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A TEFL certification is a qualification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to teach English to non-native speakers. This certification equips individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach English language learners in various settings, such as language schools, private tutoring, or international schools.

TEFL courses typically cover topics such as English language teaching methodologies, lesson planning, classroom management, language assessment, and understanding learner needs.

The minimum required worldwide is to have at least the 120 Hour TEFL training.

You can choose between fully accredited TEFL courses, Government Regulated Level 5 TEFL courses or combined TEFL courses. View all our courses here.

Online TEFL courses are the most affordable & flexible way to launch your teaching career. This is a perfect way to study theoretical material at your own time & your own pace.

Before you choose your TEFL certificate, be aware to check if:

• It is fully accredited & recognised worldwide.
• You will gain at least 120 hours of training.
• You will have a tutor’s assistance.
• It is approved by an official body, such as Ofqual in the United Kingdom.
• Make sure to check TEFL provider reviews on Google or
• You will have job support after completion.

You can blend a comprehensive online TEFL self-study course (available in 120-hour, 180-hour, or 300-hour formats) with our highly recommended 10-hour Virtual TEFL Course which includes teaching practice.

Our live Virtual TEFL Course is conducted live by experienced tutors. It allows you to learn essential classroom teaching skills, interact with fellow aspiring teachers, and get your TEFL questions answered. 

The TEFL Institute of Ireland is a reputable provider of TEFL courses with worldwide recognition. As an Irish-based business, we offer top-notch training for individuals looking to become certified English language teachers. We are known for our high-quality courses, experienced instructors, and comprehensive curriculum, making us an excellent choice for anyone seeking TEFL certification in Ireland.

To take TEFL courses with us, visit our course overview or request a free callback to speak with our team. We will explain our course offerings, pricing, and enrollment process. We provide both online and hybrid training options, allowing flexibility for students with various schedules and preferences. With our stellar reputation, boasting 4.9 reviews based on over 1500 opinions, we strive for a commitment to excellence. The TEFL Institute of Ireland stands out as one of the best choices for TEFL certification in Ireland.

And of course, adding our 30-hour Teaching English Online course is a huge benefit as it focuses to prepare you (the teacher) on how to enter the online tutoring world.

We do not offer free TEFL courses, but the TEFL Institute of Ireland offers funding options for unemployed individuals through the TESG (Training and Employment Support Grant) program administered by the Department of Social Protection. This program aims to support unemployed individuals in acquiring new skills and qualifications to enhance their employability.

If you are unemployed and interested in pursuing a TEFL course, you may be eligible for funding assistance through the TESG program. The TEFL Institute of Ireland can guide the application process.

Please contact The TEFL Institute of Ireland directly for more information on how to apply for funding assistance for TEFL courses through the TESG program.

More information on the social welfare grant can be found at this link: Local Social Welfare Office

This scheme is designed to fund quick access to short-term training or related interventions and obtain/renew certification/permits for individual job seekers who have identified work opportunities or where Case Officers have identified an immediate skills gap that represents an obstacle to taking up a job offer or accessing other activations.

A regulated qualification means that it is officially recognised by the government and sits on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications.

DEAC stands for the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. It is a recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education. DEAC evaluates and accredits distance education programs offered by various educational institutions, ensuring that they meet specific quality standards and criteria.

AQC stands for Approved Quality Curriculum. It is a status granted by DEAC to signify that a particular curriculum or course offered by an educational institution meets the rigorous quality standards set by DEAC. Essentially, AQC indicates that the curriculum has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by DEAC for its quality and adherence to educational standards.

TEFL – “Teaching English as a Foreign Language” certificate, is the most commonly accepted certificate worldwide. This certificate allows you to teach English to non-native speakers across the globe. The main qualifications to get a TEFL is to have the ability to speak English at a native-level and then complete a course. You can complete a TEFL course either online or in a classroom. The different courses vary based on the number of hours it takes to complete.

TESOL – “Teaching English as a Second Language” aka TESL. Similar to TESOL students, as a TESL teacher, you would likely be teaching English in your home country to students who have moved or live in an English speaking country. In other words, they are continuously surrounded by the language and will be using it everyday outside of the classroom, unlike TEFL students who are likely learning in their home country.

CELTA stands for “Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults” and is a very prestigious certification. In order to receive a CELTA, you must complete a 120-hour course along with six hours of teaching real ESL students. The majority of the programs are held over one-month and are full time. However, you may be able to find some courses that are part-time and are spread out over three months. The CELTA program must follow a strict regulation created by Cambridge University. Due to its intense nature and requirements, the cost also tends to be much higher and can be up to €1700!

Confused about which TEFL course to enrol in? Don’t worry, as long as you can speak English at a fluent or near-fluent level, then you are eligible to take one of the TEFL Institute of Ireland’s regulated TEFL courses.

Non-native speakers do sometimes find the Ofqual Regulated Level 5 TEFL course quite challenging and we understand it is essential for you to be sure that you are comfortable with your English language abilities before choosing which course to take. As a guide, we recommend that that non-native speakers have a minimum IELTS 6.5 score. If you are unsure you should take our FREE online level test below

Complete The TEFL Institute of Ireland’s FREE English Level Test which has been designed to assist you with making this important decision.  If you have any doubts, request a call, and we can discuss which course would suit your needs.

The great news is that you don’t need a degree to take a TEFL course! This is a common worry. Anyone with fluent English can enrol in one of our courses to become a qualified and confident English teacher.
It’s good to know that a degree is a requirement in some countries to get a work permit such as Japan and Korea, but there are many opportunities for those without a degree to be hired.
Even if you see an employer preference for degree holders I still recommend applying as they may not get their full quota and you may have so many additional skills that will appeal to hiring managers.

Lots of people ask about the difference between our courses. For example, the 120-hour Premier TEFL course is what we would call one of our  fast track courses. This is the minimum recognised worldwide.

• You have 10 modules to complete usually taking 4 – 6 weeks
• Each module has a multiple-choice test at the end and you need 80% to pass
• You’ll get your digital certificate on completion and can buy a hard copy from us if you’d like one with an embossed logo immediately

Looking at the 180-hour level 5 Ofqual-regulated TEFL course by comparison:

• Learners spend typically 10 – 12 weeks to complete the 11 modules
• Since it’s a UK government regulated level 5 course the pass mark is 100% and assessments are multiple-choice plus open-ended answers. Don’t worry, you can re-attempt quizzes in order to get 100%. Our academic team will review your answers at the end of your 11 modules and may ask for some questions to be reattempted (absolutely normal). Some questions may require providing Academic references.
• You’ll get your digital coursework completion certificate from us after module 11, and following a successful assessment from our academic team, we’ll be able to claim the licence for your Ofqual (government) certificate from our accreditation body Highfield.

The Ofqual-regulated course range is certainly for those people who want to gain a higher-level more recognised qualification.

Read our blog to learn more about the Level 5 TEFL course here.

If you are looking for a professional, globally recognised, Government Regulated TEFL qualification; you should consider the online level 5 TEFL course. The Government Regulated Level 5 TEFL course is the same level as CELTA and Trinity Cert TESOL. Ofqual government-regulated (UK) Level 5 Highfield qualification.

The course has 180 hours of TEFL training, more than the minimum required and it’s a higher standard course and therefore, is more competitive.

There is none really, we usually say that if you are over 16yrs old, you can start completing a TEFL course. If you are looking for jobs abroad then the minimum age requirement is 18 yrs old or higher.

The TEFL institute of Ireland is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Distance Learning (ACDL), an accreditation body which specialises in distance learning courses. Thus our accreditation by ACDL reflects the high-quality distance learning offered by the TEFL institute.

ACDL – Accreditation number: 2854-2540

To learn more, visit their website: ACDL

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation.

Regulation (Ofqual) regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.

To learn more about Ofqual or to verify Highfield status, visit their website: Ofqual

We would always recommend attending practical training. If you have the time to attend one of our 10 hour classroom courses, then do! This will give you more confidence and it will put the theory from your online course into practice. The day course is run by our experienced TEFL’s teachers and you will learn the most important skills for executing lessons, from how to warm up the class, to using grammar in a clear and concise manner. This course is perfect if you have already TEFL cert and you would like to put it in practice. Some people prefer to start from the practical course and then do a 120-300hour TEFL course after.

We have 4 locations where we hold our day courses in Ireland:

TEFL Course Dublin, Jurys Inn, Parnell Street

TEFL Course in Galway, The Clayton Hotel

TEFL Course Cork, Radisson Blu Hotel

TEFL Course In Limerick, The Maldron Hotel

You are never too old to gain new qualifications. Some employers might have age restrictions but others won’t. There are always options to teach English from home, private tutor, online tutor.

No, it is not necessary to have knowledge of other languages. You will be able to find a job and work comfortably without knowing the language spoken in that particular country. The real question is, should you make an effort to learn a foreign language? Basic language is always a plus and we would always recommend learning a few phrases before you move abroad. Learn to say Hi, Thank you, Goodbye, Sorry. If you can order a meal and pay for that meal without automatically handing over the biggest bill in your wallet (whilst looking adorably confused) you’ll survive.