TESOL Jobs FAQ

What type of certification do I need to teach ESL/EFL?

No single degree, certificate, or license authorizes an individual to teach ESL/EFL in all fields or in all parts of the world. Job requirements are specific to the job and the employer and may vary a great deal from one job to another. Depending on the place in which one is teaching, generally speaking, the minimum qualification to teach English in private language schools throughout the world is a bachelor’s degree and some type of TESL or TEFL certificate.

Applicants must obtain a field-specific teaching license from the state where they wish to work. You may want to contact the department or ministry of education in the country where you plan to work for more information about that country’s educational system and academic requirements for teachers.

I do not have a degree or a certificate in TEFL, but I’d like to teach ESL or EFL. What job opportunities exist?

Numerous volunteer opportunities are available worldwide. Local literacy programs often include an ESL component, and aid agencies place volunteer teachers throughout the world. If you are untrained and plan to search for a paid position, you will most likely find low pay, no benefits, and long hours. These entry level positions are usually easiest to obtain by applying on-site.

What is the typical salary range for teachers in the United States? Outside the United States?

Because so many kinds of ESL/EFL teaching jobs are available worldwide, this question is difficult to answer. In the United States, ESL/EFL jobs may be full-or part-time and may be paid an annual salary, an hourly wage, or a fee per class. For jobs outside the United States, the answer is even more complicated. Because no single body governs all the ESL jobs worldwide, there is no central source for salary and benefits information. You will have to search for information on a specific country.

What country has the most jobs available?

Because no single body governs all ESL jobs worldwide, no statistics exist for which countries have the most jobs. Please visit TESOL’s Online Career Center for job listings.

Can TESOL find a job for me?

TESOL does not offer placement services for teachers or recruitment services for employers. But TESOL Career Services does have many other resources available to jobseekers, including the TESOL Career Center, an online job board; the Placement E-Bulletin, a semiweekly job posting newsletter; and the Job MarketPlace, an annual job fair held at the TESOL convention.

Where do I look for a job?

Please check our jobs page for some helpful websites to search for jobs http://linguistics.utah.edu/certificates-and-programs/tesol-cert/tesol-jobs.php.

Does TESOL have an office where I live?

The TESOL headquarters is located in Alexandria, Virginia, USA. TESOL also has more than 100 affiliates worldwide, but these affiliates are entirely separate organizations with independent memberships and activities. Although TESOL shares a special relationship with its affiliates, membership in TESOL does not constitute membership in any of its affiliates, or vice versa.

I still have questions. What should I do?

TESOL members may contact TESOL Career Services at careers@tesol.org. Although TESOL Career Services do not include academic or career counseling, legal assistance, or legal advice, TESOL will try to help you find answers to your questions.

TESOL Career Services is a member benefit; assisting more than 14,000 members worldwide.

TESOL membership is open to anyone with an interest in the field.

For information on how to join and details about additional member benefits, please visit www.tesol.org/join.