Online TEFL:
A New Age of Distance Learning
Enrolment in internet-based courses will continue growing as online learning becomes an ever increasingly popular method of delivery, particularly at higher and further education level. Online learning is now a viable way to earn a TEFL or TESOL certificate, as more online course providers are earning recognised accreditation.
Anyone new to the TEFL industry might find themselves a little overwhelmed by all the acronyms used, so I'll give you a quick overview. TEFL is the acronym for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and TESOL for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Ultimately they are the ‘concept’ of teaching abroad and are terms used interchangeably, usually depending on the country you're in or more frequently the course provider you are working with. When assessing course providers, it is more important to look at course content, delivery and accreditation criteria than the acronym they have chosen to use.
In its previous life, the delivery of online TEFL/TESOL courses was presented as a correspondence course or ‘distance learning’ one, in which the participant would simply download assignments and send them, through snail mail or via e-mail as attachments, to their tutor.
This is still the case for some TEFL/TESOL course providers even though the needs and demands of internet users cry out for the technological advancements that can so easily be made available to them. Not only has this involved the leading TEFL and TESOL suppliers providing audio and video tutorials, course components are now being completed online, reducing the need for textbooks or other reference materials. Knowing all your work is in one place, on one user interface is reassuring - especially to those of us who remember spending hours pouring over textbooks, journals and tabloids to write essays before submitting them and never seeing them again.
This old-style teaching technique significantly hampered learning and development and the new features of the online course have come a long way towards gaining the respect of the industry. It is also refreshing for online TEFL/TESOL tutees to have easy access to their course tutors. Now they can ask questions and get answers within a twenty four hour period and course feedback is much the same.
As an experienced TEFL advisor, I often get asked “why would I do an online teaching course rather than a practical course?†My answer is that ideally you should opt for a combination course and do both a practical and theoretical (online) course; however this isn’t always possible given our increasingly hectic work and social lives. Practical courses are very good courses to give an insight into the profession and to show you how to put teaching theories into practice. The online courses invariably give a more theoretical base and a thorough knowledge and understanding of TEFL methodologies and teaching practices.
There are several advantages to the online TEFL course:
Convenience
You can attend anytime of day, therefore enabling those with families or limited time to attend.
Accessibility
You don't have to go somewhere to take the course; it comes to you. You can access an online course at the time and place that is most convenient to you. You can move around, be transferred anywhere in the world or travel extensively and still access your course.
Time
Work at your own pace, whether your busy schedule leaves you little time for learning, you need more time to learn a particular concept or you want to accelerate through the material, online courses offers the flexibility you need.
Price
Online courses are usually more affordable than practical courses. Not only are the course fees often lower, but you also don't have transportation costs to add into the mix.
Accreditation
An online certificate is gaining recognition as a viable way to further oneself.
There are, of course, downsides to the course:
Self-motivation
A certain amount of self-discipline is required.
Drive
Online courses lack the social element of practical courses and can leave you feeling isolated.
No practical experience
The online course provides no opportunity to gain practical experience.
Time
You must have good time management skills.
Deciding to continue your education is a step that should not to be taken lightly. Examining the pros and cons of both types of deliveries is a wise thing to do. If considering any institution of higher learning, think about these points.
- Check for accreditation by a recognised accrediting body
- Be certain that the country and/or institution you would like to work in accept these courses.
Once you have selected your training provider, you then need to choose what course is right for you. When considering online courses, weigh up the pro’s and con’s of the course and always remember that combining the two courses is a real possibility. Everyone has a preferred method of learning that brings out the best in them and your continued development need not stop at either a practical or an online course.
Click here to take a look at our online TEFL courses.
If your confident in front of groups or have had experience presenting and simply need the teaching skills to get your TEFL career started an online course is more than likely more than enough to get you not only qualified but proficient in teaching English. If however you lack experience in front of others or would like to put theories into practice you should consider blended learning which combines both online and practical based courses.
Online courses are ideal for those who would like to teach abroad. We are in a whole new era of learning where everything is available on the internet. Although it is a rich source of knowledge, online learning is not for everyone. One thing for sure is that with the development of the internet, online learning is something that will continue to evolve in years to come.
