If you're looking to teach English abroad or online, you've probably come across the term "practicum" or "teaching practice." Some TEFL providers treat it like a golden ticket to employment—others skip it entirely. So what’s the truth?
A practicum can help build confidence and offer hands-on experience, but it’s not always necessary to land a job. Whether you're career-switching or just testing the waters, understanding what teaching practice is—and when it’s worth the cost—can help you choose the right course and avoid wasting time or money.
Let’s break it down clearly and practically, so you can focus on what matters: teaching, traveling, and getting started.
What Is a TEFL Practicum?
A TEFL practicum is a period of supervised teaching where you lead lessons for real English language learners while being observed and evaluated by an experienced tutor.
Think of it as your first mini teaching job—without the pressure of a full-time role. You’ll typically plan your own lessons, deliver them in a classroom or virtual setting, and receive constructive feedback from your trainer. You might also watch experienced teachers in action and reflect on what you’ve learned.
The goal of a practicum is to simulate real teaching conditions in a structured, supportive environment. It’s especially useful for building your confidence, refining your lesson planning, and getting used to classroom dynamics before stepping into a job.
But not all practicums are created equal—and for many teachers, they aren’t required at all.
What Kinds of TEFL Courses Include a Practicum?
If you’re looking for a course that includes a teaching practicum, you’ll mostly find them in intensive, in-person TEFL certifications—especially those modeled after CELTA. These typically last around four weeks, require full-time attendance, and cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 USD. The practicum component usually includes six or more hours of live teaching, observation, and feedback from a certified trainer.
Online courses, by contrast, usually don’t include a practicum—at least not in the traditional sense. Some providers offer optional add-ons like peer-led practice sessions, Zoom-based micro-teaching, or virtual classroom modules. While helpful for building comfort, these aren't always recognized by employers as formal teaching practice.
It’s also important to watch out for courses that advertise a “practicum” but deliver little more than assignments or recordings. If the teaching practice isn’t with real English language learners or lacks tutor feedback, it probably won’t carry much weight with employers. Always check the course details—and the fine print.
Is a Practicum Required to Get a TEFL Job?
Let’s be clear: for the vast majority of TEFL jobs, a practicum is not required. Most employers around the world—including schools in Asia, Latin America, and online platforms—focus on whether you’ve completed an accredited 120-hour TEFL certificate. That’s the minimum benchmark nearly everywhere.
Thousands of TEFL-certified teachers land jobs each year with no teaching practice included in their course. As long as your certificate comes from a reputable provider and meets that 120-hour mark, you’re already eligible for most entry-level roles.
That said, there are exceptions. Some international schools, universities, or high-paying online teaching companies may prefer candidates with observed practice—especially if you don’t have a degree or prior classroom experience. In these cases, a practicum can give you an edge, but it’s not usually a dealbreaker.
Bottom line? You don’t need a practicum to get started—but it can be a useful boost if you're aiming for more competitive or advanced roles down the line.
Why So Many Providers Push the Practicum Narrative
If you’ve spent any time comparing TEFL courses, you’ve probably noticed some providers strongly emphasize the need for a practicum. Why? Because it helps them justify higher prices.
Many in-person or CELTA-style courses use fear-based marketing to suggest you won’t get hired without observed teaching practice. In reality, they’re often selling a $2,000 course and want to position it as “essential” rather than optional. While these courses can be excellent, the idea that a practicum is mandatory across the TEFL industry just isn’t true anymore.
There’s also a lot of outdated content floating around online—articles and forums from over a decade ago when online TEFL courses were largely unregulated and low quality. Back then, employers were understandably skeptical. But today, there are plenty of well-accredited online providers offering rigorous, up-to-date training that’s widely accepted.
To avoid being misled, check who’s writing or promoting a resource. If it’s a company that only sells courses with a practicum, or aggressively criticizes online certificates in general, take their claims with a grain of salt.
What Employers Really Look For
Most employers care far more about the quality of your TEFL training than whether or not you’ve stood in front of a class before.
The most important factor is accreditation. If your certificate comes from a provider recognized by respected bodies like Ofqual (UK), DEAC (US), TQUK, or ACCREDITAT, employers will see your training as legitimate.
Beyond that, they look for:
- Professionalism: can you handle a classroom and communicate clearly?
- Grammar and language awareness: do you understand how to explain English?
- Flexibility: can you adapt to learners of different ages, levels, and goals?
- Specialized skills: experience or training in teaching kids, business English, or online formats is often a plus.
Interestingly, employers often value real feedback from learners—like reviews from private students or performance during demo lessons—more than a generic practicum completed months ago. In short, experience matters, but it doesn’t always have to be formal or structured to count.
The Pros of Choosing a Practicum Course
If you’re completely new to teaching, a practicum can provide a helpful bridge between theory and practice. There’s something valuable about stepping into a classroom—even a simulated one—and getting your first round of nerves out of the way in a supportive environment.
For people who feel anxious about public speaking or managing a room, the structure of a practicum can build early confidence. You’ll get personalized feedback, watch how others teach, and start learning what works (and what doesn’t) in real-time.
Practicum-based courses are also a great fit for career changers—especially those transitioning into full-time teaching or planning to pursue long-term roles, like becoming a senior teacher or moving toward a DELTA or MA TESOL later on. That hands-on experience adds a layer of credibility, especially when combined with academic qualifications.
The Downsides of Practicum-Based Courses
The biggest downside? Cost. Courses with a practicum—especially those like CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL—can range from $1,500 to $2,500 or more. And that doesn’t include accommodation, transport, or time off work.
These courses are also intensive. You’ll typically need to study full-time for 4+ weeks, which simply isn’t feasible for everyone—especially if you’re already working, have dependents, or are living in a country without access to in-person courses.
There’s also limited flexibility. Practicum-based courses have fixed start dates and limited seats, and they’re only offered in certain cities. That can make them hard to fit into your plans—especially if you’re hoping to start teaching quickly or remotely.
Online courses, by contrast, can often be started any time, finished at your own pace, and done from anywhere in the world.
Smart Alternatives to a Formal Practicum
If a full practicum isn’t in the cards, there are still plenty of ways to gain hands-on teaching experience—and many of them are free or low-cost.
Start with volunteer tutoring. Community centers, refugee organizations, language exchange groups, or even online platforms like Speaky or ConversationExchange are great ways to practice with real learners. It’s flexible, low-pressure, and still gives you stories and skills to bring up in interviews.
Some TEFL course platforms offer peer teaching or teaching demos where you can practice lessons, record yourself, and get feedback from tutors or classmates. While not a “real” practicum, it shows initiative and reflection—two things employers value.
You can also create mock lessons or teaching demos for your portfolio. Record a sample grammar lesson or introduce a topic to an imaginary class. It may feel odd at first, but it’s a great way to show your communication style, lesson planning ability, and classroom energy.
And of course, the best way to learn is by doing. Many new teachers jump straight into paid teaching jobs and learn fast. That’s not a flaw—it’s how most of the industry works. Employers expect learning on the job, especially for entry-level roles.
What If You Already Took a Course Without One?
No practicum? No problem. You’re still absolutely hireable—millions of teachers around the world have launched successful TEFL careers with online certificates alone.
What matters is how you present yourself. Talk confidently about what your training covered, highlight any peer-led activities, and explain how you’re continuing to build experience through volunteering, freelancing, or self-study.
If you’re still feeling uncertain, start small. Look for online platforms that hire beginners, part-time teaching gigs in your area, or even paid internships abroad. You’ll gain real classroom experience—and can always add it to your resume later.
Bottom line: a practicum isn’t required. What counts is your willingness to keep learning, your attitude with students, and your ability to deliver clear, engaging lessons.
Should You Pay for a Practicum?
Before you commit to a course with a practicum, take a step back and look at your goals—and your situation.
- Are you changing careers and want a smoother, more confident transition?
- Do you feel anxious about leading a classroom and want guided practice before diving in?
- Do you have the budget and time to attend a month-long in-person course?
- Are you applying to highly competitive jobs or schools that explicitly ask for a practicum?
If you answered yes to several of those, a practicum-based course might be worth the extra investment. But if your goal is to get started teaching as affordably and flexibly as possible, then an accredited online TEFL course—combined with real-world practice through volunteering, tutoring, or entry-level jobs—will more than prepare you.
Don’t forget that even CELTA grads continue learning after their course ends. The classroom is where most teachers truly grow, not during training. Choose a path that balances cost, confidence, and your long-term goals.
Final Thoughts: It’s About Confidence, Not Just Credentials
There’s no one-size-fits-all path to becoming a great English teacher. A practicum can help build your confidence, but it’s not the golden ticket some providers make it out to be.
Your success will come from your attitude, adaptability, and willingness to keep learning—not from ticking every possible box on a certificate.
Start with a solid, accredited course. Build experience where and how you can. Focus on developing your own voice as a teacher. Whether or not your training included a practicum, that’s what makes students trust you—and what gets you hired.
Helping teachers find jobs they will love.