What is TEFL?

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

It is sometimes called TESOL - Teaching English as a Second Language.

It works like this: you do a course here in the UK (read more about choosing a TEFL course here). When you have your qualification, you can go and teach English to children or adults anywhere there's a need and there are jobs available. Many TEFL course providers will help you find a job when you qualify.

TEFL work is not particularly well-paid, but it does give you enough to live on in the country you are working in.

Learning English can be a very valuable skill to many different kinds of people. Business people, for example, need good English to work with people of other countries (not just English-speaking countries of course). Children in poorer countries with a good command of English have better job prospects than those without.

See a list of TEFL course providers here.