What’s included
- 20 hours of accredited TEFL/TESOL training
- A dedicated personal tutor from start to finish
- Personal marking and written feedback on every assignment
- Free digital certificate on completion (ACTDEC & ISO accredited)
- Access to our interactive online learning platform
- Study at your own pace, 100% online
- Access to our online teacher resource library
- Optional hard-copy ACTDEC certificate available
- 14-day money-back guarantee
Course overview
This course is essential for anyone interested in Teaching English Online (TEO). With guidance from TESOL qualified personal tutors who have experience in teaching English online, this course leads to a specialist teaching English online course certificate upon completion.
Why this course
With specific sections on different online teaching platforms, materials and resources, managing groups online and working with one-to-one students, you’ll have the opportunity to increase your knowledge and ability to teach English online.
Written by EFL professionals with a wealth of TEO experience, this course gives insight into valuable teaching techniques and provides useful material and lesson ideas. You'll find sections on setting up independently, giving trial lessons, managing your online business, as well as different companies you can work for if you are seeking employment, either as a native or non-native online English teacher.
How this interactive course works
This course is ideal if you’ve got a good broadband connection and can work entirely online via a tablet/PC/Mac. You’ll complete interactive exercises, create lesson plans and view video and graphics that bring the course to life.
What is the difference between the 120, 150 and 250 hour courses?
| Course | Level | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120-hour TEFL / TESOL | Level 3 | 120 | First certificate. The hours most schools and platforms ask for. |
| 150-hour Advanced TEFL / TESOL | Level 4 | 150 | The 120-hour core plus extra grammar, phonology and online teaching. |
| 250-hour Level 5 TEFL / TESOL | Level 5 | 250 | Our deepest qualification: phonetics, IELTS teaching, inclusion. |
Not sure? Take the 2-minute course quiz.
A 20-hour course designed to get you teaching English online. Work at your own speed and learn about this fast-moving EFL teaching sector. Combines guidance on setting up independently as an online English teacher with lists of some of the top companies you can work for.
Interactive: PC/Mac/tablet compatible. Work on our interactive platform. Good internet access required.
KEY FEATURES
- 20 hours of course materials and video
- Specialist teaching English online content and materials
- Personal, dedicated tutor support + 6 months for completion
- Access to student forum and online teaching resources
- Assistance with CV and access to our jobs board
- Free 20 hour Teaching English Online cert (PDF) on completion
- Interactive course: study online from tablet/computer
IDEAL IF:
- You are already TESOL qualified and seeking to specialise in Teaching english online
- Looking to start up in business or work for an online school
- Don't just take our word for it, check out the student comments tab below!
How it works
This course is for teaching English abroad or online. Already qualified, or want observed teaching practice? See our specialist TESOL courses.
- Enrol onlinePay securely by card and get instant access.
- Study the modulesWork through the 20 hours at your own pace, on a computer or tablet.
- Submit work for feedbackSend assignments to your tutor and use the comments to improve.
- Download your certificateFinish the course, collect your TEFL/TESOL certificate, and start applying.
The interactive course runs in your browser on a computer or tablet: shorter modules, assignments marked by your tutor, and a student forum.
Course syllabus
What you’ll study
8 interactive modules on why people teach and learn online, platforms, lesson prep, and working independently or for a company.
Why teach and learn onlineCI · M1–M3
| Module | Topic | What you’ll cover |
|---|---|---|
| CI | Course introductionGetting started with teaching English online. | Getting started with teaching English online. |
| M1 | Why teach online?Reasons to teach online, and the advantages and disadvantages. | Reasons to teach online, and the advantages and disadvantages. |
| M2 | Why learn online?Why students study online, and who they are. | Why students study online, and who they are. |
| M3 | Student motivationKeeping learners motivated and managing their expectations. | Keeping learners motivated and managing their expectations. |
Teaching and preparingM4–M6
| Module | Topic | What you’ll cover |
|---|---|---|
| M4 | Teaching English onlineTeaching platforms, and how to find students. | Teaching platforms, and how to find students. |
| M5 | Lesson preparationOnline needs analysis and online lesson plans. | Online needs analysis and online lesson plans. |
| M6 | Materials and resourcesOnline materials and how to use them. | Online materials and how to use them. |
Working independentlyM7–M8 · Conclusion
| Module | Topic | What you’ll cover |
|---|---|---|
| M7 | Teaching independentlyManaging the class, building a business, and a trial lesson. | Managing the class, building a business, and a trial lesson. |
| M8 | Working for companiesTeaching online as an employee of a platform or school. | Teaching online as an employee of a platform or school. |
| CC | Course conclusionCertification and survey. | Certification and survey. |
Certificates
A Global English PDF certificate is awarded upon successful completion. A printed, embossed version is also available for an extra fee from our TEFL shop page.
Click on the certificate to enlarge.
Ready to start? Select Enrol now to begin.
Frequently asked questions
Is this 20-hour course accredited?
Yes. Global English has been an accredited TEFL/TESOL training provider since 1997. Every certificate carries a unique student certificate number and the logos of our accrediting bodies, ACTDEC and ISO. An optional hard-copy ACTDEC certificate is also available on successful completion.
How long does the course take, and how long do I have to complete it?
The 20-hour course is fully self-paced and studied entirely online, so you can work as quickly or as gradually as you like. Most students finish in a few weeks of part-time study, and you have several months of access. If you need more time, low-cost time extensions are available.
Do I need a degree or teaching experience to enrol?
You do not need a degree. This is a specialist course rather than a first qualification, so it assumes you already hold an initial TEFL/TESOL certificate, or are taking one alongside it. If you are starting from scratch, begin with our 120-hour TESOL Premier certificate and add this course to it.
Is there a real tutor, or is everything automated?
Both, and deliberately so. The quick knowledge checks as you work through each module mark themselves the moment you answer, so you find out straight away whether something has landed. The work that actually shows your teaching ability – the written tasks, the reflections and the final lesson plan – goes to a real, qualified personal tutor who reads it and writes you individual feedback. A machine can tell you that you picked the right answer; only a tutor can tell you whether your lesson would work with a real class.
How is the course assessed?
Assessment is continuous and coursework-based. You complete written assignments and practical tasks that you submit online for your personal tutor to mark. There is no final exam and no fixed exam date – you progress at your own pace.
What certificate will I receive, and is it recognised?
On successful completion you receive a Global English digital (PDF) certificate free of charge, showing your unique student certificate number and the ACTDEC and ISO accreditation logos. TEFL/TESOL certification from Global English is recognised by language schools, recruiters and online teaching platforms worldwide. A prestigious hard-copy ACTDEC certificate can be ordered as an optional extra.
Will this qualification help me get a teaching job?
A recognised TEFL/TESOL qualification is the standard entry requirement for teaching English abroad and online. This course adds a specialist qualification to your CV that employers value; most schools look for a minimum of 120 hours of core TEFL training alongside it.
How do I pay, and is there a guarantee?
You can enrol securely online and start straight away. We accept payment by card (Visa and Mastercard) through Stripe, as well as valid discount and Groupon voucher codes. Every online course is covered by our 14-day money-back guarantee, so you can begin completely risk-free.
What do I need to study this course?
A reliable internet connection and a PC, Mac or tablet. The course runs in your browser on our online learning platform, and your place is saved as you go, so you can stop mid-module and pick up later on a different device. There is nothing to install and nothing to post back to us. This course is studied online only – there is no downloadable offline version of it.
Is this specialist course enough on its own to get a teaching job?
No. Most schools and online platforms still screen for a 120-hour (or longer) accredited TEFL/TESOL certificate. This course is an add-on that names a specialist skill on top of that core certificate.
What our students say
★★★★★
I learned a lot on the 20-hour course and finished the course feeling confident that I would be able to deliver a good class in my volunteer role as an English teacher.
Left by verified Global English graduates of this course, published with their permission.
The tutors and staff are genuinely excellent - knowledgeable, responsive, and encouraging at every step.
I feel that my teaching has improved greatly through this course and feel ready to progress in my teaching.
Their timely feedback and support were invaluable. They were always available to answer my questions.
Read Global English reviews TEFL Course Review
This course was just what I needed to learn about Teaching English Online and how it works. I learned about different companies that I could work for, how to go about teaching independently, also what sort of teaching techniques and resources are suitable for online lessons.
There was a good mix of interactive questions with instant feedback, and questions which required written answers that were submitted via the Student Dashboard – my tutor reviewed my answers and gave written feedback, helpful suggestions and comments.
I received exceptional support from William, my tutor, and my work was always marked quickly. The two online meetings that I had with him as part of the course were a great way to experience different platforms that can be used for teaching online, also what an actual online lesson is like.
Online learning is growing in popularity, especially among younger learners. If you need flexibility, perhaps online teaching could be suitable for you. Take this TEO course to find out more, gain specialist knowledge and earn yourself a certificate to boost your ELT qualifications.
Carol King, Germany
There was a perfect balance of reading material and tasks, and I liked the way the tasks varied in format. The multiple-choice questions provided immediate feedback and allowed a speedy progress to the next module. The tasks requiring more research and written answers ensured a thorough understanding of the course material.
Carys Butler, UK
It provided me with a very clear picture of how teaching online works and what I need to do once I am ready to start teaching. Knowing about the variety of online organisations where I can start off as a beginner teacher is really helpful.
Kate Parker, UK
I particularly appreciated Louisa's candidness regarding navigating through all of the resources and options that exist for people who coming into the industry and are new to it.
Joe Miller, S America
A first class course from beginning to end. Really engaging, informative and well-presented material. Motivating and enjoyable for the student. Tutor feedback, so prompt, knowledgeable and supportive. I learnt so much.
Brenda Moore, UK
I came into this course wondering how much additional material there could be over the 120 hour course. Though shorter, it was packed with much useful information and resources.
Donnell Roseberg, USA
I absolutely loved this course. I found it at just the right time. It was so hands on and practical and thought through all the different elements of teaching online. From finding students, to lesson plans, to admin and financials. It was so helpful and has given me confidence and equipped me to get started. Thank you!
Lucy Routledge, UK
I found it easy to access, work steadily on each section, and save as you go. It was very good value for money, and a very relevant course. The feedback from tutor Louisa is very useful, very specific, very thorough, and very prompt. Feel very well supported.
Rose Edney, UK
I thought it was comprehensive and informative. It has both given me an idea of what teaching online will be like and given me confidence and reassurance. And, again, while it was challenging it was not daunting or unpleasant in the slightest.
Colm MacDonald, USA
A very useful and informative course and the resources and links are amazing. Louisa was very helpful and really approachable. I think the course is amazing from both a self-employed and teacher viewpoint. Well done.
Margaret Hurley, UK
It covers all aspects of online teaching in a neutral manner putting forward both advantages and disadvantages.
Sarah Little, USA
Louisa was very helpful. She even sent me additional information about stuff that I was interested in. I felt like she really went beyond just marking my responses. I really appreciated that.
Joseanne, USA
The assignment questions really encouraged me to think into the topics quite carefully. I found the practical elements really helpful.....meeting the tutor online and practising using Skype and the whiteboard. I've really enjoyed the course and found it very helpful. A few years ago I did a course for online teaching with another provider and it was not in the least useful so I am delighted with Global English. Thank you so much, I now feel ready to develop this career path.
Judith Chatfield, UK
When I finished the 70hr course, I did not feel ready to teach, but after adding this 20 hour course on, I feel so much more prepared. I actually really appreciated the way this course was done.
Shaya Howell, Canada
It was interactive and relevant. The exercises were good, especially the live sessions on Skype with Louisa.
Helen Schuster-Bruce
The Online English course was really helpful and informative. The course is very interactive with easy-to-read slides, and also had a great list of resources to research.
Gavin Steyn
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