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40-Hour TEFL / TESOL Course

Start teaching English online and earn from anywhere

40-Hour TEFL / TESOL Online Teaching Certification Course, 100% Self-Paced

Start teaching English online with the 40-Hour TESOL Certification from Expert Skills, a focused, practical course built specifically for the world of online English teaching. Online English instruction is one of the most flexible ways to earn from anywhere, and this course gives you the skills to plan engaging virtual lessons, build student rapport through a screen, and decide whether to teach for a company or run your own online teaching business. If you want a fast, targeted route into online TESOL, this is it.

You'll learn at your own pace through in-depth written lessons and custom visual diagrams, plus a curated list of useful links and resources. No prior teaching experience is required.

💡 What You'll Learn

Through 16 focused modules built around the realities of the virtual classroom, you'll gain everything you need to teach English online with confidence:

Online Teaching Foundations: Understand how online English teaching works and what makes a great virtual lesson different from a classroom one.
Company vs. Your Own Business: Weigh up teaching for an established company against running your own online teaching business, and learn how to get started either way.
Choosing the Right Program: Compare the features of online teaching platforms and choose the program that fits your goals.
Lesson Plans & Materials: Create effective lesson plans and materials designed specifically for online classes.
Teaching the Core Skills Online: Deliver reading, listening, and writing lessons that work well over video, for learners of different levels and ages.
Student Relationships & Engagement: Build strong teacher–student relationships and keep learners engaged through a screen.
Assessment Online: Run fair, useful assessments and track progress in a virtual setting.
Building Your Business: Take the practical steps to form and grow your own online teaching business.

🎓 Certification

This course is Accredited by Expert Skills and recognized internationally for professional development. When you pass the final exam, you can order a personalized hard-copy certification, an optional paid upgrade printed with your name and course title. Order your official certification here.

🧠 Key Features

100% Online & Self-Paced
Focused 40-Hour Online-Teaching Syllabus
Accredited & Professionally Recognized
No Prior Experience Required
16 Comprehensive Modules
In-depth written lessons with custom visual diagrams
Useful links & resources included
Two-Month Course Access (extension available)
Study on any device, desktop, tablet, or phone

⏰ Course Duration & Access

You'll have two months of full access from the day you enroll, and the entire 40-hour course is self-paced. If you need longer to finish, you can extend your access on the site for a small fee.

💼 Career Opportunities

Online TESOL skills open the door to teaching English from anywhere with an internet connection. Learners use this course to teach through online platforms, tutor students privately over video, or launch their own online teaching business serving learners of all ages and levels. While we never guarantee a job or specific income, online English teaching remains one of the most flexible, location-independent skills you can build.

Start Teaching English Online Today

Build a flexible, location-independent skill and start teaching from anywhere. Enroll today, work through the course at your own pace, and join thousands of Expert Skills learners stepping into the world of online TESOL. Your online classroom is waiting.

What you'll get

16 self-paced lessons
2 months access

$3999

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16 Modules

Course preview

See what's inside

Below is the beginning of the first lesson. Enroll to access all 16 lessons.

To start out our course we will ask some simple questions that you will be able to answer at the end of this course such as:

What does it take to teach English online?
Why should you become an online teacher?
What things and resources will you need to teach online?
Should you work for a teaching company or yourself?
What skills do you need as an online teacher?
How can you build a relationship with students online?
How can you manage your online class?
How can you make engaging lessons for online classes?
What kind of learners will you teach?

Online teaching can be various types of teaching and it all depends on the type of students and groups that you aim to teach. It can be just teaching in a one-on-one setting, a small group of students, or even a big group of students. For us we have had the experience of teaching groups for business, young students, and even older adult learners online and in person. The levels that you teach can be varied so it is important to remember your learners' level and to make plans around each class and group that you teach. Also remember the difference in choosing to teach yourself as your own business or if it is through a company where you sign up as a teacher and deliver lessons to your students just like you would in a face-to-face classroom. Usually when you sign up through a company, they have a curriculum and lesson plans prepared.

When it comes to teaching through your own business versus teaching for a school you should remember that if you are teaching through your own company you will need to spend a lot of time preparing and planning for lessons. The context should also be remembered for each level and area of the learners. Learners will also have different schedules that you will need to work around for your own business. If you have business English students they may be travelling around and have a constantly fluctuating schedule and time zone changes.

Understanding the difference of levels is also huge in an online setting. If you are teaching younger learners you will need to have a lot of visual materials prepared, even if it is just through PowerPoints or images that you can share with them. For the younger learners it’s best to focus on vocabulary and phonics in their classes to help build a strong foundation of English for them. Which means focusing on things like basic vocabulary, numbers, the alphabet, the sounds of each alphabet letter, colors, shapes, and other basic things like this are essential for helping to build your students up.

Then when it comes to having adult learners it is very important to work together with them to form a curriculum that works for them. There is no reason to teach greetings and basics if your learner is a higher level and is looking for something specific. Make sure to always take notes when you have adult learners and work to make the best lesson plans that you can make for what they actually desire to learn.

Also remember that the environment for teaching will be different for each student that you have. Some will be in their living room, in an office, in a café, or even in a crowded place. Online teaching is all about being adaptable and making sure that by the end of the lesson you have taught your student something that they were unable to do before their class with you if and when possible. Always be presenting new information during each different class so you can ensure your class quality.

FAQ

About this course

Is this course accredited? +

Yes. It is Accredited by Expert Skills, registered under UK Gov / UKRLP (UKPRN 10092631), and recognized internationally for professional development.

How is the 40-hour course different from the 120-hour TESOL? +

This 40-hour course is focused specifically on teaching English online, virtual lesson planning, online platforms, and building an online teaching business. It's a faster, targeted route for those who want to teach over the internet.

Do I need teaching experience to start? +

No. The course is designed for beginners and explains online teaching from the ground up.

How long do I have access? +

You get two months of full, self-paced access, and you can extend it on the site for a small fee if you need more time.

Can I study on my phone? +

Yes. The course works on any device, so you can learn wherever you are.

Your certificate

An accredited credential, recognized worldwide

Issued under our UKRLP registration (UKPRN 10092631). Recognized in the United States and United Kingdom.

UKPRN 10092631

Certificate

40-Hour TEFL / TESOL Course

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