Top 20 TEFL Certification Courses in 2024

Download PDF

A TEFL certificate demonstrates that an individual has received training in teaching English as a Foreign Language. The course equips individuals with essential teaching skills, such as lesson planning, classroom management, online teaching methodology, and teaching methodologies tailored to English language learners. These skills are invaluable for effective teaching and ensuring student progress.

With English being a global language, there is a high demand for English Language teachers worldwide. A TEFL certificate opens doors to opportunities in various countries and contexts, including schools, language institutes, and corporate training programs. To obtain a TEFL Certificate you need to pursue a TEFL Certificate Course from a top reputed Institute or TEFL Certification Academy.

Free TEFL Courses or Paid TEFL Courses?

TEFL Certificate Courses are costly and sometimes beyond the range of affordability, and it makes the students search for free options. But one thing I can say for sure is that if you are looking for 100% free TEFL Training Courses then you won’t find any.

Even if you do find an absolutely $0 free course, then I can assure you that the course and the certification will be of no value at all in the global market, which is essential to getting a job.

There is a reason why institutes charge a lot for TEFL-accredited and certified courses. TEFL Courses offered by a globally recognized institute like Henry Harvin are of a very high standard, and this course can provide jobs in several countries.  

The American Association of EFL has designed the TEFL certification course at Henry Harvin which is accredited by the world’s most renowned and esteemed independent body for TEFL training. The 120-hour-long TEFL course at Henry Harvin is designed with 14 modules that are taught by domain experts who have great reviews.

On course completion, a certificate with global validation is provided along with placement opportunities from Henry Harvin.

How to Get a Free TEFL Certification

Obtaining a free TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certification can be challenging, as most reputable TEFL certification programs are paid due to the training materials, resources, special classes, live projects, and placement support provided. However, there are a few options you can explore for free or low-cost TEFL Certification Courses:

1. Scholarships and Grants: Some academies or institutions offer scholarships covering part or all of the course fees. These opportunities may be available based on academic merit, or other criteria. 
2. Employer Sponsorship: Some employers may offer sponsorship or reimbursement for TEFL Certification Courses as part of professional development programs. 
3. Online Platforms Offering Free TEFL Courses: Many institutes offer free or low-cost introductory TEFL courses. While these courses may not provide full certification, they can offer valuable insights into TEFL techniques. 
4. Online Resources: There are many free resources available online, such as articles, videos, lesson plans, and activities that can help you develop your teaching skills and knowledge of English Language Teaching Methods.

List of Top Free TEFL Certification Courses

After exploring various TEFL courses, You can choose the best TEFL Certificate Course from the Top TEFL Academy or Institute and earn the certificate at an affordable price. We suggest paid TEFL courses are better from a good institute.

We provide a list of TEFL Courses from the Top TEFL Academy as mentioned below:

1. Henry Harvin TEFL Academy

Henry Harvin offers a 120-hour online self-managed AAEFL (American Association of EFL) affirmed TEFL course. The program must be finished at the time of enlistment. The mentors at Henry Harvin are senior space specialists who spread the course easily and are committed to understudies’ learning.

The course typically requires 8-12 weeks to finish. What’s more, the course doesn’t need any essential information.

Henry Harvin even extends employment opportunities with 1200+ situation accomplices over 42 nations in 7 unique mainlands. Media accomplices of Henry Harvin are Russia Today, Bloomberg, Japan News English, U.S. News, and CCTV News.

After about fourteen days of the fruition of the course finishing, the AAEFL licensed testament was sent to effective understudies using email and this affirmation has a deep-rooted approval and doesn’t need any restoration.

Website:https://us.henryharvin.com/tefl-certification-course-online/index.php
Address:  355, Serrano Drive,
                  10C, San Fransisco,
                   CA-94132, United States-85253
Contact Number: +91-9899577620

Email Id: [email protected]

2. English First

The TEFL course certification offered by English First is a free internationally recognized course that also provides a full-time teaching job in their language schools of China and Indonesia.

There are a few eligibility criteria the student must be a passport holder from countries South Africa, New Zealand, the UK, USA, Ireland, and Canada. The students must also have a Bachelor’s degree and give English First access to a clear background check.

Also, the students have to commit to a minimum one-year contract with the institute. If all these criteria meet then, only a candidate will be chosen for a free TEFL international course training.

Website: https://www.englishfirst.com/free-tefl-certification/

Call information: +86 (21) 6039 5868 (Shanghai, China), +1 (617) 619-1938 (Boston, USA), +44 207 341 8500 (London, UK)

3. London Teacher Training College

London Teacher Training College offers a self-study free TEFL certification course. This 15-hour long study online package is free; however, it doesn’t provide any trainer or certificate. This course is best for EFL teachers who already are qualified but are seeking a source to refresh their knowledge and polish their skills.

The London Teacher Training College is certified by the IATEFL, The College of Teachers, and they also have a gold certification for being an approved training center from Training Qualification UK. To know more about the free TEFL training, one can visit the LTTC website for the information available.

Website details – https://www.teachenglish.co.uk/tefl-courses/taster-courses/tesol-taster.html

Contact details – 0208 133 2027 (Inside UK), +44 208 133 2027 (International)

Email details :: [email protected]

Address: LTTC, 60 Windsor Avenue, London SW19 2RR

4. TEFL Professional Development Institute 

This course is 120 hours long TEFL Teacher Training, and the curriculum is constructed the course materials from reputed members of the TEFL community like The British Council, Cambridge University Press, University of Oregon, The New School of New York, Oxford University Press, and many more. The course can be accessed through the website link that we have provided and they assure us it is a genuine and professional course.

TEFL Professional Development Institute does not have much contact information, so that is a drawback because the site lacks genuineness. It is suggested that one should visit the website and go through the TEFL course online for free information before enrolling.

Website: http://www.theteflcertificate.com/freeteflcourse

5. Future Learn

They offer many such free courses, and to avail, of all the unlimited course access with digital certification one can subscribe by paying $249.99 which is very useful because several opportunities open up by the access to those short free courses on the site. The following few free TEFL courses are listed under the access through the Future Learn website.

Website details – https://www.futurelearn.com/subjects/teaching-courses/teaching-english-tefl

6. Introduction to Applied Linguistics and TESOL –University of Leicester

The reputed University of Leicester has developed the course Future Learn, which offers a free English teaching training course that lasts for 6 weeks of duration. This free course here is designed for around 3 hours of study per week to be completed within six weeks.

As this is a free version, Future Learn does not provide any certification upon the completion of the course. So, this can be considered as the only drawback of this course curriculum.

However, if one decides to opt for the $ 64-course upgrade which comes with a print and digital certificate.

And if anyone wants to opt for the $249.99 subscription of one year then the student will be granted a one-year access to this course and any other course on Future Learn and this unlimited subscription of one year will also grant digital certificates.

Website details –https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/introduction-to-applied-linguistics

7. Teaching English Online – Cambridge Assessment English

This course will act as a TEFL course online free for guidance to be skilled in English teaching to students through online mode. The Teaching English Online course by Cambridge Assessment English is a four-week duration course that one can complete by investing 5 hours of study time weekly. This course will help one gain insights into online teaching methodologies and train about digital tools.

However, the free version of the course on Future Learn will not provide any certificate of completion. It is suggested to opt for the upgrade version for $54 or the yearly subscription to get certification proof of successful course completion.

Website: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/online-tutoring

8. Language Assessment in the Classroom – British Council

This course is a British Council developed four weeks long course offered free of cost at the Future Learn site. This course is aimed at language teachers around the world in high schools or secondary schools to understand how language assessment works. This course has a prior requirement of English language proficiency so that one can get the most benefit out of this course.

The free course does not offer a certificate at course completion, but the paid upgraded version at $54 comes with a digital certificate if a student is eligible.  

Website: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/language-assessment

9. Dyslexia and Foreign Language Teaching – Lancaster University

This is a four-week-long course that provides insights into practical tools and theoretical concepts required for teaching foreign languages to dyslexic students of other native languages.

The course requires weekly 4-hour study to become a professional language teacher. This course is highly beneficial because about 10%- 15% of the population is dyslexic and needs professional help to understand a particular foreign language.

The materials and tasks given in the course are designed by applying a tool in teaching to students of various age groups.

But the drawback of this free version of the course on Future Learn is that it doesn’t come with a certificate on course completion however one can upgrade the course to the $89 version that will provide a digital certificate.    

Website details:-  https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/dyslexia

10. TESOL Strategies-  Supporting ESL Students in Mainstream Classrooms – University of Glasgow

This free TESOL course will teach about the basic principles, considerations, and strategies for cultivating a productive language-learning environment. This course of 3 weeks duration requires 4 hours of weekly study. The professionals will learn about all the dimensions involved in learning a Language.

The certificate will not be provided after the free version of the course is completed, but the upgraded version that will give a certificate is $54. Aspirants interested in knowing more information about the course can visit the below website link.

 Website details :- https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/tesol-strategies

11. Teaching Phonics in Early Childhood::- Queensland University of Technology

This two-week long free TEFL certification course is for professionals who want to teach English and need an introduction to phonics and to learn how to teach phonics to young minds.

A weekly one-hour study is vital for students to get an idea about the course. It is a free digital course on Future Learn that will improve the teaching skills of phonics to children. This course on Future Learn has many good reviews so one can check it by visiting the website link provided.

Website details:-  https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/ teaching-phonics

12. English in Early Childhood: Language Learning and Development – British Council

This free course on Future Learn is a six-week long course that requires a 2-hour weekly study. This course will provide insights into the psychology of learning by young children that will be helpful for professionals.

At the end of the course, one will have an idea about how children acquire a new language. The course is developed by the British Council, an esteemed member of the TEFL community.

This course is ranked 4.8 with several good reviews, but the free version of the course doesn’t provide a certificate. One can also upgrade the course at $54 to a version that will provide a certificate on course completion.

The following is the list of TEFL courses that are offered by institutes at a very cheap cost through the Groupon website. Sometimes many such similar courses are offered at the most affordable price rate when you access them through discount-providing sites like Groupon.

Website details:- https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/english-in- early-childhood

13. TEFL Full Circle

This is a 160-hour-long free TEFL certification course offered by TEFL Full Circle. The professionals with this certificate will be able to earn money while traveling as they get the opportunity to teach students around the globe.

The promotional value of the TEFL course online expires after 180 days after purchase. This course offered by TEFL Full Circle is constructed of 26 modules on lesson planning, technology in the classroom, the importance of literature in teaching, and a PDF of the certificate.  

Website: https://www.groupon.com/deals/tefl-fullcircle

14. Global Language Training

This is a 40-hour long TEFL course offered by Global Language Training at a price of only $19. However, the 120 hours long the TEFL course online costs $29 at Groupon. This course will equip trainees with the tools to guide non-English native speakers.

The promotional value of the course expires after 120 days of purchase (the amount doesn’t expire, but only the redemption).

The Global Language Training offers this course online or on-site medium and trainers with more than 18 years of teaching experience deliver this course.

Website: https://www.groupon.com/deals/n-global-language-training-tefl-specialist-courses

15. Learn TEFL

The 120 hours long online free TEFL training offered by Learn TEFL can be purchased at $29 on Groupon, through the link we have provided. This purchase will grant the students an access duration of six months to an in-depth TEFL 10-module long course model.

Learn TEFL offers personal tutor assistance and an online certificate on course completion and also Learn TEFL will provide job assistance post-course. The promotional value of the course expires 180 days after the course purchase on Groupon. The verified reviewers of Groupon have given this course a 4.4 rating.

Website: https://www.groupon.com/deals/international-open-academy-787

Conclusion

If one is determined to enroll for a free TEFL certification, then make sure it is certified and accredited, and also check the reviews online before investing your time if not money into learning it, so that you don’t end up being caught in a scam.

You can find a handful of free TEFL certification courses online. You will learn all the necessary techniques, abilities, and technical know-how to successfully teach ESL to your students. Additionally, you’ll discover how to help your students adopt the appropriate mindset.

The TEFL certification course online starts with the self-evaluation entailing teaching English as a second language. This will enable you to determine your decisions and abilities by differentiating your teaching techniques.

If you want to learn more about English language teaching for non-native speakers you can take one of these free courses offered by TEFL certification. When teaching English to those not familiar with the language, you are teaching the Language as a Foreign Language, otherwise known as EFL (English as a Foreign Language) Anywhere in the world, you can get certified to become a qualified English teaching professional by specializing skills and knowledge

Having a native English speaker as a passport and the TEFL certification often serve as sufficient prerequisites for the offshore role of the English teacher.

To teach English abroad, you don’t need any teaching experience, to have a teaching license, to have a degree, or to have a college degree. NOTE: A TEFL certification is legally binding around the world and it can never expire.

Career Scope of TEFL Certification Courses

The career scope for individuals with TEFL certification offers a wide range of opportunities both domestically and internationally. 

Here are some potential career paths:

1. English Language Teacher: TEFL certification opens up opportunities to teach English in countries where English is not the primary language. 
2. English Language Teacher Online: With the rise of online learning platforms, there’s a growing demand for qualified English language teachers to deliver lessons remotely to students around the world.
3. International Schools: Many International schools require teachers who are TEFL-certified professionals. TEFL certification is valuable for securing positions in these institutions.
4. Corporate English Trainer: Many organizations seek English language trainers to help employees improve their language skills for professional purposes. 
5. Curriculum Developer: Some TEFL-certified professionals transition into roles where they develop English language Curricula and educational materials for schools, language institutes, or online platforms.
6. Language Assessment: Individuals with TEFL certification may work in roles related to language assessment, such as administering English proficiency exams like the TOEFL or IELTS.

Freelance Teaching and Consulting: Some TEFL-Certified Professionals choose to work independently as freelance English Language trainers offering their services to individuals, businesses, corporate organizations, or educational institutions.

FAQ’s

Q.1 What is the duration of the free TEFL course?

Ans. The course duration of the free TEFL course is 120 hours. But there are many institutions providing duration flexibility, you can get some fast-track training also. These fast-track training courses involve a small number of hours to complete. You need to make some efforts to explore this fast-track training.

Q.2 Are the free TEFL courses worth taking?

Ans. Yes, you can start with the free TEFL course. The above-mentioned are a few of the free TEFL courses which can help you start your learning. You can select any of these free TEFL courses and start your journey. All the above-mentioned courses are worth joining and start learning.

Q.3 Are there any registration fees to enroll in these free TEFL courses?

Ans. As the name suggests, these are the free TEFL course providers. So, you can start with no payment. You can check on your mobiles or laptops and start now with no hesitation as there are many such websites providing free TEFL courses that can be accessed through mobile as well as through laptops.

Q.4 Free TEFL course is enough to get into the job?

Ans. Whenever you look for the free TEFL course, make sure you will explore all the reviews about the course details. Once you enroll, you can sign up for certification and accreditation so that you are not grabbed into any scams. So, be careful while choosing any free TEFL course.

Q.5 Are there only these free TEFL courses available?

Ans. See, these are a few free TEFL courses that I have mentioned above. If you explore and search in Google you may land on many more such free TEFL courses across the globe.