What does TEFL stand for?
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
What is a TEFL certification? A TEFL certification is an English teaching credential. In order to get TEFL certified you must enrol in a TEFL program, complete the course and receive the certificate. Upon completion of the course you will be a TEFL certified applicant.
Are TEFL certifications needed in order to secure employment in Korea? No, having a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certification is not a mandatory requirement for securing employment in Korea with Gone2Korea Recruiting; however, they sometimes help if you don’t have related working experience or a related major.
How much do TEFL certifications cost? Costs will vary depending on the program you enrol with, the length of the course and the amount of in-class instruction. Most online courses will cost $300 - $450 USD for a 100 to 120 hour certification. In-class courses are substantially higher and can cost upwards of $1500 USD.
Which are better, online courses or in-class courses? In-class courses are generally better but they’re not really needed unless you plan on pursuing ESL as a long term career goal. If you only plan on teaching English for a year or two then getting certified online is more than sufficient and typically more financially feasable.
How long will it take me to complete the certification? It depends on the course provider, the type of course and the number of course hours you signed up for. Most people are able to complete a 100 hour online course within 4-8 weeks.
Will my salary be affected if I get TEFL certified? It depends: Assuming you don’t have a related major or previous teaching experience then public schools will offer entry level applicants who have completed a 100 hour (or greater) TEFL certification a higher monthly salary. Please refer to our public school pay scales page for details. Private schools rarely offer higher salaries to TEFL certified teachers but it may help you land the job itself.
Does Gone2Korea advise teachers to get certified before they apply? No. It’s advantageous to be certified but we don’t turn down applicants who aren’t. Additionally, it’s possible to secure a public school job first, and then enrol in a course afterwards placing you in the higher salary bracket as outlined above.
