Teacher Answers · TEFL

Is a 120-hour TEFL certificate enough?

A practical answer for educators and prospective learners from London College of Teachers.

Short answer

A 120-hour TEFL certificate is a common entry-level benchmark for many English-language teaching opportunities, but individual employers and visa systems can require additional qualifications or experience.

What this means in practice

The value of a 120-hour course depends on the quality of the curriculum and assessment, not only the number printed on the certificate. Core areas should include lesson planning, language systems, teaching skills and classroom methodology.

For competitive international schools, university teaching or roles requiring a teaching licence, a 120-hour TEFL certificate alone is usually not the complete qualification profile.

What should you check before deciding?

  • Employer minimum TEFL hours
  • Degree or teaching-licence requirements
  • Practical teaching experience
  • Visa and work-permit criteria

Important distinction

TEFL certification and a government teaching licence are different credentials.

Related LCT pathway

LCT offers a 120-hour TEFL Certificate and more advanced TEFL pathways.

Explore the 120-Hour TEFL Certificate
Editorial information
Written byLondon College of Teachers Academic Team
Last reviewed9 August 2026
Source policyHigher-risk answers include direct links to official authorities where a suitable source is available. Readers should still verify the current rule with the relevant government authority, regulator or employer.
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