TEFL prices vary too widely for any single figure to be useful, and sale prices change constantly, so this page does not quote one. Instead it shows what pushes a price up or down and what to add on top. Get current prices from each provider and compare them against the same checklist.
What changes the price
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Total hours | 120 hours is the usual benchmark for employers. Shorter courses may be treated as introductions. |
| Live teaching practice | Supervised teaching with real learners costs a provider time, so courses that include it cost more. CELTA includes assessed practice; CertTESOL requires at least six hours. |
| Tutor support | Named tutors who mark assignments and give feedback are different from automatic quizzes. |
| Regulated or externally awarded | A certificate on the Ofqual register has been through an awarding body's quality checks. |
| Format | Online self-study, blended and full-time in-person courses are priced very differently. |
| Add-ons | Young learner, business English or grammar modules, and job-search help may be bundled or charged separately. |
Cheap and expensive courses: what you are really comparing
A low price is not a problem in itself. A self-study course can be a fair way to test your interest or to meet a school's basic hours requirement. The risk is paying a premium for a course that does not match what your target employer asks for, or paying a bargain price for something the employer will not accept.
Work backwards. Look at three or four live job adverts or the entry rules for the scheme you want, note the stated requirement (hours, teaching practice, degree), then buy the cheapest course that clearly meets it and is genuinely assessed. If you are not sure what employers want, read how to choose a provider first.
Costs that sit outside the course fee
Course fees are often the smaller part of a move abroad. Plan for these:
- Police certificate. A Garda Police Certificate is free and takes about three weeks, according to An Garda Síochána. It is issued for purposes such as foreign visas.
- Apostille. The Department of Foreign Affairs charges €40 per stamp, as of the Department's published guidance. A police certificate and a degree certificate would each need one.
- Certified translations, if the destination wants documents translated (South Korea does for apostilled documents).
- Flights, first month's rent and a deposit. Many schools pay in arrears, so you may need several weeks of living costs before your first salary.
- Medical checks and insurance, which some countries require as part of the visa.
These items are covered in the visa and paperwork checklist.
Payment plans, refunds and your rights
Many providers offer instalments, and that can make a better course affordable. Read the terms before you agree: when each payment is due, what happens if you stop, and whether the certificate fee is separate.
If you buy a course online, the CCPC says you can generally cancel a service contract within 14 days of agreeing it, without giving a reason, by telling the business in writing. If you have already used part of the service you may have to pay for that part. If the business did not tell you about the right to cancel, the period can extend to 12 months. Keep screenshots of the course page and what was promised.
A worked comparison method
Suppose you are choosing between three courses. Put the same five lines under each: total hours, hours of live teaching practice, who awards the certificate, what tutor support is included and the all-in price in euro including certificate delivery. Then add what is missing. If one course lacks teaching practice and your target employer asks for it, the cheaper price is not a saving, because you will pay again for a second course or a practice placement.
Also ask what the certificate is worth in your target country. A Korean public-school hire is decided mainly by degree, nationality and background checks. A Spanish language academy may care more about your interview and accent. Pay for what that employer values rather than the longest feature list.
Ask for the total in euro including certificate, tutoring, assessment and postage. Ask what is excluded. Ask whether the certificate is issued by an awarding body or by the provider itself. Never pay a job placement fee to a third party you cannot verify.
Thinking about a TEFL qualification? See course options from an Irish-based provider.
Compare TEFL coursesThis is an affiliate link. See our affiliate disclosure.Frequently asked questions
Are cheaper TEFL courses worth it?
They can be, if they meet the hours and assessment your target employer asks for. They are poor value if the employer wants teaching practice or a regulated qualification.
Can I pay for a TEFL course in instalments?
Many providers allow it. Check the payment dates, whether the certificate fee is extra and what happens if you stop part-way.
Can I get a refund on an online TEFL course?
The CCPC says you can generally cancel an online service contract within 14 days by telling the business in writing, though you may pay for any part already used.
What other costs should I budget for?
Allow for the police certificate (free), apostilles (€40 each), translations, flights, deposit and several weeks of living costs before your first pay.