TEFL Certification Guide
Get TEFL-CertifiedYour First Step to Teaching in Korea
All three courses:100% onlineSelf-pacedFully accredited
Most EPIK and reputable hagwon roles ask for an accredited TEFL certificate (100+ hours). It won't replace teaching experience — schools generally prefer candidates who have it — but it's a recognized qualification that builds real classroom skills and gives a first-time applicant a concrete way to stand out.
All three courses below are 100% online, self-paced, and fully accredited, so you can start this week. They differ in hours, price, and accrediting body — pick the one that fits where you're headed.
100% online — study from anywhere
A note on online study: EPIK and hagwons across Korea accept 100%-online TEFL certificates. The one exception we're aware of is EPIK's Busan office, which has asked for a number of in-class / tutored hours (commonly cited as around 50) on top of online study. If Busan is your target, confirm the current requirement with EPIK before you enroll.
The Three Courses
150-Hour Level 3 Certificate
- Ofqual-regulated RQF Level 3, awarded by Gatehouse Awards
- 100% online, self-paced
- Tutor-marked assignments, 12 months to complete
Best for teachers who want the most hours — at the lowest price of the three.
120-Hour Master Certificate
- ACCET accredited (recognized by the US Dept. of Education)
- College-credit eligible, tutor feedback within 1 business day
- Nearly 40 years of TEFL experience
Best for applicants who want the most credentialed, US-recognized option.
120-Hour Level 3 Certificate
- UK & US accredited
- 264-hour bundle with 3 free top-up courses
- Guaranteed pass, money-back guarantee, 6 months self-paced
Best for teachers who want a big bundle — a 120-hour Level 3 cert plus extra courses.
This guide is independently researched and curated by OK Recruiting. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you enroll through the links on this page — this does not influence our recommendations.
Common Questions
Do I need a TEFL certificate for the E-2 visa?
Not legally — the E-2 visa requires a bachelor's degree and citizenship from a qualifying country. But most EPIK and reputable hagwon roles ask for an accredited TEFL certificate (100+ hours), so applying without one narrows your options.
Can I take the course 100% online?
Yes. EPIK and hagwons across Korea accept 100%-online TEFL certificates. The one exception we're aware of is EPIK's Busan office, which has asked for a number of in-class / tutored hours (commonly cited as around 50) on top of online study. If Busan is your target, confirm the current requirement with EPIK before you enroll.
How many hours do I need — 120 or 150?
Most roles ask for an accredited certificate of 100+ hours. Many first-time teachers start with a 120-hour course, and a 150-hour course is equally accepted — all three courses on this page meet the requirement. Pick the one that fits your goals and budget.
How do I choose between the three?
It depends on what you value. TEFL Avenues offers the most hours and a UK government-regulated qualification at the lowest price of the three. Bridge TEFL is the most credentialed, US-recognized option, with ACCET accreditation recognized by the US Dept. of Education. The TEFL Academy is a big bundle — a 120-hour Level 3 certificate plus three free top-up courses.
Is there a discount?
On one course, yes: use code OKRECRUITING10 at Bridge TEFL checkout ($377.10, reg. $419). The TEFL Academy's sale price applies automatically, and TEFL Avenues is already the lowest-priced of the three — no code needed.
Certificate sorted? When you're ready, apply to teach in Korea through OK Recruiting.