Melissa Williams, Author at i-to-i TEFL

What is a TEFL Certification?

Posted on May 2, 2023May 2, 2023 by Melissa Williams

What is a TEFL certification?

If you hold a TEFL certification this means you’re qualified to Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). It’s one of the most highly-recognised international teaching certificates you can find (if it’s fully accredited) and is respected by employers worldwide – amazing! If you’re looking to land your dream teaching job, be part of an incredible community, and open up a world of adventure, then you’ve come to the right place! Getting a TEFL certification is your passport to a world of opportunity!

As one of the fastest-growing educational fields in the world, your skills will always be in demand- sign us up! Whether you use your TEFL certification as a full-time career or as an extra way to make money, you’ll definitely be kept busy.

Who can get a TEFL certification?

Anyone who speaks English fluently can become TEFL certified, whether that’s as a native or near-native speaker. You just need to be able to pass your TEFL certification and be able to prove to employers that you can read, write, and speak English fluently.

TEFL is also open to everyone, which means there’s no upper age limit, especially for online teaching roles – awesome! It doesn’t matter if you’re 22 or 52, you can easily land a top TEFL job. As long as you’re over the age of 18 and have enough time to complete a TEFL course, you’re good to go!

Why do I need a TEFL certification?

To teach abroad or online you’ll need a TEFL certification from an accredited company– like us! It’s essential, as it proves to students and employers that you’re serious about the role and have all the necessary skills needed to be a fantastic English teacher. Teaching English is quite different to mainstream teaching, as there is a lot more focus on grammar and pronunciation and you and your students won’t speak the same language (usually). So, even if you have teaching experience, it’s recommended that you get a TEFL certification to ensure you have all the necessary specific skills to be able to teach the English language to non-native speakers.

Although you don’t always need a degree to land a TEFL job, it can sometimes boost your chances of employment. In countries where competition is fierce and there are strict visa regulations, you might need a bachelor’s degree on top of your TEFL certification. This is worth bearing in mind when applying to your dream TEFL role.

Where can I get a TEFL certification?

There are lots of different places offering to help get you TEFL certified but take our advice! As tempting as it may be to opt for the cheapest TEFL courses you can find, from say a coupon site, you should try and stay away from them if you can! If you want to become TEFL certified, and have that certificate be recognised by employers around the world, you should look for reputable companies that are accredited by government-associated regulating bodies (like Ofqual in the UK and DEAC in the USA) and have great reviews from their students. This information should be displayed on the course provider’s website and will often be shown on the regulating bodies website as well. Here at i-to-i, we offer a selection of Level 5 courses, and a Level 3 course, to suit your needs. You’ll be given support, guidance, and advice on passing your qualification and will gain detailed feedback from our DELTA qualified tutors. Plus, we’re UK government regulated, DEAC approved, and our students have scored us 4.7 out of 5 stars on an independent review site, which means you’re in safe hands with us!

Need help choosing a course? Then why not speak to one of our friendly advisors! Our lovely team are on hand to answer any niggling questions you may have. Request a call with them here.

When can I book my TEFL course?

You can apply to one of our TEFL courses any time, day or night!

And the best part? Our certifications never expire which means that, once you’ve qualified, you can use your certification for years to come – perfect!

How do I find work after I’ve completed my TEFL certification?

One of the easiest ways to find a job, once you’re TEFL certified, is by looking at online job boards. Our sister company LoveTEFL is a great place to start as it advertises a wide range of incredible teaching positions, both online and abroad, and is constantly being updated! All you need to do is find a job you’re interested in, send off your CV, and wait to be invited for an online interview- easy! And if you need any help with your application or interview prep, our amazing Jobs Team is on hand and they are very happy to assist!

Want to know how much you could be earning as an English teacher, before you apply? Take our quick TEFL quiz to find out in under 5 minutes!

Good luck with your TEFL adventure and welcome to the club!

LIVE WEBINAR: Q&A with South African TEFL tutor, Rosland

Posted on March 30, 2023March 30, 2023 by Melissa Williams

South African TEFL teacher Rosland went live on i-to-i’s Facebook page to share her story of TEFL as a South African and answer all your questions about teaching English online and overseas. Watch the full webinar or read on for edited extracts.

How did you become a TEFL teacher?

I was a PR manager and events coordinator for three years. However, it’s always been a passion of mine to find a job that allows me to travel. 2019 was the year I decided to follow that dream.

I did the Level 5 TEFL Diploma with i-to-i. I was working full time in Cape Town and doing the TEFL course when I came back from work and over the weekends. At the end of my TEFL certificate, I signed a contract for a job in China and was supposed to go in February 2020 but, as you know, Covid happened.

I had already resigned from the PR agency so I was left without a job. I had enough savings to get me through six months but I realised that Covid was not going to end any time soon, so I started looking for online teaching jobs.

How long did it take you to find an online TEFL job?

I thought it would be easy to find an online TEFL job. I had my TEFL certificate and my bachelor’s degree and a contract to teach in China, so I thought I had got this in the bag but it took me about two months before I managed to get a break.

I was applying to the big companies and the majority of them require you to have prior teaching experience. At the time I was applying, the jobs market was quite saturated. Covid had just hit. Many people had come back from the countries they were teaching in and were applying to teach online.

I’m not going to lie. It was not easy. I was on LoveTEFL’s jobs board, Dave’s ESL Café, and Google every day, trying to find which companies do actually take South African citizens. I did not stop there. I would apply through jobs boards. I would then fill out the application form on their websites and send my application to them by email. I would even go onto LinkedIn and try to find people who worked for that company and apply through those platforms.

How did you find your first online TEFL job?

Landi English was the first company that got back to me. I did my interview and thought I would hear good news. Three days later, I got a ‘Sorry, your interview was not successful.’ Before I applied again, I went onto YouTube and found a mentor who worked for Landi English. He told me I was a good candidate but there were things that I needed to be aware of in the interview and when doing the demo class.

I had a few master classes with my mentor, nailed the demo class with him and was ready to apply to Landi again. This time they were happy with my interview but referred me to their sister company, Dazao English who was taking on South Africans who had no prior experience. I worked for Dazao English for three months.

What are your tips for applying for online TEFL jobs?

When you apply for online TEFL jobs, make sure you have a great, clear photo that makes you look professional but friendly and also include a short introduction about yourself, your experience and your personality.

Tailor your experience towards teaching and working with kids. For example, if you have been a waiter in a restaurant that has a lot of foreign customers, you could say you work well with people from different cultures. If you have any experience of working with children, as a babysitter or a swimming coach for instance, definitely put that in and highlight it. That is very important.

I also recommend that you tailor your skills towards teaching. For example, if you have good communication skills, good classroom management skill, if you’re patient, if you have good listening skills, if you’re really technically savvy – you can highlight any of these.

It is also really important to include your tech set up. If you have a headset with an external microphone, mention that. If you have a quiet space to teach, mention that in your application. If you have good WiFi and 5MB upload / download speed, mention that. Also mention the make of the laptop / PC you will be using. I’ve got a MacBook Air so I say that.

Most companies ask you for a demo or intro video. Film yourself beforehand so you have the video ready to upload onto online applications. Make sure you show a bubbly personality, do lots of smiling and use TPR (total physical response). TPR is really important for online teaching and they look for it in interviews. Go onto YouTube and type in ‘Online Teachers using TPR’ and you can get a whole host of videos that will train you on how to use TPR.

What equipment do you use for teaching online?

I have a MacBook Air, fibre broadband, and uncapped WiFi with 5MB upload and download speed.

My headset is a gaming headset that can be used in a laptop. It has an external microphone that is needed for online teaching. I paid about 200 Rand [£10] for it. If you can find a cheap one like this, that does the trick. Headsets can be really expensive. Don’t spend 500 Rand on a headset!

Is load-shedding an issue for South African TEFL teachers?

Unfortunately, load-shedding happens. If you are South African and you want to work online, I highly recommend that you invest in a load-shedding back up plan.

I have a portable WiFi dongle, which I always keep charged and I also always keep my laptop charged, when I am working on it. Load-shedding in Cape Town is generally two to two and a half hours so, if we do have load-shedding, my laptop battery and WiFi dongle can last me through that. My back-up plan is pretty simple. It gets me through my classes and I have not had a problem with it yet.

What was your experience of teaching for Dazao English?

At Dazao English, I taught kids from ages of about 4 to 14. The classes were 30 minutes long, I taught one child at a time and the lessons were already prepared. I would check the class the client had chosen, have a refresher of what I needed to teach, make sure I had the necessary props or teaching aids for that specific lesson and that was pretty much all I had to do.

I taught online for Dazao English for three months and I really enjoyed it because it was minimal prep and quite flexible. There are obviously peak hours when it comes to teaching online, which is when the kids are back home from school or at the weekends when they are not at school but you could choose the working hours you wanted to teach.

Who are you working for now?

In September 2020 the school in China I had signed a contract for, contacted me and asked if I could teach their classes online. I teach classes of about 10 to 15 students from grades one, four and five and I have also tutored Matric students.

The classes last 45 to 60 minutes and I have to create my own lessons. I have a set teaching guide, based on topics that need to be covered for that learning unit or for that month or term. I tailor the class according to that, using my own teaching materials to make the classes more fun and engaging and to get the kids to speak and interact more with me. I enjoy that because I can tailor my lessons to what I want to teach them.

How much can you earn teaching English online?

Your pay depends on the company and your experience. The more experience you have, the better earning potential you have. The bigger companies pay you more but they do require a degree, teaching experience and a TEFL certificate. The smaller companies might take you without a degree or if you have no experience but pay you less.

If you get offered a job with a smaller company, I would advise you to take it and get experience while you continue looking for bigger companies. That is what I did. The pay was not great but I took that job because I knew that the experience would be valuable for me.

With Dazao, I was earning $6 an hour. You had to work 15 hours minimum but I put in extra hours. The kids were all on their summer holidays so lots of parents had enrolled their kids on these courses. I was fully booked, every day – whatever opening I had was getting booked. I was working back-to-back for two hours, then I would take a 30-minute break and work another two hours. I was walking away with about 10,000 Rand [£500] a month, working pretty much full days and opening as many slots as I was able to.

How do TEFL companies pay you?

When you are teaching English online, how you get paid depends on the company you are working for. Dazao English paid directly into my South African bank account. They asked for banking information and I don’t think any deduction was made.

The Chinese company I am working with now also pays directly into my South African bank account but some companies will ask you for a PayPal account or another type of banking system. You just have to go with the flow and use whatever they are using.

How did you find a TEFL job abroad?

There are quite a few jobs boards out there that advertise posts for teaching abroad. I started by looking at LoveTEFL’s jobs board and Dave’s ESL Café. They were also the jobs boards I used to find jobs online.

I found applying to teach overseas much easier than finding work online. I went through a recruiting agency called Horizon ESL, which is based in China. I told them the salary I was looking for, the placements I was looking for in China, the benefits I wanted – I was looking for housing and I was looking to teach at a private school. Within a week, she came back to me with five companies I could apply to.

The following week, she set up interviews for me with all five companies. I asked which one was willing to offer me a job and she said all of them! I had all the options. I was the one able to choose which company to teach for.

If you are looking to teach overseas, I would definitely recommend it. If you don’t have teaching experience, it is much easier to find a job abroad than online and still get a fairly good salary – a bit better than what you would find online.

With TEFL, it is okay to keep on making yourself available to the different opportunities that are out there. Just because you are in one job does not mean that you have to stay there forever. I still have my job lined up for me in China but, if I can get into another country sooner, I am definitely going to that because my focus is to travel and teach.

What is the application process for TEFL jobs abroad?

There are a lot more things that need to happen for jobs overseas than for online jobs. Horizon held my hand throughout the process but I had to do the steps on my own.

You send through your application, which includes your CV, your TEFL certificates, your bachelor’s degree, and your passport. If you meet the school’s requirements, they will ask you to an interview. If you are successful, you need to go through all the process of documentation.

For China, you need to have a police clearance certificate and you need to get your degree, your TEFL certificate, and your Matric certificate certified by the Chinese Embassy. Once you have all of that paperwork, you get an invitation letter from your school. You then have to take your invitation letter, your police clearance, and your authenticated documentation to a Chinese Embassy and you apply for your visa.

When you have your visa, you can purchase your plane ticket and head over to China. Once you get there, there is a whole process of applying for residency, applying for work permits. If you go through a recruitment agency, they will also help you with that.

Which is the best country to TEFL in?

There are so many countries to choose from, so it’s important to do your research. Think about the language you want to speak, the culture you want to be immersed in and how much you want to earn. As a South African, I would recommend looking for jobs in an Asian country because those are easier to get.

The pay to teach overseas depends on the country and the type of teaching job you do. If you teach at an English learning centre, the pay might not be as much as it would be in a private school or a public school and you are most likely going to teach in the afternoons, evenings and at weekends, as you teach English after the kids are done at everyday school.

When I was doing my research, I found a really good YouTube video called 21 Best Places to Teach English by Vagabrothers that rated the countries to teach in. I thought it was really helpful in summarising places in terms of travel, safety, earning potential and stuff like that.

Can I find a TEFL job without teaching experience?

I had zero experience when I applied for jobs overseas. I was still in my PR job in Cape Town. In those interviews, I knew I had no experience but I did not make that a thing. I told them I gained a lot of knowledge from the TEFL courses that I did and that I know a teaching method that I am comfortable with, which is the PPP method.

If you don’t have experience, fake it until you make it! Speak about what you learned in your TEFL course. Speak about any experience you have working with kids. I said I don’t have traditional experience working with kids but I come from a big family. I am trusted around my little nieces and nephew and I enjoy being around kids. I am a good leader. I am a good communicator. That is what convinced them. I had no teaching experience prior to that.

Can I find a TEFL job if I’m South African?

Many people talk about the struggles of being South African and wanting to teach. I am not going to say that it is easy but if you are dedicated to finding a job and doing all the steps to become a successful candidate you definitely can teach online or teach abroad. It just requires a bit more work. I am living proof that it is possible for South Africans to do TEFL.

Can you help me find a TEFL job?

i-to-i has launched a free job seekers support service. If you’re just finishing your TEFL certificate or you don’t have a degree or you’re trying to find which companies hire South Africans, reach out to the team and they will assist you.

I can’t say they will find you a job because you obviously have to put in the work yourself but they will definitely navigate you into the spaces where these jobs can be found for people with your qualifications and experience.

I wish you all the best on your teaching journey.

Want to learn more about TEFL?

Download our free TEFL for South Africans Guide to find out more about teaching English online and abroad as a South African

Read our latest TEFL Jobs Market report for a hot-off-the-press snapshot of who’s recruiting, the qualifications you need, and what you can earn both online and around the world

Contact the jobs support team for free, personalised support to help you find your dream TEFL job

How much can I earn as a TEFL teacher?

Posted on December 6, 2022December 6, 2022 by Melissa Williams

Whether you’re eager to move overseas or want to be your own boss and teach English online, there’s heaps of amazing TEFL opportunities available to you. But how much money can you earn as a TEFL teacher? Carry on reading to find out more…

How do I become a TEFL teacher?

To kickstart your exciting new TEFL career as a TEFL teacher you’ll firstly need to get TEFL qualified. This means studying an accredited TEFL certification with a reputable and regulated company just like us! Competition for TEFL jobs can be fierce, so you might need to consider how you can make yourself stand out from the crowd. To land a top-earning TEFL job you’ll need to find your niche. From teaching children to business English there’s plenty of avenues for you to explore – yes please!

Want to be head and shoulders above the rest? Then give our Level 5 Courses a go! Designed to give you that extra boost, our Level 5 Courses and Diplomas will easily compliment your job application! Plus, dedicating extra time to your studies will help prove to employers that you’re hardworking, serious, and committed to your role – sign us up!

How much can I earn as a TEFL teacher?

Online TEFL salaries vary depending on your experience, level of education, and the type of company you work for. Although freelance TEFL teachers can earn a nice chunky wage, it can be hard to get started. To kick-start your online English teaching career, why not apply to some online teaching platforms? With so many amazing options out there, you’d be silly not to!

With companies like Preply, Palfish, and Cambly you can work from the comfort of your own home and from anywhere in the world. Plus, all you need to get started is your TEFL certificate – amazing! Whether you set your own rates or start on a fixed fee you’re guaranteed a competitive and steady income. To find a breakdown of how much you could earn as an online TEFL teacher check out our blog Teaching English Online: Salaries.

Different types of lessons

How much you earn as a TEFL teacher can vary depending on which types of lessons you deliver. Higher earning TEFL jobs tend to be in areas that are specialised such as business English and exam preparation – count us in! Check out our top 4 recommendations:

Business English

Emerging economies in Asia, Eastern Europe, and The Middle East have a high demand for TEFL teachers as business is often conducted in English. As a result, members of staff are now expected to speak English to land a top paying job. Finding your niche in business English is a fantastic way to earn money and become an expert in your field. Plus, you can help others achieve their career goals – amazing! Salaries for business English start at around $25 per hour.

Conversational English

As one of the most in-demand TEFL skills, you’ll easily find work as a conversational English teacher. From complete beginners to near-native speakers, you’ll see a flurry of students with a wide range of skills. Conversational English is a great way to connect with your students and find out about their hobbies and interests! And the best part? You don’t need to plan loads of lessons! Simply find out what works for you and integrate it into your daily teaching schedule. Salaries for conversational English start at around $10 per hour.

Exam preparation

As one of the most lucrative markets, exam preparation is a great area to specialize in as a TEFL teacher. Not only can you earn a decent hourly wage, but you’ll also be in high demand – yes please! There’s plenty of students looking for extra tuition and support in the run-up to IELTS and Cambridge exams. So, if you’re looking to earn a bit of extra cash, make a difference to someone’s life, and help prepare them for the future, then this could be for you! Salaries for exam preparation start at around $19 per hour and can go up to $45 for IELTS-specific lessons.

Interview coaching

From role plays to scenario-based tasks and identifying strengths and weaknesses, interview coaching is essential for non-native speakers. To land a top paying job, companies are now conducting interviews in English which means that, as a TEFL teacher, you’re more in demand than ever! As more and more students look for help with their interview practice, your skills as a coach will always be needed. Salaries for interview coaching start at around $19 per hour.

How much can I earn as a TEFL teacher overseas?

Just like online, salaries for TEFL teachers abroad can vary depending on the country and continent you decide to work in. In places like Asia, where competition is fierce, you’re more likely to earn a higher salary than in somewhere like Latin America. How much you earn can also vary depending on your experience and level of education. Degree holders with a year’s teaching experience, for example, are likely to earn more money than non-degree holders. However, your level of teaching experience can help even this out.

The Middle East

If you’re tempted by high salaries, mouth-watering cuisine, and the opportunity to build serious savings, then the Middle East is the place to be! The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman offer some of the highest TEFL salaries in the world, starting at over $2,400 per month and going up to almost $5,000!

Asia

As the world’s largest TEFL market, Asia offers some incredible teaching positions for TEFLers young and old. Salaries can vary from $800 – $4,000 per month, depending on the country you’re working in, how many hours you’re working, your level of experience, and your level of training. Wages tend to be higher in places like Hong Kong and Japan, where the cost of living goes hand in hand with your salary.

Europe

Amazing architecture, stunning scenery, delicious dishes, and a more relaxed approach to life, Europe really does have it all! Plus, with a high demand for TEFL teachers, your skills will always be needed! TEFL salaries in Europe can vary depending on geographical location. In Central and Eastern Europe for example, where the cost of living is lower, you can earn anything from €600-€1,300 per month. In Western Europe, salaries begin at around €1,300 per month and can go up from there!

Latin America

If you’ve not got a degree or any teaching experience, but have a sense of adventure, Latin America is the place for you! TEFL salaries start at around $600 per month and can even go up to $1,200- amazing! Add benefit? The cost of living is usually very low!

Ready to get started but want to find out more about how much you could earn as a TEFL teacher? Take our quick 2-minute quiz to get a pretty accurate estimate!

Want to speak to someone before you enrol? No problem! Arrange for a free call back and one of our friendly TEFL advisors will be in touch soon to take you through everything!

How to Choose the Best TEFL Course for You

Posted on November 24, 2022November 24, 2022 by Melissa Williams

If you’re considering becoming a TEFL teacher, one of the first things on your mind is probably “Which TEFL course is best?” Well, I’m here to help you answer that, so you can start your TEFL adventure as soon as possible.

A few years ago, I did a TEFL course with i-to-i and went on to do a lot of teaching and travelling overseas. It was one of the best experiences of my life! I was able to teach people of different ages, and backgrounds, and see the world. Now I enjoy helping others to begin their own adventures!

So, let’s get started!

What’s the difference between TEFL, TESOL, CELTA and DELTA?

You may have seen the acronyms TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, DELTA … And with that many, it can get a bit confusing! So, what’s the difference?

TEFL and TESOL are basically the same, TEFL means Teaching English as a Foreign Language and TESOL means Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages – 2 ways of saying the same thing! Choosing one over the other for your qualification won’t really influence the teaching opportunities you can get. There are far more important aspects, such as the organisation that sells them, the content within the course, and the level of assessment.

CELTA stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults and, as it suggests, it only focuses on teaching English to adults (whereas TEFL qualifications cover all age groups). CELTA is a Level 5 qualification, which is the highest level of TEFL before you reach DELTA. This used to be the only qualification assessed at this level, but there are now organisations, like i-to-i, that provide a Level 5 TEFL qualification! The same level of assessment as the CELTA, without the hefty price tag and taxing time commitment (4-5 weeks full time in a classroom)!

DELTA stands for Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and this qualification is equivalent to a master’s degree. So, as you can imagine, it’s a serious commitment and only really necessary if you are looking to set up your own TEFL language school or teach new TEFL teachers. All of our Level 5 courses have been written by DELTA-qualified tutors, so you can benefit from their experience and knowledge, without having to go through a DELTA-level course yourself!

So, it’s a no-brainer, right? The Level 5 TEFL qualification is probably going to be the best one for your needs.

Why does accreditation and regulation matter?

Any good provider needs to be accredited. Accreditation is a stamp of quality that is put on your company by a third party. We are accredited by the ODLQC (Open & Distance Learning Quality Council) which ensures that we do what we are supposed to do! We are also now DEAC-approved, which means we’ve received recognition from the US government, as well as the UK.

Unlike many other companies out there, i-to-i’s qualifications are also regulated by Ofqual – the English government body that regulates secondary school and tertiary qualifications. Not only does this ensure the qualification is kept to a very high standard, and can be used internationally, it also means that you are given really good feedback by our tutors to help you become a good quality teacher.

What should I look for when I’m choosing a TEFL course provider?

If you’re investing in a qualification that will enable you to travel the world and get well-paid opportunities, the organisation you go with is really important. On top of accreditation and regulation, look at the qualification – what does it include? How will it help you? You should also look at reviews of the course, paying specific attention to the academic and customer support.

Where you get your qualification from carries weight in the jobs market. i-to-i was the first provider of the short TEFL course and we have been providing courses since 1994! We have over 210,000 TEFL graduates and our name is known internationally. As soon as employers see that certificate on their desk, they know the qualification is of a proven level and the teacher has been graded to a serious standard!

Should I choose a Level 3 or Level 5 course?

A Level 3 assessment is equivalent to an A-Level in the UK, or a matric in South Africa. Level 3 qualifications in the TEFL market are often done by people who want to join an internship or a volunteer programme. It’s more of a short course to get you overseas and gaining some experience. If you’re not a native English speaker, or you feel you may struggle with a Level 5 qualification, Level 3 may be for you.

Level 5 is the same level as a foundation degree and is more of a professional qualification. Level 5 opens the door to work with language centres and private schools, that offer better rates of pay, better benefits, and more security. If you’re considering Europe or the Middle East, Level 5 is expected as a minimum.

What is the difference between i-to-i’s Level 5 courses?

We have four different options for our Level 5 courses:

The 180-hour TEFL Certificate will train you up in all the basics and get you qualified to teach English. It includes teaching vocabulary, teaching grammar, understanding context and teaching different age groups – you can see a full module breakdown on the website.

The 300-hour Diploma includes an extra 120 hours of study completely dedicated to online teaching and teaching business English, so it’s best suited for those that want to access higher paying jobs and more adult students. It’s also good for online teaching.

The 420-hour Advanced Diploma is our ’employer-preferred’ course. It includes everything the previous courses cover, plus additional courses in teaching IELTS and teaching other subjects in English (Maths, Geography and Science). It opens the most doors and will qualify you for the highest salaries. It’s also great for those that want to teach online, as IELTS tutoring, and Business English, are often taught to adults via online platforms/employers.

Our 500-hour Advanced Diploma is the highest level we offer. It includes everything in the 420-hour, plus modules on Business Skills and Digital Marketing, perfect for those that are looking to Freelance as a TEFL teacher or if you eventually want to set up your own online TEFL school!

Why do TEFL courses have different numbers of hours?

The hours are the building blocks of the qualification, and they demonstrate to employers and students how much training you’ve completed. If you’ve completed more hours, it makes your qualification more competitive.

The hours are also an average of how long it should take you to complete your qualification. People do learn at varying paces though so, if you do the 180-hour TEFL course (which you’re given 6 months to complete) you might manage to complete it in 5-6 weeks, if you do it more full-time.

Which course is best for teaching online?

I would look at one of our Level 5 courses that includes the specific additional course in teaching English online, like the 300-hour diploma or the 420-hour advanced diploma, to make sure you get specific training in this teaching method.

If you’re new to online teaching and are looking for extra confidence, we also have a post-graduate course which is an online teaching practice session with a qualified tutor – done over Zoom.

Can I teach online with a 180-hour Level 5 TEFL course?

You can teach online with a Level 5 180-hour TEFL course but it doesn’t contain the specific online teaching training that the other Level 5 courses do, and you have to remember that you are entering into a competitive jobs market, so it’s best to make yourself as qualified as possible for the opportunities you’re applying to. Employers love to see that you have been trained to teach in their particular medium.

Can I teach English without a degree?

Of course! There are so many opportunities out there, including lots of online teaching jobs, for those without a degree. We’ve written another blog post about teaching online without a degree and we had a fantastic guest-written blog from one of our graduates, who told us all about her online TEFL teaching journey without a degree – so check them out for more info!

Our advisors can also talk you through the countries that do not require a degree for their work visa, so don’t hesitate to arrange a free call back with them.

Can I do Level 3 now and then Level 5 at a later stage?

Absolutely! If you want to do a Level 3 first and a Level 5 later, it’s completely up to you! It’s important for you to be aware, however, that you’ll have to start again with the Level 5. The Level 3 course is assessed at a completely different level, so if you then chose to do a Level 5, you would need to cover everything again, plus complete the additional study.

It’s a bit like doing a diploma and then deciding to do a degree. You can’t combine different diplomas together to create a degree, and the same applies to TEFL courses. So, please bear that in mind!

I would encourage you to speak to one of our advisors, so you can discuss what your goals are beforehand. We don’t want you to waste your money if the Level 3 won’t match what you’re looking for!

Which course is best for teaching business English?

Business English is the most lucrative market in TEFL. And remember, employers are looking for teachers who have been trained to teach business English, rather than someone who has had experience in the business world, although that always helps! The best course for teaching business English is our 420-hour Advanced Diploma, which includes a 60-hour Teaching Business English course.

We do also offer a standalone Level 3 Teaching Business English course, for those that already have a TEFL certificate and want to add it on, but this is assessed at Level 3, rather than the one as part of the 420-hour Advanced Diploma, which is assessed at Level 5. So, it may not look as competitive to an employer.

Do I need to speak a second language to teach abroad?

Not at all! If fact, when you’re teaching in a classroom, you’re actually told not to use the local language! Our TEFL courses train you how to teach effectively, using just English vocabulary.

I still remember when I did my TEFL course – for the first hour of the practical part, they didn’t speak English! They spoke Vietnamese to show me how it would feel to be a student. I didn’t know any Vietnamese but through receptive and productive activities, and core repetition, they were able to effectively teach me numbers. It was great!

How do I find a teaching job once I’ve finished the course?

We can help you there! We have a jobs board through our sister company, LoveTEFL jobs, which is constantly being updated with new jobs, and there are hundreds of jobs boards out there dedicated to niche jobs markets.

On top of that, if you are looking to teach overseas in a particular area – let’s say Phnom Penh in Cambodia – social media is great! There are TEFL Facebook groups that you can join where there are lots of job adverts and information about the local area, for example where expats hang out, and accommodation. It’s a really great way of finding out what the area is like and what opportunities are coming up!

What are the TEFL resource packs, and do I need them?

i-to-i’s resource packs are really helpful for feeling prepared for planning your classes, and ensuring you’ve got fun and engaging activities for your students! The Ultimate Resource pack has multiple guides and eBooks, for activities, grammar, lesson planning etc., to help you to design effective classes. They even have pre-written lesson plans for those of you who are a bit anxious about stepping into the classroom environment. If you wake up late one day and you have to teach a class in 10 minutes, it’s really good to have a pre-planned lesson!

Does my age matter for TEFL?

Not at all! Especially not if you’re teaching online! You also can certainly teach abroad if you’re older, but it’s important to note that there are some age caps for visas in certain countries. If you are over the age cap for that country, you won’t be able to get a work visa. There are ways around this though – you can travel and work online! Do the course, get qualified, and then, every time you set up camp, log on and teach online. You wouldn’t need a work visa to do that! You could use a holiday visa, as you’re travelling and seeing the country.

Can I TEFL if English is not my first language?

Some organisations specify that they are looking for native English speakers – maybe they’ve marketed their company as a language centre with native English speakers – however, you can always find opportunities for non-native English speakers to teach all around the world. There are also some great opportunities to teach online.

I hope that’s all been helpful! Remember, if you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to arrange a free call back with one of our expert TEFL advisors, they are always happy to help!

And I hope you enjoy your TEFL journey – I certainly did!

Want to hear more from Jordan? Then check out the recording of his live webinar (which this information is taken from) via the link below:

TEFL Gap Years for Uni Grads: an A-Z

Posted on August 26, 2022August 26, 2022 by Melissa Williams

A is for Accomplishment

You’ve had an amazing time at Uni and you’ve managed to bag yourself a degree – amazing work! This doesn’t mean your glory days are over though! You’ve achieved so much over the past three years and have plenty to be proud of, why stop there?

Completing an accredited TEFL course could be the perfect way to keep learning, boost your CV and gain a valuable skill. Plus, you could land your dream TEFL job, travel the world, and avoid the dreaded 9-5 – sign us up!

B is for Bilingual

If Uni taught you anything, it’s that everybody loves a party trick. So, why not brush up on your language skills? From Portuguese to Polish and Thai to Turkish, there’s something for everyone! And what better way to learn a new language than completing a TEFL gap year abroad?

C is for Certificate

Give your CV a boost with a TEFL course – from Level 3 to Level 5, we offer a range of Government-regulated certificates and diplomas to suit your needs. Plus, our courses are internationally recognised and respected by employers around the world. A definite must-do for any gap year graduates!

D is for DELTA Qualified tutors

What’s DELTA we might hear you saying. Well DELTA stands for Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and it’s the highest level of ‘TEFL’ qualification you can get. So, you know you’re in safe hands with our DELTA-qualified tutors. With a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience, they’ll be on hand to answer any of your niggling TEFL questions.

E is for Earn money

Jobs fill your pockets, but travel fills your soul – so why not combine the two?

TEFL gap years are one of the best ways to travel the world, fully immerse yourself in a new culture and earn money whilst travelling. Our sister site, LoveTEFL has some fantastic vacancies that are definitely worth checking out. All our employers are vetted, accredited and legit to ensure that your safety is put first – easy!

F is for Finances

We’d hate for you to get into any sticky situations so, make sure you’ve got some money saved to fall back on. Additional costs can creep up on you whilst travelling and you can easily miss out on exciting experiences. Saving a little bit of money each month could help put these worries at bay. Plus, you’ll have enough cash to complete your bucket list – winner! Need a way of earning a little bit of extra cash? We hear you! Grab yourself a TEFL qualification and you could start earning money as an online TEFL teacher before you set off on your travels!

G is for Globetrotting Graduates

For anybody that’s just finished university, this one’s for you!

TEFL gap years are designed for globetrotting graduates who are on a quest to live abroad. Check out our gap year job guides for more information!

Already completed a TEFL Course or Internship? Check out our TEFL Graduates Facebook Group for jobs, tips and TEFL inspo.

H is for Host country

Gaining a TEFL certificate can open up a world of opportunities. There are heaps of amazing countries where you can work as a TEFL teacher. Some of the hottest host countries include China, Vietnam, and Thailand. But, South America, Europe, and the UAE also offer some amazing hidden gems – yes please!

I is for Independence

Adapting to new environments can be pretty tricky but when you’re surrounded by so many likeminded people, you’ll soon feel at home on a TEFL gap year. Nothing says independence like living abroad so put yourself out there! You’ll soon learn about cultural quirks, different dialects, and religious rituals – awesome!

J is for Job prospects

Adding a TEFL certificate to your CV will definitely impress employers and boost your future job prospects. There are so many skills you can take from teaching English. From organisation to communication, and cultural sensitivity to adaptability, there’s plenty to discover – bring it on!

K is for Keep your head up!

You’ve spent three years stressing over exams, deadlines and dissertations all the while dreaming about the days when you can sip sangrias on a sandy white beach. Well, now that time has come! Your TEFL gap year is just around the corner so kick back, relax, and let the good times roll.

L is for Lingua Franca

Did you know? English is the language of business, bureaucracy and big decisions which is why TEFL teachers are so in demand! As the language in common, it’s become a sought-after skill by many employers across the globe. Academies, schools and language Centres are always on the lookout for newly qualified TEFL teachers just like you. With your TEFL qualification and degree, you’ll easily find a teaching placement on your year out.

M is for Meet new people

Meeting new people has never been easier than on a TEFL gap year. Whether it’s starting your teaching placement, joining our Facebook Graduates’ Group or meeting some of the lovely locals, there are heaps of opportunities to make lifelong friends.

N is for Native-speaker

Being a native English speaker is a huge plus point for anyone looking to land a TEFL job but, it’s not essential. Near-native speakers can complete our courses too, providing that they are fluent in English. So, with your TEFL qualification, a degree and a can-do attitude, you’ll make a terrific TEFL teacher.

O is for Opportunities

Whether it’s online or overseas, there’s a huge demand for English teachers. We know the thought of standing up in front of a full class of students seems super nerve-wracking, that’s why we’ve designed a series of Specialised Courses and TEFL Resources to give you the confidence boost you may need – you’ll be a pro in no time!

P is for Post-University

Not sure about your future plans? We’ve got your back!

It’s totally normal to finish university without having any plans in place. Your 20s are all about meeting new people, having fun, and discovering who you really are. So, what better way to do it that than on a TEFL gap year?

Q is for Quizzes

Keen to do a Gap Year but unsure if TEFL’s for you? Check out our i-to-i TEFL quizzes to find out if you’re the right fit for teaching English abroad. They’re fast, fun, and full of questions – count us in!

R is for Reflection

A TEFL gap year is the perfect way to reflect on life and discover what type of career is for you. From Teaching to Team leadership and Marketing to Media, you’ll gain plenty of transferrable skills as a TEFL teacher.

S is for Self-development

Say goodbye to shy Shelley and hello to confident Connie!

A TEFL gap year will do wonders for your personal development. You’ll go on a journey of self-discovery and come back oozing with confidence. What more could you ask for?

T is for TEFL Teaching experience

If you want to try out teaching, but aren’t quite ready to commit to a PGCE, a TEFL gap year could be for you! You can put your skills to the test in a classroom or online and easily perfect your teaching techniques.

U is for UK Government-regulated

All of our TEFL Course are UK government-regulated to ensure that you’re getting top-quality content and training. We want you to excel in your TEFL career and feel supported along the way which is why we’ve made standards, safety, and customer satisfaction our top priority.

V is for Volunteer

Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding experience and can be part of your gap year! Our Thailand Internship is perfect for gaining an insight into teaching. Once you’ve completed one of our TEFL Courses (included in your Internship), you’ll be ready to jet off and start your new adventure. We’ll provide all the pre-departure support you may need so that you’re fully prepared for your placement. Plus, we’ll throw in accommodation, transport and orientation so that you can connect with other interns – amazing!

W is for Wanderlust

Itching to get abroad but are pretty short of cash? We hear you!

This is where TEFL gap years can come in quite handy. You can earn money while you work and still have time to travel too – we can just picture the Instagram stories you’ll be sharing!

Y is for You’ve got this!

Put aside your worries and focus on the future – we believe in you 100%! Our TEFL Courses will give you all the tools you need to succeed in your exciting new career. From classroom management skills to teaching grammar and punctuation – we’ve got you covered.

Z is for Zero regrets

In a few years you’ll look back on your TEFL gap year with fond memories, nostalgia, and a tear in your eye – we just know you’re going to love it!

Happy TEFLing!

Teaching English Online Salaries

Posted on June 28, 2022June 28, 2022 by Melissa Williams

With tons of flexibility, plus appealing salaries, teaching English online is a brilliant way to TEFL. You can teach and earn online from wherever you happen to be in the world (whether that’s a beach hut in Bali, a hotel room in Brussels, or your own home) and there are heaps of TEFL jobs available online right now. Perfect!

In fact, the hardest part is narrowing down your selection to the company that’s right for you. So, to give you a helping hand, we’ve pulled together our pick of the online TEFL companies, complete with the qualifications you need and the salaries available. Now all you need to do apply and start earning!

ONLINE TEFL COMPANIES FOR NEW TEACHERS WITHOUT A DEGREE

No degree? No problem! As long as you’ve got your TEFL qualification and are fluent in English, you can still teach English online. It’s all about focussing on the right companies – and first up are our pick of online TEFL platforms that don’t require you to have a degree AND are open to newbie teachers.

Oxinity

Oxinity makes lesson planning and goal tracking easier, as they have a tool that stores the individual progress of each student, so you can see what is left to be learned and how far they have come! This tool can also be accessed during your lessons so you can easily keep track of what you’re doing in real time!

Expected Salary: You can earn from $14 – $35 per hour!

Required hours: No minimum time commitment, so you set your own schedule.

Experience needed: You don’t need any previous teaching experience to land a role with them, just a TEFL qualification.

Nationalities accepted: Oxinity accepts candidates of any nationality, as long as you have a ‘native-speaker level’ of English.

Preply

Preply is another platform that makes it super-easy for newbie TEFL teachers to find work. You can teach students of all ages from anywhere in the world and you set your own rates. Plus, as Preply offers lessons in heaps of languages, you could even pick up some new skills of your own. Amazing!

Expected Salary: At Preply you set your own rates but, as a rough guide, English tutors usually charge between $15 to $25 per hour. New TEFL teachers often start out at the lower end of the scale to attract students and then increase prices as their experience grows – but ultimately, it’s up to you how much you charge.

Required hours: There’s no minimum working hours. You’re the boss and you can work as much or as little as you choose.

Experience needed: You don’t need any previous teaching experience to work for them, you just need your TEFL qualification. Awesome!

Nationalities accepted: Preply accepts fluent English speakers of all nationalities.

Cambly

For newbie TEFL teachers without a degree, Cambly is a fabulous option. You chat with students all over the world, which is a brilliant way to learn about their cultures at the same time as getting paid. Now, that’s a win!

Expected Salary: You’ll normally earn around $10 an hour but you actually get paid per minute you’re chatting with your students.

Required hours: There’s no minimum or maximum hours for teaching English online with Cambly. It’s super flexible as you set your own schedule.

Experience needed: Apart from fluent English, you don’t need any qualifications or experience to teach on Cambly but a TEFL qualification is a definite plus.

Nationalities accepted: As long as you’ve got great English language skills, you can work online for Cambly, no matter where you’re from – making it a great option for non-native English speakers.

Profy

Profy is a one-to-one online English teaching platform based in Latin America. Most students are adults / professionals and are looking to get from (lower) intermediate to fluent. Many are looking to practice conversation, but some will need more structure.

Expected Salary: Usually around $10 per hour! (Average salary ends up being around $1280 per month and you get $20 enrolment bonus every time a student books a course of lessons with you after their intro class!)

Required hours: No minimum hours required – you set your own schedule and availability.

Experience needed: Previous teaching experience isn’t necessary. Profy also don’t need any certification but if you want to make sure you know what you’re meant to be doing, so you actually retain and grow your pool of students (and earn a good wage!), we’d recommend you get TEFL qualified first!

Nationalities accepted: Profy welcome both native and non-native speakers of English, you just need a high level of fluency to be able to teach.

Native Camp

This is a Japanese-owned online teaching company that operates all over the world, but the main bulk of their students are Japanese. They offer amazing flexibility to teachers and lots of training materials, so it’s great for when you’re just starting out!

Expected Salary: Unlike most online TEFL employers, Native Camp pay you monthly instead of weekly! You can expect to earn between $412 – $1236 per month and there are bonuses for good performance.

Required hours: Completely flexible and set by you. You can teach (or not teach) to suit your schedule.

Experience needed: You don’t need any previous teaching experience. All you really need is a TEFL certificate.

Nationalities accepted: Native Camp accept candidates from anywhere in the world. You just need to have an intermediate level of English or above.

ONLINE TEFL COMPANIES FOR EXPERIENCED TEACHERS WITHOUT A DEGREE

If you’ve got some teaching experience under your belt, you can usually bag yourself a better rate (and sometimes even a better job), even if you don’t have a degree. Take a look at these TEFL companies that are open to experienced TEFL teachers without a degree and find your perfect fit.

Open English

If you can commit to at least 10 hours per week and want to teach students from Latin America, then Open English could be your dream role. This platform delivers English lessons to both children and adult students from Latin America, either one-to-one or in small groups. Plus, it’s one of the higher-paying TEFL options for teachers without a degree. Lovely!

Expected Salary: You can earn between $13 to $15 an hour.

Required hours: You need to be available for at least 10 hours a week, which makes it a good option if you’re looking for regular work.

Experience needed: You stand a better chance of getting hired if you’re both TEFL qualified and have previous teaching experience. However, if you can show other relevant experience, you might still land a post.

Nationalities accepted: All nationalities are accepted, as long as you’re fluent in English. If you also speak Spanish, that’s a definite plus!

Verbling

Verbling is an amazing portal for online TEFL teachers that connects you up with English learners from across the globe. You even get to highlight your interests, so you can link with students who want to talk about topics you like. Win!

Expected Salary: You set your own rates, so it’s up to you how much you charge.

Required hours: You also set your own schedule, so you can work as much or as little as you fancy.

Experience needed: You normally need previous teaching experience plus a TEFL qualified to work at Verbling.

Nationalities accepted: All nationalities are accepted but you do need to be brilliant at English if you’re not a native English speaker.

Learnlight

This is a fantastic platform for non-degree holders who want to work with business professionals. If you can commit to at least 10 hours per week for a year, Learnlight can be a brilliant way to gain job security as you develop your online TEFL career.

Expected Salary: The pay at Learnlight varies, depending on your experience and contract but you can expect to earn $10 per hour or more.

Required hours: You need to commit to at least 10 hours per week in peak times to work for them, plus you have to sign up for a minimum of a year – which can either be a huge pro or a downside, depending on what you’re looking for!

Experience needed: Learnlight expects their teachers to have at least 2 years of teaching experience plus a TEFL qualification.

Nationalities accepted: All nationalities are accepted.

Lingoda

If you’re looking for a flexible role that lets you teach small classes of adult students, then this is the company for you! You can teach anyone from beginners right up to specialist classes, such as business English. Even better, Lingoda supplies the teaching materials meaning you can focus your energy on the delivery. Amazing!

Expected Salary: You’ll normally earn between $8 to $13 per hour.

Required hours: Technically, Lingoda doesn’t have a minimum number of hours. However, they do expect their teachers to work for between 5 to 20 hours per week. When you teach those hours is completely up to you however and you can set your own schedule each week.

Experience needed: Lingoda asks for 2 to 3 years of teaching experience plus your TEFL qualification.

Nationalities accepted: All nationalities are accepted but you need to be at least C2 level of English and also at a higher level than any class that you teach (hopefully, that last bit’s obvious!)

Amazing Talker

Last but not least! On this platform, students of all ages send in their requests for tutors and an automated matching system links them up with potential teachers. It’s a slightly different approach to other online TEFL companies we’ve listed here – but why not give it a go!

Expected Salary: You set your own rates! The platform claims its top tutors earn £17 to £49 per hour – but definitely don’t expect to hit these heights from day one. £8 to £11 per hour is more usual when you’re just starting out.

Required hours: There are no required minimum hours. You set your availability and students book on to your classes.

Experience needed: You need at least two years of teaching experience and a TEFL qualification.

Nationalities accepted: All nationalities are accepted but you do need to have a minimum C2 level of English or have a degree in English.

ONLINE TEFL COMPANIES FOR NEW TEACHERS WITH A DEGREE

Looking for your first online TEFL job can feel daunting. But if you’ve got a degree in any subject, shout about it! There are some amazing options out there for newbie TEFL teachers with a degree. Take a look at our top pick.

EF English First

We’re big fans and we reckon you will be too. You can teach students of all ages and you even have lesson plans prepared for you – awesome! There’s also the possibility of working abroad with EF once travel restrictions are lifted. Sign us up!

Expected Salary: You can earn between $10 to $17 per hour.

Required hours: You normally need to be available during peak teaching times – although this will depend on which time zone you’re in!

Experience needed: You don’t need previous teaching experience but you do need to hold both a TEFL qualification and a bachelor’s degree.

Nationalities accepted: EF accepts fluent English speakers who hold passports for either the UK or US.

ONLINE TEFL COMPANIES FOR EXPERIENCED TEACHERS WITH A DEGREE

If you’ve got a TEFL qualification AND a degree AND teaching experience, go straight to the top of the class. You can pretty much take your pick of jobs and can expect to earn a higher wage than newbie teachers. Take a look at 2 great options below.

VIPKid

If you’re from the US or Canada, this is a great way to teach English online. You can earn an amazing salary and teach a mixture of teenagers and children – plus teaching materials are provided. Count us in!

Expected Salary: You can earn between $14 to $22 per hour.

Required hours: VIPKid has now removed their minimum hour requirement, meaning you can work as much or as little as you choose – but you will definitely get more work if you open your schedule for peak teaching slots. You do also need to commit to a 6-month contract.

Experience needed: You’ll normally need at least two years’ relevant experience on top of your TEFL qualification, and a bachelor’s degree in any subject.

Nationalities accepted: Only teachers eligible to work in the US or Canada can apply, but you can be based anywhere in the world.

iTutorGroup

Whether you fancy teaching kids or adults, iTutorGroup has the students for you. This well-respected platform delivers both junior classes for 5 to 18 year olds and adult classes for those aged 18+. iTutorGroup provides teaching materials and support for tutors, making your life super simple.

Expected Salary: iTutorGroup works on a pay scale structure, where the more you teach, the more you can earn (with monthly reviews for your base rate). This means salaries vary significantly – expect anything from $5 to $34 per hour.

Required hours: You need to work at least 6 hours per week but you can set your own schedule, to ensure the hours you work suit you.

Experience needed: You’ll need at least one years’ experience as well as your TEFL qualification and a bachelor’s degree.

Nationalities accepted: They accept applicants from the UK, USA, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa.

START TEACHING ENGLISH ONLINE TODAY

There’s never been a better time to teach English online so why not apply today? Remember, if you’re not successful with one company, don’t give up! There are tons of fabulous online teaching jobs out there – you just need to find the one that’s right for you. Check out our LoveTEFL jobs board for some amazing options. And if you need an extra helping hand, give our fabulous TEFL jobs team a call. They simply love matching brilliant TEFL teachers to their perfect online TEFL job.

You’ve got this!

Online TEFL employers hiring now

Posted on December 7, 2021December 7, 2021 by Melissa Williams

Completed your TEFL course already? Well done you! Your hard work, patience, and perseverance have paid off! Now all that’s left to do is land your dream TEFL job, but how do you get started? Carry on reading to discover the top online TEFL employers hiring now…

Not TEFL qualified yet? Read on anyway, to see what’s out there for you once you’ve completed your course!

Online TEFL employers that don’t require their TEFL teachers to have a degree

Don’t listen to the rumours going around that there aren’t any TEFL jobs for non-degree holders, it’s simply not true! There are plenty of online TEFL jobs for non-degree holders! In fact, we’ve helped thousands of TEFL graduates, just like you, to find their dream online job. Find our list of the current top 5 employers for non-degree holders below:

Oxinity

Qualifications: To work for Oxinity, all you need is a TEFL certificate – amazing!

Experience: You don’t need any previous teaching experience to land a role with them.

Salary: You can earn from $14 – $35 per hour!

Passport: Oxinity accepts candidates of any nationality, as long as you have a ‘native-speaker level’ of English.

Amazing Talker

Qualifications: To land a job with Amazing Talker, all you need is a TEFL certification.

Experience: To be eligible to teach for Amazing Talker, you’ll need at least 1 year of teaching experience.

Salary: Employees can set their own rates – amazing!

Passport: Amazing Talker accepts candidates from across the globe. All you need is a C2 level of English or an IELTS score of 9.0 and you’re good to go!

Profy

Qualifications: Profy don’t need any certification but if you want to make sure you know what you’re meant to be doing, so you actually retain and grow your pool of students (and earn a good wage!), we’d recommend you get TEFL qualified first!

Experience: Previous teaching experience isn’t necessary.

Salary: Usually around $10 per hour! (Average salary ends up being around $1280 per month and you get $20 enrolment bonus every time a student books a course of lessons with you after their intro class!)

Passport: Profy welcome both native and non-native speakers of English, you just need a high level of fluency to be able to teach.

Preply

Qualifications: You can dive headfirst into your online TEFL career with Preply, once you’re TEFL qualified!

Experience: Previous teaching experience isn’t essential.

Salary: You set your own salary, so it’s up to you!

Passport: Preply accept teachers with any passport, as long as they have a high level of fluency in English.

Cambly

Qualifications: To be in with a chance of working for Cambly, all you need is a TEFL certification.

Experience: You don’t need any previous teaching experience to work for them.

Salary: You can earn up to $10 per hour!

Passport: Cambly accept fluent English speakers from all over the world.

Native Camp

Qualifications: To teach English online with Native Camp, you’ll need a TEFL certificate.

Experience: You don’t need any previous teaching experience, but it’s preferred.

Salary: Unlike most online TEFL employers, Native Camp pay you monthly instead of weekly! You can expect to earn between $412 – $1236 per month.

Passport: Native Camp accept candidates from anywhere in the world. You just need to have an intermediate level of English.

Online TEFL employers that require their TEFL teachers to have a degree

With more and more people studying from the comfort of their own home, there’s been a surge in demand for online TEFL teachers – amazing! Some online TEFL companies require employees to be educated to university level so, if you are, the employers listed below have jobs for you!

iTutorGroup

Qualifications: To kickstart your online teaching career with iTutorGroup, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree (in any subject) and a TEFL certification.

Experience: You’ll need to have at least one years’ teaching experience to work for them.

Salary: Applicants can earn up to $34 per hour! (With monthly reviews for base rate raise!)

Passport: iTutorGroup accept passport holders from the UK, USA, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa.

Speexx

Qualifications: To be in with a chance of working for Speexx, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and a TEFL certification.

Experience: You don’t need any previous teaching experience to work for this online TEFL employer!

Salary: Employees can expect to earn $6 for every 30 minute session (25 mins teaching, 5 mins admin) and they guarantee you $252 a month, when you offer a minimum of 20 hours/42 slots on your Speexx calendar monthly, even if not all of these slots are booked – winner!

Passport: Speexx accept all teachers that hold a minimum C2 level of English (and ideally a B2 level in one other language).

Protostar

Qualifications: To become an online TEFL teacher for Protostar, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree (or higher) and a TEFL certification.

Experience: You need a minimum of 1 years in-classroom teaching experience. No previous online teaching experience is required but, if you have it, it’s definitely a plus!

Salary: Candidates can expect to earn up to $22 per 40 minute session.

Passport: Protostar accept applicants from the UK, USA, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa.

All Right

Qualifications: To be eligible to work for All Right, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree (or higher) and a TEFL certificate.

Experience: You don’t need any previous teaching experience to work for All Right.

Salary: Online TEFL teachers can earn up to $12 per hour, with bonuses available!

Passport: All Right accept candidates of all nationalities, as long as you are fluent in English (C1 level).

Need help with your online TEFL application?

Feel free to get in touch with our TEFL jobs team! Our friendly experts are on hand to give you support, guidance, and reassurance during your job hunt. To get in touch with them simply send an email to [email protected] and they’ll get back to you.

You’ve got this!

LIVE WEBINAR: Teaching English Online vs TEFL Abroad

Posted on June 23, 2021August 4, 2021 by Melissa Williams

Do you love the idea of TEFL but just can’t decide whether to teach English online or abroad? Fear not, we’ve got your back! Tabitha has been a TEFL teacher in both China and France and now teaches English online. She went live on i-to-i’s Facebook page to talk about teaching English online versus TEFL abroad and answer your burning questions. Watch the full webinar or read on for edited extracts.

INTRODUCING TABITHA…

My first teaching job was in China. It was absolutely brilliant but, unfortunately, I had to come back to the UK because of coronavirus. That meant a shift to teaching English online. It was a big adjustment but it ended up being a fantastic experience.

Now, after having taught in person in France over the last year, I’m back to teaching online because I love it. I’ve got the best of both worlds.

TEFL JOBS ABROAD AND ONLINE

What types of TEFL jobs are available abroad?

If you’re teaching English abroad, you might work in a kindergarten, a public school, a private language school or an adult education centre.

When I taught English in China I worked in a private language school. My main student group was Chinese children from the age of four up to 14 but I know people who taught adults and I also know people who taught babies and toddlers. You won’t always be teaching people of the same nationality either. You might teach foreigners who are living in that country, for example. You get a real range, a real variety.

Nine times out of ten, when you’re teaching abroad, you’ll be teaching a group – and it can be quite a large group if you’re teaching in a public school. For example, in China, classes can go up to 50 or 100 students.

What types of online teaching jobs are available?

You get a huge variety of teaching jobs online as there are lots of different online platforms. You might teach young learners or you could do exam preparation for IELTS or business English for adults. There are lots and lots and lots of one-to-one classes – although of course it is possible to do fantastic group classes online too.

I teach with a platform called Preply and also a platform called italki. These are both mixed-age platforms (so you have young learners and adult learners) and both have students from around the world. I have a lot of students from Russia, South America, France and Germany.

Other platforms such as Magic Ears and Cambly are more geared towards young learners and have a very heavy base in Asia. You have a lot of Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese learners, as well as people from Thailand where it is becoming more popular.

What hours will I work in a TEFL job abroad?

When you teach English abroad, you’re usually based in a school and have fixed working hours. When I taught in China, my working hours were from 2.30pm to 8.30pm. From 2.30pm to 4.30pm I had planning time and then the students started to trickle in after their public school was finished and I taught until about 8.30pm.

A huge thing that I would recommend is to try to find a job where office and planning time is included in your hours. In the beginning, especially, you will spend a fair bit of time on planning and making sure that your materials are fantastic. If you have a 25-hour week it will make a huge difference if 10 of those are teaching hours and the rest are for planning, rather than 25 hours of actual teaching.

Holidays vary, depending on where you teach. If you have a contract with set hours, you’ll probably get the vacation period of that country. If you’re teaching in China, for example, you might get National Week and Dragon Boat Festival off but not have a lot of other holiday to take during the year. Like any teaching job, you’ve got to be there during term time.

What hours will I work teaching English online?

When you teach online, you’re your own boss. For some platforms, you’ll need to teach set hours. With others, like italki and Preply you set your own availability, which is a huge advantage of teaching online. The only thing is to be aware that there are peak times. If you want to attract students, you’ll probably have to work weekends and evenings because they are very popular.

I have around five students a day and I teach five to six days a week. You might have students who want two hours a day, five days a week or you might have lots of regular weekly students and teach different people during the week. The vast majority of my lessons are one hour long but on italki my lessons go from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. With children, I prefer half-hour online classes because I think it’s easier to retain their attention.

When you’re setting your availability, make sure you schedule in breaks or you might find you have to teach back-to-back for five hours, with no way to get water or pop to the toilet. I schedule in a 15-minute break every two hours.

Is it harder to motivate online students?

It all comes down to the students. If they want to be there, they are going to be very engaged and motivated. If they have some reservations, then you have to work a bit harder as a teacher. That can happen whether it is online or in a real classroom – they are still people at the end of the day.

I absolutely love teaching in-person, running around the classroom, being really active, being able to use that physical space. It has been a really interesting challenge to still make lessons exciting and engaging online. Getting them moving is the absolute key. Make your classes lively, have lots of TPR (total physical response) and also do things like virtual rewards at the end of a lesson.

It is exactly the same basic stuff teaching in-person and teaching online. You need to have really rigorous behaviour management and consequences if they are not listening but lots of rewards and encouragement. I would say that getting them moving is my top tip.

If you’re not yet qualified, i-to-i’s Level 5 Diploma deals with teaching online and teaching young learners, so that’s a fantastic starting place.

Do you have any tips for coping with my first TEFL lesson?

Students appreciate honesty. Particularly with adult students, there is nothing wrong with saying that you are really excited because this is your first online teaching job. Reassure them that you have had all the training but would love their feedback. That sense of collaboration is really nice.

I don’t think you need to fear the fact that this is your first online teaching job. Everybody starts everywhere and students know that.

Do I need an American accent to TEFL?

Absolutely not! I have seen English teachers from all over the world – some with a South African accent, an Australian accent, a British accent, an American accent. If you’re from an English speaking country, including South Africa, there will be a school you can teach at.

For teaching online, I find many students choose me because I have a British accent. There will always be someone who wants what you can offer.

What are the benefits of teaching abroad?

I think a huge benefit of teaching English abroad is being able to immerse yourself in a foreign culture. One of the reasons that I wanted to TEFL was travel. The two go hand in hand.

Another benefit is that many companies offer accommodation as part of their teaching contract, which is great if you’re looking to set up in a new city and you don’t want to worry about the hassle of finding a new apartment.

You also usually have health insurance and get sick pay and paid holidays for teaching abroad, which is not the case for teaching online. If you’re an online TEFL teacher you need to make sure you’ve got your sick pay pot and vacation pay pot to protect you, as you won’t get paid if you cancel a class because you’re ill.

When you’re teaching abroad, you could have a lot of fantastic training from your company, although this does depend on your company. You also can get promoted – which you can’t really with online teaching, although you can raise your rates.

What are the benefits of teaching online?

Flexibility is a huge benefit of teaching online – and that you can work while you travel or work from home. I hated my commute into London, so that’s a huge win for me.

You’ve also got the independence to choose your own materials. Most of my students want to practise their oral conversation and say we can talk about what I want to talk about. You can really follow your passions and let them shine through in your teaching materials, which you might not be able to do if you’re following a set curriculum in a school.

I love that I teach a huge variety of people. I can go from teaching a very elderly man in Japan who wants to talk about his experiences in World War 2 to teaching a little girl in South Korea who’s obsessed with dragons to somebody from South America who’s got a really similar sense of humour and we can laugh about TV shows. You get this amazing human element to teaching online.

TEFL SALARIES ONLINE AND ABROAD

How much can I earn teaching English abroad?

TEFL salaries abroad are very variable. It depends where you teach, who you teach, the company you work for and your hours.

One of the reasons that I chose China was that it had very competitive salaries for teachers who had just qualified. Many Asian countries including China and South Korea have good salaries. Generally, European in-person teaching is a bit lower paid.

How much can I earn teaching English online?

When you teach English online, the more hours you put in, the more you can earn. If you’re willing to work for five hours a day for five days a week, you could earn a pretty good salary, depending on where you live and the rates that you charge.

Online teaching salaries depend on the platform you’re teaching on and whether you can set your own price. If you can set your own price, I would look through other teachers’ profiles and mark your prices lower than the teacher you are most similar to when you start out. There is a lot of competition on these platforms. If you start with a lower price, you will attract more students. Gradually you can raise that price as you build your reputation.

Your planning time is usually unpaid when you’re teaching online. If you’ve got an hourly rate of $14 and you’re planning for an hour and teaching for an hour, really you’re only making $7 an hour. Be aware of that. Don’t fall into the trap of setting really low prices because you might end up making peanuts.

Can I earn bonuses on top of my hourly rate for online teaching?

Bonus payments depend on the platform. Many platforms have a referral reward, so if you’re teaching on the platform and get somebody else to teach on the platform, you can earn a bonus. With some platforms, you can earn an additional bonus if you work overtime or if you work their peak hours, for example.

Online TEFL platforms are usually quite clear on their websites about the benefits they offer, so take a good look at their T&Cs.

Will I earn less teaching English online than teaching abroad?

Generally, the hourly rate is lower for teaching online but how much you earn really depends on how much time you put into it.

I would argue that more people are willing to have an online lesson than an in-person lesson, so you’ll probably have more students online than if you were doing the same kind of independent teaching in person. You’re weighing up the benefits, really.

FINDING A TEFL JOB ONLINE OR ABROAD

What qualifications do I need to teach English?

A TEFL qualification is really important to find a job teaching English. This is the first thing that employers look for. i-to-i has a Level 5 diploma which is fantastic. It has specialist training in young learners and teaching online, which is so important to really make you stand out in the TEFL crowd. Internships are also a great way of getting your TEFL while you work abroad but don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can simply go into a country on a tourist visa, get your TEFL while you’re out there and start earning money. You’ll get into hot water.

Some countries require a degree. For example, China recently changed their legislation and they now require a university degree to teach there but it’s not the case for every country. Your degree does not usually have to be in teaching. Mine was in English literature and I know people who studied a whole range of different subjects.

How can I find a TEFL job?

There is a fantastic jobs team at i-to-i who can help graduates to find work online or abroad. It’s amazing. You’ve got your own personal fan club to help you get your first teaching job – or even your second or third teaching job.

There is also the LoveTEFL Jobs Board which is where I found my first teaching job in China. There are other jobs boards but be aware they are not all as reliable as the Love TEFL jobs board, which has a really good screening process for the adverts they post.

Another way to find TEFL jobs is through Google and I actually found Preply through LinkedIn, which often has TEFL jobs advertised. If you know anybody who teaches online, definitely ask them how they got their job, can they refer you, do they know if their company is hiring right now? They might get a referral bonus, so you’ll be helping them out too.

Do I need teaching experience to get a TEFL job?

If you’re teaching abroad, it’s not necessary to have previous teaching experience. You can get some really good training on your first teaching jobs. When I taught in China, I had two weeks of training in the school before I had to lead my own classes.

If you’re teaching online, it can be an advantage if you’ve got experience but if you’ve got a really good video and a really enthusiastic cover letter and you can explain clearly why you want to teach online, that will shine through, so don’t see lack of experience as a barrier.

Can you give me tips on making my online TEFL interview video?

My video is now on the profiles on both of the platforms I teach with, so make it interesting! Imagine you’re a student on a platform, scrolling through trying to find a teacher. You’ll probably go for the person with the most interesting video, maybe a couple of different camera angles – not someone just sitting there talking.

I’m no tech genius. I took a load of different clips on my phone and then I edited it together with some free software. I talked about my experience, my interests, how I can help students and what materials I use. That was enough to get me the job. The main thing is your enthusiasm.

I was so nervous but you can do as many takes as you like to film that video. You can cut clips together. If you mess up your line, you don’t need to refilm the whole thing. There is some really easy editing software out so you can just redo that bit and edit it together.

What equipment do I need to teach online?

You need a laptop with a high-quality webcam and an internet connection. You also need a good pair of headphones or a headset, so everyone can hear you.

Some people have things like a mouse, keyboard and a stand but as long as you’ve got a quiet place to work, a good internet connection and headphones, you’ll be alright.

Can people over 50 find teaching positions in China and South Korea?

Yes! I taught with somebody who was over 50 in China. They were really passionate about it. They brought a lot of their life experience to TEFL, which I think was a huge advantage.

PROS AND CONS OF TEACHING ONLINE

Pros of teaching English online

Flexibility: You’re in control. You get to choose your materials and your hours, for the most part. If you decide you want to go on vacation in two weeks, you don’t have a boss to clear it with. If you’re professional and you’ve got a good relationship with your students, you have a lot of flexibility.
Variety of students: I love that I’ve got students from all around the world who have really different life experiences and who are all learning English for a different reason, at different levels.
Convenience: It’s not expensive to get set up as an online TEFL teacher. You just need your laptop and headset and you can get going. It makes it really accessible and convenient.
Easy to manage: If you’re working for a platform, you’re in charge of delivering great lessons but they collect the payments and schedule the lessons. If there’s a problem, there’s a support team to help.
Lots of opportunities: There are lots of online TEFL jobs and lots of different platforms available. If you don’t have luck with one platform, you can easily go and find a new opportunity with another platform.

Cons of teaching English online

Pay: Teaching online is not as well paid per hour as teaching abroad, although if you put in more hours, you will get paid more.
Competition: The online TEFL market can be competitive. However, there are lots of platforms available. If you don’t have success on one platform, you can use another platform or work across multiple platforms.
Unsocial hours: Your working hours potentially can be unsocial, for example if you find you have lots of Chinese students and they ask you to open availability earlier or later in the day. Ultimately, it’s up to you decide to whether to do that but students do have their own schedules.
Weekend teaching: Saturdays and Sundays are very busy teaching days. You might prefer to schedule your ‘weekend’ on a Monday and Tuesday and work on a Saturday and Sunday to get the most out of it.
Screen time: When you’re teaching online, you’ll definitely be spending a lot of time in front of a computer.

Final thoughts…

Whether you’re looking for online teaching work or want to TEFL in person, look at the LoveTEFL Jobs Board. If you’re not yet qualified, take a look at i-to-i’s Level 5 Diploma and the other courses they offer because they are fantastic!

FIND OUT MORE

Listen to the full webinar

Book your TEFL course

Hunt for your dream TEFL job online or abroad at LoveTEFL Jobs

Find Tabitha via Instagram or her blog

JET Programme in Japan: What is it?

Posted on May 14, 2021May 19, 2021 by Melissa Williams

With a fascinating history and culture, breathtaking beauty, and a booming TEFL jobs market, Japan is one of the most desirable locations for TEFL teachers. Over the past 30 years or so, it’s continued to grow in popularity thanks to the government-sponsored JET programme. This exciting initiative has been a popular choice amongst university students throughout the world, but why? Find out everything you need to know about the JET programme in Japan right here…

What is JET?

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) is a special scheme set up by the Japanese government to help improve English language learning in schools across the country. The main aim of the JET programme is to promote a cultural exchange between English language learners and fluent English speakers. The programme was established in 1987 and has had a whopping 5,000 graduates take part so far, so you know you’ll be in safe hands!

What are the requirements for JET?

To be eligible for the JET programme you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

Have a bachelor’s degree or higher (in any subject)
Have a keen and genuine interest in Japanese culture
To be a national of one of the participating countries

Do I need a TEFL certificate to take part?

You don’t need a TEFL certificate to take part in the JET programme as you’ll receive specific training, knowledge, and methodology. This means that you can sign up to the programme after you’ve finished your bachelor’s degree and land a top teaching job straight away – amazing! Positions on the JET programme are extremely competitive though so it’s definitely worth having a few extra skills to add to your application. To stand out from the crowd, we’d recommend completing a TEFL course before you apply for JET. Our Level 5 TEFL Diploma will leave you oozing with confidence as you’ll receive all the help, support, and guidance you’ll need to feel classroom ready. Plus, it looks pretty impressive on your CV, so you’ll stand a better chance of being accepted onto the JET programme.

What’s included?

The JET programme offers one of the best TEFL packages you could dream of! Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) can expect to receive the following:

1-year contract (contracts can be renewed for a maximum of 5 years)
36-million-yen annual salary (£24,000 / $31,500)
Accommodation assistance
Flights
10 to 20 days paid annual leave

Plus, you’ll also be offered in-country support, help, and guidance if you need it – amazing!

What will my role be on the JET programme?

During the JET programme, you’ll be working as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in both primary and secondary schools across the country. In this role, you’ll be assisting Japanese teachers with their English language learning aims. This includes the following:

Supervising language activities
Helping with pronunciation
Preparing class materials
Engaging in local and international exchange activities
Helping out with extra-curricular clubs, such as student council, school events, and speech contests

Why does the JET programme focus on English speaking skills?

Although Japanese students learn English from the age of 10, they often struggle with pronunciation and oral skills. As more emphasis is put on listening, reading, and writing, speaking can sometimes get left behind. As an ALT, you’ll be expected to immerse your students in the English language, boost communication skills, and improve fluency and accuracy. Don’t be alarmed though! You’ll be given all the support, knowledge, and training you’ll need for your very first day and beyond!

Where will I be placed?

One of the great things about the JET programme is that it’s a country-wide scheme so you could be placed anywhere in Japan. From large bustling cities such as Tokyo and Osaka to more rural and traditional places like Kyoto – this programme has so much to offer! Before you go, you’ll be asked to specify your top 3 cities, so make sure you do your research. Although there’s no guarantee that you’ll be placed in your top city of choice, organizers will do their best to accommodate your preferences!

How long does the JET application process take?

The application process usually takes around 10 months. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline and what you can expect:

October: Applications open in October

November: The application deadline closes in November

January: In January, selected candidates will be invited to an interview at the Japanese embassy

March: Candidates will then find out if they’ve secured a place by March

April: In April, a small number of early-start positions will take place

July/August: By July/August all remaining candidates will fly out to Japan to start their English teaching journeys

Can I apply if I’m in my final year at university?

Of course! There’s nothing stopping you from applying to the JET programme in your final year of university, providing that you’ll have graduated by the time you’re due to fly out. Generally speaking, this is around July/August time. To bag yourself a spot on this sought-after scheme, you’ll need a letter from your university confirming the start and ends dates of your degree – simple!

Want to find out more about the JET programme in Japan? Get in touch with our TEFL Jobs Team!

Good luck and happy TEFLing!

Teaching Other Subjects in English

Posted on May 11, 2021May 17, 2021 by Melissa Williams

Teaching other subjects in English has become increasingly popular in primary and secondary across the globe. This now means that newly qualified TEFL teachers, as well as seasoned pros, will be expected to teach other subjects in English such as Maths, Geography, and Science. The integration of CLIL methodology may seem pretty daunting to start with, but we promise it’s a lot easier than it seems! With our 60-hour specialist course, you’ll be up to speed in no time and ready to take on the world of teaching. Carry on reading to find out how…

Why might I be asked to teach other subjects in English?

When it comes to teaching English to foreign students’ studies have shown that fully immersing students in the language helps them learn quicker, improves proficiency, and overall comprehension. That’s why TEFL employers love candidates that are trained in the art of teaching other subjects in English. Being able to teach your students maths, science, art, and many other subjects in English will not only make you more employable, but it will also advance your students’ learning – win, win!

What is the purpose of teaching other subjects in English?

Teaching other subjects in English helps immerse students into the English language. This means that you’ll easily be able to improve fluency, accuracy, and understanding in the classroom – winner!

What is CLIL?

CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning or Content Teaching for short) refers to situations where subjects, or parts of subjects, are taught through a foreign language with dual-focused aims, in our case – teaching English! CLIL teaching has been around for many years and lots of trained TEFL teachers might have already heard of this. Haven’t heard of CLIL before? Don’t worry even if you haven’t heard of it, you may already be using the CLIL methodology in your classes!

How can I prepare to teach other subjects in English?

Preparing to teach other subjects in English can be done in a few easy steps. If you’re already a teacher, you can often use the skills you’ve already gained through your experience to teach other subjects in English. If you’re only just starting out in the ‘world of TEFL’ you can add on our 60-hour Teaching Other Subjects in English to give you the skills, knowledge, and training you’ll need for your first TEFL class, whether that’s teaching English or another subject, oozing with confidence. You’ll have 24/7 access to the course and will be able to study from anywhere in the world – amazing!

Which countries will require me to teach other subjects in English?

Teaching Other Subjects in English is a sought-after skill throughout many countries in Europe and Asia, such as Italy, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, and Japan. Schools in these locations are keen to immerse their students into the English language, so you’ll often be asked to help in other subject areas too. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in, even if you’ve never taught any other subjects before, with our help, support, and training you’ll feel confident in no time!

What other subjects may I be asked to teach?

The subjects you may be asked to teach will vary from school to school, the most common subjects include art, science, physical education, maths, and geography. The number of subjects you will be expected to teach will vary depending on the type of school you’re in, the curriculum they follow, the funding they receive, and if they’re working towards becoming bilingual.

Want to learn more? Download our FREE guide now!

Good luck and happy TEFLing – you’ve got this!