EFL Teacher: What Does an EFL Teacher Do?

English might be a global language, but it’s not spoken natively in most parts of the world. That’s where EFL teachers come in — helping students gain the skills they need to access education, work opportunities, and global culture. From classrooms in Japan and Colombia to online platforms reaching learners in rural towns, EFL teachers are the bridge between local lives and global possibilities.

An EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher works in countries where English isn’t the native language. They might be helping children in Vietnam learn the basics, or coaching business professionals in Italy on how to negotiate in English. If you’re curious about living abroad, exploring new cultures, or making a real impact through teaching, the EFL route offers both adventure and purpose.

Whether you're a recent graduate, a mid-career explorer, or someone looking for meaningful travel, becoming an EFL teacher might be the step that takes your life in a whole new direction.

What Is an EFL Teacher?

An EFL teacher teaches English to students in countries where English is not the official or dominant language. These learners are studying English as an additional subject in school, at private academies, or through online platforms — often with the goal of passing exams, improving job prospects, or preparing for international travel or study.

This is different from ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers, who usually work in English-speaking countries like the US or UK, helping immigrants, refugees, and international students adapt to daily life. The main difference is the environment: EFL teachers work outside of English-speaking countries, while ESL teachers work within them.

In both roles, you’re teaching the same language — but your students’ exposure, motivation, and learning context can be very different.

👉 Learn more: What Is EFL? | ESL vs EFL

Where EFL Teachers Work

EFL teachers find themselves in a wide range of settings — from lively classrooms in rural schools to sleek corporate training rooms in major cities. Your workplace often depends on the country, your experience level, and the kind of lifestyle you’re looking for.

• Public and Private Schools: Many EFL teachers work in government-run primary or secondary schools, especially in places like Japan, South Korea, and parts of Europe. These roles often involve structured curricula, regular hours, and long-term contracts. In countries like Thailand or Spain, you might also teach in semi-private or bilingual schools.

• Private Language Academies: These are especially common across Asia and Latin America. In Korea, they’re called hagwons; in Spain, you’ll find academias de inglés. These schools offer after-hours lessons to kids and adults, meaning your schedule might include evenings and weekends.

• Universities: With a degree and some experience, you can land positions at universities in places like China, Turkey, or the Middle East. These roles often focus on academic writing, test prep, or professional English for specific fields like engineering or tourism.

• Corporate Training: In more developed EFL markets, some teachers work directly with businesses to coach employees in English communication. You might teach presentation skills, email writing, or industry-specific vocabulary.

• Online Platforms: Many teachers start — or supplement — their income by teaching online. This can be a great option for those wanting to work from anywhere or build experience before moving abroad.

Wherever you teach, your job is to give students the language tools they need — and that varies a lot depending on your teaching context.

Who Do EFL Teachers Teach?

EFL learners come from all walks of life, and understanding your students' backgrounds helps you design more effective, engaging lessons.

• Young Learners (Ages 4–12): These students are often in the early stages of language acquisition. Your role is to make learning fun, active, and visual — lots of games, songs, and movement. Many jobs in Asia focus on this age group, especially in countries like Thailand, China, and Vietnam.

• Teenagers (Ages 13–18): These learners are often preparing for exams or trying to boost their academic standing. You may be helping them with essay writing, classroom discussions, or standardized test prep like TOEFL or IELTS.

• University Students: Many are studying English for academic or professional reasons. You might focus on research skills, presentations, or discipline-specific vocabulary (e.g. medical English, engineering terms).

• Adult Learners: Adults study English for all kinds of reasons — career advancement, travel, emigration, or personal enrichment. These students are often highly motivated but may need classes that work around busy schedules.

• Business Professionals: These learners need English for specific tasks — emailing international clients, attending meetings, or working abroad. Teaching business English can be especially rewarding (and lucrative) once you have some experience.

No matter the student, your job as an EFL teacher is to meet them where they are — linguistically, culturally, and personally — and help them move forward.

Core Responsibilities of an EFL Teacher

Being an EFL teacher means wearing multiple hats — educator, motivator, cultural ambassador, and language coach. Your day-to-day tasks will vary depending on where you work, but the core responsibilities stay fairly consistent across the board.

• Lesson Planning and Curriculum Design
  Whether you're working with a set textbook or designing your own materials, planning is key. EFL teachers often tailor their lessons to fit student goals — from casual conversation to exam prep. You’ll create activities that balance reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, all while keeping students engaged.

• Classroom Instruction
  Teaching doesn’t mean just lecturing. You’ll guide interactive sessions using group work, pair activities, games, role-plays, and discussions. You’re there to get students speaking and using English in real, practical ways.

• Assessment and Feedback
  Monitoring progress is a big part of the job. That could mean informal check-ins, written homework, oral presentations, or structured tests. Feedback helps students grow and lets you fine-tune your teaching approach.

• Cultural Exchange and Language Modeling
  You're not just teaching grammar and vocabulary — you're helping students understand how English works in real-life settings. That means introducing idioms, gestures, cultural norms, and context-specific language. Your presence itself often becomes a learning tool, especially in places where students rarely meet foreigners.

Daily Life in the Classroom

No two days are exactly the same, but here’s a glimpse at what a “typical” day might look like for an EFL teacher — let’s say in a private academy in Vietnam:

• 8:30 AM – Arrive at school, check emails, prep materials for the first class.
• 9:00 AM – Teach a small group of teens focused on IELTS writing. Use sample essays, group brainstorming, and peer review.
• 11:00 AM – Coffee break and quick catch-up with other teachers.
• 11:30 AM – One-on-one business English lesson with a young professional. Practice phone etiquette and workplace vocabulary.
• 1:00 PM – Lunch and a walk around the neighborhood.
• 2:00 PM – Plan tomorrow’s lessons and mark a few homework assignments.
• 4:00 PM – Teach a lively group of young learners using songs, flashcards, and a role-play about ordering food.

Of course, this changes depending on your setting. In public schools, you may teach set classes and leave by 3 PM. Online? You might teach 7–10 PM to sync with student time zones. The beauty of EFL teaching is its flexibility.

Common tools and materials:

• Whiteboards and markers
• Flashcards and visual aids
• Digital presentations and videos
• TEFL coursebooks (e.g. English File, Cutting Edge)
• Online tools like Kahoot, Quizlet, Google Slides

Common challenges:

• Mixed-level classrooms where students have different abilities
• Low motivation in large or mandatory classes
• Cultural gaps that affect communication styles or classroom behavior

Experienced EFL teachers learn to adapt quickly — switching gears, revising materials, and finding creative ways to connect with their students.

What Makes a Good EFL Teacher?

Great EFL teachers do more than just follow a textbook — they bring energy, empathy, and creativity to every class. Here’s what sets the best apart:

• Patience
  Language learning can be frustrating, especially for shy or struggling students. A good EFL teacher stays calm, repeats when necessary, and helps learners build confidence step by step.

• Clear Communication
  You’ll need to speak slowly and clearly, use body language, and simplify complex ideas without dumbing them down. Visuals, examples, and gestures go a long way in an EFL classroom.

• Flexibility
  Lessons don’t always go as planned. Students may come in tired, classes may run late, or tech might fail. Adaptable teachers can shift gears and still create meaningful learning experiences.

• Classroom Management
  Especially important with younger learners or large groups. You’ll need to establish routines, set boundaries, and create a fun yet focused environment.

• Creative Lesson Design
  Using songs, games, role-plays, or real-world scenarios can turn a dull grammar point into something memorable. EFL teachers often tap into pop culture, holidays, or local events to keep things fresh.

• Cultural Sensitivity
  You’re not just teaching in a new country — you’re part of it. Understanding local customs, avoiding stereotypes, and respecting cultural norms helps build trust with students and colleagues.

Being a great EFL teacher isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to grow alongside your students.

Do You Need a Degree to Become an EFL Teacher?

Not always — but it depends heavily on where and how you plan to teach.

• Countries That Require a Degree
  If you're aiming to teach in Japan, South Korea, China, or the UAE, a bachelor’s degree is usually required to get a work visa. Schools in these countries may also prioritize degrees when hiring, even for part-time or language center positions.

• Countries That Are More Flexible
  Places like Cambodia, Laos, and some parts of Latin America (such as Nicaragua or Peru) often welcome teachers without degrees — especially if you’re TEFL certified, motivated, and open to teaching in smaller towns or entry-level settings.

• Teaching Online
  Many online teaching platforms (like Cambly, Preply, or AmazingTalker) don’t require a degree, just solid English skills and a TEFL certification. However, others — like VIPKid or EF — often do. It depends on the platform’s student base and company policy.

If you don’t have a degree, your best bet is to:

• Get a strong TEFL or TESOL certificate
• Build experience through tutoring or volunteering
• Focus on countries or platforms that value skills over formal education

👉 See our full guide: Teach English Abroad Without a Degree

Do You Need a TEFL Certification?

In most cases, yes — a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification is either required or highly recommended if you want to become an EFL teacher.

Even in countries where it’s not legally mandatory, most employers will expect it — especially private academies, international schools, and reputable online platforms. A good TEFL course prepares you with the skills you need to teach effectively, from lesson planning to classroom management and language awareness.

In some countries, like Vietnam or China, having a TEFL certificate is also a visa requirement — meaning you won’t be able to teach legally without one. And even in flexible markets like Cambodia, it helps you stand out and negotiate better pay.

When choosing a TEFL course, look for:

• At least 120 hours of coursework (the industry minimum)
• Practical training or observed teaching practice
• Ongoing support with job placement or teaching resources
• A provider with good reviews and clear, up-to-date content

You don’t need to break the bank on a premium certificate, but avoid courses that are too cheap or unaccredited — employers can usually tell.

👉 Explore recommended training options here: TEFL Certification

Pros and Cons of Being an EFL Teacher

✅ Pros

• Travel and Cultural Immersion
  You get to live and work in countries you might otherwise only visit — from the rice paddies of Vietnam to the megacities of China.

• Lifestyle Freedom
  EFL teaching often allows for flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, and the ability to change locations after a contract ends.

• Meaningful Work
  Helping someone improve their English can unlock life-changing opportunities for them — jobs, scholarships, visas, and more.

• Personal Growth
  Teaching abroad builds confidence, intercultural communication skills, and adaptability. It’s a crash course in real-world life skills.

• Community and Connection
  You’ll meet other teachers, local students, and fellow travelers — many people build lifelong friendships (or even relationships) abroad.

❌ Cons

• Salary Variation
  Pay can be modest, especially in beginner-friendly or lower-income countries. You’ll need to budget carefully or combine teaching with remote work.

• Visa and Legal Complexity
  Work permits, degree requirements, background checks — the paperwork can be tedious and vary by country.

• Burnout Risk
  Teaching large classes, adjusting to new cultures, or feeling isolated abroad can take a toll. It's rewarding but not always easy.

• Job Market Saturation in Some Areas
  In popular destinations like Spain or Japan, competition can be high — especially for roles in major cities.

Being an EFL teacher isn’t for everyone, but if you’re adventurous, resilient, and love working with people, it’s one of the most fulfilling and flexible careers out there.

Career Growth for EFL Teachers

Teaching EFL isn’t just a temporary gig — it can grow into a long-term, rewarding career with plenty of room to specialize or advance.

🚀 Advancement Opportunities

Once you’ve gained classroom experience, you can take on roles like:

• Senior teacher or mentor for new hires
• Teacher trainer for TEFL courses or hiring programs
• Academic manager or director of studies at a language school

These positions often come with higher pay, leadership responsibilities, and influence over curriculum design.

🎯 Specializations to Explore

As you gain experience, you can niche down and focus on areas like:

• IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge Exam Prep — high-paying roles in academic-focused schools
• Business English — popular in Asia and Europe, especially for professionals in international companies
• Young Learners (YL) — working with children in kindergartens, elementary schools, or summer camps

You can also branch into ESP (English for Specific Purposes) — teaching English for fields like medicine, aviation, or hospitality.

🌍 Global Education Roles

With enough experience and/or further study (like a DELTA or MA TESOL), some teachers move into:

• Curriculum development
• International education consulting
• Publishing or content creation for ELT materials

What starts as an adventure abroad can grow into a stable, globally mobile career with diverse pathways.

Final Thoughts

Becoming an EFL teacher opens the door to a world of possibility — whether you’re looking for your first teaching role or planning a meaningful career abroad.

It’s not always glamorous, and it takes adaptability, cultural curiosity, and a willingness to grow. But the rewards — connection, travel, impact, freedom — can be life-changing.

Start simple: get TEFL certified, research beginner-friendly destinations, and dip your toes into the classroom through tutoring or volunteering. You don’t have to have it all figured out at once.