weekends. You'll also spend time preparing lessons and marking work, which may not be included in your contracted hours.

If you teach online, you're likely to have greater flexibility over when you work, although you'll need to schedule lessons around students' time zones and availability.

Short-term, part-time and part-year contracts are common, especially in language schools and during peak study periods such as summer.

What to expect

• You'll usually be based in a classroom or language centre, though many teachers now also deliver lessons online. Social and cultural activities, particularly during summer schools, may take place in the evenings or at weekends.
• Most EFL teachers work overseas on fixed-term contracts lasting from a few months to a couple of years. Permanent roles are less common, and many teachers move between employers or countries. Some spend the academic year abroad (September to June) and return to the UK for the summer peak season, when short courses may offer free or subsidised accommodation. Always check contracts carefully for details of pay, holiday and sick leave.
• Teaching opportunities also exist across the UK, particularly in towns and cities with large multilingual communities or where there is high demand for English language tuition.
• Temporary, hourly-paid and part-time contracts are common, especially in adult and community education, where competition for permanent posts can be strong.
• Self-employment and freelance work are possible, including private tutoring or online teaching. Check your contract for any restrictions before taking on additional work.

Qualifications

Although you don't need a degree for most TEFL jobs abroad, some countries, such as China, require an undergraduate degree or higher to obtain a visa.

Most employers, however, expect a recognised TEFL qualification accredited by a reputable examination body or university, such as:

• Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), awarded by Cambridge English
• Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL), awarded by Trinity College London.

Courses are available in the UK and worldwide on a full- or part-time basis, delivered face-to-face, online or through blended learning. They typically last four to five weeks full time or several months part time, and involve around 200 hours of study, including at least six hours of observed teaching practice.

Search for an approved Trinity or Cambridge course provider.

To enrol, you'll usually need:

• to be 18 or over (20 or 21 in some cases)
• qualifications that allow entry to higher education (such as A-levels or equivalent)
• an excellent standard of English.

Courses run throughout the year, and applications are made directly to training centres.

If you're interested in short-term, casual or voluntary teaching work, entry-level TEFL certificates (as well as more in-depth training) are available from providers such as:

• TEFL.org
• i-to-i
• The TEFL Academy
• The TEFL Institute of Ireland
• Premier TEFL.

These courses typically involve around 120 hours of online learning.

There's a large number of TEFL courses available, so it's important to research them carefully to ensure they meet your career needs. Check course content, accreditation with a recognised awarding body, and whether any observed teaching practice is included.

To teach in a state school in the UK, you'll usually need qualified teacher status (QTS), and for further education, qualified teacher learning and skills (QTLS) status may be required. Teaching in higher education typically requires advanced qualifications and substantial experience.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• excellent spoken and written communication skills
• effective listening and interpersonal skills
• creativity and the ability to plan engaging, learner-centred lessons
• planning, time management and organisational skills
• a friendly, confident and approachable manner
• the ability to work well under pressure and adapt to changing or unexpected situations
• cultural awareness and sensitivity when working with diverse learners
• confidence using technology to plan and deliver lessons
• the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.

Work experience

Pre-entry experience as a language assistant, summer school teacher, private tutor or volunteer abroad is valuable and can strengthen your job applications.

Online tutoring or conversation exchange platforms can also provide useful practice in planning lessons and supporting learners.

Some short-term TEFL roles are available to new teachers with limited experience, particularly during the summer or in entry-level positions overseas.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

A large proportion of TEFL work takes place overseas. Employers include:

• British Council
• commercial language schools and chains
• education and development organisations
• government departments, such as education ministries
• multinational companies providing corporate English-language training
• volunteer organisations
• online teaching platforms.

You can work in a range of settings abroad, from international schools in major cities to community or rural education projects. Opportunities exist in most parts of the world, although demand varies.

East Asia, for example, remains one of the largest job markets, with countries such as China, Japan and South Korea offering structured contracts and competitive benefits. The Middle East, particularly the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is known for higher salaries and comprehensive employment packages.

Across Europe, there are opportunities in countries such as Spain, Italy, Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic. New and emerging markets in Southeast Asia and Latin America, including Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and Brazil, are creating additional opportunities for qualified teachers.

In the UK, commercial language schools operate in most large cities, with concentrations in London, the south coast, Oxford and Cambridge. Work is often seasonal, with summer being especially busy.

Opportunities for teaching English to people living in the UK who don't speak English as their first language are available with:

• maintained and independent schools
• further education colleges
• training centres
• community language centres
• centres run by voluntary agencies
• religious institutions.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Dave's ESL Cafe
• EL Gazette
• i-to-i
• TEFL.com
• tes Jobs

Always check visa requirements and contract terms carefully before accepting a position.

Professional development

If you want a long-term career in EFL teaching, it's a good idea to gain further qualifications, typically at diploma or postgraduate level. Recognised courses include:

• Delta (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), awarded by Cambridge English
• DipTESOL (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), awarded by Trinity College London.

Both qualifications are aimed at experienced teachers who want to progress in their careers or extend their expertise in a specialist area.

You could also choose to study for a Masters degree in areas such as TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or applied linguistics.

Search postgraduate courses in TESOL or applied linguistics.

Professional bodies such as NATECLA (National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults) and NALDIC (National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum) support continuing professional development (CPD) by providing training events, conferences, publications and networking opportunities.

Keeping up to date with developments in English language teaching, classroom technology and assessment practices is important for career progression and for developing your professional knowledge and expertise.

Career prospects

Higher-level qualifications and relevant experience can enhance your career prospects and may lead to senior roles, such as senior teacher, subject leader or director of studies, in language schools both in the UK and overseas. However, as many UK schools are relatively small, opportunities for promotion and career progression can be limited.

Due to the large number of international students studying in the UK, there are also teaching opportunities in colleges and universities. These roles may offer greater stability, higher pay and more structured career paths, although competition is strong. For these positions, you'll typically need QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) status or a postgraduate qualification.

Management or academic leadership roles usually involve additional responsibilities in curriculum and course development, staff training, administration, marketing and quality assurance, with less direct classroom teaching.

There is also scope for experienced teachers to become freelance or self-employed, in the UK or abroad, combining a variety of activities such as:

• teaching part time in a school, college or university
• providing private one-to-one tuition
• writing or editing coursebooks and other teaching materials
• teacher training, assessment and examination marking
• specialist training in business or academic English
• academic management or consultancy
• publishing or educational marketing.