Teaching English abroad is one of the most rewarding summer  or post-college jobs. No other job is as in demand than the teacher of English worldwide, and few pay better for recent grads looking to move around from place to place every few weeks or month. In these tough economic times, it indeed seems practical to pay for any kind of prolonged travel with the income from a job taken while abroad – and TEFL fits that bill: practical.

TEFL certification is recognized worldwide as a stamp of credibility for teachers of English to speakers of other languages. No other certification is more comprehensive, so those who hold the distinction are respected and highly desired to fill jobs as English teachers in schools and in private homes. But getting the TEFL certification has been a hassle recently. It required partaking in several hours of classroom work at great expense to the student – the cost of food, transportation, and work missed in addition to the cost of the course itself. Thanks to advancements in internet and internet education technology, Online TEFL courses are available now at a fraction of the price of their classroom counterparts. Since there is no physical meeting place for the class and since software materials are infinitely scalable, institutes that offer TEFL certification are able to offer the online courses at a lower price than a physical course – a win-win for both the instructional company and the student, who gets to save money and learn at their own convenience.

For student still in college who are planning to travel after graduation, and especially for those with a bad case of senioritis, getting a TEFL certification online is ideal not only because it guarantees income that will support any globetrotting endeavors but also because – since class is at the students’ convenience – it ensures that the student is attentive and focused when he or she actually chooses to receive instruction, whereas in a physical class with a set schedule, the student is often not mentally tuned in to what is going on.  

In all, it’s safe to say that the advent of online TEFL certification is a good thing for would-be travelers, would-be learners of English abroad, and the institutes that offer the certification. What remains to be seen is what other kind of certification can be offered online in the future that will make learning more convenient for those looking to acquire specialized credentials like a TEFL accreditation.