Frequently Asked Questions
A TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) shows you have been trained to teach English to learners whose first language is not English. It can be used for roles abroad or online and in some ESL contexts within English-speaking countries.
TESOL refers to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a broad professional field that encompasses both teaching English abroad and teaching English in English speaking countries. While TEFL typically focuses on teaching English in non English speaking environments, TESOL covers a wider range of contexts, including academic, community based and multilingual settings. As a result, TESOL is often viewed as a more comprehensive qualification that prepares educators to work with diverse learner groups across various educational frameworks.
You can take a TEFL/TESOL course from the age of 18 and there is no upper age limit. However, some countries and employers set age limits for work visas or specific roles, so always check local requirements before applying.
No.
Prior teaching experience is not required. Our courses cover the essential knowledge and practical skills you need. Depending on the course you choose, practice is provided via AI teaching simulations and/or observed teaching practice with feedback. Check the course page for what’s included.
Yes.
Our training programmes prepare you to teach face to face and online, using flexible methods and practical, hands-on approaches suited to both environments.
Your course access remains active for 6 months from the date of purchase. After that, access to lessons ends, but your results, quiz records, assessment outcomes, uploaded videos (where applicable) and certificate remain in your account.
Yes.
The Level 5 TEFL qualification is regulated by Ofqual, and it is awarded in the UK by Focus Award, which ensures global recognition and adherence to national quality standards.
Our Level 5 TEFL/TESOL qualification is EQF aligned and CPD accredited, which makes it internationally trusted by employers and educational institutions.
For the Level 5 TEFL/TESOL course, your PDF certificate is available in your account immediately upon successful completion, and we will also email you a copy. If you would like a printed certificate, you may order one, this is offered as a paid add on, and production and delivery times vary depending on your location as printed certificates are dispatched from the UK.
For the Level 5 TEFL regulated qualification, the certificate issued by Focus Awards will be provided once all your assignments have passed their internal and external quality assurance checks. The verification process is carried out entirely by Focus Awards, and we cannot influence the time required for their assessment procedures.
No.
TEFL certificates do not expire. However, methods and standards evolve, so we recommend maintaining continuing professional development (CPD) and refreshing your training every 2–3 years. Some employers may prefer evidence of recent CPD.
Yes.
A sample certificate or diploma is available on the page of each course, and it reflects the document you will receive upon completion of your studies.
Each certificate includes a unique ID and QR code. You can verify authenticity online here: https://4tefl.com/certificate/
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay for all course purchases.
Yes.
We offer a full refund within 14 days of purchase if you have not started your course. If you have already begun your studies and accessed the course materials, a refund is not possible.
Yes.
All transactions are processed securely via encrypted payment gateways to protect your data.
Yes.
By making a payment, you automatically agree to our Terms of Service.
Yes.
You can pay in instalments using Klarna or Afterpay. Simply choose your preferred payment option at checkout to split your purchase into manageable, interest-free payments.
Yes.
A confirmation email with your receipt will be sent to the email address you provide at checkout.
No.
The price shown for each course is final – there are no hidden fees. We do offer optional paid add-ons, such as a printed certificate, which are clearly labelled and priced separately.
No.
Purchases require identity verification to ensure the certificate is issued in the learner’s name. To buy for someone else, please purchase a gift voucher; the recipient can activate their own account and redeem the course you’ve paid for.
Please check your card details or try an alternative payment method. If the issue persists, contact our support team for assistance.
Most submissions receive a provisional score on submission. Where assessor review applies, work is reviewed within 48 hours (business days); the assessor validates the score and provides personalised written feedback.
Your course is assessed on a pass or fail basis, meaning that instead of receiving grades, your progress is evaluated through the assignments you complete. These assignments must remain stored in the system, as they serve as evidence that you have completed the full course, engaged with the learning materials and demonstrated the required level of understanding. Keeping your work on file ensures that your achievement can be verified at any time.
Your learner account remains active indefinitely. Employers can verify your achievement via your certificate ID/QR and (if you choose to make it visible) your public profile. You’re welcome to include a verification link in your CV or professional profiles.
Identity verification is a mandatory requirement set by all awarding organisations, as it ensures that the person completing the course is the rightful learner. Please note that we do not store your personal identification data, it is processed automatically by Stripe.
However, we reserve the right to review login information, IP addresses, cookies, country data and other relevant indicators to confirm that your account access has not been compromised or transferred to a third party.
We strongly recommend that you enter your full name in your account exactly as it appears on the official identification document issued in your country of residence, and that you do this immediately after enrolling.
Certificates are issued once and any later changes can only be made through our support team. For regulated certificates, name amendments may incur an additional fee.
Course access depends on your plan, but your CV page and access to our employer network remain available free of charge at all times.
We share your CV with our private partner network – international companies, English language schools and recruiters actively seeking TEFL-qualified teachers.
We identify recruiters looking for your profile and submit tailored applications to up to 200 recruiters per month. No generic mass emails – this is a targeted service. You can opt out at any time.
Yes.
Indicate preferred countries/regions, or state you’re open to remote work. We take your preferences into account when sharing opportunities.
Not necessarily. Many employers consider newly qualified teachers, especially if you demonstrate motivation and a willingness to learn.
Yes – and we encourage it. The more relevant applications you submit, the higher your chances of securing interviews and finding the right fit.
Yes.
We provide support materials and personalised coaching to help you prepare for interviews with schools and recruiters.