Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate Program

Earn a recognized teaching credential during Peace Corps service. TEFL Volunteers worldwide support student achievement by teaching English as a foreign language to students in primary, middle, and high school.

It's a unique opportunity for Volunteers, even those starting with limited or no teaching experience, to meet global professional English standards. 

While TEFL projects in Peace Corps countries all prepare Volunteers to be effective English teachers, the TEFL Certificate Program provides more structure, training and on-going professional support. The program prepares Volunteers to teach in a variety of contexts and countries. Once completed, the TEFL Certificate is validated by SupportEd in Washington, D.C.

Program details

The TEFL Certificate Program includes 120 hours of training and two years of supervised teaching experience.

1. Pre-departure: Four e-learning modules completed over a twelve week period. 
2. Pre-service training: Ten to twelve weeks of technical, language, medical, and safety and security training, including a practicum of 10 hours of practice teaching. 
3. Online learning community: Quarterly online professional development events facilitated by Peace Corps staff at posts.
4. Volunteer teaching: Two years of supervised classroom teaching experience during Peace Corps service.
5. Volunteer evaluation: Rigorous teaching observations based on TEFL Certificate standards to track and improve Volunteers' teaching performance.
6. In-service training: Multi-day training events totaling up to 15 hours of training and practice during Peace Corps service.
7. Certificate: The Peace Corps TEFL Certificate is validated by the Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington, D.C. and recognized both nationally and internationally. 

Countries participating in the TEFL Certificate Program

Africa

• Benin
• Comoros
• Ethiopia
• Madagascar
• Rwanda
• Zambia

Asia

• Indonesia
• Thailand

Europe

• Armenia