TEFL Courses from 20 to 240 Hours, Including Level 5 and Teaching Practicum
TEFL UK offers a full progression of teaching English qualifications — from short 20-hour specialisms through the standard 120-hour professional certificate to a 168-hour Level 5 course and 240-hour combined programmes with in-class teaching practicum. The hours matter commercially: many overseas employers and visa routes specify a minimum, and 120 is the usual floor.
The core TEFL certificates
The 120hr Professional TEFL Course is the standard qualification and the minimum most employers ask for. The 150hr Advanced and 220hr Specialist courses go further for those wanting a stronger position in a competitive market or teaching in a specific context.
Level 5 and practicum courses
The 168hr Level 5 TEFL Course sits at the same regulated level as a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL — worth knowing if you are aiming at employers who specify Level 5. The 170hr and 240hr combined courses include a 20-hour in-class teaching practicum, and the 140hr includes authentic online teaching experience.
Short specialist courses
20hr courses in Teaching English Grammar, Teaching English Online and Teaching Practicum, plus a 70hr Business English course. These suit qualified teachers adding a specialism rather than people starting out, and Business English in particular opens better-paid corporate work.
How many hours do I actually need?
120 hours is the usual minimum for employment and for many work visa routes — below that, options narrow considerably. Level 5 or a course with observed teaching practice matters if you are targeting reputable schools, university programmes or countries with stricter requirements. If you intend to teach online only, 120 hours plus the online teaching specialism is generally sufficient.
Does a practicum make a difference?
Yes, in two ways. Practically, teaching a real class under observation is a different experience from studying methodology, and most new teachers find it is where the learning actually lands. Commercially, employers distinguish between courses with observed teaching and those without — it is often the deciding factor between two otherwise similar applicants.
