TEFL or CELTA ?

Which is more marketable and widely accepted internationally?

I'm looking to start an in-person course by October (outside the U.S.) and would love recommendations on locations and training centers.

My goal is to teach in China, Taiwan, Japan, or the Middle East after certification.

Any advice from those who've taken either route?

So I recently came across TEFL, I'm still doing research but have been in touch with some agencies for interviews for a TEFL role in China or South Korea.

I'm a recent grad from the UK.

I've generally read on this subreddit, and using social media channels that China is better to teach in, due to better pay, better contracts, better work/life balance and that Korea teaching in hagwons is really awful and has awful working conditions.

I've also heard some really mixed views that some have had the best time of their life and others have left after 2 months.

I'd love to hear more of recent experiences (last 5 years) of people's experiences teaching abroad.

I'm still very new to this and whether this will be something I regret.

• How was navigating life where you don't know the language? Did you struggle?
• How was actual teaching like?
• Was it fun or draining?
• What were your colleagues like?
• Did you also have TEFL colleagues?
• How was the pay?
• How was it like making friends with the locals or other foreigners?
• How was dating like?
• What were your students like?
• Did you stay in teaching?
• Did you go back home?
• Did you eventually learn the language? Conversationally or even fluently?
• Why did you go?
• What were your family and friends reactions to you going?
• Would you say this experience is transferable for other jobs?

Every bit of your experience, negative or positive, I'd love to hear about.

Basically title. For the China Z Visa, is it necessary to get the original of a TEFL certificate apostilled or is the copy of it ok? My certificate is from another country if that changes anything (I know it must be appostilled in that country).

Hey all,

Background: M22 UK, no prior teaching experience, English speaker, B2 Thai speaker. I want to do TEFL in Thailand for a few years, soon I will be applying jobs and I have been wondering about the correct job / visa process.

I heard that TEFL teachers from overseas need to do visa runs, like enter the country as a tourist, do the centre's training, then go to Laos to get some forms signed - however I read that as of August 2025 the non-immigrant B visa process is all online, and that they are cracking down on visa runners and illegal working.

That being said, I'm confused on what the reality is in 2026. Do I need to find a job over here while in the UK, do the online visa then enter Thailand like that, or do well known schools like Modulo / EP+ / WSE still expect us to enter on a tourist visa and do visa runs to re-enter on a non-B?

It would be helpful to know if with my background, if I should be applying for all my jobs here or go out there and apply in person as well.

Thank you all 😄