Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certifications are widely available. However, the quality of training on offer and the perceived value of the certification varies enormously from one school to the next. Before embarking on TEFL training, make sure that you research the reputation of the school and the worldwide perception of the value of the certification they offer. Here’s our lowdown on some of the more popular TEFL programs.
AEON
Website: http://www.aeonet.com/
Areas Covered: Schools throughout Japan.
Requirements: Bachelor degree, demonstrable understanding of English language.
Minimum Commitment: One year.
APPALACHIANS ABROAD TEACH IN CHINA
Website: http://www.marshall.edu/gochina/
Areas Covered: Schools throughout China.
Requirements: Bachelor degree, demonstrable understanding of English language.
Minimum Commitment: Nine months.
CENTRAL EUROPEAN TEACHING PROGRAM (CETP)
Website: http://www.cetp.info/inside/aboutprogram.htm
Areas Covered: Hungary
Requirements: Completion of online TEFL certification, 20 hours free teaching prior to contract.
Minimum Commitment: Six months.
COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE (CIEE)
Website: http://www.ciee.org/
FAQ for more details.
Minimum Commitment: Six months.
FRENCH MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Website: http://www.frenchculture.org/
Areas Covered: Primary and secondary schools throughout France.
Requirements: American citizens aged between 20 and 30 with a good working knowledge of the French language.
Minimum Commitment: Six months.
FULBRIGHT ENGLISH TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP PROGRAM
Website: http://www.fulbright.at/
Areas Covered: Austrian secondary schools.
Requirements: BA degree with an interest in a career in education. Working knowledge of German.
Minimum Commitment: Eight months.
FULBRIGHT KOREA ENGLISH TEACHING PROGRAM
Website: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/
Areas Covered: Korean primary and secondary schools.
Requirements: Native English, College graduate, unmarried, without dependents and under the age of 30.
Minimum Commitment: Thirteen months.
HESS LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Website: http://www.hess.com.tw
Areas Covered: Taiwan.
Requirements: Bachelor of arts, passport from native English speaking country, TEFL certificate.
Minimum Commitment: One year.
JAPAN EXCHANGE AND TEACHING PROGRAM (JET)
Website: http://www.mofa.go.jp
Areas Covered: Schools throughout Japan.
Requirements: Bachelor of arts, under 40 years of age.
Minimum Commitment: One year.
LET’S TALK
Website: http://english.kookmin.ac.kr/
Areas Covered: Schools in rural Korea.
Requirements: Fluent English, citizen of a native English speaking country.
Minimum Commitment: Six months.
YMCA OVERSEAS SERVICE CORPS
Website: http://www.ymca.net/
Areas Covered: Schools in Japan and Taiwan.
Requirements: Must reside in North America and be a citizen of an English-speaking country.
Minimum Commitment: Two years for Japan and one year for Taiwan.
