Top 10 Best TEFL Certification Programs in 2024

Teaching English is one of the popular ways to earn money abroad. Overseas English teaching jobs not only promise an enriching experience but also ensure a steady income.

However, you must meet some initial requirements before you start your teaching endeavor. The most important requirement is to get your Online best TEFL Certification to teach English abroad.

The basic TEFL (Teaching English As A Foreign Language) certification involves 120 hours of study time and must be accredited by a recognized body. You can complete this training by joining either an in-person or an online program.

While offline courses offer more comprehensive training, online certifications are usually preferred as they are less expensive. These courses are self-paced, making it easier for professionals and students to complete at their convenience. 

Why is a globally recognized TEFL certification best?

Most of the TEFL providers advertise themselves as the best company with the most affordable course. You should run a thorough background research on any TEFL course before applying. 

An accredited certification may be expensive but it will have more value in the teacher employment industry. Clearly, certification like these involves quality training and teaching methodologies that are globally recognized. 

You can read reviews and talk to alumni to ensure your chosen TEFL course is legit. Only an internationally approved best TEFL certification can guarantee a quality English teaching experience abroad.

Warning! Beware of Free TEFL Courses

Some companies claim to offer “FREE” online certification programs. You must be careful about these claims because usually, these companies are not trustworthy. Their certification may not be accredited or approved globally. So, make sure you take the best TEFL Certification from a legitimate company, even if it means spending a few bucks.

With hundreds of TEFL programs available on the market, choosing the best is baffling. Most of the courses have the same curriculum, teaching methods, and classroom strategies, but only the best TEFL certification will match your needs and budget.  

Top 10 Best TEFL Certification Programs To Jumpstart Your Research

We have compiled a list of accredited TEFL programs that are the best options out there for those looking for training in English teaching. The features that each program offers are also included. The list contains only accredited programs so you can be sure about their legitimacy. Here is a list of top 10 best TEFL certification programs in 2021 to help you get started:

1. Henry Harvin TEFL Academy

Henry Harvin TEFL course is ranked as one of the best TEFL certification programs that train you to improve the English language skills of non-native speakers globally. 

The online certification course is accredited by the AAEFL (American Association of EFL). The course is designed to help you qualify for the certification exam on the first attempt.

“The comprehensive teaching techniques of our course will boost your confidence and help you to gain deep knowledge about students’ psychology. You will learn lesson planning and student assessment techniques.”

• David, Henry Harvin Academy

The course also develops your time and class management skills that will increase your productivity. You will learn how to connect with students confidently and effortlessly. 

Those who have good English language skills and look forward to making a career in English teaching should apply for this program. Henry Harvin TEFL course helps you to become a certified and highly successful EFL teacher.

2. i-to-i TEFL

The institute boasts of nearly 3 decades of experience in training students to become ESL teachers. To date, over 200,000 graduates have completed their certification from this prestigious institute and are teaching abroad. 

This broad scope, the accredited course is one of the best TEFL certification programs that is offered in both the online and on-site formats around the world. The students get job placement and internship support in countries like China and Spain. 

Prospective teachers graduating from i-to-i can be sure of getting connected to the best global employers through this large-scale international organization. The institute offers a diverse range of accredited courses for teachers with different experience and aspirations. The course is the perfect launch pad for future teachers looking to start their online teaching career.

Although the company offers a wide array of programs, they offer accredited TEFL courses in only a few locations. If the education centre in your location doesn’t offer an accredited program, it’s better to choose an online course or do your in-person course from any other major provider.

3. myTEFL 

The institute provides both in-person and virtual TEFL courses. The accredited course is available in various centers in Thailand, Spain, and Argentina. Besides TEFL, the training provider offers several other programs across the world.

“myTEFL is extremely supportive when it comes to finding teaching jobs abroad. We offer complete support at every step of the application and interview process. MyTEFL has a corporate social responsibility policy through which we donate a section of our enrollment fees to partner charitable organizations.”

• Karl, my TEFL teacher

myTEFL trainees learn to plan their lessons effectively and can manage their class of students from diverse cultures. The institute offers hand-holding support to their TEFL graduates. The students get full assistance right from finding global teacher recruiters to applying and teaching English abroad. 

The graduates can confidently face the screening process and get well-paid after completing their accredited TEFL program. The only drawback is that the company has very few on-site training centers that makes it difficult to find a center in the location you wish to teach abroad in. 

4. International TEFL Academy 

This is another prominent institute that provides accredited TEFL programs. The course is offered at 25 different locations across the world. Besides, they offer certified on

line TEFL courses for students who feel more comfortable with self-paced learning. 

Every year, more than 5,000 students complete their best TEFL certification from the International TEFL Academy and get hired to teach in various countries. The institute is one of the most reliable names in the industry. Their certification is legit and approved by global teaching platforms. Although the institute offers courses around the world, all of their programs are focused in the southeast. If you want to teach in the south or far east region, you should look for another provider. 

5. International TEFL and TESOL training (ITTT) 

The company offers courses in several educational centers located in various countries including Vietnam, South Africa, Guatemala etc. This is an accredited TEFL course that is available offline as well as online. The locations spanning the world give opportunities to prospective teachers to earn their certification and make a difference in the lives of young students.

ITTT lays emphasis on practical teacher training through their English-only classrooms. Their worldwide educational centers cover a huge diversity of locations, offering teachers from diverse backgrounds to fulfill their global teaching aspirations.

Although the institute has a very broad network of employers spread across the world, their job placement assistance is limited. The students are more or less independent when it comes to finding a job as the company doesn’t offer much job support. 

6. Premier TEFL 

The institute offers a broad range of online TEFL courses that are accredited by an internationally recognized body. Future EFL teachers can choose to either enroll in their basic training program or opt for any specialization that suits their personal interests.

In addition, Premier TEFL offers hybrid courses and paid practicums in multiple locations spread across Europe, South America, and Asia. The company has been delivering best TEFL Certification for more than 30 years. The students have benefited from their engaging, educational, and comprehensive courses.

The main highlight of this program is that the course is available in virtual learning format, making it convenient for professionals to complete the course at their own pace. The advanced TEFL course is ideal for teachers aspiring to take up online English teaching.

However, people with no teaching experience will not benefit as much from this course as from a full-time, on-site course. Since Premier TEFL specializes only in virtual teaching, the students looking forward to active learning should go for another program.

7. The Language House TEFL

Based in Prague, the Czech Republic, the Language House TEFL is an established TEFL course provider. Since 2004, more than 2500 students have graduated from this premium TEFL institute.

Their internationally recognized, fully accredited teacher training certification is an externally observed program that develops your skills needed to teach English to students abroad. 

The 4 week course offers a more focussed learning experience. The course is available on-site in the enchanting city of Prague. For their online course, the institute has partnered with the International TEFL Academy, a renowned name in the TEFL training business. 

The onsite course from Language House TEFL may not be practical for everyone. That’s why they have created a hybrid course that involves one week of hands-on training, monitored teaching practice, job placement support, and tutor mentorship. This is a great option for people who wish to experience teaching in real classrooms, but can spend only a short amount of time.

“We offer hands-on support throughout the certification and teaching abroad experiences. Our students learn in an open environment where they are encouraged to achieve their individual potential.”

• Rachel, EFL tutor.

Since this is a smaller accredited program, the company doesn’t have an extensive network of job providers as compared to other major providers.

8. ITT International TEFL and TESOL 

This program is a blessing for people looking for affordable, accredited online TEFL Certification. The course starts at just  $79 and is available in 60-hour, 120-hour, and 180-hour formats. EFL students can complete the course at their own pace. 

The institute provides students with a personal tutor who helps them with the coursework and offers valuable feedback. The low-cost certification can be completed quickly and reliably if the students submit their assignments on time.

The students can earn a globally recognized certification without spending a fortune or traveling overseas before they start teaching abroad or online. Since the ITTT International TEFL and TESOL program is available in virtual format only, people looking for a more in-person, immersive kind of program should pick another program. 

9. TEFL Worldwide Prague 

This is a best TEFL certification school based in the beautiful city of Prague in Europe. Run by an American agency, the company offers 4-week long programs that allow future teachers to live abroad and connect with fellow educators who are also preparing to start their teaching careers. 

The school was started in 2003 and since then has been successfully training both native and nonnative speakers of all ages. It brings together aspiring EFL teachers from across the globe to grow and learn together in a close, immersive environment, while having a fun time. 

Although TEFL Worldwide Prague offers one of the best accredited TEFL programs, its singular location and in-person component limits its flexibility. The students who cannot leave their jobs and family to study in Prague for a month should consider joining some other program.

10. Teach Away, Faculty of Education, University of Toronto

This is an accredited TEFL program offered by the Faculty of Education, University of Toronto. The professors from the world’s prestigious universities have designed the program, making a highly-valued program in the market. 

This is the Best TEFL Certification program that comes with 3 training options:

1. 100 hour
2. 120 hour
3. 150 hour 

The University of Toronto has collaborated with Teach Away, a large organization with a strong network of teacher recruiters across the world. With the university’s  name stamped on the TEFL accreditation, there is no dearth of jobs for students applying for EFL posts and brings more opportunities in competitive regions.

The course is slightly expensive as compared to the programs offered by other companies. If you are willing to spend a little extra, this course is a great choice. 

Conclusion

Most schools and employers look for certified TEFL teachers for EFL (English as Foreign Language) jobs. While you may not need prior teaching experience, the TEFL certification is a must for getting the job. Moreover, you must have accredited certification to get a legal employment visa.