Thinking about getting your TEFL certification? There are many options when choosing a TEFL course. Online courses are very popular for obtaining your TEFL certification due to their heavy list of pros. Here are 5 benefits of enrolling in an online TEFL course.
Save Money
Taking an online TEFL course is much more cost-efficient than an on-site course. Online courses range from $350-$800, in comparison to tuition fees for onsite TEFL courses which range from $1,500 to $3,000! Unless you are taking an on-site course in your home city, you will also be required to pay for housing, food, and other expenses.
With an online TEFL course, you can save a ton of money and do not require any additional expenses. Trust me, you’ll want to save all the money you can for start-up costs in your new home abroad.
Sign up with the International TEFL Academy and save even more here! (Read about my experience with their online TEFL program here.)
Convenience
Online courses allow you the convenience of studying from anywhere at any time! If your brain doesn’t function at 8-am but gets wildly active starting around 10-pm like mine, then an online course is definitely for you!
It’s been proven that not all students process information the same; you will learn different teaching styles in your TEFL course. It’s no surprise that not all of us excel in the classroom environment. The convenience of studying in a comfortable environment for optimal content absorption is key.
In addition, you don’t have to commute, so only minor adjustments to your schedule are required. That is of course unless your comfortable learning environment is halfway across the city…
The course work is only 10-15 hours per week. You don’t have to quit your job and since online courses are not in real-time you are not required to be online at a specific time.
Flexibility
In addition to the convenience of flexibility in your schedule, you’ll have the flexibility to apply for positions around the world. With over 120,000 graduates, TEFL Org alumni have found jobs teaching English around the world; across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East, and even online!
Many on-site abroad TEFL courses require you to apply in that region, but with an online course, you are not required to apply in any specific region. By applying for jobs in various regions, you’re able to weigh the benefits each country has to offer to help you make the best choice.
Learning
Students are able to learn at their own pace. With an experienced and qualified online TEFL tutor available for advice and assistance throughout the course. Don’t worry about missing out on peer interaction; there are course forums you can interact with students on the same course as you or use the larger general student forum to share resources.
The online TEFL course not only prepares you for teaching grammar and language but provides an entire module about classroom management, giving feedback, teacher and student roles, and lesson planning structure. The opportunities abroad go far beyond a traditional classroom. With an online TEFL course, you are given the skills to teach young learners as well as business professionals in a corporate setting. Tutoring, teaching online, or over the phone? No problem. You will be equipped with resources and knowledge to conquer all levels and formats.
Get Ahead
Halfway through your online course, you are ready to start applying for teaching positions around the world EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVEN’T COMPLETED YOUR COURSE! Lining up a teaching job before you complete your course will make the process much smoother and faster. This is extremely beneficial if you are moving to a country where the visa process may be lengthy.
Lifetime access to exclusive job vacancies around the world and a career advisor on the TEFL Job Centers interactive platform will place you a step ahead. These resources are helpful in building a resume catering to a specific country and knowing the best practices for Skype interviews abroad!
Do you still have questions about teaching English abroad? Drop me a comment below or contact me here.
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