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EnglishWhat is TEFL.net and what can English teachers find there?
Updated
TEFL.net is a free resource site for teachers of English, running since 1998. It is aimed at TEFL/ESL teachers worldwide—both new and experienced—and gathers practical classroom tools, career resources, and community spaces in one place. Most of what it offers is free and ready to use; the site describes its job board as free to browse and free to post on.
What you can find on TEFL.net
The site organizes its material into a few broad areas:
| Area | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Lesson plans | Ideas and resources to help you animate a class |
| ESL worksheets | Ready-made, copyright-free worksheets you can print for classes of all levels |
| Worksheet Generator | A free tool for making your own worksheets by specifying what you want |
| This Week in History | Free lesson ideas (hosted on EnglishClub) |
| TEFL Forums | Discussion and help on teacher training, jobs, special needs, ELT management, and more |
| TEFL Articles | Essays, articles, and practical tips for English teachers |
| Teaching resources | Free downloads, articles, FAQs, and glossaries covering terminology and teaching methods |
| ESL Admin | Advice on setting up a school, staff employment and relations, resources, and marketing |
| Teacher training | Articles, advice, FAQs, course lists, and quizzes for teachers |
| TEFL Courses | Listings of TEFL/TESOL courses worldwide and online |
| TEFL Jobs | A job board with hundreds of offers, updated continuously, plus job guides and tips |
| Downloads and links | Free downloadable resources and a directory of other sites of interest |
Who it suits
- New teachers can use the training resources, glossaries, and FAQs to get oriented before or during a certificate course.
- Working teachers can pull printable worksheets and lesson ideas on short notice, or generate custom worksheets.
- Job seekers can browse the jobs board and read employment guidance.
- School owners and managers have a dedicated admin section covering staffing and marketing.
One distinction worth knowing
The site explains the difference between TEFL and TESL: TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) refers to teaching in a non-English-speaking country, while TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) refers to teaching in an English-speaking country. The site notes this matters little to students but carries technical considerations for teachers—useful context if you are choosing a course or applying for jobs.
How to start using it
- Go to tefl.net and pick the section matching your immediate need—for example, ESL Worksheets if you need printable material for tomorrow's class.
- For custom material, open the Worksheet Generator and specify what you want; the site says the result is free.
- If you are job hunting, check the TEFL Jobs Board and the Guide to TEFL Jobs.
- For questions or peer advice, post in the TEFL Forums.
The main practical caveat: the site presents itself as a long-running free resource hub, but it does not publish pricing details for courses or job postings beyond describing the job board as free—check the specific course or listing for any terms before committing.