How to Sell Your Online TEFL Qualification to Potential Employers

Using your Online TEFL qualification

The Online TEFL course has many advantages over the Weekend TEFL course and yet many students believe that it is inferior. This simply isn't true.

It covers all the same topics, but with at least forty hours of study, it looks at these areas in more depth than the weekend course. What's more, it takes you through numerous exercises and activities that will prepare you for your teaching experience and can also be used as part of future lessons.

What it lacks in practical experience is therefore made up for in theoretical content. So how do you sell this effective course to potential employers and what points should you be highlighting on your CV?

In-depth content

The length of our online courses begins at forty hours - that's twenty extra hours of study compared to the weekend course. The entirety of this is spent soaking up TEFL theory, completing relevant exercises and receiving personal feedback from an experienced tutor. In many ways an online graduate is better prepared for their teaching experience than a weekend graduate (though practical teaching experience is, of course, a real bonus).

This should be a major selling point when you're writing your CV and talking with potential employers. You should point out that you have an in-depth understanding of TEFL methodologies and that this is easily transferred into the TEFL classroom. It's also important to mention that the course included various end of module exercises and that your successful completion of these shows that you absorbed the information covered in the module.

Learning from real TEFL teachers

Though you may not have the opportunity to learn from your fellow classmates, you will benefit from watching a real TEFL teacher in action. The practical teaching module is a great opportunity to observe and learn from an experienced TEFL teacher and it will give you a better idea of the dynamics of a TEFL classroom.

This isn't the only time you will benefit from the experience and expertise of a real TEFL teacher though. Indeed, you'll receive personal feedback after every module from one of our online tutors. They've all taught abroad for at least three years, so they really know what they're talking about. Not only will this help you to develop your skills but it's a great way to impress prospective employers.

Quote your tutor, explain how you took their feedback on and what you would do differently. If you have to complete TEFL exercises as part of your interview, use your tutor's feedback to explain why you did it the way you did and to show you've been paying attention. Also, mention the practical teaching module and make sure they know you have had the opportunity to observe a class.

Self-motivation, time-management, commitment

Completing an online TEFL course says a lot about the person you are and your commitment to the subject. Choosing forty hours of study over twenty, sixty over forty, shows that you want to learn and that you're prepared to put the effort in. Some employers won't pick up on this unless you point it out to them, so make sure you do!

Unlike the practical course, the online course requires students to manage their own schedule, to motivate themselves and get it done. Therefore, completion of the online course will show employers that you are self-motivated and that you possess good time management skills. This last factor will be particularly effective if you were working or studying while you completed the course and it's always good to highlight this in your interview.

Tutor reference

With any good online course you will receive a reference from your tutor. With i-to-i you work with the same tutor throughout, they watch your progress and see you develop. You may not work with them in person but as the course continues you will develop a relationship and they will get a good idea of how much effort you're putting in and how your skills are developing. Needless to say, this adds a lot of weight to the reference they give you.

Accreditation

One thing that you should always bring up in your interview and even on your CV, is who your online TEFL course has been accredited by.

i-to-i TEFL courses are accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Council (ODLQC) and the Scottish Quality Management System (SQMS). We are also in the process of having our Online TEFL courses assessed by the Accreditation Council for TESOL Distance Education Courses (ACTDEC).

Referring to these external regulatory bodies in your CV and interview will really add weight to your application. It might also be useful to bring official information - printed from their website perhaps - with you to the interview, in case it's a new school and they haven't heard of i-to-i. Make a list of the accrediting bodies with websites, email addresses and phone numbers to give out to all your potential employers. Your faith in the course will give them faith and the fact that you're backing it up with accrediting bodies that they can contact themselves will show them that you're not bluffing.

Top up your skills

The more you study, the more you will impress prospective employers - whether it's through online certificates or practical day courses.

Practical experience

Obviously the one thing that is absent from an online course is practical experience and that makes this the most effective add on. Many students choose to take the 100 hour course simply because it combines the in-depth study of the online course with the practical experience of the weekend course.

If budget restraints make this impossible, then you might want to consider a one-day add on course. This is perfect for online students because you already have an in-depth understanding of teaching theory and only need an opportunity to put this into practice. i-to-i's Specialist Certificate in Lesson Planning and Teaching Practice is perfect and takes up just one day of your time.

Alternatively, you could try a stint of volunteer teaching work. Positions can be found across the world, so you can do it in your home town or in an exotic location.

Specialised training

Another great way too boost your online TEFL qualification is by adding on further qualifications within the field that you are trying to enter. There are a variety of online certificates available, in case you're in an out of the way location, and they'll all help to impress potential employers. Courses range from business English to teaching young learners and will not only help you to sell yourself to employers but will also thoroughly prepare you for your individual teaching experience.

i-to-i's online Specialist Certificates cost just $75 each and can be taken from anywhere on the planet. If you really want to boost your CV and give yourself the best chance of finding well-paid work at the most respected language institutes, then you can take three for just $175!