From what I saw as a Head of Studies, most TEFL teachers fall into one of these paths: 1) Academy route → staying in schools, possibly moving into senior or coordination roles 2) Specialist route → exam classes (IELTS, Cambridge), higher-value teaching 3) Independent route → private clients, corporate work, online teaching 4) Transition route → QTS, international schools, or moving out of TEFL Most people stay stuck because they don’t clearly understand these options. Which one are you currently on?

A lot of people in TEFL think progression means just finding a “better academy”. That’s usually why they stay stuck. From what I saw as Head of Studies, progression tends to follow a few different paths: 1) Staying in academies → moving into senior/coordination roles 2) Moving into exam classes or higher-value teaching 3) Corporate / private clients 4) Transitioning out (e.g. QTS, international schools, other careers) Most teachers don’t get shown these clearly, so they stay in the same loop. Which path are you currently on (or aiming for)?

If you’ve been in TEFL for a while and feel like nothing is really changing (same pay, same types of classes), you’re probably stuck in what I’d call “stage 1”. Most teachers stay there because no one actually explains what the next step looks like. I’ll break down the different stages and what moves you forward in each.

Good to have people joining already. Quick one — where is everyone currently at in TEFL? – Just starting out – 1–2 years in – Feeling a bit stuck – Looking to move into better roles / more stability Drop where you’re at — will help me tailor what I share in here.

Most TEFL teachers don’t fail — they just stay stuck. They: - Take the first job they find - Stay in low-paying roles too long - Don’t build experience that leads anywhere After 2–3 years, they realise: - No real progression - No significant pay increase - No clear next step And by then, it’s harder to move forward. The problem isn’t TEFL — it’s the lack of a plan. If you understand the pathway early, you can: - Choose better roles - Build the right experience - Move into higher-paying positions or QTS Most people don’t — and that’s why they stay stuck. This community exists to stop that happening.