Teach English Without Tefl

What qualities and qualifications do employers of ESL teachers look for? First we need to say that there are no hard and fast rules to answer this question. There are a huge range of requirements worldwide, depending on the country, type of school, nature of the job, type of contract and so forth. The information given here is therefore general. There are a number of generally recognized requirements that employers are looking for from their teachers. You may need one, two, three or all of the following to get any particular job. It is unlikely you will find a job without any of these: Many ESL teaching jobs worldwide require the minimum of a TEFL certification from this list. As the nature of the job, or country specific employment requirements increase, so the need for other qualities or...  [Read more]

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for teaching English abroad for many different reasons, including the buoyant job market, laid-back culture, great climate, and fabulous cuisine. Jobs are available year-round in most major towns and cities, but are you eligible to join the many thousands of people teaching English across Spain right now? This is one of the most common questions asked by those who dream of living and working in Spain, and the answer is NO, you do not need a university degree to teach English in Spain. There is no legal requirement for English teachers to have a degree and demand is so high that most employers are also unconcerned about your degree status. Most employers in Spain prefer to hire native English speakers as this is what local students are...  [Read more]

China is without doubt the largest market for English language teaching in the world. With a population in the region of 1.4 billion people spread across a vast area, there are a huge range of opportunities to suit all tastes. Whether you prefer big city life, the peace of rural living, tropical or seasonal climates, China has it all. However, one big question is often asked by teachers who want to live and work in the country: Until quite recently the answer would have been yes, as schools in China generally don’t care whether their teachers have a degree or not, and this still hasn’t changed. What has changed is the government has tightened the rules on who is eligible for a Z (work) visa which is what every teacher needs to work legally in the country. The simple truth is that you...  [Read more]

  Many people dream of teaching English in China and there are many great reasons to do so, including the fact that there are always plenty of well paid jobs on offer. However, due to recent changes in immigration laws, it is no longer possible to legally work as a teacher if you don’t have a degree.  [Read more]

  Most people who plan to head overseas to teach English have a few specific locations in mind, but unfortunately local restrictions can sometimes get in the way. For example, some countries are off limits to teachers who do not have a university degree; however, Spain is not one of them.  [Read more]

In some countries there is a clear process for foreigners to obtain a work visa that provides full legal status to live and work. In others, the process can be expensive and time consuming or simply nonexistent. However, as the demand for English language teachers is so high in many parts of the world, the necessity of a work visa is sometimes ignored. The fact is many thousands of people work as English language teachers in countries all over the world without a work visa. In countries such as Spain and Italy, both extremely popular destinations, it is common for Americans and other nationalities to enter the country on a tourist visa and immediately start working as an English language teacher. A tourist visa in these countries is typically valid for 90 days and cannot be renewed so...  [Read more]

  Securing a work visa can be relatively straightforward in some countries, while in others it can be almost impossible. That said, in many countries where work visas are hard to come by, it is common practice for teachers to work on a tourist visa, or with no visa at all.  [Read more]

  For most online teaching positions prior experience is not necessary, although many platforms do pay a higher hourly rate for those with a few years of experience under their belt. By completing a TEFL course before starting to teach online, you will learn all the skills and knowledge you need to get started as an online EFL teacher.  [Read more]

  If you want to teach English abroad and you do not have a 4-year degree there are still plenty of great destinations to choose from. Most countries in Latin America have no such restrictions, while popular countries such as Spain and Italy are also great options.  [Read more]

  There are a number of qualities that employers of ESL teachers are generally looking for. One of these is a qualification such as a TEFL certificate. Is it possible to get a job without such a certificate though and if so, where and how?  [Read more]

If you don’t possess a university degree, it is still possible to teach English in a foreign country. Regardless of your academic background, there are countless language schools out there that will happily hire you. Even though a degree opens more doors and opportunities, there really is no reason to give up on your dream of teaching English abroad if you do not have one. We at ITTT believe that having a degree is not the most important thing when considering a career in language teaching. Instead, certain qualities, like passion, dedication, and the ability to establish a connection with your students, may be argued to be far more important in this career than a university degree. However, you should still possess the right skills and know-how for leading a successful classroom. This...  [Read more]

  Do you want to teach English abroad but don’t have a degree? Don't worry! Although having a degree may make it easier to find a teaching job, teaching English without a degree is still a very real option.  [Read more]

  Without a university degree, is it still possible to teach English online? Yes it is! While it is more difficult to teach English online without a degree, it is still very much possible to make it happen.  [Read more]

Yes you can. Speaking Thai is not a requirement for teaching English in Thailand. Even if they are fluent in the language, ESL instructors in the majority of Thailand’s language institutions are not required to speak Thai in class. In general, there is a great demand for English teachers in Thailand. In fact, people in Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations now have a greater desire than ever before to learn English, raising the need for ESL instructors in this region. The growing economy also means people in Thailand now have more disposable income to spend on English education. Thus, there are more opportunities for ESL instructors, especially those with credentials like a TEFL or TESOL certificate. In favor of ESL teachers willing to sign contracts for at least six months or a...  [Read more]

Due to government restrictions or work visa requirements, there are several countries where English language teachers without a 4-year university degree might find it difficult to secure employment. However, the good news is there are still plenty of great opportunities for those without a degree if you are flexible and willing to go where the demand for your services is high. To increase your chances of landing a position in the country of your choice, it is highly recommended that you first complete an internationally accredited TEFL/TESOL certification course. Those who are TEFL qualified will find they have a big advantage over non-qualified teachers in most countries worldwide. Although China has the largest market for TEFL qualified teachers in the world, the regulations for...  [Read more]

It is possible and even routine for TEFL course graduates to start a new career teaching English online without any previous classroom experience. Due to a huge demand for online English language teachers that is set to grow year-on-year, it is perfectly normal to set foot into a virtual classroom as a teacher despite having never worked in any kind of teaching role before. As an online English teacher, students from all over the world will want to connect with you and knowing their native language is in no way necessary. As with most English language classrooms, online teachers teach their students using a method known as total immersion. This teaching methodology simply implies that no other language other than English is used between the teacher and the student for the duration of...  [Read more]

Yes, you can start a new career teaching English abroad without any form of teaching experience. Due to a huge demand for English language teachers in countries all over the world, tens of thousands of English speakers head overseas every year to work in a variety of different classrooms. Of this number, approximately 90% will have never worked in any kind of teaching role before. Wherever you find yourself living and working as an English language teacher, you will most likely teach your students using a method known as total immersion, whereby no other language is used in the classroom besides English. As most learners are not in a position to move to an English speaking country in order to be surrounded by the language, it is the teacher's job to bring this immersion to the student...  [Read more]

  Are you thinking of going to Thailand to teach English, but are worried that you don't speak Thai? Fortunately, it is not usually necessary for international teachers of English in Thailand to speak Thai. Most schools operate on an English only policy in the classroom.  [Read more]

  Although some employers insist on prior experience, due to a high demand in many countries there is no shortage of positions for first time teachers. By completing a TEFL course before going overseas you will learn all the skills and knowledge you need to get started as an ESL teacher.  [Read more]

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) has become a popular career choice for many individuals looking to work abroad and immerse themselves in different cultures. One common question that arises is whether it is possible to teach English abroad without a degree if you have a TEFL certificate. The answer to this question can vary depending on the country and institution you are looking to work for. In many countries, having a degree is a requirement to obtain a work visa and work legally as an English teacher. However, there are some countries where having a TEFL certificate may be sufficient to secure a teaching position, especially in private language schools or tutoring centers. It is important to research the specific requirements of the country where you wish to teach to ensure...  [Read more]

Teaching English abroad can be a rewarding experience, even if you don't know the local language. Many countries, especially in Asia and the Middle East, have a high demand for English teachers and are willing to hire native English speakers regardless of their knowledge of the local language. Here are some factors to consider if you are thinking about teaching English abroad without knowing the local language: 1. **English-Only Policy**: Many schools and language institutes where you might work have an English-only policy in the classroom. This means that you will be expected to teach and communicate solely in English, which can actually be beneficial for the students as it creates an immersive language learning environment. 2. **Training and Support**: Before you begin teaching, you may...  [Read more]

  Do you want to teach English as a foreign language but you don’t have a degree? Don’t despair! Although having a degree might make it easier to find a teaching job, it’s not impossible to teach English without a degree.  [Read more]

  Are you considering teaching English in China? China’s booming economy and high demand for English teachers makes it the perfect place to teach English for many. There are limitless job opportunities available for both experienced and new teachers.  [Read more]

Teaching English without a degree is, fortunately, possible. Regardless of your educational history, there are plenty of language schools that will be happy to employ you. True, having a degree opens up more doors and opportunities, but if you don't have one, there is no reason to let that stop you from pursuing your dream of teaching English abroad. The question of whether you need a degree to find a teaching position is arbitrary, as it is with many other occupations. There is no reason why an English teacher with a university degree would be more effective than one without. Certain traits (passion, commitment, and the ability to create rapport with your students, for example) are more important than a college diploma in this career, as they are in many others. It is important to note,...  [Read more]

  Although it is possible to teach English online without any formal qualifications, it is definitely recommended that you complete a TEFL course before you get started as many online teaching platforms require applicants to be TEFL certified.  [Read more]

If you do not want to be tied to an individual English teaching platform and would prefer to be your own boss, you can potentially set up your own online teaching business. There are many different ways to set up your own online teaching service, although it obviously helps if you have some previous experience in the field of online language teaching. Former ITTT alumna Bri did just that and shared her story and top tips with ITTT on our TEFL blog: How To Start Your Own ESL Teaching Service  [Read more]

  Although a degree is necessary if you want to have access to every English language teaching market worldwide, there are also plenty of good options open to those without a high-level qualification.  [Read more]

It is definitely possible to teach English without a degree. There are plenty of language schools that will gladly hire you regardless of your educational background. Even though having a degree opens more doors and opportunities, there is no reason for not pursuing your dream of teaching English abroad if you don't possess a degree. The question of whether a degree is required to find a teaching job is arbitrary, as it is for many other occupations. There is no reason why a university-educated English teacher would be more effective than one who does not possess a degree. One might argue that certain characteristics, such as passion, commitment, and the ability to establish rapport with your students, are far more important than a college diploma in this career. These qualities should,...  [Read more]

  This video from one of ITTT's TESOL courses looks at how the future continuous tense is formed and used. Firstly, the structure: Positive: Subject + will + be + present participle. I will be learning to teach English. Negative: Subject + will + not + be + present participle. I will not be coming to the party. Question: Will + subject + be + present participle? Will you be staying for the weekend? Now the usages: Actions in progress at a future time. She'll be playing live at Wembley on the 16th. Predict the present. He'll be getting on the plane about now. Polite enquiries (without influence): Will you be coming to the party? For those wanting to learn how to teach English TESOL courses are great ways to learn the necessary grammar such as the future continuous...  [Read more]

We should start by acknowledging that there are some countries where a degree is required for certain teaching jobs. However, even within these countries there are often opportunities for teachers without a degree. In such situations you would need to be more flexible in terms of the type of job and conditions. As we will see later, undertaking volunteering or internship programs are examples of such flexibility. The main point here is that you can teach in many countries without a degree, provided you do have some other attributes or qualifications that employers are looking for. One of the most important qualifications worldwide for EFL teachers is the TEFL certificate. If you have a certificate of at least 120 hours then you should be able to find a number of jobs available to you. You...  [Read more]