Why I Chose TEFL - And What Happened Next
There’s no better way to understand the true impact of a TEFL certification than hearing directly from those who’ve lived it. Whether it's teaching in a remote village, delivering virtual lessons from a laptop halfway across the world, or gaining the confidence to stand in front of a class for the first time, every TEFL journey is unique and inspiring.
In this blog, we're sharing real stories from our students who took the leap, completed their TEFL training, and discovered where it could take them. From life-changing travel experiences to stepping stones into education and beyond, their journeys offer a glimpse into the possibilities TEFL can unlock. If you're wondering what TEFL is really like, let these stories be your guide.
After doing the TEFL course, I have been able to tutor international students at my school for their GESE exams, and next year I am going to Sri Lanka as a teaching volunteer! This would not have been possible for me without doing this amazing course, and it left me feeling positive and prepared for my teaching.
Millie - Certified Learning Course in TEFL (120 Hours)Since completing the TEFL course, I had the amazing opportunity to spend the summer teaching English to children in Italy. It was a truly rewarding experience that allowed me to put my TEFL training into practice, gain classroom confidence, and immerse myself in new cultures. I’m grateful for the skills and foundation this course gave me.
Gursimran - Certified Learning Course in TEFL (120 Hours)I have regularly used my TEFL qualification when planning activities for Cubs and Beavers as a Young Leader, helping to increase engagement and usefulness for the young people. It has also helped me apply for a tutoring position during my gap year. I thought that the course would be really long and difficult, but if you break it into small chunks, it becomes a lot more manageable. Also, take screenshots! Just think of the fun you and your students could have in the future.
Oliver - Certified Learning Course in TEFL (120 Hours)Doing the TEFL course has really helped me build confidence in teaching and explaining things clearly, especially to people who are learning English as a second language. Even though I’m still in sixth form, the course gave me useful skills like how to plan lessons, manage a classroom, and make learning fun and interactive. It also helped me understand how to be patient and adapt my teaching style depending on who I’m working with. It’s been a great experience and has made me think more seriously about teaching in the future.
Henry - Certified Learning Course in TEFL (20 Hours)My name is Daisy and I am a sixth form student currently completing my A-levels. I gained my 120 hour TEFL qualification when I was in year 12, and used it to participate in some volunteer work within the lower school. I acted as a TA for a year within this class of year eights and grew my confidence and experience. I decided to complete a 60 hour further qualification over the summer between year 12 and 13, which became a huge talking point on my CV and uni applications. I gained a place at the UEA studying Education, and the TEFL qualification helped demonstrate both my love of teaching and my ability to study independently. It’s been a great advantage when looking for volunteer opportunities within schools and I can’t wait to use it to take a gap year and teach abroad after I complete my degree!
Daisy - Certified Learning Course in TEFL (120 Hours)Growing up in a British-Italian family, I understood the importance and benefits of learning languages. Not only did it allow me to communicate more freely with the Italian members of my family, it gave me an advantage in learning other languages, such as French, and from there my passion for learning languages started. This is why I was very excited to be offered a TEFL course, something that would give me the qualifications to allow me to make my love of language-learning a career. My school was offered the 120 Hour TEFL course, which was divided into many courses with a mini test at the end and then an overall test at the end. There were also two graded tasks, such as to create lesson plans or class games to a specific demographic of learners - how you did in this determined whether you passed with a pass, merit or distinction. My favourite part of the course was the fact that it taught us how to adopt the qualities of a fantastic teacher, such as understanding your class and their learning capabilities and creating learning games to make learning more engaging. These are skills that are often overlooked in teaching courses and I am so pleased that they were included in this course. In the end, I got a Pass with Merit, which I am very happy with. I hope I can use the qualification as the foundation for a career in teaching foreign languages or teaching English as a foreign language.
Angelica - Certified Learning Course in TEFL (120 Hours)I completed the 120-hour TEFL course in February 2025 and since then, I have been doing quite some in person teaching - private 1-2-1 lessons, group lessons teaching Ukrainian refugees and I will soon start teaching group sessions at a private college. I am based in The Netherlands.
Helena - Certified Learning Course in TEFL (120 Hours)
We hope these stories have given you a sense of the incredible opportunities that come with a TEFL certificate and how different each journey can be. Whether you're dreaming of travel, exploring a future in teaching, or simply looking to challenge yourself, TEFL can open doors you never expected.
Your story could be next. Wherever you are in your journey, we’re here to support you every step of the way. So why not take the first step today and who knows, you might be featured!
