Is TEFL online a viable career option?

[KetoPenguin]

I recently saw adverts for a course in TEFL online. It sounds interesting and something I could potentially do but it was one of those websites that make you feel they might be trying to rip you off. A bit too keen to sell you something . The courses are not that cheap but reasonable if it could lead to a decent job. Does anyone know anything about doing this as a job and if so would an online course be a good idea?

[Shaniac]

I got a cheap tefl on wowcher once and ended up working at a language academy for a short time. Now i am qualified to tutor online but its hard work and you have to make your own hours and get as many hours as you can to make it fully feasable.

[KetoPenguin]

premiertefl.com/courses/level-5-tefl-168-hour/
This is the course I was looking at, if you could give an opinion on it.

[KetoPenguin]

Thanks @Shaniac how easy is it to find the work?

[GreyishDays]

So the course is to get you a level 5 qualification. Is that a thing? Find out.

If so, it’s like saying gsce so it just depends on the quality of the provider. Is there an exam? How is it measured?

[Shaniac]

Tefl and celta are pretty good courses. Not sure what level 5 is though to be honeat but companies are always advertising on indeed for skype teachers with tefl qualification. I applied and got the job but i find teaching difficult just because im so nervous but the works out there and usually easy to find and tefl is a legit qualification.

[KetoPenguin]

Thanks that's very helpful. On the website they say level 5 is the equivalent of a higher diploma or foundation degree but still not sure how much I trust them.

[GalesThisMorning]

TEFL is a legit level 5 course, so yes it's the equivalent of a foundation degree. Imo its worth having if you want to teach in a language school or abroad. I dont know anyone who makes a living teaching solely online, but that may be down to my geographical location.

[GalesThisMorning]

Level 3 = A level or Btec alternative
Level 4 = foundation degree
Level 5= HND
Level 6 = BA
Level 7 = MA

And so on and so forth! So a level 5 is a significant qualification

[KetoPenguin]

Thanks that sounds like it is a worthwhile qualification. I am going to look into it a bit more. I don't want to move abroad so I am really most interested in the online tutoring.

[GreyishDays]

So you need to look at reviews for that specific provider.

[Spam88]

I know someone who's full time job is teaching English online. I don't know the details tbh but she's employed by a local company and is involved in developing new courses and stuff as well.

I know someone else who hasn't been so lucky with it and isn't getting the hours they need through the agency they signed up with so are basically going solo.