It’s one of the questions I hear most from teachers on both sides of the Atlantic, and the honest answer is: it depends. It depends on the kind of school, the role, and the country, and every country has its own ministry of education with its own rules. There’s no single rule that covers everything. There are, however, trends.
What Quality Schools Expect
Most quality international schools require a teaching qualification for the subject and level you’ll be teaching. If you’re from the US, that usually means a full state teaching license or certification. If you’re from the UK, it’s typically Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), often with a PGCE or a Bachelor of Education. A TEFL certificate isn’t considered equivalent, because it’s designed for teaching English as a foreign language, not for delivering a full curriculum. You can read more in our guide to qualifications for teaching abroad. The better the international school, the higher the salary, the better the employment package is, the more likely they will require a full teaching license. They want and can hire fully trained, career oriented professional K-12 teachers.
When TEFL Might Be Enough
Some schools don’t ask for a license. Usually they’re more local, lower-tier schools, or the school or job is purely about teaching English as a foreign language. It’s worth understanding the different types of international schools so you know which one you’re applying to.
I’ll also be plain about one more possibility: in rare cases, a school is trying to cheat the system and secure you the wrong kind of visa for the job you’re actually doing. That can put your insurance and legal status at risk, so always check that your visa matches your role.
Think Long Term
Even if you land a job with only a TEFL certificate, consider where you want to be in five years. Without a teaching license or QTS, you may find the door closed at better schools and in other countries. This is why, at Edvectus, we rarely register teachers who do not have a teaching license from their home country. TEFL is rarely enough for the schools we work with.
Our advice? Get qualified/certified. It keeps your options wide open, and won’t limit your future career.
