Are TEFL Internships Worth It for Your CV and Future Career?

If you’ve been researching ways to stand out in a competitive job market while travelling the world, chances are you’ve come across TEFL internships. They promise professional experience, cultural immersion, and a chance to build a meaningful career pathway abroad—but are they actually worth it for your CV and long-term future?

In this guide, we’ll break down what a TEFL internship involves, what you gain professionally, and whether it’s the right move for your career goals—using real examples, structure, and student experiences from Premier TEFL programmes. We’ll also look at who thrives on these internships, how they compare with going it alone, and what to watch out for before you apply.

What Is a TEFL Internship?

A TEFL internship combines accredited teacher training with a supported overseas placement, allowing you to gain hands-on classroom experience while living abroad. Instead of simply earning a certificate online and then trying to navigate the job market by yourself, you move into a structured pathway that is specifically designed for first-time teachers.

Most Premier TEFL internships include:

• A 120-hour accredited TEFL course (often completed online before departure)

• A structured teaching placement lasting several months

• Orientation sessions and cultural training

• Ongoing in-country support

• In many cases, a paid salary or provided accommodation and meals

This format is ideal if you’re new to teaching or travelling solo. Rather than spending months searching for jobs, negotiating contracts, and figuring out visas, the internship arranges key logistics so participants can focus on teaching and adapting to life overseas. For many new graduates or career changers, this support can be the difference between “I’d love to teach abroad someday” and actually getting on the plane.

Where Can a TEFL Internship Take You?

Premier TEFL offers internships across multiple destinations, each with different durations, salary expectations, and cultural experiences. Asia is a particularly popular region because of its demand for English teachers, low living costs, and vibrant cultures.

Premier TEFL Destinations

• Thailand – Approx. 4.5 months, with rent-free accommodation and local support. Interns typically teach in government or private schools, often in smaller towns or regional cities that offer an authentic experience of Thai culture.

• Vietnam – Approx. 5 months, usually with a monthly stipend. Placements may be in busy cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City or in smaller communities that allow deeper immersion in local life.

• Cambodia – Up to 12 months with paid internships. This option is well-suited to those looking for longer-term teaching experience and a chance to contribute to a developing education system.

• South Korea – 6 or 12 month options, with a competitive monthly salary and structured academic environment. This is often the choice for those who want both financial stability and well-established teaching standards.

Internships are typically designed as “all-inclusive and fully organised” programmes, often with housing, orientation, and support built in. That means you’re not left to figure out airport pickups, local SIM cards, or which district to live in all alone during your first week.

Over the course of your internship, you’ll also get the chance to travel locally—weekend trips to islands in Thailand, rice terraces in Vietnam, or temple complexes in Cambodia are common among interns. These trips become part of the narrative you later share in interviews and on your CV, showing that you didn’t just work abroad—you fully engaged with another culture.

What Do You Actually Do During the Internship?

TEFL interns are not observers—they teach. You’re there to do real work that benefits real learners, which is precisely what makes the experience so valuable professionally.

In Thailand, for example, interns typically teach learners aged 5–18, working up to around 25 hours weekly in the classroom alongside lesson planning responsibilities. A typical week might involve:

• Delivering English lessons focused on speaking, listening, reading, and writing

• Designing simple activities and games to build confidence and participation

• Marking homework or tests and giving feedback

• Attending school meetings, assemblies, or events

• Supporting extracurricular clubs, English camps, or cultural days

You may:

• Lead your own class as the primary teacher

• Improve students’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills

• Plan lessons using a structured curriculum or coursebook

• Participate in school activities and cultural programmes

This is crucial because employers value demonstrable experience, not just certifications. Being able to speak in an interview about the lessons you planned, how you handled a difficult class, or how you adapted materials for lower-level students gives you concrete examples of your problem-solving and communication skills.

In many placements, you’ll also be the “face of English” in your school. Students may be curious about your background, your accent, and your life at home, giving you lots of opportunities to build rapport and encourage them to use English in natural conversation.

Why TEFL Internships Stand Out on a CV

Let’s look at how a TEFL internship translates into real-world employability, whether you stay in education or move into another field.

1. You Gain International Work Experience

Employers consistently seek candidates who can adapt to new environments and communicate across cultures. Teaching abroad shows:

• Independence and resilience

• Cross-cultural communication

• Problem-solving in unfamiliar settings

You’re not just travelling—you’re working under contract, navigating local expectations, and collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds. This kind of experience sends a strong signal to hiring managers that you can handle responsibility and change.

2. You Develop Practical Skills Employers Recognise

A TEFL internship builds competencies that align with global workplace demands. In a typical internship, you’ll sharpen skills like:

• Public speaking and presentation

• Time management and organisation

• Leadership and group management

• Conflict resolution and empathy

Unlike theoretical study, internships immerse you in real-time teaching environments, requiring quick thinking, organisation, and creativity. When lessons don’t go to plan, when technology fails, or when your students arrive buzzing with energy, you learn how to adapt calmly and constructively—exactly the kind of behaviour employers want in team members and managers.

3. You Combine Qualification + Experience (The Winning Combo)

Many graduates complete certifications but struggle to gain practical experience. A TEFL internship solves this by combining:

• Accredited training

• Immediate teaching practice

• Structured mentorship and support

This makes you more employable than candidates who hold only academic credentials. On your CV, you’re able to list both your TEFL qualification and a defined period of international teaching experience, which is far more compelling than a certificate alone.

Real Student Stories: What Interns Say

Premier TEFL programmes regularly feature participant testimonials describing both personal and professional growth. These stories help bring the abstract benefits of an internship to life.

Laura’s Experience – Vietnam
Laura chose Vietnam for cultural exploration and career development. She described the experience as “life-changing and empowering,” noting how the structured internship format gave her the confidence to step into the classroom and try something completely new. Before her internship, she wasn’t sure if teaching was for her; afterwards, she felt motivated to pursue more international roles.

Read More About Laura’s Experience!

Will’s Experience – Vietnam
Will described the placement as “the most rewarding experience you could ask for.” He highlighted the joy of connecting with students, forming friendships with fellow teachers, and building a sense of purpose through his work. For him, the internship was proof that meaningful travel and career development can go hand in hand.

Learn More On What Will Wishes He Knew Before Teaching In Vietnam!

Stefanie’s Experience – Thailand
Stefanie shared that teaching kindergarten students helped her build communication strategies, noting that children “try their best to get their point across,” even when they don’t have all the language they need. This pushed her to become more creative, patient, and responsive in the classroom—skills she later found useful in customer-facing roles back home.

Learn More About Stefanie’s Thailand Experience!

Sam’s Reflection – Thailand
Another participant, Sam, explained being drawn repeatedly to Thailand and feeling “extremely happy” with the decision to move there. What began as a short-term internship evolved into a longer-term plan for a more location-independent and fulfilling lifestyle.

These stories demonstrate that internships often shape both careers and lifestyles. Participants return with new confidence, clearer goals, and a stronger sense of what kind of work and environment suit them best.

Watch More On Sam’s Thailand TEFL Internship!

The Career Benefits (Beyond Teaching)

A TEFL internship doesn’t lock you into teaching forever. Many alumni transition into:

• International business and sales

• Tourism and hospitality

• Education management or academic coordination

• Recruitment, HR, or training roles

• Digital nomad careers such as freelance writing, marketing, or online teaching

Why? Because the experience proves you can live and work globally and that you’re capable of adapting to new markets, cultures, and professional expectations. The stories, examples, and achievements you collect abroad become powerful talking points in interviews for roles that might seem unrelated to education at first glance.

For example, explaining how you differentiated instruction for mixed-level learners can show a future employer that you’re capable of tailoring communication to different audiences—a key skill in marketing, sales, and customer success.

Financial Considerations: Paid vs. Supported Internships

Many Premier TEFL internships are paid, with salary varying by destination and experience. Others may provide housing, meals, and cultural experiences instead of direct pay, especially shorter programmes.

Typical packages may include:

• Rent-free accommodation

• Orientation lasting several days

• Visa guidance and relocation help

• Ongoing support throughout the placement

These benefits reduce the stress of moving abroad independently and can make the financial side of living overseas much more manageable. While you may not save large amounts of money—especially in internships focused on support rather than high salaries—you are gaining a qualification, professional experience, and an immersive adventure for far less than it would cost to travel without a structured programme.

It’s important to be realistic about your financial goals. If you want to maximise savings, you might lean towards destinations like South Korea or long-term contracts after your internship. If your priority is experience and growth, a supported internship with lower direct pay can still be excellent value.

How a TEFL Internship Shapes Your Future Career Path

Let’s compare a traditional graduate pathway with a TEFL internship route.

• Traditional Graduate Route:
  Degree → Entry-Level Job → Slow Skill Development → Career Clarity Later

• TEFL Internship Route:
  Training → Overseas Placement → Practical Experience → Transferable Skills → Diverse Opportunities

Internships compress years of personal and professional growth into one structured experience. Instead of waiting several years to gain confidence, leadership experience, or international exposure, you achieve all three in a single placement.

You also come away with clearer self-knowledge. Living and working abroad helps you understand whether you prefer dynamic environments or structure, collaborative work or autonomy, youth-focused roles or adult training. That clarity makes later career decisions much easier.

What About Reputation and Reviews?

When you’re choosing a TEFL provider, reputation really matters—and Premier TEFL is no exception. Independent review platforms show that most learners rate Premier TEFL highly, often describing the courses as “easy to follow,” “well structured,” and “excellent value for money,” with particular praise for tutor support and flexible online study.

At the same time, like any large provider, reviews are not universally perfect. A minority of learners feel some modules are too quiz-based or would like even more depth in certain areas, which is why it’s worth reading a mix of positive and critical feedback before you enrol.

On the accreditation side, Premier TEFL’s flagship Level 5 courses are Ofqual-regulated and awarded by Highfield Qualifications, as well as independently accredited by bodies such as ODLQC and ACDL, meaning training quality is externally checked on an ongoing basis. The organisation has also been recognised as a Top Rated TEFL Certification Provider by GoAbroad, reflecting consistently strong student reviews across its programmes.

Before signing up with any TEFL provider—including Premier TEFL—it’s still worth doing some basic due diligence:

• Check that the TEFL course is accredited or regulated and widely recognised by employers.

• Read recent reviews that specifically mention internship support, not just the online course content.

• Clarify exactly what’s included in your fee (housing, orientation, visa help, insurance, cultural extras) so there are no surprises on arrival.​

• Ask how many interns go on to further teaching roles or use the internship to secure other international opportunities.

Taking these steps helps ensure your Premier TEFL internship becomes a genuine career springboard rather than just a short-term working holiday.

Who Should Consider a TEFL Internship?

A TEFL internship is especially valuable if you are:

• A graduate unsure of your long-term career

• Seeking international work experience

• Interested in travel with purpose rather than just tourism

• Looking to build confidence and soft skills

• Considering teaching, training, or global roles

It’s less suited to those seeking immediate high salaries or long-term domestic careers with a strict linear progression. If you’re very risk-averse or uncomfortable with change, the initial culture shock might feel intense—though many people find that overcoming this challenge is exactly what helps them grow.

A useful way to decide is to ask yourself: “Do I want my next step to be safe and predictable, or challenging and transformative?” TEFL internships firmly sit in the second category.

The Personal Growth Factor (Often the Biggest Benefit)

Beyond CV value, many interns report personal transformation. Living abroad means:

• Navigating new cultures and languages

• Building independence and self-reliance

• Forming global friendships

• Developing resilience and emotional maturity

These intangible benefits often become the most impactful outcomes. Many participants talk about returning home more confident, open-minded, and motivated to pursue ambitious goals that might have felt out of reach before.

You also gain a more nuanced understanding of the world. Working in local schools and communities challenges stereotypes and assumptions, giving you a broader, more empathetic outlook that influences how you work and relate to others for years to come.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Advantages

• Combines qualification and experience

• Structured pathway into working abroad

• Builds transferable, global skills

• Offers cultural immersion and travel opportunities

• Provides support networks during relocation

Considerations

• Upfront programme costs may apply

• Salary levels vary depending on location

• Research is essential when selecting any TEFL provider

• You’ll need an open mind and flexibility to adapt to new environments

So, Are TEFL Internships Worth It?

For many participants, the answer is yes—especially if your goal is to build life experience alongside career development. A TEFL internship is not just a training course or a job placement. It’s a hybrid experience that accelerates:

• Professional confidence

• Cultural intelligence

• Employability in global markets

You leave with more than a certificate—you leave with a story, a skill set, and a clearer direction.

Final Thoughts

In an increasingly global workforce, employers value adaptability as much as academic achievement. TEFL internships offer a unique way to gain both. If you’re looking for a stepping stone into international work, a way to differentiate your CV, or simply a transformative experience after graduation, a TEFL internship can be a powerful launchpad.

Because sometimes the best way to move your career forward… is to go somewhere entirely new.

Thinking about teaching abroad? Explore destinations, programme lengths, and support options to find the internship that aligns with your goals—and start building a career that travels with you.

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