Can I Teach EFL Without a Degree?

The bottom line is that yes, you absolutely can teach EFL without a university degree. However, the reality is that the road to becoming an EFL teacher can be a little more challenging. Research and planning will be invaluable when you begin your TEFL journey. We’ll run you through everything you need to know about teaching EFL without a degree in this blog!

TEFL Requirements

Generally speaking, EFL employers look for at least a Level 2 TEFL Certificate. With online courses, you’ll likely need around 120 hours of TEFL training. With in-person training, you’ll be looking to complete at least 20 hours of training. It’s not a requirement for all employers that you have practical teaching experience, but it can be a helpful addition to any job application. If you don’t have previous teaching experience you might want to consider some volunteer opportunities to enhance your experience. 

VISA Requirements

In some cases, you might be unable to teach EFL without a degree not because of the employer but because of the country. The work VISA requirements in some countries require any potential workers to hold a degree in order to work in their country. If you don’t have a degree, we’d recommend checking out the VISA requirements of the countries you’d like to work in before you begin any job applications. There isn’t really a way around VISA requirements, aside from volunteering opportunities. If you aren’t legally required to hold a degree to work in a certain country, it’s then up to the employer whether or not it's a requirement for them.

Where can I teach?

Don’t panic! While there are some countries where you’ll need a degree to teach there, there are lots of countries that will accept workers and digital nomads without a degree. Some countries with high demand for EFL teachers, or a growing TEFL market include:

• Germany

• Spain

• Czech Republic

• Greece

• Brazil

• Uruguay

• Bolivia

• Mexico

• Argentina

• Myanmar

• Cambodia

• Costa Rica

• India

Who can I teach for?

There are lots of companies out there that will accept EFL teachers without a degree. Some of our favourites include: 

• SkimaTalk - a platform that connects English learners with English teachers. You’ll have the flexibility to set your own schedule, work from anywhere, and earn good money! You’ll need to be a native English speaker to work for SkimaTalk. 

• Lingoda - an e-learning company with a mission is to empower even the busiest people to master a language and unlock their potential – anytime, anywhere. Design your own schedule and book both short and long term work. You’ll need a TEFL certificate, and 2 years of teaching experience. 

• Open English - an online English-language learning platform, primarily serving users in Latin America and Hispanic Americans in the United States. You’ll need a TEFL certificate and 1 year of ESL experience. 

Are there any alternatives to teaching EFL without a degree?

If you’d still like to work in countries that require a degree to teach EFL, you might consider looking at short-term work placements or internships. Most of these programmes will allow you to teach abroad for up to 6 months and usually include accommodation, expenses, and support whilst you’re working. It’s worth mentioning that you’ll often have to pay to be part of the programme, and that usually means paying for your own flights. 

Volunteering positions are another great way of embarking on TEFL roles in countries where you need a degree. If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, we’d recommend checking out International Volunteer HQ or Volunteer Forever.

Ready to start your TEFL journey?

We hope that this information has been useful - please get in touch if you would like some help getting enrolled onto a TEFL course, or about future EFL job applications!