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Teaching English Abroad: 3 tips for taking an online TEFL course versus an in-classroom TEFL course

By Bruce E Thompson

Every year thousands of adventuresome souls leave their home country for six months or more with goals of teaching English abroad. Yet a common question for those without experience teaching English abroad is, “will an online TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) be sufficient?”

The answer varies depending on your short or long-term goals, the country in which you intend to teach English abroad, and ultimately the requirements of the teaching institution.


1. Evaluate your personal goals (professional TEFL teacher / TESOL teacher)

If your goals are for teaching English abroad for 3 years or more, you should strongly consider taking an in-classroom TEFL course of 120 hours and a minimum of 6 hours of practicum. Some countries and schools will require this. You should also consider taking a course that provides you with a CELTA certificate.

2. Evaluate your personal goals (short-term teaching opportunity, cross-cultural experience, learning the local language, etc)

If you are not seeking a 3-5 year term as a “professional” TEFL teacher, an online TEFL course could very well be sufficient to prepare you for the time in front of your students.

3. Consult with your recruiter and/or the local teaching institution

The people in these organizations know what is required and what will be accepted or not regarding TEFL / TESOL certification. Additionally, TEFL courses are most likely offered in the country in which you want to teach; ask these contacts for recommendations

About the author

Bruce Thompson, Founder and Managing Director of TeachingChile, is a U.S. citizen residing in Chile that has been dedicated to programs involving teaching English in Chile. A 19-year veteran of international business, his recent years in Chile have involved recruiting and placing native English-speaking teachers into Chilean schools and universities, and developing TEFL training programs in Chile. Teachers interested in Chile can view a Cost of Living Guide in Chile

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May 27th, 2009 | Tags: | Category: Advice, Benefits of certificates, Bruce E Thompson, Online TEFL courses, Teacher education | One comment

1 comment to Teaching English Abroad: 3 tips for taking an online TEFL course versus an in-classroom TEFL course

  • Alex Case
    May 27th, 2009 at 5:12 am

    I heartily disagree. You wouldn’t say you don’t need to bother learning health and safety because you are only going to be a chef for a year. Everyone who is going to teach needs to have observed teaching practice. 4 weeks with 6 hours of observed lessons is already ridiculously short, and we should all do our best to put everyone off taking anything shorter or with less practical teaching experience

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