Going Up Education

Online TEFL Certification

Introduction

TEFL certification is the most common certificate for anyone interested in teaching English as a foreign language. There are many options available for getting your TEFL certification. This guide will walk you through all of the details of becoming certified, including:

 

 

  • Why should you get a TEFL Certification?
  • TEFL Certification vs TESOL Certification
  • What does a TEFL Certification Include?.
  • How Long Does it Take to Complete TEFL Certification?
  • Online vs in-person TEFL Classes
  • How Much Does Online TEFL Certification Cost?
  • The Best Online Options for Getting TEFL Certified
 
** Please Note: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you make any purchases via these links. That said, we only recommend products/software that we have used or thoroughly researched. 

A Good Place to Start:

If you are completely new to the world of online teaching or want to get a better idea of what online english teaching is, this crash course can get you through most of the basics. 

Crash Course: Becoming an Online English Teacher

$15

  • Planning Online Lessons
  • Managing an Online Classroom
  • How to Teach Reading, Speaking, Writing & Pronunciation
  • Finding Online Teaching Jobs & Students
Get the Course

Why should you get a TEFL Certification?

The most obvious reason is that it is a great way to start your teaching career. You can use the certificate to get an entry-level job at an English school worldwide and then move up as your experience grows. There are so many schools looking for English teachers, so there are plenty of job opportunities, especially if you have some teaching experience already. If your goal is to travel while teaching in different countries, a TEFL certificate could help make it happen!

Check out our Ultimate List of Online Teaching Companies to search for jobs! 

TEFL Certification vs. TESOL Certification

Technically, these acronyms stand for two different things. TESOL is the acronym for Teaching English as a Second Language, and TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. In other words, if you want to teach ESL in Asia or Europe (or anywhere else), you will need to get a TEFL certification. However, if you only want to teach ESL in the United States or Canada, a TESOL certification will be sufficient.

What does a TEFL Certification Include?

TEFL Certification includes a wide range of topics, including:

  • Teaching practice and theory. You will learn the basics of teaching English and the best practices for working with students in a classroom setting.
  • Teaching methodology. You will learn techniques used for teaching and assessing student progress in a language class, including lesson plans and activities.
  • Learning assessment strategies. You will learn how to assess student progress throughout the learning journey.

How long does it take to complete a TEFL Certification?

If you want to get your certificate in as little time as possible, then a 4-week course might be the best option. However, many programs require that students complete a certain number of hours before being eligible for certification. Some TEFL courses also have prerequisites like previous teaching experience or specific certifications. You should read through your program’s requirements carefully before enrolling so you know exactly what it will take to complete your course and receive your certificate.


If you want to work as an ESL teacher abroad but don’t have much experience teaching English on your resume yet, then taking some time off could be the best choice for getting certified quickly while still earning money with other jobs (like tutoring).


Many programs that offer TEFL certification courses also provide students with opportunities to get real-world ESL teaching experience. Some even require it! So if you are interested in getting your certificate and finding a job immediately afterward, make sure that any program you choose offers this kind of hands-on learning opportunity.


The number of hours required for TEFL certification will vary depending on the type of certificate you need and the organization that awards it. That said, there are some general guidelines to follow:

  • 120 hours to become a TEFL teacher
  • 250 hours for CELTA (the most common qualification)

The Best Online Options for getting TEFL Certified

If you want to get TEFL certified, there are many online options that offer a variety of advantages over in-person courses. 

 

However, before you compare prices and read reviews about different programs, here is what you need to know: It is important that your program covers all three areas of language acquisition—listening, speaking, and reading. It should also include information about how to develop lesson plans and classroom management skills in addition to being able to teach ESL classes abroad with confidence.

 

In fact, The best online TEFL certification providers have courses that range from $20 up to $1000 per course. The price depends on the length of your program and whether or not it includes an in-person component. 

 

Our Top Picks for Online TEFL Certification:

120-Hour TEFL Universal Certification

$20

  • Accepted Internationally

  • 10 Module Course covering all aspects of Teaching ESL

  • Finish in 2-3 Weeks

Get the Course

150-Hour TEFL Universal Certification

$35

  • Accepted Internationally

  • 10 Module Course covering all aspects of Teaching ESL

  • Includes Extra Online Teaching Module

Get the Course

120-Hour Premier TEFL Certification

$199

  • Recognised Internationally

  • 26 Hours of Live Zoom Classes

  • Free 30 Hour Course on Teaching Kid’s Classes

Get the Course

The Benefits of an Online TEFL Course

  • Flexible schedules – You can study at times that fit your schedule and work at your own pace.
  • Affordable prices – There are very few costs associated with an online course, and prices tend to be much lower than in-person courses.
  • More Convenient – You can take the course from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Quick results – If you know what you need from a potential employer, you can complete a course within two weeks and start teaching immediately.

How much does Online TEFL Certification Cost?

Online courses are generally cheaper than in-person courses, though you will have to factor in the cost of a computer and internet access. Many online TEFL certification programs offer discounts for groups or individuals who purchase multiple courses. 

 

The best online TEFL certification providers have courses that range from $20 up to $1000 per course. The price depends on the length of your program and whether or not it includes an in-person component. 

 

Online TEFL certification programs are more flexible than their traditional counterparts because they allow you to study at your own pace and from anywhere in the world (as long as you have an internet connection). This makes them a great option if you want to complete your certification while traveling abroad or working full-time back home. It also means that it will take less time to complete an online course than it would take for someone studying offline; however, this does depend on how many hours per week/monthly commitment you put into studying.

 

There are also a few different types of online courses you can take: some offer lifetime access for one flat fee, and others offer monthly payments with no extra costs once you have paid off the initial investment (which is great if you do not have enough money saved up yet), and some companies let you choose from different payment options that best fit your needs.

Conclusion

TEFL certification is one of the best ways to get started in the teaching world and start earning that online teaching money. It’s also a great way to build up your resume or CV if you want to teach abroad or get another job in education after finishing your TEFL training program. The most important thing when choosing between different options is finding something that fits your schedule and budget so you can complete it without spending too much time or money! If this sounds like something that would work well for you, then we hope our list has helped narrow down some of those choices 🙂

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