We all know that learning and teaching online has seen an exponential boom in recent years. This growth sees no chance of slowing down as students and teachers continue to see the benefits of online learning. There are more and more online TEFL courses for you to choose from. This world of choice can be great, but it can also feel overwhelming!

The demand for English language teachers also continues to grow. English is a vast global language and is learnt in almost every country. Students all over the world need English for work purposes, study purposes or even for tourism. We often use English as our primary communication language when we travel, which makes learning English a massive advantage for people worldwide. This all brings new TEFL opportunities for teachers who have the proper qualifications. 

If you’re considering studying an online TEFL course to qualify, there are many things to consider! We’ll look at the advantages of studying an online TEFL course and some crucial factors to consider when learning this way.

What are the benefits of studying an online TEFL course?

Flexibility 

This is a crucial factor for studying online. We are becoming increasingly busier, balancing work, family, friends, hobbies and more! Additionally, having to attend to go to a class at a fixed time can be overwhelming. Studying an online TEFL course allows you to choose when and where to learn. This can significantly ease the pressure of learning a new subject and will enable you to fit the course into your busy lifestyle.

Price

Studying online can be a more affordable option than attending face-to-face classes. Not only do companies offer more competitive prices, but your costs are lowered. Many students undertaking face-to-face courses also have to pay more for transport or accommodation. This can be avoided if you study from the comfort of your own home! Combining this with flexibility, you can continue working and earning rather than giving up work to attend classes at a specific time.

Study worldwide 

You can study an online TEFL course from anywhere worldwide if you have a solid internet connection. This is an excellent opportunity for many students in countries that might not have a wide range of face-to-face courses or those who live in smaller villages without access to schools. You can also study on the go! So, if you have travel plans, these don’t derail your study goals, as you can continue working on your course as you move around!

Study at your own pace.

This is essential for many students. Most online TEFL courses will give you an allocated study time, but you can access the lessons and study the material as you wish. Some students need longer to absorb the information and make study notes, so an online course gives you this time. Face-to-face courses tend to be more fast-paced, and you need to keep up with the work on the school’s schedule. 

Before beginning a TEFL course, determine how much study time you have, as this can vary from system to course. Ask about possible extension options in case you need more time. This is important so you’re prepared to manage your time well and complete the course to the best of your ability. It’s better to buy a period when you are ready to begin studying so you don’t lose time. 

Interactivity 

You should find out how your TEFL course is presented before you sign up. Learning in 2023 is more interactive than ever. Many courses include fun activities during the lessons, videos to watch, and audio to download if you prefer to listen instead of read. This can be much better than sitting in a classroom! You can ask your potential TEFL provider for an overview of the course and how you will study.

Considerations

Motivation 

Self-study has a range of benefits, as we’ve seen, but it’s also important to be aware of the discipline it requires. Without fixed classes or a teacher to set deadlines, you must be motivated to progress. Some people find this more difficult than others. It’s a good idea to make a study timetable, dividing the number of lessons between your ideal study weeks. Then, stick to this as much as possible.

Many students find it helpful to visualise long–term TEFL goals when they study. If you dream of teaching in Thailand, get some pictures of beautiful Thai beaches around your study area! This can motivate you to remember why you are studying and the advantages waiting for you when you qualify!

Choosing the right course

There are many online TEFL courses out there now, and choosing the right one is essential. They range from very bad to very good! Don’t fall into the trap of paying $20 for an online weekend TEFL course that isn’t accredited. You need to ensure the course you’re doing will give you a recognisable qualification that employers can verify! Ask the training provider for their accreditation details if you’re not sure!

There are so many courses that you might feel lost about choosing one. Reviews can be a big help in deciding on a system. Check the reviews on Google for this. You can also look at TEFL Facebook groups where people share their experiences with different TEFL providers. Don’t forget to leave your review when you finish your course, and pay it forward to future TEFL trainees!

The course you’ll choose will also depend on your background. These factors include what passport you have and whether you have any prior teaching experience, education, and more. You might also choose a course depending on whether you want to teach in a specific country or online. Research what system is right for you and your TEFL goals. Please speak to your TEFL providers about what they would recommend for you.

Practical experience 

Online TEFL courses often don’t come with any practical component. While this isn’t a deal-breaker for future employers, it can give you an extra boost. It would be best if you considered undertaking any further methodology practicums your school might offer to understand further how your TEFL knowledge can be applied in the classroom. This will give you some confidence heading into TEFL, especially if you haven’t had previous teaching experience.

There are also voluntary positions that require 1-2 hours of teaching a week, which would benefit you to start building up your experience. These positions involve working with refugees and immigrants worldwide, teaching online or in local centres. Organisations are often more than happy to take teachers who are newly qualified or undertaking their training, which makes it beneficial for both sides. This is an excellent way to get experience as you learn and put theory into practice!

Studying with your peers

Online learning can be more isolating than studying face-to-face with a classroom full of trainee teachers. It’s often a good experience to meet others and support each other through your similar TEFL journeys. However, online courses and online training providers are developing increasingly these days. Did you know that at the TEFL Institute, we have weekly Zoom sessions for our students to meet and discuss their courses? We also have a Discord network where you can interact with others. These can help make a big difference to your learning experience! 

Technology 

This is an obvious consideration but still a very important one! Of course, online learning (and teaching) depends on your excellent, consistent internet connection. If you don’t have this, you will find it challenging to progress with the course. Generally, you should be pretty computer literate and feel confident to undertake this. This is also important if you are considering teaching TEFL online! You need to be fully prepared when it comes to technology!

While you don’t necessarily need the latest, most expensive technology, having a reasonably modern computer or laptop is essential. You can often study lessons on a mobile or tablet app,, but if you have written assignments, it’s always better to complete them on a proper laptop to take care of your work. Downloading a grammar check such as Grammarly can also be helpful for your assessments to ensure you don’t miss any of those typos!

The increasing popularity and range of choices of online TEFL courses show how popular TEFL teaching continues to be. There are many advantages to understanding an online TEFL course that can help you get qualified more conveniently and quickly! However, there are also considerations you need to consider to ensure it is the right path for you and will guarantee you success in TEFL! You must understand your needs as a potential TEFL student and where you would like to go with this in the future. It would be best to consider whether online learning is for you and whether it will be an enjoyable learning experience.

Your online TEFL course can give you a recognisable international qualification that doesn’t expire! Many employers accept these qualifications worldwide. It’s so much easier to get qualified now and soon!