US election drives surge in TEFL teaching course enrollments as Americans seek overseas opportunities

Following Donald Trump’s landslide victory in last week’s US election, The TEFL Org, a British teacher training organization, has reported a significant spike in interest from American customers. 

The TEFL Org, which provides certification for teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), enables qualified individuals to teach English in countries worldwide, offering a potential pathway for Americans considering relocating.

Since the election results, The TEFL Org has experienced a 600% increase in traffic from the US and a 300% increase in sales. The company attributes this growth to Americans exploring options to work abroad, motivated by dissatisfaction with the election outcome. This interest aligns with a surge in online searches about moving abroad, as evidenced by Google Trends data.

Andy Healy, Managing Director of The TEFL Org, commented on the increased demand from American customers. “Since last week’s election, our Customer Support team has been inundated with queries from people in the US, seemingly keen to avoid a second Trump term,” he said.

TEFL qualifications, which can be obtained for approximately £200 (US$257), open doors to teaching opportunities worldwide, provided candidates have a degree and a clean criminal background check. 

With strict visa requirements in popular destinations like Canada and the UK, moving abroad can be challenging for many Americans. However, Healy notes that obtaining a TEFL certification offers a more accessible route. “A TEFL certification provides a more straightforward route for those who want to move abroad,” Healy added.