Are you new to TEFL?

If it's your first time considering TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) as a gap year option, or new career move, then a few definitions and explanations might come in useful for you.

We're pretty impartial at Cactus TEFL, in so much as we're not trying to sell you a particular TEFL course, rather giving you the advice and options for you to make your own informed choices.

TEFL is the career of Teaching English as a Foreign Language. You'll also see it referred to as TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages or ELT - English Language Teaching. ELT and TESOL are actually the most up-to-date terms, as they lose the idea it's a "foreign" language people are learning, which is a bit colonial sounding. But we all know it as TEFL, so that's what you'll see throughout the site.

Confused by the jargon? TEFL acronyms explained >

For more on the different qualifications, have a look at choosing the right TEFL course >

:: What's it like to teach English?

Teaching English whether in your own country or as part of an overseas adventure is a special thing to do: it's about travelling the world, meeting amazing people, and "giving something back". Seeing your studens learn and use the language you've given them is highly rewarding. But it can also be tough going at times, which is why it is important to be well prepared before you go.

:: Who can teach English?

TEFL is quite unique in that, because your main skill is your ability to speak English, the job appears to be accessible to nearly all native speakers many people. But teaching the language is quite different from just speaking it well. A good TEFL course ensures you learn the most current techniques to pass on your knowledge in a lively, interesting and dynamic way.

Beyond the qualification, being a TEFL teacher requires an enthusiasm for teaching English, an empathy with learners and an interest in discovering new languages and cultures. We often romanticise about the travel and lifestyle opportunities TEFL could open up, but it's important to remember that you're likely to be teaching and preparing lessons for a good 30-40 hours a week - possibly more at the beginning until you get used to it. So you really do have to enjoy the work you're doing.

:: Try before you buy

You might like the idea of TEFL, but why not find out if it's really for you? You can attend a free TEFL information seminar or better, a TEFL Taster Day - and try your hand at teaching English. You might also want to start with an Online Introduction to TEFL Course or Weekend Introduction to TEFL Course to get a feel for TEFL before committing to one of the internationally recognised 4-week intensive courses which will properly prepare you for the job in hand. Find out more...

:: TEFL Job Prospects

It's never too early to think about finding work. It is generally considered to be easier to find work than it is to get through an intensive course! We give you advice & suggestions as well as concrete TEFL job opportunities in our TEFL Jobs section