TEFL and CELTA

This course prepares you to teach English as a foreign or second language to adults and young learners from around the world. You study how language is structured, how adults acquire new languages, and how to plan and deliver effective lessons. Practical classroom teaching forms the core of the programme — you spend a significant portion of your time in observed teaching practice with real learners, often at ACELS-recognised English language schools in Ireland. A typical week combines language analysis workshops, lesson planning seminars, and supervised teaching sessions with genuine mixed-nationality classes. Some programmes also prepare you for the internationally recognised Cambridge CELTA certificate, which is valued by employers in Ireland and abroad.

Entry to QQI Level 6 TEFL programmes typically requires a Leaving Certificate, and most providers ask for a minimum of O6/H7 in English, reflecting the language-focused nature of the course. A good standard of written and spoken English is essential, and some colleges conduct a short interview or written assessment before offering a place. No specific Leaving Certificate science or maths requirement applies, though strong communication and literacy skills from subjects like English and Languages are a clear advantage. Mature applicants (aged 23 or over) are welcomed and may gain entry without meeting standard Leaving Certificate requirements through a mature-student application and interview process. Applicants with relevant QQI Level 5 awards in Education or Languages may also apply through progression routes. HEAR and DARE access schemes may be available at ETB colleges offering this course.

Demand for qualified EFL teachers in Ireland remains steady, particularly in Dublin, Cork, and Galway where large accredited English language schools operate throughout the year. The CELTA or QQI Level 6 award is widely recognised internationally, giving graduates strong mobility and a genuine ability to find work in many countries. Salaries in Irish EFL schools typically range from around €26,000 to €36,000 gross per year for full-time positions, though many roles are part-time or seasonal. Graduates who progress to further qualifications in education or applied linguistics can move into higher-paid coordination, teacher training, or academic management roles.