If you want to teach English online, getting your TEFL certification is a great idea. In fact, if you’re considering teaching English abroad in any capacity, taking your TEFL course online should be at the top of your to-do list.
I have been an online English teacher since more than 3 yearswhich allowed me to travel the world while earning money teaching from my laptop. And to get this job I took a TEFL course with International TEFL Academy.
In this article, I’ll cover the basics of TEFL certification and the best TEFL courses for online English teachers and teachers who want to teach in a foreign country. Whether you plan to teach full time or earn some extra money as a side hustlethese courses will help you on your journey.
The advantage of taking a TEFL course online is that you can do it while you work full time or while you travel – you just need a wifi connection.
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What is a TEFL certificate?
A TEFL certificate is an internationally recognized qualification. It allows you to teach English abroad and is a crucial part of your application for a teaching job.
There are several types of TEFL certifications, and the acronyms can be confusing!
1.TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). This certification is used worldwide for teachers who want to teach English abroad to foreign students (or teach English online to foreign students). Example: A Canadian teaching English in China, or an American teaching English as a second language in Mexico.
2. TESL/TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language). This certification is used by those who teach English in their own country to someone who needs to learn English as a second language. Example: A Briton who teaches English to immigrants in England.
3. CELTA (Certificate in teaching English to adults). CELTA is the more expensive “fancy” version of TESOL and is specific to the University of Cambridge.
Now that that’s out of the way, we’ll focus on TEFL certifications in this article. Having a TEFL certificate will allow you to apply for English teaching jobs in foreign countries or jobs teach english online.
The typical curriculum covers teaching fundamentals, how to create a lesson plans, and how to teach students English grammar, reading, speaking and writing.
Who needs a TEFL certification?
Anyone who is considering teach English abroad or teach English online should consider getting their TEFL certification. TEFL certificates are widely known and appreciated in the English teaching industry.
I obtained my TEFL certificate with International TEFL Academy even though I already had a master’s degree in teaching and three years of formal classroom experience. I didn’t want to disqualify myself from a potential job just because I didn’t have the required qualifications.
Most in-person English teaching jobs around the world look for teachers with TEFL certification. Even in places where a TEFL is not required, you will likely get one higher pay rate and have more job options if you have one.
Will I need a TEFL certification to teach online?
Most well-paying online English teaching companies require you to have a TEFL certification.
A few years ago, ESL companies were primarily concerned with recruiting native English speakers. Today, with more regulations on online education and increased competition among companies, the requirements are stricter.
It is becoming more and more common for online English companies to require all teachers to have a TEFL certificate. China recently passed a law that states that all online English teachers must have either a TEFL certification or a traditional teaching license.
Considering how many large online ESL companies are catering to the Chinese market, you can imagine how many teachers have been affected.
But even if your online teaching company doesn’t require a TEFL certificate, it’s still a good idea to get one. With a TEFL certificate, you will have two main advantages:
1. ESL Teaching Skills
During your online TEFL course, you will learn best teaching practices that will improve your skills as an educator.
Many people think: “If I speak English, I can teach it, right?” But that’s not the case. Teaching a language is very different from speaking a language. Some people who speak excellent English do not make excellent teachers.
Teaching, like any skill, must be learned and practiced. In an online TEFL certification course, you’ll have the opportunity to do just that.
Getting a TEFL certification is especially important if you don’t have formal teaching training. You will want to gain as much practical teaching knowledge as possible so that you can impress your future students and employers.
2. Job security
If for some reason your online ESL company changes its requirements, having your TEFL certification could be the difference between keeping your job and having to find another one.
If you need to change companies at some point during your online teaching career, having your TEFL certification already taken care of means you’ll have more options.
Plus, if you ever decide to move to in-person teaching, you would already have the certification you need. Even if you have online teaching experience, most schools still need to see proof of your TEFL course completion in order for you to teach.
For me, having a TEFL certificate feels like a safety net. I know that if I’m ever unable to teach online for whatever reason, I can use my TEFL certificate to get a teaching job abroad. Having TEFL credentials only improves your choices.
☞ SEE ALSO: 15 Pros and Cons of Being an Online English Teacher
Which TEFL course is best?
In short, if you are looking for a level 5 TEFL course, check out the TEFL Academy. For the 120 hour TEFL certification, MyTEFL is a good option (Goats On The Road Readers Get 50% Off MyTEFL). And if you are looking for a very high quality TEFL, consider International TEFL Academy – this is the company I went with and highly recommend.
A quick Google search will show you that there are dozens of TEFL courses online, so it can be difficult to know which one is best for you. There are a few things to consider when making your decision.
1. Accreditation
For your TEFL certification to be meaningful, it must be accredited.
You may have seen advertisements on discount websites for $5 TEFL courses or even on websites offering free TEFL courses. Unfortunately, these are generally not accredited and won’t do you much good when it comes time to get hired. Although there are legitimate and cheap TEFL courses, see our list here.
While you may be able to get away with an unaccredited TEFL course from some uninformed employers, I wouldn’t recommend doing so. It’s not worth risking your job if someone finds out your certification isn’t legitimate.
Taking accredited TEFL courses online means that a third party has approved the course curriculum and teaching methodologies.
You will know for sure that what you are learning is correct and up to date. This helps you become a more effective English teacher in the long run.
2. Number of hours
When you start searching for TEFL courses, you will see the number of hours of the course. This represents the number of hours you will study to obtain certification. In general, you want a course that offers at least 120 hours.
Now, if you take a self-paced online TEFL course, there’s a very good chance you’ll complete it in less than 120 hours. But this 120 hour course will cover much more content than a 40 or 60 hour course.
Most TEFL employers want to see the 120 hour certificate.
3. Online, in-person and combined courses
TEFL courses fall into three categories: online, in-person, and hybrid courses that combine the two.
Online TEFL courses:
Online TEFL courses are perfect if you need flexibility with time and location.
Before I started teaching online and traveling, I took an online TEFL course because it worked well with my job. I was able to go to work during the day and take my TEFL course online in the evenings and weekends.
Online TEFL courses are often self-paced and may take longer than in-person TEFL courses. They are also generally less expensive.
The downside to choosing an online TEFL course is that you won’t get real-time demonstrations or feedback on your teaching.
Even though your course may include video content, there is no substitute for standing in front of people and applying the material. This is where in-person TEFL courses shine.
In-person TEFL courses:
With an in-person course, you will complete all of your training and hands-on teaching in a shorter period of time, usually a few weeks. You can also choose to do your TEFL training abroad, which means you can explore a new place while learning new skills.
In-person TEFL courses are best for those who want to get TEFL certified as quickly as possible. You’ll also leave with more real-life teaching experience.
The benefit is that you will be prepared to start teaching sooner, gain more practical experience, live in a new country, then receive placement assistance in that country, and meet other aspiring TEFL teachers in your classroom. Additionally, your accommodation as well as some excursions and activities are also included.
If an in-person TEFL certificate sounds like what you’re interested in, Click here to discover exciting opportunities in Thailand, Spain, Argentina and more!
Hybrid or combined courses:
The third option is to combine online and in-person elements in a hybrid or combined course. With these course formats, you will complete most written work online independently.
Then your TEFL company will arrange opportunities for you to have in-person teaching days, possibly with other students. This means you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned and receive feedback before applying for a teaching job.
4. Practical teaching
Some TEFL courses will also include a practical teaching component. During your internship, you will either practice teaching a lesson to real students or observe English lessons taught by experienced teachers.
Internship experience may also consist of one-on-one tutoring, student teaching, or volunteering with a local organization that offers English classes.
Not all TEFL courses have a practical educational component. But it’s a good idea to consider one if you want to get some hands-on teaching experience before diving headfirst into the classroom.
☞ SEE ALSO: 10 things to know before becoming an online English teacher
Best Online TEFL Courses for English Teachers
What is the best TEFL course for online teaching? The following online TEFL courses are excellent choices if you want to start teaching online or in person. I’ll break down what each course includes and what features make it attractive to prospective teachers.
1. The TEFL Institute (top choice for quality and affordability)
The TEFL Institute stands out among future English teachers looking for real added value, serious credibility and long-term professional support.
The TEFL Institute offers a full range of accredited TEFL courses, from accelerated Advanced 120-Hour Online TEFL Certification to government-regulated Level 5 qualifications and hybrid options with live practice, so you can choose the route that fits your goals, schedule and budget.
Its courses are designed by experienced educators, regularly updated for modern classrooms, and approved by schools around the world, making them ideal if you want to teach online, travel, or build a long-term teaching career.
Students consistently rate the TEFL Institute highly for course quality, tutor engagement and job support, highlighting the clarity of the material and the confidence they feel entering the classroom after graduating.
The TEFL Institute supports this with responsive tutor support, structured feedback on assignments and a clear progression from beginner to advanced qualifications so you can develop your skills over time.
Top reasons to choose TEFL Institute:
- TEFL and fully accredited and regulated Advanced Level TEFL 5 Diplomas recognized by employers around the world.
- Dedicated teaching support and academic guidance throughout your course, not just automated content.
- A wide choice of course formats, including comprehensive Level 5 programs and specialist add-ons for online teaching, young learners, business English, and much more.
- Most online students complete their courses in just a few weeks, with the flexibility to fit their studies around work and family commitments.
- Dedicated recruitment advisors and job board.
- Free access to TEFL Explorer, their AI-powered TEFL career ecosystem.
- Strong post-course support with job search advice, access to global opportunities and help presenting your new qualification to employers.
If you’re looking for a TEFL provider that checks all the boxes and combines affordability, serious credibility, and long-term career potential, TEFL Institute is the smart, scalable choice.
2. MyTEFL (Best Online TEFL Course for Your Budget)
MyTEFL consistently offers some of the most affordable TEFL courses on the market. They offer both online and in-person TEFL courses so you can choose the best option that suits your needs.
If you want to take your TEFL course online, MyTEFL is a good bet.
Overall, MyTEFL has excellent student reviews and grades and is an affordable option. Goats On The Road readers get a discount – Click here receive 50% off TEFL.
Additional information about MyTEFL:
- Fully accredited
- Students benefit from 24/7 tutor assistance
- You can request a letter of recommendation at the end of the course
- Online courses are offered for 40, 60, 80 or 120 hours
- Most students complete online courses in 3-6 weeks
- In-person courses are available in Thailand, Argentina and Spain and last 3-4 weeks.
- Students receive free job placement assistance after graduation
- MyTEFL courses are affordable
Find out how to sign up for MyTEFL, costs, pros and cons, and more in our detailed article guide to taking the MyTEFL course. Don’t forget, Goats On The Road readers get 50% off your TEFL certification. Click here for more details.
3. International TEFL Academy (best online TEFL course for quality)
The International TEFL Academy is a highly reputable company offering online and in-person TEFL training. This is the company I worked with during my TEFL training and I highly recommend them.
International TEFL Academy has a unique feature compared to other companies: it offers a special 30-hour online English teacher TEFL course add-on that you can take after completing your traditional TEFL course.
Although these courses are more expensive than some of the other courses listed, there are some highlights that are worth the extra cost. For more information, see our in-depth review of the International TEFL Academy.
Benefits of an online TEFL certification with ITA
- Fully accredited
- They are consistently ranked among the highest caliber TEFL courses.
- You benefit from lifelong job search assistance
- They have an active alumni community, which means you have a built-in network of friends across the world.
- You can choose between an 11-week online TEFL course or in-person classes around the world.
- They offer a specific online English teacher add-on course that you can take after completing your basic TEFL certification online.
- It is one of the most recognized TEFL courses
Their online course lasts 170 hours in total. This includes 150 hours of classroom learning and 20 hours of self-organized internship.
The online TEFL course with International TEFL Academy is not at your pace. You will have new modules published every week and homework due according to a schedule that you will receive in advance.
The International TEFL Academy offers in-person classes across the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. In-person TEFL courses last between 3 and 4 weeks.
I registered for the online course and I was able to complete it while working full time. This made it easy to save money on travel while getting certified at the same time.
After completing the course, I felt secure in my job prospects as I had contacts at the International TEFL Academy who would help me if I needed it.
I also became part of their extensive alumni network which has since introduced me to some of my best travel friends. In all, I am very happy to have chosen ITA for my online TEFL course. Click here to learn more about the International TEFL Academy
4. TEFLPros (Best Online TEFL with Free Trial)
Benefits of TEFL is an innovative TEFL course that has received excellent reviews.
It was created by a TEFL teacher trainer who realized that some courses weren’t fully preparing new educators for the reality of the classroom. She designed her own TEFL course to fill these gaps. The TEFLPros course is a fully online 120-hour TEFL option.
More benefits of this online TEFL course:
- Fully accredited
- Students receive employment assistance after graduating and leave with a professional portfolio
- The emphasis is on instructional videos and actual classroom footage to show what skills learned in class look like in practice.
- The course can be taken from anywhere and on your own schedule
- Many people complete the course in 4-6 weeks
- This course includes modules on lesson planning in reading, writing, listening, grammar and speaking, classroom management and encouraging student participation.
- The TEFLPros course includes weekly live coaching calls where you can speak directly with your training team for support.
- 2-day free trial
A nice benefit of TEFLPros is that anyone can sign up for their free 2-day TEFL training. This is perfect if you want to see what the material looks like before purchasing the full course.
Find out how to enroll, TEFL benefits, costs, pros and cons, and more in our detailed article. guide to taking the TEFL Pros course.
5. Bridge TEFL (Best Online TEFL for College Credits)
TEFL Bridge is a popular option for those considering teaching abroad or online while traveling. With Bridge TEFL, you can choose from shorter 40 and 60 hour online certifications. You can also opt for more in-depth online options of 100, 120, and 150 hours.
With the most advanced course offering, students even have the opportunity to earn university credits. All courses over 100 hours include placement assistance and feedback from a tutor.
In addition to its impressive online course offerings, Bridge TEFL also offers 140-hour in-person TEFL courses in North and South America.
Bridge TEFL offers the following:
- Fully accredited
- You po You can follow your courses on your computer, tablet or phone
- He is one of the oldest players in the sector with many success stories.
- Courses all include chat support with a tutor
- Videos allow you to see best teaching practices in real classrooms
- They offer several course options depending on the level you want to pursue
- There is the possibility of obtaining university credits
Find out how to sign up for Bridge TEFL, costs, pros and cons, and more in our detailed article guide to taking Bridge TEFL courses. Click here to visit the Bridge TEFL website.
6. i-To-i TEFL
i-To-i TEFL is a well-reviewed TEFL course provider with online and classroom course options.
I really like how this program offers a wide variety of courses, including 120-hour introductory TEFL courses all the way up to 300-hour online TEFL degrees.
i-To-i TEFL has the following attractive attributes:
- Fully accredited
- They have been around since 1994 and have over 100,000 TEFL graduates.
- After completing the program, you have access to a job site to find teaching opportunities.
- They have attractive “bundles” that you can purchase, which include things like grammar e-books, lesson plans, and a mini-course specifically on how to become an online English teacher.
- They frequently offer discounts on their best TEFL courses
i-to-i frequently offers discounts on its TEFL courses, check the website for details.
7. ITTT International (Best Hybrid TEFL Courses)
HAS ITTT International TEFL and TESOL trainingyou can take in-person classes, online classes, or hybrid classes that are a combination of the two. This is the best online TESOL certification.
One feature I like about ITTT that I haven’t seen anywhere else is that you can choose the level of support you want and the price adjusts accordingly.
For example, you can choose to take a 120-hour TEFL course with tutor and video support, or you can choose to take just the course without additional support and save around $100.
ITTT offers TEFL students the following:
- Fully accredited
- They offer online, in-person, and combined classes
- You can take in-person classes at over 40 locations
- With online courses, you can choose from 60 hour, 120 hour, and 220 hour options.
- They provide employment support and assistance after course completion
- ITTT is one of the oldest online TEFL companies (since the early 1990s)
Learn more about ITTT in our article here And Click here receive 15% off your TEFL course with ITTT.
8. The TEFL Academy (best TEFL level 5 certification)
The TEFL Academy is a unique option for obtaining TEFL certification as they offer a 168-hour Level 5 certification.
This is one of the higher level TEFL degrees available, and the TEFL Academy offers this training at a surprisingly high price. affordable price.
The TEFL Academy offers two options: a fully online course and a combined online and classroom course.
When you sign up for one of these leading TEFL programs, you’ll also get free access to one of their specialist ‘add-on courses’.
You can choose between a bonus course for business English, teaching young learners or teaching online. In total, you will receive 198 hours of TEFL teaching when you are certified by the TEFL Academy!
Here are some highlights of online TEFL courses with TEFL Academy:
- Fully accredited, TEFL level 5 course.
- Students can choose between a fully online certification or a combination of online/classroom certification. Training weekends for the combined course take place in North America, Europe, Oceania and South Africa.
- Students have six months of access to course materials and most complete within 1-2 months.
- Receive a free top-up course in the area of your choice when you sign up for a Level 5 TEFL course
- TEFL Academy graduates receive job search assistance and have access to an active job site.
- Internships and TEFL volunteer teaching opportunities available for graduates
- Discounts are frequently offered
Find out how to sign up for TEFL Academy, costs, pros and cons, and more in our detailed article. guide to taking the TEFL Academy course. The TEFL Academy frequently offers 60% off its best online TEFL courses. Click here to see if a discount is currently offered.
9. UNI-Prep Institute (Best TEFL Diploma Course)
UNI-Prep Institute is a great option for getting your TEFL certificate online. Founded in 2005, this company offers 3 high-quality and affordable TEFL courses: 120 hours, 250 hours and a live TEFL course.
What I like about UNI-Prep’s 250-hour TEFL course is that it includes everything the 120-hour course does, but in addition, 10 specialty areas are covered (including young learners, business English, online teaching, and more).
In addition, an 8-hour internship is included. This is ideal for teachers looking for a deeper understanding of teaching ESL.
Benefits of taking an online TEFL course with UNI-Prep Institute:
- You will have 24/7 access to online course materials
- You can take the TEFL course from anywhere in the world
- UNI-Prep offers employment assistance and tutor assistance
- UNI-Prep is accredited and internationally recognized
- TEFL courses are affordable and are often available at a discounted rate
- Receive a free classroom activity booklet (100 activities)
- TEFL certificates are electronic and you will receive them immediately
- There is no final exam
- Specialization courses are included (Business English, Grammar Teaching, Advanced Learners and more)
- A 20-hour internship can be added to your TEFL for free
- UNI-Prep offers several merit scholarships each year
Uni-Prep Institute frequently offers discounts on its online TEFL courses. At the time of writing, discounts range from 40% – 65% off depending on the course. Click here to find out more.
What to expect during your online TEFL course
Now that you’ve chosen a TEFL course, you may be wondering what to expect. Generally, online and in-person TEFL courses cover the same topics.
You can expect to learn:
- How to create and execute a TEFL lesson plan
- Good general teaching practices
- How to teach reading, writing, grammar and speaking
- Managing a class and student behavior
- Cultural awareness and how to navigate teaching students from different backgrounds
- Creating classroom materials, activities and assessments
You will likely leave your TEFL course with at least one comprehensive lesson prepared that you can use when applying for a job. In fact, it’s a good idea to save any lessons or activities you create throughout your TEFL course to create a hiring-worthy teaching portfolio.
You will also leave your course with an understanding of lesson pacing and language acquisition processes that will serve you well when you start teaching English online or abroad.
Are online TEFL courses legit?
Yes. If you take a TEFL course at any of the companies on this list, it will be legit and you can get a job as an English teacher. For a high quality TEFL with a strong alumni community, I recommend the company I took my TEFL with, International TEFL Academy.
MyTEFL offers 120 hour courses (with 50% off using this link)
TEFL Academy has Level 5 TEFL certifications which are often 60% off (using this link)
ITTT is the oldest TEFL company and you can get 15% off (using this link)
In conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of online TEFL courses you can take – there’s something for every budget. Invest in yourself as a teacher and your job opportunities will be much greater than if you didn’t.
The practical and theoretical skills you learn in a TEFL course will help you approach your first class feeling as confident, prepared and awesome as you are, I’m sure! Good teaching.
Once you are TEFL certified, you will want to apply for a job. Take a look at Pre-responseOr Cambly. And, for those of you who don’t have a bachelor’s degree (but do have an online TEFL course), check out our article which lists 10 educational companies that will hire you without a degree.