As English continues to cement its place as the world’s lingua franca — in other words, the language people fall back on when they don’t share the same mother tongue, the appetite for fluent English speakers is booming. In today’s globalised world, English is more than just a language; it’s a passport to opportunity, and with a TEFL qualification in your hand, the world can quite literally become your classroom.
So, buckle up while I tell you how (and why) I became a TEFL teacher.
What is ‘TEFL‘?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language — which basically means teaching English to people whose first language isn’t English.
Think back to when you were sat in school, trying to wrap your head around the difference between ser and estar in Spanish when they both mean “to be,” or wondering why a French table is apparently female (la table) but a book is male (le livre). Now picture yourself on the other side of the classroom, helping students navigate the equally quirky world of English — like why “read” can be pronounced two different ways depending on tense, or why “it’s” means “it is”, while “its” shows possession. Just a couple of the little oddities that make English as baffling as it is brilliant. The bonus? You might be doing it somewhere warm, tropical, or totally unexpected.
Why I Became a TEFL Teacher
Back in 2019, I was well and truly stuck. I was 24, working a part-time waitressing job I absolutely hated, I dropped out of university thanks to a mix of bad timing and personal chaos, and was pouring more money into keeping my battered ’03 Fiat Punto on the road than it was actually worth. To top it off, life just felt like one endless game of what else can go wrong?
I knew I needed a fresh start, something that actually made me excited to get out of bed in the morning. The only things I genuinely loved were travelling, learning languages, and meeting new people. So, on a random Saturday afternoon — probably in my pyjamas with a cuppa in hand — I Googled “jobs that let you travel and learn languages”. And just like that, TEFL teaching popped up and I thought, well, why not?
I did a bit more digging into how to actually become a TEFL teacher and stumbled across a company offering a three-month course for the Trinity College London CertTESOL Level 5 qualification. It sounded legit, it ticked all the boxes, and most importantly — it felt like the escape route I’d been searching for.
Fast forward to December 2019, and there I was: a fully qualified TEFL teacher, certificate in hand and grinning like a Cheshire cat. For the first time in ages, I felt a mix of relief, excitement, and that buzz you get when you realise the world’s about to open up for you. It finally felt like things were falling into place, and a whole load of new adventures were waiting just around the corner.
What have I achieved since becoming a TEFL Teacher?
When I received my qualification in December 2019, I landed a job as a ‘Travelling EFL Teacher‘ which entailed travelling around Italy teaching English in public schools and spending my days living la dolce vita — staying with local families, eating my bodyweight in pizza and pasta, and getting a real taste of traditional Italian life. It was everything I’d hoped for… until the pandemic came along and cut the adventure short.
Not ready to give up just yet, I headed to Lisbon in September 2020 for a three-month internship at a language school. The company sorted me out with a cosy little apartment right in the heart of Alfama (yep — all expenses paid) and I spent my days teaching at international companies and my evenings sipping cocktails at rooftop bars in Bairro Alto, and yes — the pandemic tried to ruin that too, but at least I squeezed in some unforgettable memories while it lasted.
After that, I made my way back to the UK and worked full-time as a teacher before eventually landing a role at The University of Manchester (not teaching-related this time), but I’ve kept one foot in the TEFL world by working part-time for the same lovely lady who helped me get my qualification. Becoming a TEFL teacher genuinely changed my life. It flung open a door to the rest of the world, and I’ve been sprinting through it ever since. Right now, I’m saving up for my dream backpacking trip around Central and South America — and knowing I’ve got this qualification in my back pocket means there’ll be opportunities waiting for me there too. Stay tuned.
How to Become a TEFL Teacher
Becoming a TEFL teacher is surprisingly straightforward — though it can be a bit of a hit to the bank account. You’ll find hundreds of companies offering “100-hour online TEFL courses” that promise to have you teaching abroad in no time. If you’re after a quick, budget-friendly option to dip your toes into teaching, those might do the trick.
But — if you’re serious about turning TEFL into a proper career, want a qualification that’s internationally recognised, and opens doors to the best jobs around the world, you’ll want to aim higher. The two big names to know are the Trinity College London CertTESOL and the Cambridge CELTA. These are the gold-standard qualifications that schools and language centres actually ask for — and trust me, having one of these under your belt makes all the difference.
Which Qualification Did I Choose?
I went for the Trinity College London CertTESOL, if I’m being totally honest, because it was cheaper at the time. Simple as that. But truthfully, both qualifications are recognised pretty much everywhere, and employers will happily accept either. I wouldn’t say one’s better than the other — they’re very similar in terms of content, but they do differ quite a bit when it comes to how you’re assessed and how the courses are moderated. My advice? Do your homework, compare both, and pick the one that fits your budget, schedule, and learning style. Either way, you’ll come out with a solid, respected qualification that can take you anywhere in the world.
Which Company Did I Choose?
I obtained my qualification with Train‑to‑TEFL, an independent TESOL training provider led by both the trainers and founders, Suzannah and Chris, and honestly, I couldn’t recommend them enough. The course was full-on (as you’d expect for a proper qualification), but the support from start to finish was amazing. They guided me through every assessment unit, answered my endless questions, and kept me motivated when things got intense. One of the highlights was getting to do 6 hours of real teaching practice — Was I sweating it at first? Absolutely. But once I got going, I didn’t want to stop! By the end of the course, I didn’t just have a certificate — I had the skills and confidence to walk into a classroom anywhere in the world and actually teach. An unforgettable experience with a brilliant team behind it.
Take a look at their social media for stories and testimonials from other teachers, and head over to their website for all the details on entry requirements, course dates, fees, and everything else you need to know!
Why Should You Become a TEFL Teacher?
If you’re craving a career that’s rewarding, flexible, and lets you see the world while you’re at it, TEFL teaching should be right at the top of your list. Yes — it comes with its challenges: lesson planning, marking homework, and dreaming up creative ways to explain the madness of English grammar. But the buzz you get from knowing you’re genuinely making a difference in someone’s life is unbeatable. The students? Always welcoming, endlessly appreciative, and eager to share their culture, stories, and a few local secrets. It’s more than just a job — it’s a chance to connect with people from every corner of the globe and be part of something genuinely special.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this whole TEFL journey, it’s that life rarely goes to plan — and thank goodness for that. What started as a desperate Google search on a dreary afternoon turned into a passport to places, people, and opportunities I’d never imagined. Whether you dream of sipping sangria in Spain, chasing sunsets in Thailand, or teaching grammar to a group of CEOs in Tokyo, a TEFL qualification can open those doors for you. It’s not always easy, it’s rarely predictable, but it’s always worth it. So if you’ve been craving something new, something bold, and a job that gives you stories you’ll still be telling in 20 years — maybe it’s time to join the club.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send me a message! I would love to help you kick-start your TEFL journey.