So...you want to go abroad and see the world while teaching English in exotic and exciting places. Good choice! TEFL abroad will grant you the freedom to roam the globe wherever English skills are in high demand (hint: pretty much everywhere), while earning yourself a modest income. We love win-win scenarios!

Grab your bestie & sign up for a TEFL course—then head abroad on a whirlwind adventure!

Before you book your one-way flight, you’ll have to make a plan to get yourself TEFL certified. Luckily, it’s usually as simple as signing up for a course and completing it...but not until you pay pesky tuition. TEFL course fees can be surprisingly staggering sometimes, but cheap TEFL courses do exist, and the good news is that they don’t sacrifice quality in exchange for affordability. We’ve tracked down some of the best bang-for-your-buck TEFL courses out there, both onsite and online.

4 cheap TEFL courses in-person*

Hands down, the cheapest TEFL certification courses will be found in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Depending on your home country, one might be cheaper than the other in terms of airfare. Another money-saving hack is to register well in advance—some program providers offer steep discounts on tuition for dates beyond six months or more in advance. On the other hand, if you’re a procrastinator, you’ll find that waiting to register until the last minute can bring slashed prices too.

1. International TEFL Academy

Cheap TEFL courses provided through the International TEFL Academy are well-known, accredited, and come highly recommended. The course that they offer in Chiang Mai is one of their most popular and comprehensive, clocking in at 200 hours. While accommodation costs are not included in the course fee, it will be exceedingly easy to find affordable lodging in Thailand. Another huge perk of this course is that upon completion you’ll be at the epicenter of one of the largest TEFL job markets in the world! As a side note, International TEFL Academy offers many courses around the world, and all of them come with an affordable price tag.

• Where? Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Rough program cost: ~$1400
• More information can be found on the listing page.

2. BeyondTEFL

The Costa Rica TEFL certification course in Heredia through BeyondTEFL is another affordable, high-quality option. Class sizes are limited, and the 4-week, 120-hour course includes Level 5 Ofqual accreditation. Finding accommodation at a homestay in Barva is recommended and is included in the course fee. Program participants can also expect to have weekends filled with excursions and outings with their fellow classmates.

• Where? Heredia, Costa Rica
• Rough program cost: ~$1800
• More information can be found here.

3. Maximo Nivel

Also in Latin America is the Maximo Nivel program in Antigua, Guatemala. The accredited course is 150 hours, includes practical teaching and observation, and is one of the cheapest TEFL certification courses in Latin America. As is standard, accommodation and meals are not included in tuition, but assistance will be provided in finding the former. Fees include job-finding assistance and a letter of recommendation—plus free salsa and cooking lessons! Students can choose between the onsite course or the slightly cheaper and shorter hybrid course.

• Where? Antigua, Guatemala
• Rough program cost: ~$1400
• More information can be found here.

4. Oxford TEFL

If you insist on going to Europe for your TEFL certification, you’ll do best looking at countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary for affordable courses. Oxford TEFL offers an affordable TEFL certification in Prague through the University of Cambridge, so there should be no doubt that it’ll be worth the money. Small class sizes and expert instructors will ensure you emerge from your course as a skilled, well-rounded teacher. Assistance with both accommodation and job placement is included, as well as visa support.

• Where? Prague, Czech Republic
• Rough program cost: ~$1400
• More information can be found here.

[Browse ALL Available TEFL Courses]

Find cheap in-person TEFL countries in fabulous destinations like Vietnam

5 cheap TEFL courses online*

Choose wisely between onsite and online courses. While cheap TEFL courses online are both flexible and easy to come by, it can be more difficult to find one that is properly accredited. Plus, it can be challenging to recreate in-person practice remotely. With online courses, bide your time—many websites run deals throughout the year, often cutting fees by up to 75%.

1. Premier TEFL

Premier TEFL offers accredited and Ofqual-regulated courses from 120 hours to 230 hours. You’ll be provided six months of access to the course, and able to access it on any device, making it easy to tailor your experience to your life. You’ll also have access to a personal tutor if you feel like you need one, and you’ll receive job advice upon completion. Premier TEFL keeps things virtual with an Ebook, as opposed to clunky, expensive textbooks.

• Rough program cost: ~$900
• More information can be found here.

2. International TEFL and TESOL Training

On offer is a very cheap 60-hour course, but we recommend taking a course no shorter than 120 hours. Their online course options are internationally accredited, and include tutor support and video lessons for an upcharge. Upon course completion, students will receive an embossed certificate, job placement assistance, and a letter of recommendation. ITTT also offers an extremely comprehensive 220-hour Master Package—though a bit more expensive than their cheapest online TEFL course offering, it can be worth it if you want extra credentials.

• Rough program cost: ~$350
• More information can be found on the listing page.

3. International TEFL and TESOL

ITT International TEFL and TESOL is the most affordable, accredited online TEFL course available right now. TEFL students can enroll in a course for as low as $79, with certification options spanning 60-hour, 120-hour, and 180-hour courses. Don’t worry—if you’re running a tight schedule right now, all of these can be completed at your own pace. Additionally, you’ll be provided with a personal tutor who will be by your side every step of the way, offering valuable feedback on your progress. 

• Rough program cost: As low as $79
• More information can be found on the listing page.

4. myTEFL

Courses from 40 hours to 120 hours are offered through myTEFL, with the 120-hour Professional course being the best deal. Lifetime job placement assistance, a letter of recommendation, and tutor support are all included in tuition. There is a focus on in-classroom activities with this course, so you won’t have to worry as much about missing out on onsite benefits. Tuition also includes a charitable donation, and we think that’s pretty neat!

• Rough program cost: ~$400
• More information can be found on the listing page.

5. UNI-Prep Institute
UNI-Prep offers a 250-hour TESOL diploma that meets the requirements of both TEFL and TESOL. Although it is more extensive than most online courses, it will put you ahead of other applicants during your TEFL job search, and make you eligible for higher pay (score!). All the usual benefits are included, such as letter of recommendation and job placement assistance. Completion should take 4-6 weeks, and students have up to a year to access the course.

• Rough program cost: ~$750
• More information can be found on the listing page.

[Browse ALL Online TEFL Courses]

*Pro tip: Be sure your TEFL certificate is accredited

Unless you choose an obscure, ultra-cheap TEFL program, it should not be too difficult finding a course that has international accreditation; it never hurts to check, though. Before you pay any deposits or tuition in full, make sure you confirm that your program is accredited, and that your certificate will be recognized outside of the city or country (or website) where you’re receiving your training. TEFL certification is hard work, and costs a decent chunk of change—you don’t want to ultimately find that you wasted your time or your savings!

Lucky for you, all of our recommendations fit the bill!

[10 Awesome Accredited TEFL Programs (And Why It Matters)]

Grab your notebook and highlighters (and passport!) and get to it!

You’ll be your students’ favorite ESL teacher in no time.

Getting TEFL certified doesn’t have to put you in debt. On the contrary, it can be quite affordable to get your certificate, especially if you’re willing to forego an in-country experience. As long as you know what you’re looking for, and have carefully weighed the pros and cons of both onsite and online TEFL certification, it’ll be smooth sailing on your way to finding cheap TEFL courses!

Use MyGoAbroad to Find, Compare, & Choose Your TEFL Course