While a degree can be beneficial, it is entirely possible to teach English online without one. Although some employers might prioritize degree holders, many value experience and certifications. To boost your chances of getting hired, it is important to understand employer preferences, continuously upskill, and be strategic about where you apply. Popular platforms for non-degree holders include Preply, Cambly, Palfish, and Acadsoc.
Table of Contents
Why do some online teaching jobs require a degree?
What do you need to teach English online?
Which TEFL course should I get for teaching English online?
Why do some online teaching jobs require a degree?
Normally, employers require a degree in order to obtain a work visa when hiring someone to teach English abroad. Visas are not a problem, though, when it comes to teaching online - so why do they still want teachers with degrees?
One reason can be found in recent reforms made in the largest TEFL market: China. China is the largest TEFL market in the world, and this is also true for the online TEFL sector, where many of the major online teaching platforms are based.
Online teaching platforms operating in China now have to make sure that their teachers have at least a 120-hour TEFL certificate from an accredited provider in addition to a BA degree. These reforms were passed at the beginning of 2019 by China's Ministry of Education. This more closely aligns the standards with those for foreign language instructors employed in the country.
Moreover, these new regulations in China also resulted in other non-Chinese teaching platforms upping their teacher requirements to keep up with this powerful competition.
What do you need to teach English online?
The majority of employers require teachers to hold a 120-hour TEFL certification. If you don't have a degree, it is highly important to get a TEFL certification unless you are willing to work for a small salary.
Furthermore, a TEFL certificate is something you shouldn't skimp on. Discount websites like Groupon and Wowcher may provide incredibly cheap TEFL certifications, however, these may end up costing you money rather than saving it.
Why is that? The most crucial factor in selecting a TEFL course, aside from the fact that there are frequently hidden costs involved, is accreditation. Employers cannot recognize the qualification if there is no quality control due to improper accreditation. This makes a low-quality TEFL course somewhat useless.
Looking for accreditation from governments and organizations with ties to those governments is the easiest way to determine whether a TEFL provider has sufficient accreditation.
Fluency in English is obviously also a necessary skill to have in order to teach English. Without a degree, non-native English speakers can still teach English online, although it can be more difficult.
That is why many online teaching platforms require English proficiency tests of non-native English teachers. This implies that employers might want an IELTS or Cambridge Proficiency certificate proving the applicant's English proficiency.
Which TEFL course should I get for teaching English online?
The international standard of 120 hours of TEFL training is great - as a start. If you really want to stand out from the crowd and earn a higher salary, you should aim at developing your expertise in a particular field, such as online English teaching.
To demonstrate to an employer that you have acquired abilities particular to the position being offered, taking an advanced TEFL course can truly help your CV stand out. Along with your 120-hour TEFL certification, credentials like these will give you a significant boost over degree holders when applying for jobs.
You will receive a thorough introduction to the field of teaching English as a foreign language through our 170-hour online TEFL course. After completing the 170-hour course, you should have a solid understanding of the English grammar system in addition to a number of practical skills and strategies that will aid you in creating engaging and well-organized lessons for your students, both online and in-person.
If you are already TEFL certified, you can take a specialized 60-hour 10-unit Course in Teaching English Online to add to your portfolio. The flexibility of the ITTT CTEO course, which enables you to complete the course at a pace that meets your needs, is a well-liked aspect. Access to our special support services will also be granted upon successful completion of this course.
