Getting TEFL certified is just one of the first steps to pursuing a job teaching English online or abroad, and this guide explains why a 120-hour TEFL course is the best way to get started.
Choosing a TEFL certification can be a bit daunting, especially because there are many different types. There’s online or in-person, courses with or without a practicum, and the number of hours to consider. With so many options and types of courses, you’re probably asking yourself, which is best? And why 120-hours (or more)?
Well, I’ve been in your shoes before and know how confusing it can be! But it was all worth it, because with my TEFL, I was able to teach English in South Korea for two years, teach in Vietnam for a summer, and earn an income teaching English online.
And today I share my teach abroad knowledge with aspiring teachers not only here on my blog, but as a professional TEFL copywriter (so you could say I know a lil something about the world of TEFL!) Now I’m here to help aspiring teachers like you.
This guide shares a breakdown of some of the best 120-hour TEFL courses, and why everyone should choose a course with at least 120 hours or more.
»Read More: A Former ESL Teacher Dishes: Is Teaching English Abroad Worth It?
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!
Why is a 120-hour TEFL course best?
In the world of TEFL, a TEFL certificate with 120 hours of training is the industry standard. This ensures that teachers have adequate training and are prepared for the job.
Some employers may require even as many as 150 hours, and some may even ask for some portion of in-class hours. But if you’re unsure exactly where you want to teach, it’s always best to choose a TEFL certificate with at least 120-hours or more.
Don’t waste your time or money on anything less than that, unless it is a specialization course that goes alongside the main certification.
What to Look for in a TEFL Course
If you want to find a job teaching English online or abroad, there are a few key things to look out for when hunting for a reputable TEFL course. Here’s a general checklist of what quality TEFL courses should have:
- A reputable, third-party accreditation
- Positive reviews from a high number of graduates
- 120 or more teaching hours to ensure you meet most job requirements
- Professional tutor support
- Job search assistance
- Additional valuable resources for TEFL graduates
It’s also a good idea to consider a course that has an in-class component where you can get actual hands-on experience that’ll stand out on your resume and school applications.
»Read more: The Best TEFL Courses For Teaching English Online and Abroad
How long does getting a 120 hour TEFL certificate take?
A 120 TEFL course will take 120 hours to complete! Classes are often named after the number of hours it takes to finish – but what does that look like in days, weeks, and months?
Most TEFL course providers will give you a three or six month window to complete all online lectures, assignments, and assessments. That means that you’re free to take the course at your own pace, so long as it’s finished within the allotted time.
The average student will devote anywhere from 10 to 15+ hours a week to a TEFL course if they’re studying or working full time or have a full schedule. However, for those on a time crunch or who have the time to spare, it’s more than possible to finish a 120 TEFL course in as little as three weeks.
When I was taking my 150-hour TEFL course, I was also working full-time and valued my social life. It took me about three months to fully finish it (approximately 12.5 hours per week), and it honestly didn’t feel too overwhelming.
»Read More: The Best Places to Teach English Abroad
The Cost of TEFL Certifications
Generally speaking, you’ll find that 120 hour TEFL courses can cost as low as $100 to as much as $2,000 or more. But how much a TEFL course costs varies wildly and depends on a few factors.
It’s not always necessary to go for a more expensive TEFL certificate, although a higher price tag often comes with better perks.
Cheap TEFL courses are also a viable option and can save you hundreds of dollars while still providing quality instruction.
When going with a more affordable TEFL course, opt for a company with positive reviews and an accreditation. Be leery of the TEFLs on Groupon and any free TEFL certifications you find on Google that may not be legit.
Why are some TEFL courses more expensive?
People often wonder why top TEFL providers like CIEE and International TEFL Academy are so expensive. The saying, you get what you pay for, often applies to how much a TEFL certification should cost.
Here are some of the extra benefits pricier TEFL providers provide:
- Access to highly trained tutors that provide personalized feedback in real time
- Actual teacher to student meetings instead of an all online, pre-packaged course
- Life time job search assistance and access to a vast network of hiring schools
- A reputation for being one of the top TEFL providers that schools know and trust.
- A prestigious accreditation from third-parties recognized by the U.S. Department of Education of the U.K.’s Ofqual
How to Get A Discount on TEFL Certifications
With so many TEFL courses out there, many TEFL providers offer decent sales and giveaways on their courses. Here are some helpful tips for how to save money on a TEFL Certification:
- Follow your desired TEFL provider’s social media pages for giveaways and sale alerts
- Check back to the TEFL website periodically for sales
- Search for TEFL Certification scholarships to cover the cost partially or entirely
- Connect with travel bloggers who may have discount codes handy (like me! See below for the 120 hour TEFL courses I can offer a discount to)
»Read More: How to Get a Free TEFL Certification Online + TEFL Scholarships
The Best Online 120-Hour TEFL Courses
Here are a few of the best 120 hour TEFL courses that’ll help you get hired as an English teacher. The list is ordered from cheapest to the most expensive, and honestly these are all great options that I hope helps you in your decision!
1. CIEE’s 150-Hour Online TEFL Course
CIEE has been helping students and dreamers go abroad since 1947 via international study and work opportunities. They offer a highly-reviewed 150-hour TEFL course accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), an agency recognized by the US Department of Education.
The course is broken up into 130 hours of instruction and 20 hours of independent in-class experience that you must find on your own. I volunteered to tutor immigrants studying English for their citizenship test for my hours.
Getting TEFL certified with CIEE includes many valuable perks like a community of students, access to a tutor for questions and assistance, job search support and more.
I got TEFL certified with CIEE through their Teach Abroad in South Korea Program, and I highly valued the assistance CIEE offered with my EPIK job application.
As an alum of CIEE, I can offer readers a $200 discount* on the 150-hour TEFL course with my unique referral link!
2. International TEFL Academy 170-Hour Online TEFL Course
The International TEFL Academy has been consistently ranked as the number one TEFL provider by GoAbroad and is one of the best known for its comprehensive in-person and online TEFL certifications. The ITA’s 170-Hour Online TEFL Course is what I recommend to aspiring ESL teachers seeking a convenient way to get TEFL certified online.
The course is broken into 150 hours of instruction and 20 hours of live practice teaching. The course duration is 11 weeks and requires about 10-12 hours of class time per week.
What’s different about ITA’s TEFL course is that it’s actually a live class you complete in real-time with other students, versus an independent course done alone. However, if you can’t make class, the live lectures are recorded and can be accessed on your own time.
Download a brochure to learn more about the courses over at the International TEFL Academy.
3. iTTT’s 120-Hour TEFL Course with Tutor
iTTT is one of the cheapest 120 hour TEFL courses online that still rocks a positive review, reputation, and accreditation. They provide six-month access to their materials and help graduates find a teaching job abroad or online for a full year after course completion.
iTTT goes above and beyond to help students write an effective resume, prepare for job interviews, and more. Their courses come with two options, with or without a professional tutor, which affects the price.
You’ll learn English grammar and linguistics, teaching skills, classroom management techniques, lesson planning tips, and more during the course. iTTT’s 120-hour TEFL course online is structured with 20 units comprising video lectures, quizzes, and a final task.
I share more details in an in-depth iTTT review here.
Check out more details about iTTT’s 120-hour Online TEFL Course and apply here with my unique link to save 20%.
4. Premier TEFL 120-Hour Online Certification
Premier TEFL is another TEFL provider that offers a reputable 120 Hour TEFL Certificate for an affordable price. They’re an Irish company that has been in the biz for more than 25 years, and they’re accredited by TQUK (Training Qualifications UK) and ACDL (Accreditation Council for Distance Learning).
Premer TEFL’s online course includes 120 hours of online training, a personal tutor for support during the class, as well as job hunting advice. Students have six months to complete this 10-module course, but it’s possible to complete it in as little as three to six weeks.
5. OnTESOL 120-Hour Advanced TESOL Certificate
OnTESOL is a Canadian company that offers an accredited online 120-hour advanced TEFL course equivalent to CELTA and the Trinity CertTESOL. This specific course is completely online so you can complete it when and where is convenient for you.
With your course, you can enjoy an optional 20-hour practicum as well as job search assistance to help you find your dream teaching job immediately after getting certified.
OnTESOL also offers add on TEFL packages so you can specialize in specific roles like young learners, business English, and more. This course is issued by Coventry House International, a reputable teacher training school that’s been open since 1988.
6. I-to-I TEFL
I-to-I has been in the TEFL industry helping teachers get certified and go abroad for decades. Their 120-hour Professional TEFL Certificate takes on average only about 3-6 weeks to complete all online.
The course covers key information like tips for lesson planning, fostering a positive learning environment, and leading TEFL teaching theory. Not to mention, TEFL students have access to DELTA qualified tutors throughout the course to answer any questions that may arise.
I-to-I TEFL courses and frequently go on sale so keep your eyes peeled!
7. The TEFL Org 140-Hour TEFL Course
The TEFL Org is often regarded as one of the best online TEFL courses in the UK. They boast a high number of accreditations compared to other TEFL providers. Their accreditations include Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation), British Accreditation Council, SQA, ODLQC, etc.
They don’t offer a 120-hour TEFL course online but rather a 140-hour TEFL course split into 120 hours of online instruction and a live 20-hour weekend course.
This class has six different sections and covers important TEFL topics like styles of teaching, grammar, teaching observation, teaching large classes, teaching English over the phone, and virtual or in-person teaching practice.
my classroom in South Korea
8. The TEFL Academy 168-Hour Online TEFL
The TEFL Academy is a Europe-based TEFL provider with both online and in-person TEFL options in exciting places like Italy, Germany, Spain, and the UK. They boast some quality accreditations such as Qualifi and DEAC backed by UK and US governmental bodies, respectively.
The TEFL Academy doesn’t offer a 120-hour course either, but rather a comprehensive 168-hour TEFL certificate with an in-class practicum.
The in-person component is 20-hours of hands-on experience in an actual classroom where teachers can begin to grow their confidence. They offer their graduates job support and accredited internships in numerous countries around the world.
9. TEFLPros Plus 120 Hour Digital TEFL Course
TEFLPros is a company founded by a fellow English teacher who experienced firsthand how many TEFL courses fail to properly prepare aspiring teachers for the classroom. The company offers an entirely digital, comprehensive 120-hour TEFL Course jam packed with all you need to know to succeed.
Trainees enjoy access to an online training support group so you have other teachers to rely upon for any questions you may have.
While I don’t personally know too much about this course, it seems new on the market; they have a pretty good review with GoAbroad – the internet’s leading TEFL website.
Learn more about TEFLPros with a free 2-day TEFL training.
There you have it! A list of some of the best 120 hour TEFL courses online to help you jumpstart your TEFL adventure. Happy learning 🙂
The TEFL Academy was reported as having dubious or false accreditation claims by a few review sites. Can this be verified?
Hi Steve! Thanks for your comment, that sounds worrisome! Admittedly I haven’t seen that myself and the reviews I’ve seen have been mostly positive on platforms like Trust Pilot, GoAbroad, etc. and am unable to verify personally. If you have any links to share I’d love to see them and share with readers so they can make the best decisions for themselves!
What I will say, is that the TEFL industry isn’t overseen by one single, authoritative accrediting body. So, technically any company that is accredited is accredited by a private body (and should be taken with a grain of salt). However, this is widely known and it usually doesn’t matter for most TEFL positions abroad so long as the job listing doesn’t specify otherwise. International schools for example, are one type of teaching job abroad where it would matter, in which case I recommend investing in a CELTA or university certificate. Or for those interested in making this a steady career.