Is TEFL Right for You? 7 Questions to Ask Before You Start Your Teaching Adventure

Thinking About Teaching English Abroad? Start Here.

You have probably seen people teaching English from a beach in Bali or living in a bustling city like Tokyo or Madrid while working in the classroom. It sounds like a dream and for many, it really is. But before you jump into a TEFL course, it is worth taking a moment to ask yourself some key questions. Not to scare you off but to help you go into it with confidence and clarity.

Here are 7 questions to consider if you are thinking of starting your TEFL journey.

1. Why do you want to teach English?

Maybe you want to travel and experience new cultures. Maybe you are looking for a career change or a meaningful way to use your degree. Or maybe you love the idea of helping people reach their goals. Whatever your reason, knowing your reason will help you stay focused especially when you are figuring things out in a new country or getting used to online teaching.

2. Are you open to stepping out of your comfort zone?

TEFL is exciting but it can also be unpredictable. You will meet people with different values, work in classrooms with unfamiliar routines, and sometimes feel totally out of your depth. The good news is that is how growth happens. The more open you are, the more rewarding the experience will be.

3. Do you want to teach abroad, online, or a mix of both?

One of the best things about TEFL is the flexibility. You can teach in a classroom overseas, from your laptop at home, or a combination of the two. Think about what lifestyle you are after. Are you ready to move abroad for a year or two? Or are you hoping to teach online while traveling or working from home? Your goals will help guide your path.

4. How confident are you with English grammar?

You do not need to be an expert to start but you will need to explain things like verb tenses, sentence structure, and phrasal verbs to students. A quality TEFL course should give you the tools and practice to brush up on these skills even if it has been years since you last thought about grammar rules.

5. What kind of lifestyle are you looking for?

Teaching English can lead to a wide range of opportunities. You could be working in a school in South Korea, doing private tutoring in Spain, or running online classes from anywhere in the world. Each path comes with its own rhythm and income potential. It helps to have a picture in your mind of what kind of day to day life excites you most.

6. Are you ready to invest in a good course?

Let us be honest there are a lot of TEFL courses out there and not all of them are worth your time or money. Employers usually look for a 120 hour accredited course which is the industry standard. A good course should teach you the essentials, prepare you to plan lessons, and give you the confidence to walk into your first class knowing what to do.

7. Can you see yourself leading a class online or in person?

You do not have to be a natural performer but you do need to feel comfortable guiding others and creating a positive learning environment. Whether you are teaching kids their first English words or helping adults improve their conversation skills, your role is to support and encourage and that is incredibly rewarding.

So is TEFL right for you?

Only you can answer that. But if you are looking for something new, meaningful, and full of possibilities, teaching English might be exactly what you are looking for. It is more than just a job. It is a chance to connect, grow, and explore the world in a whole new way.

When you are ready to get started, our 120 hour course at Go TEFL is designed to take you from beginner to confident teacher wherever you want to go next.