Teach at a
Language
School

It depends on the country and school. Many private language schools across Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia hire on the strength of a TEFL certification alone, without requiring a degree. However, certain countries (notably China and South Korea for visa purposes) require a bachelor's degree for a legal work visa.

Yes — many language schools worldwide hire non-native English speakers who have attained a C1 or C2 level of English proficiency and hold a valid TEFL certificate. Europe in particular has a strong market for qualified non-native English teachers. Some schools may require a Cambridge Proficiency or IELTS 8+ score as evidence of fluency.

Contact teaching hours typically range from 20 to 30 per week, depending on the school and country. Total hours including planning, marking, and meetings usually add up to 35–45 hours per week. Evening and weekend working is common in schools catering to working adults.

In most contexts, the terms are used interchangeably — both refer to private institutions dedicated to English language education. In Spanish-speaking countries, the term "academia de inglés" is the equivalent of a language school. The teaching environment, contract terms, and TEFL certification requirements are typically identical.

Many graduates find their first language school position within 4–8 weeks of completing their online TEFL course. Markets like Spain and Southeast Asia have near-constant vacancies year-round. More competitive markets like Japan and South Korea often require you to apply 2–4 months in advance of your desired start date.

Absolutely. The most common route to Director of Studies is through the DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) rather than a Master's degree. Many DoS positions are held by experienced teachers with a strong TEFL background and the DELTA qualification — no university degree required.