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Online TEFL courses
Start a fulfilling career as an English language teacher with an accessible online TEFL course.
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Certifications
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Your love of English and communication could lead to a fulfilling career that changes people's lives.
From creating engaging group lessons to teaching one-to-one classes to people across the globe, teaching English is dynamic and full of new discoveries.
Whether you want to work as a full-time teacher or create some extra income with a fun side job, an online TEFL course can help you get started.
See what courses are available below.
Where can I find TEFL courses online?
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What TEFL courses are available to study online?
Short courses
With a short course, you can gain an introduction to the field of TEFL or learn some new skills as an already experienced teacher.
| Course | Information | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| TEFL Essentials: Teaching English as a Foreign Language | Course length: 4 hours of on-demand video lessons Subjects include: Teaching the English language, learner profile, lesson planning, teaching from course books | |
| Teaching English as a Foreign Language TEFL | Course length: 3 hours Subjects include: TEFL basics and classroom management, basic grammar and teaching language skills, including vocabulary and pronunciation | |
| TEFL Essentials: Grammar for English Language Teachers | Course length: 1 hour Subjects include: An introduction to English tenses, present tenses, past tenses and conditional sentences | |
| 21 Powerpoint Games and Activities for Teaching English (TEFL) | Course length: 1 hour Subjects include: Activities and games for lower level, intermediate level and higher level learners |
Certificates
To work in accredited English colleges in Australia, you'll need a TESOL certification as well as your bachelor degree.
| Course | Information | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) | Course length: 4 weeks full-time, up to 12 weeks part-time (120 hours) Subjects include: Language analysis and awareness, language skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing, developing teaching skills and professionalism |
|
| Certificate IV in TESOL | Course length: Up to 800 hours, or up to 12 months Subjects include: Grammatical concepts, terminology, traditional meta-language, developing learning strategies |
|
| Online Level 5 TEFL Course | Course length: Up to 6 months Subjects include: Lesson planning, teaching English vocabulary, teaching pronunciation, teaching receptive and productive skills, principles of teaching English as a foreign language |
|
| International TESOL certificate | Course length: 8 to 12 weeks Subjects include: Second language acquisition, TESOL methodology, linguistics, teaching online |
|
Diplomas
A diploma course will add more in-depth methodologies to your skill set and could open opportunities to work in curriculum design or school management.
| Course | Information | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| International TESOL diploma | Course length: 16 to 24 weeks Subjects include: TESOL methodology, linguistics, teaching children, adults and business English |
|
| Diploma of TESOL | Course length: Up to 54 weeks. 25 hours per week full-time Subjects include: Teach English grammar, teaching speaking, reading, listening and writing, design and teach ESL syllabus |
|
Postgraduate study
If you're passionate about a long-term career in the TEFL field, a postgraduate qualification can lead to opportunities to work as a university lecturer, director of studies or publishing.
| Course | Information | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) | Course length: 6 months to 1 year Subjects include: Linguistics for second language teachers, language teaching in practice, internationalising the curriculum |
|
| Master of Education Advanced (TESOL) | Course length: 1.5 years Subjects include: Theories of second language learning, pedagogical grammar, second language literacy, English in specific contexts |
|
| Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) | Course length: 1-2 years full-time, 4 years part-time Subjects include: Theoretical principles and concepts of TESOL |
|
| Master of Arts (TESOL) | Course length: 1 year Subjects include: Teaching English in diverse contexts, nature of language, language in society, language teacher skills |
|
Who should take a TEFL course online?
If you're keen to work as an English language teacher and educate people around the world, an online TEFL course will help you get started.
Both native and non-native English speakers can take a TEFL course, but you'll need an advanced level of English or an IELTS score of at least 7. It also helps to have a passion for communicating and connecting with a whole range of nationalities and cultures.
To teach English at colleges or universities in Australia, you'll need a bachelor's degree (in any field) and a TEFL qualification, such as a Certificate IV in TESOL or the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), as a minimum. These two courses will train you in the theory and practice necessary to teach non-native speakers in a classroom.
Otherwise, there are many growing opportunities to teach English online and in some cases you may not need a bachelor's degree to do this. A TEFL course, however, will give you a solid foundation in ESL teaching methodology that will enable you to provide a quality service.
What's the difference between a Certificate IV in TESOL and the CELTA qualification?
The Certificate IV in TESOL is a qualification accredited by the Australian government and allows you to teach English to speakers of other languages in Australia, as well as some places overseas.
The CELTA will provide you with an internationally recognised qualification through Cambridge University which enables you to teach not only in Australia, but in most countries around the world.
The topics covered in a TEFL course
You'll learn the unique and specific skills needed to teach English effectively to groups of non-native English speakers in your TEFL course.
A certificate level course such as the Certificate IV and the CELTA will teach you:
- The six language levels
- The teaching and learning context
- Language analysis and awareness
- Assist learners to improve pronunciation and speech
- Source and develop resources to support learning
- Language skills: Reading, writing, speaking and listening
- Apply a range of TESOL methodologies
- Plan, organise and deliver group-based learning
- Teaching English to children
- Use technology to assist ESL learning
A diploma or postgraduate course will teach you:
- How to design and teach an ESL syllabus
- Theories of second language learning
- Pedagogical grammar
- Second language literacy
- Language in society
- Intercultural communication in language classrooms
- English in the world
- English in specific contexts
How long does an online TEFL course take to complete?
A short introductory course in TEFL can range from one to four hours to complete. However, if you want a recognised qualification for the industry, you'll need to set aside around four to eight weeks to complete your training online.
If you're keen to get your CELTA qualification or Certificate IV in a short time, you can do an intensive course that will take four weeks.
A postgraduate qualification such as a master's will often take between one and two years of study.
Are there still opportunities available to work as an English language teacher during COVID-19?
As the world continues to connect with the expansion of digital media, so does the need for communication in English.
While COVID has affected the ESL industry somewhat, there are still job opportunities in the field. Many schools have either moved completely online or expanded their courses to include online training.
Schools such as Learnlight, DaDa or Cambly offer lessons to adults and children all over the world, and employ Australian teachers with qualifications.
What are the career opportunities after taking a TEFL course?
Completing a TEFL course can either set a foundation for further study, if it's a short unaccredited course, or open up opportunities in the field of English language teaching.
Combined with your bachelor's degree in any field, a TEFL qualification will enable you to start teaching English to foreigners in language colleges in Australia or work for online schools. If you gain a master's degree in TESOL, you can teach English in universities.
Here are some possibilities that a Certificate IV in TESOL or a CELTA certification can offer:
- Study tour teacher
- Relief/casual teacher
- Language school teacher (no degree required in some countries)
- Private tutor
- Online English teacher
- Open a language school
- Become a teacher trainer
- Become an IELTS examiner
- Work in publishing
A postgraduate qualification can lead to opportunities such as:
- English language teacher in private colleges
- Primary and secondary English language teacher
- University lecturer
- Director of studies
- Teacher trainer
- Language program developer
- Policy advisor
- Curriculum designer
- Education author
What equipment and software will I need?
You won't need much equipment to complete your TEFL course online. As a minimum you'll need:
- Laptop or desktop
- Internet connection
- Microsoft Word or Google Docs
- Video conferencing software such as Zoom
- Course textbooks
See the latest deals for online TEFL courses
Udemy
TEFL courses from $25
Learn to teach English as a foreign language. Sample price is for a TEFL course on teaching English fluency. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
ExpertRating
Get trained and certified in TEFL from $167.70
Get trained in TEFL by an industry expert and earn a premium international certification. Sample price is for a teaching ESL/EFL vocabulary certification course. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
FutureLearn
Learn TEFL from world-class institutions
Develop TEFL expertise and hone your teaching skills with industry experts from world-class institutions. Sign up for a flexible course. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
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Ask an Expert
I have been teaching English in Japan at my own tutory for the last 15 years. I am thinking of diversifying in Thailand. In view of this venture, I’d like to be accredited. I’d like to do TEFLEN course. Could you please advise me on this venture?
Thank you.
Hi Wesley,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
This page is just a guide on how to be TEFL certified. Please check out online institutions that offer this course to find out more on how you can be accredited.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni