2317 Teachers of english as a foreign language

In short

• ONS unit group 2317, in minor group 231 (Teaching professionals) and major group 2 (Professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): On the list: Table 1, Table 2.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £36,200 (£18.56 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £30,100 (£15.44 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Teachers of English as a foreign language teach students to speak and write the English language, either for the first time or building on their existing knowledge.

Typical entry routes

There are no pre-set academic entry requirements, however, many employers may require you to have a Teaching English as a Foreign Language course. TEFL courses require students to be 18 and to have a good level of English. A DBS check may be required.

Tasks

• teaches English as a foreign language and assists in the tuition of foreign languages
• plans and prepares language lessons and materials
• encourages conversations in English to improve students confidence and understanding
• sets and marks tests and gives feedback on student's performance
• organises students' participation in cultural activities and social events

Related job titles

• TEFL
• English as a second language teacher
• ESOL tutor

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2317 Teachers of English as a foreign language

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Teachers of English as a Foreign Language

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£36,200 (£18.56 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Table 2: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on 25th percentile Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2317 Teachers of English as a foreign language

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2319

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Teachers of English as a Foreign Language

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£30,100 (£15.44 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

£27,100 (£13.90 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Other unit groups in minor group 231

• 2311 Higher education teaching professionals
• 2312 Further education teaching professionals
• 2313 Secondary education teaching professionals
• 2314 Primary education teaching professionals
• 2315 Nursery education teaching professionals
• 2316 Special and additional needs education teaching professionals
• 2319 Teaching professionals n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

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