If you're a digital nomad or working abroad, it's likely that you're searching for a reliable job that provides a stable income and allows you to work from anywhere in the world. Taking one of the best online TEFL courses and teaching English online is one great way to achieve this goal.
If you love seeing the world and don't want to be tied down to one place, teaching English online is a fantastic way to fund your travels and your lifestyle. You will need to graduate from an accredited TEFL course before you begin your job search.
With so many TEFL courses available, both online and in-person, it's best to find one that suits your needs. I'm going to focus exclusively on online TEFL courses as digital nomads would likely rather work from their laptops on their own terms.
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Why You Should Earn a TEFL Certificate
As someone who travels often and works as an online content creator, I decided to study for my own TEFL certificate online. Here's why it's a good idea:
- Steady Income: Around the world, there are so many people to learn and study English. It's easy to earn a steady income by teaching English online.
- Flexible Hours: As a digital nomad, you'll love the flexibility of being able to choose your working hours and how often you work.
- Work From Anywhere: As you spend a month or two in a place before moving on to the next destination, it's important to have a job that allows you to work from anywhere you end up. All you'll need is reliable access to Wi-Fi.
Do I Need a TEFL Certificate to Teach English Online?
Teaching English online is an excellent way to work remotely or work from home, no matter where you are. It's such a blessing to be able to travel often and take your job with you.
The majority of employers looking to hire people to teach English online require a TEFL qualification from an accredited course provider.
While some companies require a bachelor's degree, not all of them do. There are a few that don't even require TEFL certification.
However, most companies do require a TEFL certification. Plus, it can be a bit competitive to apply for an English teaching job. Having a TEFL qualification gives you an advantage over other job applicants.
The Best Online TEFL Courses
As you begin your search for the best online TEFL courses for digital nomads, you'll quickly realize that there are quite a few companies out there that offer this certificate.
No matter which one you choose, it's best to choose one provider and take one (or more) of their courses.
The ones that I list in this blog post are all fully online and accredited. You can study from anywhere in the world, any time you'd like. Once you achieve your certificate, you'll be able to teach English online and work abroad from your laptop.
You might notice that there are some extremely cheap TEFL courses on Groupon. These are often not accredited, so it's not worth wasting your time on those. You get what you pay for.
The TEFL Institute's 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course
Here's one of the best online TEFL courses for anyone looking to teach English. The TEFL Institute has an 120 hour Advanced TEFL Course that I highly recommend that you check out.
The course is 100% online, externally accredited, and you can study on your own schedule from anywhere in the world.
While taking the 120 hour Advanced TEFL Course, you will learn everything you need to teach English online to your students.
The course details how to plan your classes, teach grammar in a thoughtful and mindful way, and invite shy students to open up and try their best to speak English.
The TEFL Institute has an online verification system where employers in other countries can easily verify your qualifications for their own peace of mind.
The TEFL Institute's Ofqual 180 Hour Level 5 Diploma
For those looking to go above and beyond, The TEFL Institute offers the Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) 180 Hour Level 5 Diploma.
This is an in-depth course that provides you with higher qualifications for a better paying career.
If you're just getting started, I suggest taking the 120 Hour Course to start. Build experience and then decided if you'd like to increase your skills with the 180 Hour Course.
Both courses (120 Hour Advanced Course and 180 Hour Level 5 Diploma) can be completed in two to four weeks and offer six months of study time.
Premier TEFL
Premier TEFL is a very popular option for students in the USA and Africa. They offer a really strong 180‑hour Level 5 TEFL Diploma that I highly recommend you check out.
The TEFL Institute of Ireland
The TEFL Institute of Ireland is a reputable company out of Ireland. Many digital nomads from Ireland (or Europe) choose their courses catered towards teaching English online or teaching classes in-person at overseas classrooms.
They have a few different options for courses:
- Accredited TEFL Course 120-Hour Advanced International Standard (2 - 4 weeks)
- Level 5 TEFL Diploma 180-Hour Comprehensive Ofqual Regulated (6 - 8 weeks)
- Level 5 TEFL Diploma 300-Hour (Advanced) Ofqual Regulated (8 - 10 weeks)
How to Find TEFL Jobs and Opportunities
Okay, so you've taken the TEFL certificate and settling into a digital nomad way of life. It's time to use your TEFL certificate to find a job so you can teach English online.
In your job search, look for schools and platforms that clearly state their requirements, their time zone and hours of operation, and most importantly, the pay.
Make sure you create an excellent resume or online profile, and be sure to update your LinkedIn profile. Share your teaching style, who you are best suited to assist (children, adults, adults learning English for business, etc.) and your work schedule.
It can be helpful to create a short introductory video to introduce yourself, which will help set you apart from other applicants.
When you're beginning your job search, this is the time to get settled in one place for a little while. Even as a digital nomad, it's a good idea to stay put for a few months at a time to have a schedule, become familiar with good Wi-Fi spots and meet other digital nomads and expats.
You might even meet others within the digital nomad community or at co-working spaces that can assist in your job search. Those with experience can also share their honest opinions of past jobs and work. It's all about networking!
There are also a few Facebook groups that can help you find leads on jobs: TEFL, TESOL & English Teachers: Resources & Jobs, Teachers TEFL / TESOL Jobs and ESL/EFL/TEFL JOBS WORLDWIDE. In addition, there's a large TEFL community on Reddit.
In Facebook groups and any online forums, make sure you do some research to ensure that the job postings are legitimate.
More Blog Posts About Language Learning
Want to read more about learning languages online or teaching languages online? Check out the following blog posts:
Want more travel tips and inspiration? Follow me on Instagram! I share daily adventures, whether I'm at home in Ontario, Canada, or halfway across the world!
Don't forget travel insurance!
Heading out of the country? Don't forget to get travel insurance. It's best to be covered in case of an emergency, cancellation or accident.
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