Our Top Blog Posts of 2019

As the start of a new decade draws ever closer, we’re taking a moment to reflect. It’s been a busy year for us and by the end of the year we will have trained over 12,000 EFL teachers!

This past year on the TEFL Org Blog we’ve covered a wide range of topics, from advice about finding work, to online teaching, student stories, country guides, and more. Here are ten of our most popular posts this year in case you missed them.

The Ultimate Guide to Teaching English Online without a Degree

At the start of 2019 there was a big change in the world of online teaching: China brought in new legislation that required online teaching companies based in the country to ensure all teachers have a degree. With many of the biggest online teaching platforms located in China, this wasn’t great news for EFL teachers who don’t have a degree. But don’t despair! We put together a helpful guide to how you can teach English online without a degree, featuring top tips and a list of platforms that don’t require teachers to have a degree!

10 Common Grammar Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Grammar invokes a sense of dread in almost every new EFL teacher. Native English speakers don’t typically study their own grammar in great depth while at school, so the thought of standing up in front of a class of English learners and being asked questions about grammar can be an intimidating prospect. It’s why our TEFL courses include a 30-hour grammar course, to help build your confidence and knowledge of English grammar. In this blog post we looked at 10 of the most common grammar mistakes and you can even test your knowledge at the end with a fun quiz!

Teaching Online from France: Laura's Story

Every year we see more and more TEFL Org graduates find work teaching English online. The industry is rapidly growing and for teachers like Laura it offers a great work/life balance. Laura works from home in France, earning between £12-20 per hour and is able to fit work round her busy schedule as a mum. She told us all about her experience teaching online and included some great advice for those looking to do the same.

TEFL in China: Do You Really Need a Degree?

The strongest TEFL jobs market in the world can be found in China, where employers offer good wages and benefits such as accommodation, flight reimbursement and more. With demand outstripping supply there are some dodgy recruiters and employers out there willing to bend the rules, which can be very dangerous for EFL teachers. In this blog post we looked at the reason why you absolutely must have a degree to teach English in China, how dodgy recruiters operate, and the risks of not abiding by the law.

Teaching English Abroad and Online: Dan's Story

TEFL can take you all over the world, and we love hearing all about the adventures our students have had since getting TEFL qualified. Over the last 5 years Dan has taught English in South Korea, Spain, the UK and online. At the start of the year he was considering his options - China, South America, or maybe starting his own online teaching business… there really are so many possibilities with TEFL!

Frances' Guide to Teaching English in Vietnam

Who better to put together a guide to teaching English in Vietnam than TEFL Org graduate, Frances, who’s been living and working there since 2016? Frances talked us through the requirements for teaching in Vietnam, as well as the types of jobs available and average salaries.

The Best Online TEFL Platforms

Interested in teaching online? We took a look at five of the best online TEFL platforms, how much they pay, and the requirements for working with them. As we’ve already mentioned, the online teaching industry is booming, which means there’s a lot of work out there for qualified EFL teachers.

Can Non-Native English Speakers TEFL

Around 20% of our students are non-native English speakers from around the world. As long as you speak English fluently you can find work teaching it, but there are some things to be aware of if English isn’t your first language. In this blog post we took a look at why non-native English speakers make great EFL teachers and gave advice for finding work as a non-native English teacher.

Teaching in Cambodia: Kat's Story

At the start of 2019, Kat completed her TEFL course with us and accepted a job in Cambodia! We loved this inspiring post she wrote for us because it gives such a great insight into what it’s like as a new teacher and what the job really involves.

What are the Start Up Costs for Teaching English Abroad?

How much does it really cost to get started teaching English abroad? We took a look at the cost of getting TEFL qualified, fees related to documents required by your employer, travel costs, and living expenses for your first month in a country to help give you an idea of what to expect.

We’re looking forward to bringing you even more blog posts about the wonderful world of TEFL in 2020. If you have any suggestions for topics you’d like to see just comment below!