The Advantages Of Online TEFL Courses: Is This Your Ticket To Teaching Abroad?

When you’re looking into TEFL certification, you’ll quickly discover that TEFL courses are offered in a variety of formats.

Some provide traditional, in-person classes, while others offer their training completely online. There are even courses that offer a combination of the two.

With so many options to choose from, it’s normal to feel unsure about which format is right for you.

Is an online TEFL course right for you?

Let’s find out!

Whether you’re:

• A prospective TEFL student who’s weighing their options,
• Someone looking for flexible ways to study,
• Unable to access in-person TEFL training, or
• Unsure if online certifications are considered legitimate,

this article can help you decide if an online course is the best format for you.

We’ll discuss the unique advantages of online courses and how they can actually work in your favour.

Why online TEFL courses are the top choice for aspiring teachers

 Quality & credibility

There’s a common misconception that in-person training is better than any form of online learning.

The truth is: High-quality education can come in any format as long as it’s from a reputable provider that upholds the necessary academic and teaching standards.

How online TEFL courses maintain high academic standards

Fortunately, there are organisations that regulate TEFL courses by assessing the content, assessments, and teaching methods of each one to ensure that they meet the strict industry requirements.

If a course passes these assessments, it becomes recognised by employers worldwide.

So, by enrolling in an accredited and internationally recognised online TEFL course, you can be confident that you’ll receive a high-quality qualification.

Read more: Are Online TEFL Courses Recognised Worldwide?

The most widely recognised names you’ll come across are:

• Qualifi in the UK and 
• the DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission) in the US.

Qualifi awards accreditation to those who meet the standards set out by Ofqual, a government department which oversees all qualifications in England.

The DEAC is recognised by the US Department of Education and reviews courses through its Approved Quality Curriculum (AQC) scheme.

While AQC approval isn’t the same as accreditation, it still indicates that the course has been peer-reviewed and meets US educational standards.

For example, The TEFL Academy’s Level 3 and Level 5 courses are both accredited by Qualifi and approved by the DEAC. This means that a qualification through us is valid and respected by employers across the globe.

How to spot a high-quality, accredited online TEFL course

When comparing courses, look for clear information about accreditation, course content, and assessment standards. A credible provider will be transparent about who accredits them and what their qualification represents.

Curriculum & learning experience

Do online TEFL courses deliver a comprehensive TEFL curriculum?

Digital platforms can cover every essential component of TEFL training just as thoroughly as in-person courses.

In fact, online courses can sometimes explore these concepts in greater detail than traditional teaching since there’s no need to fit everything into a single lesson.

They can provide extended explanations, additional examples, and extra resources to help you fully understand each topic — which is great when it comes to tricky subjects like grammar!

Not to mention that online courses can also incorporate videos, online quizzes, case studies, practice activities, and other digital tools to make studying more interactive and help further your understanding of the material.

 How digital tools replicate ( and enhance) in-person training

When you think of in-person training, you probably imagine written tests, classroom discussions, and delayed feedback from the teacher.

But these activities and typical classroom interactions can still be facilitated in an online course (and in many cases, they can even be better).

For example:

• Online tests can be marked instantly.
• Discussion boards let you interact with your peers without needing to be in the same room at the same time.
• Virtual classrooms, such as Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet, allow students to attend classes in real-time from anywhere in the world.

When all of these tools are used together, you get an online learning environment that’s just as dynamic and productive as a physical class.

  Read more: What Do You Learn On A TEFL Course?

The strategic career advantages of online courses

While earning a TEFL qualification is a great way to kickstart a career in teaching English, many people are reluctant to take the leap.

This is because traditional in-person study can disrupt your daily routine, and not everyone can afford to put their life on hold.

Here are some of the ways an online TEFL course can support your career goals:

Flexible learning that fits around your life

• Online courses are self-paced — meaning you can study without interrupting your current work, study, family, or personal commitments.

Time-efficient and cost-effective certification

• Online courses tend to be cheaper than in-person training.

• You don’t need to commute to attend classes.

Fast-track your teaching career

• Online courses can be completed faster than in-person programs.

Enhanced employability through self-directed learning

• Completing self-study courses shows potential employers that you are disciplined and take initiative.
• Studying online familiarises you with digital tools that can be used in your own lessons.

Bonus life skill: Building digital teaching confidence

Online TEFL courses build digital teaching skills by giving you firsthand experience as a student in today’s online learning environment.

You’ll get the opportunity to experiment with a variety of digital tools during activities and assessments, gaining valuable practical experience that prepares you to manage and deliver your own virtual lessons.

With online and blended learning rising in popularity, understanding what it’s like to learn digitally can help you create a more engaging experience for your students.

Flexibility & practicality

Unmatched flexibility: study while you work

One of the advantages of studying TEFL online is that the courses are flexible and self-paced. You can study whenever and wherever you want.

This allows you to create a schedule around the times when you are most productive or available.

Another benefit of studying online is that most courses offer students long-term or even lifetime access.

This means that you can revisit any concept, at any time, and as often as you need, even after you’ve finished the course.

At the end of the day, the point of studying online is to make the process more manageable and accessible.

  Can you start teaching online before completing the TEFL?

Yes! You can start teaching while you’re working through a TEFL course.

And since online courses are so flexible, you can plan your studies around your teaching schedule, or the other way around.

So if you’re not working while you’re doing your TEFL course, you can dip your toes into online teaching in your time off from studying. You can also apply for teaching jobs abroad, but bear in mind, you can’t do this on Day One of your course! You need to show your employers that you are close to course completion and highly likely to complete the course.

More choice: Why online TEFL expands your options

When you study TEFL in person, your options are usually quite limited.

These courses are typically only offered in major cities or specific training centres. As a result, you could end up choosing your course based on proximity rather than quality.

By deciding to study online, you can choose from reputable providers around the world. This opens the door to better training, more specialised courses, and programmes to suit all budgets.

With online TEFL courses, you can pick the best course for you, not just the one that’s closest.

 What specialised TEFL courses are available online?

If you want to pursue a career in a specific field, then a specialised training programme is often the best choice.

These types of courses are more widely available online than in-person, giving you a better chance to find the perfect course.

Common specialisations include:

• Teaching Young Learners
• Teaching Business English
• Teaching online
• Exam preparation classes

For more info on The TEFL Academy’s specialisation courses, check out our Top-Up Courses.

How to choose the right TEFL specialisation

Choosing a specialisation greatly influences the type of students you teach and even where you might work.

Since it’s an important decision, here are a few questions that can help you decide:

• What are your interests?
• What experience or background knowledge do you have?
• Do you prefer to work with certain age groups or types of learners?
• What kind of environment do you want to work in?

For example, if you have experience in a corporate setting or have a business-related degree, enjoy working with adults, and prefer an office environment, a Business English course would be right up your alley.

How to compare accredited courses easily

With so many online TEFL courses available, it’s tricky to know which is the right one for you.

Luckily, to narrow your choices, there are factors to consider when looking for a course that matches your career goals, learning style, and schedule.

TEFL course comparison checklist

Course accreditation and reputation

• Is the course accredited by a recognised organisation?

• What do the reviews and testimonials from past students say?

Course hours and content

• How many hours does the course take, and what is the scope?

• A Level 3 TEFL course should be at least 120 hours to meet industry standards.

• Specialised courses tend to be shorter as they are usually completed in addition to a standard Level 3 or Level 5 course.

Tutor support and feedback

• What type of support will you receive throughout the course?

• Will you receive personalised feedback on assessments?

Flexibility and course validity

• How long is the course valid for?

• Will this be enough time for you to complete the course based on your current schedule?

• How intensive is the course?

Final tips for choosing the right TEFL course

When it comes down to making the final decision, here are some useful tips to help you choose the right course:

• Make a checklist of the criteria that matter the most to you and rate each course against it.
• Don’t only focus on the price. Sometimes paying a bit extra can provide you with better resources or support.
• Ask questions! If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to contact the provider. This is a great way to see how responsive and supportive they are before you enrol.

Remember, you’re investing your money and effort to further your skills and career, so it only makes sense to carefully evaluate each course until you find the right one.

 Key takeaways: Choosing the right online TEFL course

With so many TEFL options available, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you:

• Choose the advantages that suit your goals and lifestyle.
• Make a decision based on what you want your teaching career to look like.
• Take the time to compare your options carefully —  don’t just choose the cheapest or quickest option.
• Make sure the course is officially accredited.

Remember, this is more than just a course — it’s a new beginning — and choices like that shouldn’t be made lightly.

Got more questions? Drop us a message at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you asap.

Author Bio

Written by

Claire Herbert

Edited by Kirsten Colquhoun

Claire Herbert is a TEFL-certified writer and course content developer for The TEFL Academy. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Languages (Spanish and English) from the University of Pretoria. Although her early experiences involved tutoring English literature at the university and hosting conversational English classes, Claire has now switched to developing courses and educational content to help train new TEFL teachers around the world. Read Claire Herbert's story →