StudyTEFL FAQ: answers about TEFL courses, certificates and teaching abroad.

StudyTEFL is a UK-registered learning provider that has offered online TEFL training since 2020. The courses are built and supported by a small team of teachers and advisers, who are introduced on our About page.

You can check it yourself. StudyTEFL's core courses are accredited by OTCAC (reference 20201216A), the company is registered on the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN 10089401), and it lists CPD-verified accreditation (reference 002965). You can also open a real lesson free, read independent reviews and verify certificates online. Our accreditation page shows how to check each one.

StudyTEFL is online-first and relatively small. We do not run physical training centres or a large sales team, and we use automation for administration such as progress tracking, quizzes and certificate generation. The teaching content and the tutor support are still written and provided by people.

A small team of teachers and advisers with qualifications that include PGDE, MA Linguistics, MA Applied Linguistics, M.Ed TESL, CELTA and TEFL certification. You can meet them on our About page.

On Go Overseas, GoAbroad and Trustpilot. At the time of writing StudyTEFL is rated 4.94/5 from 67 reviews on Go Overseas, 4.8/5 from 68 on GoAbroad and 4.6/5 from 47 on Trustpilot. Ratings change, so check the review sites directly.

Use our contact page, email admin@studytefl.com, or reach us by Telegram messenger. Replies usually take between 1 and 24 hours, and slightly longer at weekends and holidays.

No. StudyTEFL earns no commission from the apostille service. You pay Apostille.org.uk directly, and the fees are third-party costs.

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It means teaching English to people in places where English is not the main language, such as Spain, Thailand or China, and it also applies to teaching English online. A TEFL certificate is training that prepares you to plan lessons, manage a class and teach grammar and the four language skills.

Employers often use TEFL and TESOL interchangeably. TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a broader term that also covers teaching English in English-speaking countries. CELTA is a specific Cambridge qualification with observed teaching practice, and Trinity CertTESOL is a similar qualification. StudyTEFL certificates use the wording TEFL-TESOL.

Often, but it depends on where and how you want to teach. Many employers and some visa systems ask for a 120-hour TEFL certificate, and the training prepares you for a first classroom. Some jobs ask for more, such as a degree, CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL, or a teaching license. Check what your target employer or visa requires.

The 120-hour figure is a common benchmark that many employers and visa systems ask for as a minimum TEFL qualification. Check the exact requirement for the job or visa you have in mind.

Not always. It depends on the country, the employer and the visa. Many reputable employers ask for a TEFL certificate and some visa systems require one, but not all do.

You do not need a degree to take a StudyTEFL course. Many countries do require a bachelor's degree for a teaching work visa, though, so check the rules for your destination. Online teaching and some other markets are more flexible.

No. StudyTEFL is designed for beginners, and it also gives experienced teachers a structured, accredited qualification.

Yes. If you are fluent in written and spoken English, you can take any StudyTEFL course. Some employers and visa systems limit roles by passport or nationality, so check each vacancy.

You need to be 18 or over to take a StudyTEFL course.

It depends on the provider and on what your employer accepts. Look for a named independent accreditor, a way to verify the certificate and a course you can inspect first. Our accreditation page and free lesson show what that looks like.

An accredited course has been reviewed against published standards by an external body, so you can check the claim. A non-accredited course relies on the provider's own word. Accreditation is useful evidence, but it does not guarantee that a particular employer will accept a certificate.

CELTA is more intensive and includes observed teaching practice with real learners, and some selective employers ask for it by name. An online TEFL such as StudyTEFL is self-paced and more affordable, and it suits many entry-level and online roles. If a job names CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL, take that qualification.

Online courses are cheaper and more flexible. Classroom or blended courses can include live teaching practice with real learners, which an online-only course cannot offer.

A StudyTEFL certificate has no routine expiry date. Some employers prefer recent training or recent teaching experience.

Getting certified first lets you apply for jobs and teach as you travel, but the right time depends on your plans. Check what your target employers accept before you choose.

The $29 120-Hour Online Teacher TEFL, the $39 120-Hour Complete TEFL, the $54 168-Hour Specialist TEFL and the $69 120-Hour Practical TEFL. Compare them on our courses page.

24 structured teaching units, six complete video-recorded ESL classroom lessons, 15+ scenario-based tasks, quizzes and checkpoint questions, tutor support, 12 months of LMS access and a QR-verifiable certificate.

TEFL foundations, language awareness, lesson planning, teaching methods, classroom management, giving instructions, correction, motivation, learner differences, the four language skills, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, assessment and teaching English online.

The $54 168-Hour Specialist TEFL adds 40 hours of young learner training and 8 hours of adult learner training to the 120-hour Complete TEFL.

Two assessed lesson plans and two recorded demo lessons, with tutor feedback on planning and delivery. It is not live observed teaching practice with real students.

A leaner route for trainees who mainly want to teach English online. It keeps the accredited core and assessment standard, with selected video, fewer extras, technical and account support instead of tutor support, 6 months of LMS access and a lifetime PDF learning summary.

Yes. There are practice quizzes and checkpoint questions with feedback, unit quizzes, scenario tasks, and midterm and final exams. There are no essays.

No. Assessment is by quizzes, scenario tasks and exams rather than essays.

You can retake unit quizzes as many times as you need. You get 3 attempts at the midterm and final exams. After that, you must pass a required review unit before any further resit attempts, so learn the material thoroughly before you sit them.

An online course cannot offer live teaching practice with real students. StudyTEFL gives you six recorded ESL classroom lessons to watch, scenario tasks that ask you to make classroom decisions, and, on the $69 Practical course, assessed lesson plans and recorded demo lessons with tutor feedback.

Some learners finish in just over a week, but most take about 3 to 7 weeks studying part-time. The course is self-paced, and the $39, $54 and $69 courses include 12 months of LMS access.

Yes. The course is self-paced, so you can fit it around work or study within your access period.

Your access lasts 12 months (6 months on the $29 course). After that you can extend it for $10 per extra 3 months. Contact us before your access ends and we will arrange it.

Yes. The LMS is responsive and works on phones and tablets. We recommend a computer for the best experience with video and quiz-heavy pages.

Human tutor support is included at no extra charge with the $39 Complete, $54 168-hour and $69 Practical courses. The $29 Online Teacher TEFL is self-directed, with technical and account support instead of tutor support. Email us with questions or technical problems. We usually reply within 1 to 24 hours, and slightly longer at weekends and holidays.

Yes. You can open a real StudyTEFL lesson and try its embedded questions before paying. Open the free lesson.

Yes. The Complete TEFL includes six complete video-recorded ESL classroom lessons, so you can see lesson stages, learner behaviour and teacher decisions in context.

Yes. The course includes a dedicated online-teaching unit covering virtual interaction, resources, pacing and learner engagement.

Yes. Lessons combine full text with video narrated by a human voice, with subtitles.

Yes. You are welcome to contact us after your course is completed.

No. The $29 Online Teacher TEFL is a self-directed route with technical and account support. Tutor support is included with the $39 Complete, $54 168-hour and $69 Practical courses, so choose one of those if you want a tutor to help with the course content.

The Online Teacher TEFL is $29, the Complete TEFL is $39, the 168-hour Specialist TEFL is $54 and the Practical TEFL is $69, all as one-time payments. The digital certificate is included in the course price.

No. The digital certificate is included in the course price. Costs that can arise later are optional extras you choose: extra access time after your access period ends ($10 per 3 months), a printed hardcopy certificate (shipping at cost plus a $12 admin fee), and notary and apostille services from a third party.

By debit or credit card through the encrypted Stripe payment system, or with PayPal. The site uses SSL (https) and we never have access to your card details.

StudyTEFL has a 14-day money-back guarantee. Within 14 days of purchase you can request a refund, which is processed to the same card or payment method. The refund is scaled down once you have completed the fourth unit quiz, because the course material has then been used. After 14 days no refunds are given. Contact us to request one.

Within 14 days, yes. The refund is scaled down once you have completed the fourth unit quiz. Contact us and explain the situation, and we will look at your request fairly. Use the contact page or email admin@studytefl.com.

Yes. Upgrading never costs more than the difference between the two courses' prices. Contact us and we will arrange it.

After your access period ends, you can extend it for $10 per extra 3 months. Contact us before your access ends and we will arrange it.

No. Refunds are only available within 14 days of purchase. That is why we let you open a free lesson first, so you can see the teaching style before you pay.

We do not run year-long sales. The listed price is always the lowest price we offer.

Check your PayPal activity to confirm the payment went through, then contact us with the email address on your account so we can check your enrollment. If a payment did not complete, it may need to be made again.

Yes. A digital TEFL-TESOL certificate is included with eligible StudyTEFL courses, so there is no compulsory upgrade to receive it.

After you pass the final assessment, you can download your digital certificate automatically. Allow up to 12 hours for the online verification record and QR code to be activated, because that step is done manually.

A digital TEFL-TESOL certificate and a self-print certificate format. Current core certificates also include QR-linked online verification.

StudyTEFL uses TEFL-TESOL wording because the training covers teaching English in foreign-language contexts and the broader field of teaching English to speakers of other languages.

Scan the QR code on a current certificate, or use the checker on our certificate page with the student's family name exactly as shown and the full certificate number, including letters. A newly issued certificate can take up to 12 hours to become verifiable.

A certificate without a QR code is not automatically invalid. Email admin@studytefl.com with the student's full name and certificate number for manual verification. Allow up to 24 to 48 hours.

Yes. A self-print certificate format is included alongside the digital certificate.

Usually not. StudyTEFL is digital-first, and the regular digital certificate can be sent directly to employers or taken through the apostille process. You can also request a printed hardcopy. It is sent by UPS or FedEx, charged at cost (usually from about US$50) plus a $12 admin fee.

The StudyTEFL certificate itself does not carry a routine expiry date. Employers can still have their own preferences about how recent a qualification or teaching experience should be.

Yes. Where an employer, visa authority or government body requires legalisation, the digital certificate can enter a UK solicitor certification and FCDO apostille process. Our route through Apostille.org.uk costs £80 plus return delivery. Read the apostille guide.

Only if an employer, visa authority or government body asks for one. For many teaching applications, the regular digital certificate and its verification record are enough. Check the current rules for your job and destination before you order.

Apostille.org.uk reports that from 11 September 2026 Vietnam recognises apostilles under the Hague Apostille Convention, so Vietnamese Embassy attestation will generally no longer apply to eligible UK documents. Because this is very recent, check the requirements for your own employer and work-permit process before ordering.

StudyTEFL has issued different designs over time. Do not reject a certificate only because the layout differs. Check the certificate number and use our verification routes.

A certificate claiming to be issued by StudyTEFL should have a StudyTEFL certificate number. If there is no certificate number, contact us before accepting it.

StudyTEFL's core TEFL courses are accredited by OTCAC (reference 20201216A), and OTCAC's public directory lists the 120-hour and 168-hour courses. StudyTEFL also lists CPD-verified accreditation (reference 002965) and is registered on the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN 10089401).

OTCAC is a private accreditation body that reviews online courses against its published standards and lists accredited providers and courses in a public directory, so you can check a provider before you enroll.

It is a separate, external professional-development credential. We keep it distinct from OTCAC course accreditation and from UKRLP registration, because the three labels mean different things.

No. UKRLP is a government-operated register of learning providers, and StudyTEFL's UKPRN is 10089401. UKRLP itself states that registration is not Department for Education accreditation or quality assurance of a provider's learning.

No. Level 3 and Level 5 are Ofqual qualification levels, and we do not claim that StudyTEFL courses are Ofqual-regulated qualifications. If a target employer requires a regulated Level 5, choose a qualification that explicitly carries that status.

No. CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL are different qualifications with observed teaching-practice requirements. If an employer names one of them, take the qualification it asks for.

There is no single global TEFL acceptance rule. Entry-level employers commonly ask for a TEFL certificate, but individual employers and visa systems can also require a degree, a particular passport, experience, legalised documents, regulated qualifications or observed teaching practice. Check the exact vacancy and destination rules.

StudyTEFL certification has been used for applications in South Korea, China, Vietnam and Thailand and for online teaching roles. No TEFL certificate is accepted by every employer or visa authority, so employers still set their own rules.

British Council teaching roles commonly require CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL or another qualification that meets their supervised-teaching-practice criteria. StudyTEFL is not a substitute for those.

They are different things. OTCAC and CPD-verified are private accreditors, and neither is a government regulator. What matters is that you can check them independently. Our accreditation page explains how.

Demand for English teachers exists in many countries, including popular destinations in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as online. Requirements and hiring seasons vary by country, so check current vacancies and visa rules for the country you have in mind.

Many countries require a bachelor's degree for a teaching work visa, so a degree can matter more than the TEFL certificate. Some markets, including some online roles, are more flexible. Check the official immigration rules for your destination.

It can. Some visa systems limit English teaching jobs to teachers from particular countries, and employers can have their own preferences. Check each vacancy and the official rules for your destination.

Commonly a passport, a degree certificate, your TEFL certificate, a CV, a criminal background check and sometimes a medical certificate. Some countries also require documents to be notarised or apostilled, so check the requirements early.

They differ and they change. As a general guide, South Korea's E-2 teaching visa and Japan's work visas usually need a bachelor's degree, and China, Thailand and Vietnam work permits usually involve a degree, a background check and often a TEFL certificate. Always confirm the current rules with the country's official immigration website or embassy.

Some countries and employers ask for legalised documents and others do not. Ask your employer or the immigration authority what they require before paying. If legalisation is needed, see our apostille guide.

It can take from a few weeks to several months depending on the country, the visa type and how quickly your documents are ready. Start early and check the official guidance.

Pay varies widely by country, employer, city and experience, and cost of living matters as much as the salary. Check current job listings and contract details rather than relying on averages. Our jobs board lists current roles.

Many contracts run for a year, and some are shorter or longer. Benefits can include housing, flights, health insurance and paid holiday, but they depend on the employer and country. Read the whole contract before you sign.

Yes, many entry-level roles hire newly certified teachers. Employers usually still ask for the documents their visa system requires.

Our jobs board and job-support links point to recruiters and current vacancies, and you can also apply directly to schools and language centres. Read our teach abroad guide for a step-by-step overview.

Some visa systems and employers have age preferences or limits, and they vary by country. Experienced older teachers also find work, especially online. Check the rules for your destination.

Many employers hire couples, and some recruit them for particular locations. Ask each employer about housing and visas for two people.

Sometimes. You will need to research visas and schooling for children, and import rules, quarantine and costs for pets. Use official government websites and ask your employer for help.

Safety depends on the country, city and your situation. Read your government's official travel advice, research the area, ask your employer about support and use common sense.

International schools usually ask for a teaching degree or a teaching license, so a TEFL certificate alone is often not enough for a classroom teacher role. Some hire TEFL-qualified staff for English language support.

Yes. Many online platforms and schools hire English teachers, and a TEFL certificate can help your application. StudyTEFL's course includes a dedicated unit on teaching English online.

Examples include Cambly, Preply and italki, plus online language schools. Each platform sets its own requirements, so check them before you apply. Our jobs board also links to opportunities.

It varies. Some require or prefer one, and others do not. A certificate can still make your profile stronger and help you stand out.

Pay varies by platform, whether you set your own rate, how many students you attract and how many hours you teach. Check each platform's current pay information instead of relying on averages.

Usually a computer with a webcam, a headset with a microphone, a stable internet connection and a quiet, well-lit space. Platforms can have specific technical requirements, so check theirs.

Many platforms let you set your availability, and students book within it. Demand depends on your time zone and the times you offer.

Often, but check the platform's rules. Working remotely from another country can also have visa and tax implications, so read the local rules first.

Some platforms do not require one and others do. Check each platform's requirements.

Yes. Business English and exam preparation such as IELTS are popular online, and they often need extra subject knowledge in addition to a TEFL foundation.

Irregular income while you build a student base, time-zone differences, competition, technical problems and working without colleagues. Building a reputation takes time.

Young learners need different techniques from adults, including short activities, routines and classroom management for children. The $54 168-Hour Specialist TEFL adds 40 hours of young learner training.

Teaching professional English for meetings, presentations, emails and negotiations, often to adults in companies. It usually needs some knowledge of the workplace as well as a TEFL foundation.

ESP is English for Specific Purposes, such as medicine or aviation. CLIL is Content and Language Integrated Learning, where a subject is taught through English. EAP is English for Academic Purposes, which prepares students for study in English.

EFL is English as a Foreign Language, learned where English is not the main language. ESL is English as a Second Language, learned in an English-speaking country. Many people use ESL for any learner of English.

A TEFL certificate is a good foundation, but IELTS preparation also needs knowledge of the test format, scoring and strategies. Extra IELTS-specific training helps.

Communicative language teaching focuses on real communication rather than grammar drills. Task-based teaching organises lessons around meaningful tasks that learners complete in English.

Common steps include senior teacher, academic coordinator, director of studies, teacher trainer, curriculum developer or school manager. Extra qualifications and experience usually help.

A master's in TESOL, applied linguistics or education can open doors to university and management roles. Teacher training usually needs several years of teaching and further training qualifications. Both are optional next steps rather than requirements.

A teaching license in your home country, or a PGCE or PGDE in the UK, is a common route into state and international school teaching. TEFL experience also transfers to education technology, publishing and programme management.

Yes. Private tutoring and online teaching are common, but you need to manage marketing, scheduling and, where relevant, visa and tax rules yourself.

Read professional publications, attend webinars and workshops, observe colleagues, and consider further qualifications. You are also welcome to contact us after your course.

After payment you use the account created at checkout and are taken to the course page. Click Enroll to start. If you are logged out, click Login and enter your details.

On the login page click Lost your password?, enter your email and follow the link. If that does not work, email us and we will help.

Look for Enroll on your student page, click it, then click Enroll on the course page. If the course still does not appear, email us and we will set it up.

You are probably logged out or seeing a temporary glitch. Log in again, clear your cookies or try a private window. If it continues, email us. Your progress is not lost.

Contact us and we will move you to the current course.

Check your connection, try another browser or device, and turn off extensions such as ad blockers for our site. Contact us if the problem continues.

Yes. The LMS tracks your progress as you complete units, so you can continue where you left off.

Email admin@studytefl.com or use the contact page. Tell us what you were doing and what you saw, and include a screenshot if you can.