TEFL Courses in San Francisco

Get TEFL Certified in San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the best cities in the United States to take a TEFL certification and teaching jobs abroad are in high demand. This city is located on the west coast of California and is home to many iconic places like the Golden Gate bridge and the infamous Alcatraz Island. If you are keen to teach then you really should consider getting qualified here.

San Francisco is a liberal city that feels almost European. Like the rest of Cali, San Francisco oozes creativity and encourages a laid back lifestyle amongst people that always seems to have a smile on their face. Of course there are the stunning vistas across the bay from the Golden Gate Bridge, the cute retro cable cars and Alcatraz to enjoy but one of the best things to do is just wander around.

San Francisco has evolved over the past dew decades and is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole of the United States. It is easy to see why so many people choose to take a TEFL course in San Francisco, expect a warm climate, vibrant nightlife, friendly locals and lots of things to do in your spare time.

It’s a small city in size but it’s packed full with some of America’s best architecture. Oh, and the food is to die for – be sure to try some Cioppino and a Crab Louie or two. If you are thinking about taking a TEFL course in the USA not many places in the world compare to getting TEFL certified in San Fran!

Course Specifics

Requirements: Minimum age: 18
Course Duration: TEFL courses in San Francisco are usually around 4 weeks (120 hours).
Class Sizes: Classes are usually around 8-12 people.
Class Times: Usually around 9:30am - 5:30pm. You will also need to set aside some time for homework during the week nights and at the weekends.
School Locations: Most TEFL academies are located in Oakland, Downtown and the Bay area of San Francisco. If you are still researching destinations you might want to view our TEFL courses in LA.
Accommodation: Some TEFL courses include accommodation in the price whilst others will require you to find something independently. Some agencies charge a placement fee of around $75 to help you find somewhere to stay. Options include homestays, student residences, shared and private accommodation.
Cost: 4 week TEFL courses cost around $1500 (£1000).

San Francisco TEFL Course Reviews

"Even though I have experience of teaching, I managed to get a lot out of the 4 week course. My instructor was incredible and helped me pass the course"

"I really liked the classroom environment and learning alongside other students, the activities were all very creative and the instruction was first class"

What to Do in Your Spare Time

San Francisco is a special destination and these are our top tips for places to visit when getting TEFL certified here. This is quite a large city but there is a good public transport system including a tram network which can help you travel up some of the cities notoriously hilly streets. The views from the cable cars around the city will also be spectacular, great for photos making your friends and family jealous.

Harbour Bridge
One of the most famous and icon landmarks is the Golden Gate Bridge. From the San Francisco Bay you can see the engineering wonder of the Golden Gate suspension bridge which is famously painted red, it's hard not to be impressed even though it is just a bridge.

Chinatown
A visit to Chinatown is recommende, this is a large area covering lots of streets where you will find really cheap and tasty cuisine.

Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is an area you will want to visit, here you will find the Maritime National Historical Park as well as shops, bars, diners and arcade gaming outlets. You will also be able to see the world famous Pier 39 which is home to a large number of California sea lions just lying on the harbour or swimming in the ocean.

Bubba Gump Restaurant
We highly recommend trying some of the local seafood in this area, there is also a Bubba Gump restaurant which you might want to stop by if you enjoyed the film Forrest Gump.

Haight-Ashbury
Outside of the city centre you might want to visit the trendy neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury where you will find live music venues, cool cafes, a big park and also lots of local shops. There are lots of vintage clothes boutiques and shops and a very hippy style vibe which makes this area one of the highlights for many visitors.

Alcatraz
When in San Francisco you might also like to visit Alcatraz Island which is where one of the most famous jails in the world was situated. You might have watched the film Escape from Alcatraz with Clint Eastwood, well you can visit this Island for yourself and learn more about the history of the Rock and some of the famous criminals who were held here.

Day Trips from San Francisco
After getting TEFL qualified in San Francisco you may want to recharge your batteries in a different, albeit equally stunning surroundings. Way north of San Francisco is home to the Redwood National Park. It’s a must for lovers of the great outdoors. You can go walking, horse riding, mountain biking, kayaking and even salmon fishing all set against some of the most striking scenery Cali has to offer.

Just 60 miles North of San Francisco is Napa Valley. Recognised as one the finest wine regions in the world, Napa Valley is heaven on earth for wine enthusiasts and it’s well worth a day or two tasting the areas produce. It’s purely for educational reasons, of course! A further 70 miles east is the state capitol, Sacramento.

From there, you can head to the Cali-Nevada border to enjoy the exquisite Lake Tahoe. Created over two million years ago, Tahoe offers all year round activities – from ski sports in the winter months to water skiing in the summer. It’s a staggering natural lake that stretches 22 miles in length and 12 miles in width. It’s a great place to discover the wild side of California.