Have you dreamt of becoming a teacher but lack the necessary education degree? You might be surprised to learn that there’s no need to give up on your dreams of being a professional educator. A recent study has shown that more and more people are working in graduate professions without actually obtaining a college degree. Many of those individuals are now working as teachers.
An increasing number of would-be educators are now realizing that, in fact, the goalposts are changing when it comes to entering the teaching profession. Whereas at one time it was impossible to get a job without specific graduate-level qualifications, today there are different avenues into this career path, especially if you want to teach overseas.
Teaching English abroad is an exciting and rewarding career. You can discover new places and unleash your productivity while earning a living doing a job that you love. Even better, if you choose to teach English overseas online, you can reap the benefits of a well-balanced lifestyle through remote work, too.
So, with this in mind, here’s your helpful guide to teaching English abroad without a degree.
Is It Possible To Teach English Overseas With No Degree?
The very first question that would-be educators ask is whether it’s actually possible to teach English overseas legally without having a degree. The simple answer is yes. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need any qualifications at all.
Although you may be able to find teaching work in some overseas locations with no qualifications other than being a native English speaker, in most cases, you’ll be expected to have some kind of certification in place. Luckily, that doesn’t always have to be a degree. If you obtain TEFL certification, you can easily find well-paying teaching jobs that will allow you to bring your dreams to fruition.
Do I Need To Be TEFL Certified?
Most companies will expect their English teachers to be TEFL-qualified if they don’t have a degree. While not all require this certification, the most reputable ones do, and you’ll also have a lot more options open to you. Furthermore, if you take a TEFL course, you’ll gain essential skills that will stand you in good stead to be a successful teacher of English. You’ll also stand out from other English teachers who lack this qualification, gaining the edge over your competitors.
How Do I Find An Overseas English Teaching Job?
Once you’ve obtained your TEFL certificate, your next step is to find your dream job teaching English overseas. You have a few different options to choose from.
First, you can set yourself up as an online English teacher, although this can be challenging since it requires you to market and promote yourself and find your own students independently.
Many teachers would rather forego these challenges and, instead, apply to work for one of the online language schools. With their large student bases, these companies do the hard work of finding and vetting students for you, allowing you to focus all of your efforts on what you enjoy – teaching. Thanks to their existing platform, payment processes, and even lesson plans, you’ll be set up with everything you need to get off to the best possible start.
Which Companies Will Allow Me To Teach English Online With No Degree?
There are many online platforms open to English teaching professionals, but not all can offer you the same kind of experience. It’s essential, then, to do your research well into the online teaching companies out there so you can be confident of making the best choice for you.
Here are a few of the companies you might want to consider:
Lingoda
As to top online European language school, Lingoda is a great choice for native English speakers with a minimum of two years’ teaching experience and a TEFL certificate. This company allows teachers to work as much as they want whenever they want, designing a schedule to suit their own lifestyle. There is no minimum number of hours you have to teach per week. On average, teachers with Lingoda teach up to 20 hours each week, but of course, it’s possible to take on more work if you want or need to.
All of the students at this language school are adults but could be based anywhere worldwide. You could be teaching a 1:1 private lesson or small group sessions with up to five students. There are in-house learning materials that you can use to minimize the amount of preparation you need to do, saving you time and effort, too.
To teach with Lingoda, you’ll need to have a laptop or PC with a webcam, a fast and reliable internet connection, and a quality headset. Lessons are conducted through Zoom, so you can work anywhere you wish.
The application process is simple. Just make an online application, attend a virtual interview, and complete the onboarding process online. You’ll then be ready to take a class!
Open English
As Latin America’s top online English language school, Open English is a great option for North American TEFL-qualified professionals with native fluency and a year of teaching experience. Live, online classes are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring plenty of work for teaching professionals.
This company is the best choice for anyone who wants complete flexibility in their schedule since classes are held around the clock. You need to commit to at least ten hours of teaching every week, and you could be teaching for up to 36 hours, depending on your location.
Your students will be adult Latin American professionals working in either small groups or 1:1 private classes. There are also junior classes available for those who want to work 1:1 or in groups with children aged between 8 – 14. Lesson plans are provided, so you won’t need to prepare anything, and you’ll have access to all of the company’s own training, podcasts, and resources.
To apply, you’ll need a microphone and webcam-equipped laptop or PC as well as a speedy and reliable internet connection. During your application process, you’ll need to provide details about your skills, experience, and qualifications, and you may need to provide a video recording or undergo an interview.
Once you’ve been selected, you’ll go through the onboarding process, completing training on how to use the platform and the company’s methodologies. You’ll then be ready to start work.
Verbling
This language-learning online platform connects teachers and learners for private classes via video chat. You’ll be able to teach from any location worldwide as long as you have previous teaching experience and a working computer with reliable internet access. While a TEFL qualification isn’t essential to work for Verbling, it’s certainly an advantage and will make you more attractive as a professional.
This platform allows you to set your own hourly rate, with 85% of your fee going directly to you. You’ll be able to cash your earnings out via Wise, PayPal, Verbling Credit, or Payoneer. You’ll have the freedom to choose your own schedule with this platform, taking on work part-time or full-time as you prefer. The automatic lesson booking system allows students to book the timeslot they prefer on your calendar, making it a breeze to arrange sessions.
Most students are adults, but they could be located anywhere worldwide. Applications involve simply submitting an online form containing your profile with a biography, resume, video, and government ID. You’ll need to do a speed test, too, to ensure your connection speed is fast enough. You’ll be told within two weeks of applying whether you’ve been accepted.
Choose The Right Path For You
It’s certainly possible to teach English overseas without having a degree. You just need to do some research, obtain your TEFL qualification, and embark on your chosen career path. You’re sure to enjoy your new role as a professional educator, as well as the freedom to discover the world!
