The following is an excerpt from my book
Miscellaneous Advice (4th edition, 9.15.2026)

ELT (English Language Teaching) Certificates

There are two types of certificates: the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate.

TEFL focuses on teaching English in countries where it is not the primary language. TESOL is a broader credential that covers teaching both abroad and to non-native speakers living in English-speaking countries. A TEFL is standard entry-level for travelers seeking short-term work overseas. A TESOL is typically associated with long-term academic careers, such as college and public school systems.

The TEFL is self-paced, 100% online, and typically costs $200–$600. It can be finished in 3–8 weeks. It is the most common one schools abroad ask for, so it’s the simpler choice for most people.

The TESOL is more rigorous: it can cost between $1,500 and $2,500, and requires a 4-week intensive commitment. It also includes mandatory observed teaching practice.  

If you just want a very basic TEFL certificate without spending a lot, check out International Open Academy (IOA) or Full Circle. You can do the 120-hour program which is the basic industry floor. However, if you want something more reputable, the industry standard is an Ofqual-regulated Level 5 program (roughly 168–180 hours), offered by providers like i-to-i, The TEFL Org, The TEFL Academy, or International TEFL Academy (ITA). Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) is a non-ministerial UK government department. It regulates qualifications, exams, and tests in England. The name is a portmanteau of Office of Qualifications. It’s goal is to ensure academic and professional standards. 

A “Level 5 combined” course specifically means it includes a mandatory practical teaching component (live teaching practice with real students, either in-person or via structured live sessions). So it’s not just online theory. 

If you want the most prestigious of TEFL certification, check out Cambridge CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL. Such prestige is necessary if you wish to work at a high-tier university or at an international school. I would only go for this if you’ve been teaching ESL for some time, making money and enjoying it, and you want to elevate your status.

I recommend starting with a budget online program to test the waters, so to speak. Go for the 168-hour Level 5 Diploma offered by TEFL Academy. Can’t go wrong. It’s regulated by Ofqual, it’s globally recognized, and it carries academic weight. With this, you can teach in-person at a school or for online platforms such as Cambly, Native Camp, Preply, or Twenix. You can even do your own private freelance tutoring. Teaching online first will give you awareness as to whether teaching English is something you actually want to do before committing to a physical classroom. 

Many people have quit because they got overwhelmed with teaching 30 young children in a foreign country without prior practice. It’s just too much at once: new career, new environment, many kids, etc. Once you have a few months of online teaching under your belt, you’ll know. 

I would recommend moving to a target country then begin looking for schools. Being there makes things much easier and you can actually visit the school to see if it is the right fit. 

Visas; Tourist, Education, Work, Business

Maybe one day, as a global society, we will do away with these, but for now…

A standard tourist visa costs about $30 to $100 and lasts for 30 to 90 days. 

For those looking to live abroad without a traditional job, enrolling part-time or full-time in a local language school unlocks an education visa, which costs approximately $200 to $800 in tuition and administrative filing fees and remains valid for 6 to 12 months. You are generally permitted to take on part-time employment like working at a local restaurant or farm, though non-EU citizens face a cap of roughly 30 hours per week during the term.

A work visa is typically free or entirely covered by the employer and lasts for the duration of a one-year contract. If you get the TEFL and teach English at a school, they will sponsor a work visa (such as a Z-visa in China or a local employment visa) and you can stay for the duration of your contract, typically one year at a time. 

A business visa runs about $50 to $500+ in government filing and legal entity setup costs. It can grant stays anywhere from 1 to 5 years. When you see an ex-pat on YouTube living there long-term, they almost always have a proper work or business visa.

Thailand specifically offers extended-stay options such as the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) tailored for remote workers and digital nomads. This costs ~$275 to $300 to apply. They also have residency-style programs, such as Thailand Privilege, but these can be quite expensive (tens of thousands of dollars). 

You’ll figure out what works for you. I personally think the education visa is brilliant. Learn the local language, you can live there for a year let’s say, and also get a part-time job. Wonderful!

You can also engage in visa runs where you simply leave the country when the tourist visa runs out, spend time traveling other countries, then return in six to eight months. If you come back too soon however, your visa can be denied.

Don’t overstay without a proper visa. You risk fines, deportation, or being banned from re-entering.