Can I teach English online without another language? | i-to-i TEFL (2024)

What are you looking for?

Interested in teaching English online, but worried you might struggle if you can’t speak your students language? Don’t be! You don’t need to speak another language to teach English online, in fact most online companies won’t even ask you if you can speak another language and if you do they’ll encourage you to only use English in your lessons anyway.

What qualifications do I need to teach English online?

When it comes to teaching English online, the main qualification employers will look for is a TEFL certificate, without a TEFL certificate you’ll struggle to find an online teaching position. Some employers might also require you to have a degree, but there are lots that don’t so it’s definitely not a strict requirement.

How do I get TEFL qualified?

Getting TEFL qualified is super straight forward and you can get qualified completely online so you don’t even need to leave your house to gain your TEFL certification. All you need to be able to get TEFL qualified is a fluent-level of English – easy!

How can I teach without knowing my students language?

Initially it can seem super difficult to teach someone when you not be able to fully communicate with them, but it’s not! When you’re teaching English online it’s super important to use props and visual aids to help your students learn.

What type of props should I use?

The type of props you’ll use will depend entirely upon your students ages and abilities. If you’re teaching young children it’s a great idea to have a print out of the alphabet, flash cards, a whiteboard and hand puppets or stuffed toys to help them learn. When it comes to teaching adults, you might need to change this slightly depending on their level of English. If they already have a good level of English you might not actually need any props at all.

Ready to get started?

Download our FREE How To Teach English Online Guide for more info on how to become an online English tutor!

Check if you're eligible!

Take our 2-minute teaching online quiz to find out if you’re eligible to start earning from home as an online English tutor!

Can I teach English online without another language? | i-to-i TEFL (2)

Take our 2-minute teaching online quiz to find out if you're eligible to start earning from home as an online English tutor!

Can I teach English online without another language? | i-to-i TEFL (2024)

FAQs

Can I teach English online without another language? | i-to-i TEFL? ›

Yes, you can. Online language schools typically require their English teachers to hold a legitimate TEFL certificate.

Do you need to know another language to teach TEFL? ›

The good news for you monolinguals out there is that speaking another language isn't necessary for TEFL. Not having foreign language skills won't prevent you from finding a TEFL job abroad or online.

Can I teach English online with just a TEFL certificate? ›

Yes, you can teach online without a degree! Even though some online companies require you to have a degree to teach online, there are many companies that don't. As long as you have a TEFL certification, you can find a job teaching English online!

Can you teach English online without knowing another language? ›

You don't need to speak another language to teach English online, in fact most online companies won't even ask you if you can speak another language and if you do they'll encourage you to only use English in your lessons anyway.

Do you need to speak another language to be an ESL teacher? ›

Although you do not need to speak any other language to be a great ESL teacher, you might be at an advantage if you have some experience in learning or using languages other than English.

Can you teach ESL without a TEFL qualification? ›

No, you don't always need a TEFL certificate to teach English abroad. However, it depends entirely on where you'd like to work, what level you're interested in teaching, and your professional and educational background.

Can I be a teacher if English is not my first language? ›

Secondary English speakers can be great English teachers too, even though English is not their first language. Although primary English speakers have the advantage of a lifetime of practice, secondary English speakers offer several advantages.

Is TEFL worth it for online teaching? ›

TEFL also allows you to earn a salary teaching from the comfort of your own home. Most online teaching companies require a TEFL certification and this is a good way to either supplement your income while teaching abroad or take it full-time as a remote worker or digital nomad.

How much does TEFL certification cost? ›

Cost of online TEFL certificate

The average online TEFL course will cost around $200-$500 USD. An online TEFL course is completed entirely online. Aspiring teachers will have access to their course regardless of time or location, and they'll navigate modules and tests at their own pace.

How much do TEFL teachers make online? ›

Online Tefl Teacher Salary
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$80,000$38
75th Percentile$63,000$30
Average$56,698$27
25th Percentile$41,500$20

Where can I teach English without a TEFL certificate? ›

China. Demand for English teachers in China has slumped due to draconian COVID regulations in recent times, but in normal times the Chinese ESL market is packed with jobs for native-speaking English teachers, even ones without TEFL certification.

What certification do you need to teach English online? ›

Online language schools typically require their English teachers to hold a legitimate TEFL certificate. A professional-level TEFL certification will provide you with the skills and qualifications you need to get hired to teach English online, even with no prior experience in education.

Can I teach English online from home? ›

If you have a reliable internet connection, you can make some serious dough teaching English online (unless you still need to snag a TEFL certificate, of course). In the last decade or so, the ESL teaching industry has been changing with technology like nobody's business.

Are ESL teachers in demand? ›

From international students in elementary school to adults, ESL encompasses a wide range of learners. The demand for English teachers is on the rise in the United States and internationally.

What qualifies you to be an ESL teacher? ›

To become an ESL teacher, you'll typically need a bachelor's degree (any major is usually fine) and a certification like a TEFL or TESOL. While a master's degree isn't always mandatory, it can undoubtedly boost your resume and open doors to specialized roles.

How to teach someone English if you don't speak their language? ›

Teaching Non-Native English Speaking Students
  1. Monitor how you speak. ...
  2. Use visual aids. ...
  3. Adjust questioning procedures. ...
  4. Encourage cross-cultural peer collaboration. ...
  5. Establish and maintain clear standards and practices. ...
  6. Allow some time for adjustment. ...
  7. Encourage students to use available resources.

Can I teach ESL if I only know English? ›

No, ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers do not have to be bilingual. Being bilingual is not a requirement for teaching English abroad either.

Can anyone be a TEFL teacher? ›

In many countries, having a TEFL certificate and being a native-English speaker is enough to get a job teaching English abroad. You do not need professional teaching experience, a teaching license, a degree in education, or even a college degree to teach English abroad.

What is required to teach English as a foreign language? ›

Though TEFL/TESOL course hours vary, online and in-person English teaching jobs typically look for a professional TEFL/TESOL certification with at least 120 hours to show that you've received comprehensive training in the theoretical and practical aspects of English teaching.

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