There are many different teaching certifications out there for aspiring English teachers. The most common ones are TEFL, TESOL, TESL, and CELTA.

While many countries will accept a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certification, it is important to note that some countries (and schools) may only accept a specific certification. It is common for schools in China and in some European countries to only accept teachers with a CELTA degree. Make sure you research the schools in the country you would like to teach in before getting you certification so you have the proper one.

Your certification for teaching English is arguably the most important part of the whole process. There are probably at least 50 places, online and in person, where you can get certified, but be aware: cheaper does not mean better. With a TEFL certification, you get what you pay for. When you arrive to your classroom in a foreign country on your first day as a teacher, you will be grateful you invested in a top-tier program. Speaking a language fluently does not mean you have the skills to teach the language. Luckily, there are many great certification companies out there that take pride in their students’ abilities and success. In this article, I will provide my recommendation for where to get your TEFL certification based on my experience.

While TEFL is a very common and widely accepted English teacher certification, there are others out there. If you want to know more about the difference between TEFL, TESOL, TESL, and CELTA, read my article about it here.

Below are some common questions I see regarding visas, living in Italy, and general questions about bureaucracy (you’re on your own with that one!). Only kidding, but does anyone actually have any consistent advice for how to navigate the Italian bureaucracy? Asking for a friend.

If you have a question that I haven’t answered, feel free to reach out to me and I’ll add it to the list.