Yes! You can teach English online and abroad if you are not a native speaker. There are lots of online platforms where fluent speakers can tutor English online as well a top countries where you can teach abroad.

Some of the best English teachers we know are fluent English speakers. Why? Because they were the learner once upon a time and they know exactly how to make English lessons great.

Take our English level test to see if your language skills are good enough to certify as a TEFL teacher.

Absolutely. You can expect to earn an annual salary around US$30,000 – $35,000 from teaching English online. Of course, this guideline salary will be affected by many factors such as your hourly rate, number of hours worked, bonuses achieved etc.

If you want to earn the big bucks we recommend taking a Level 5 TEFL course and training in high demand specialisms so that you can charge a higher rate for niche English lessons.

Salaries abroad often are relative to the cost of living in that country. Popular destinations based on high pay are the Middle East, Japan, South Korea and China. Browse 1000s of TEFL jobs at our exclusive Jobs Board.

No, you don’t need a degree to take a TEFL course or to get hired as an English teacher online or abroad. The main requirement to take a TEFL course is a native or fluent level of English.

In certain countries a degree is required to obtain the correct work visa, in order for you to work there legally. Employers can also state a preference for degree-holding applicants. If you feel suitable for a role but do not have a degree, it is still worthwhile applying for these jobs as you may be interviewed based on the strength of your overall profile.

You’re never too old to teach English as a foreign language. In fact, what better teacher is there than someone with decades of work and life experience. Some of our older graduates share their stories of teaching online and overseas on our blog.

Keep in mind however that you will be under employment rules of the country in which you plan to teach – not your home country. The local labor laws in China for example, would see a worker retire much sooner than within an EU country. These cultural factors will influence recruitment preferences of employers.

You do not need to speak a foreign language to get hired in TEFL. In fact, many employers will prefer if you do not speak the local language as it prevents you from using it in the classroom. Remember, your goal is only to speak English to students.

Learning some common and everyday phrases will make your time more enjoyable there’s no doubt. And your newfound community will appreciate your efforts to localize. In some Spanish speaking countries where English is less commonly known, a basic understanding of the language will be valuable in your social life.