How to Get Started Teaching English Online with No Experience

For many people fresh out of college, the years that follow are all about figuring things out: trying new paths, building independence, and perhaps even seeing a bit of the world. Yet, whenever someone shares their travel plans, it inevitably raises a series of questions: “Wait…are those people rich? Did they get some huge inheritance? How are they traveling so much?” From personal experience, looking back on my life and being asked these questions, the answer to the first two is no. However, the answer to the third question is simple: I obtained a TEFL certification to teach English through International TEFL Academy’s 11-week course.

Following completion of this online certification (from the comfort of my home), I spent 1.5 years teaching English in person in Spain, a little over a year in South Korea, and most recently a year in Türkiye. My partner and I then decided to take the show on the road and dive into online teaching. Since then, we have been teaching online for several companies as private online teachers while traveling around the world for the past 2 years: Europe, Asia, Latin America, and even Antarctica. If you have a TEFL certificate, you can unlock this digital door and begin your adventure today, even with little to no online experience.

First Step: Getting TEFL certified

Receiving your TEFL certificate from ITA adequately prepares you for both real-life and digital classroom settings. You will learn how to manage a class, how to prepare, and of course, how to deliver your materials to your students. All that is taught in an ITA class is relevant to any form of teaching that you decide to pursue. With so many courses to choose from, you will learn about anything and everything needed to succeed in this field of work. ITA TEFL Courses Offered:

• Full-time and Part-time Online TEFL Courses
• In-Person TEFL Courses
• Specialty Courses: Test Prep Skills, Teaching English Online
  
  

Second Step: Securing a Job

Speaking from experience, I first taught in a Spanish classroom shortly after becoming certified for about 6 months. After returning home, I decided to explore online teaching opportunities with a Chinese company. Once you start looking for an online job, you will realize that there are so many companies to pursue around the world. The hard part isn’t finding a job; it is figuring out which job is best for you.

Depending on where you are based, you need to find a company with students in the time zone that is most attractive to you. For example, many companies are driven by an East Asian demographic. This generally means that you are responsible for working after 5 pm in Beijing and Seoul time zones to cater to children. If you are in a location that requires you to juggle this time zone, it may mean a shift in your overall sleep schedule. We had some Chinese students while we were in Los Angeles, and this made it very difficult to manage a typical 9 am-5 pm day. In fact, we found ourselves working at odd hours to accommodate this schedule.

My tip: look for a company that offers a schedule that works best for you. If you are a night owl or someone who is flexible to work at odd hours, then you are open to more companies than someone who is tied to a “normal” schedule. If you are overwhelmed by the task of finding a job and sifting through the numerous available companies, then the International TEFL Academy is your best friend. With extensive Job Search Guidance resources, you will find all the companies in front of you with outlined pros/cons to each. ITA puts the information out there. 

Don’t worry if you don't have online experience; companies primarily want to see your credentials (a bachelor’s degree/TEFL certification, although some companies don’t require either of these) and relevant experience. So, be sure to outline these in the application process. I was hired for my classroom experience and work with children, with no prior online experience. Once you hone in on a specific company, be prepared to record a demo lesson that showcases your energy, style, and, of course, your delivery of the required material. Don’t worry, and give it your all. Don’t forget to smile!

Third Step: Transitioning to the Online Classroom

Now that you have your first online position, you may be wondering: How could in-person teaching lead to success in the digital classroom? At first, I was wary and anxious about how my prior TEFL Spanish experience and my course knowledge would translate to the digital classroom. Long story short, it translates perfectly because the teaching is the teaching. While you are with your student(s) in a digital setting, you can still do just about everything you would in a normal class to effectively get your material across. You remain responsible for maintaining your students’ attention and ensuring effective learning. Okay, you cannot see the entire body of your student, but it doesn’t matter. Act as you would in a normal classroom, but do it via webcam. Depending on your company or whether you are using independent resources, you can still write on the screen, show videos with screen sharing, and, of course, be creative with games.

Fortunately, many major online platforms provide the materials for you, making preparation as simple as selecting a lesson to teach. Additionally, there are so many resources on the web for you to use for free if you don’t want to pay for a subscription. You are not responsible for printing this; instead, share it digitally during class or after via email. Your computer is equipped to provide a fun and engaging classroom for your students.

If you want more support in the world of online teaching, I can’t stress enough the importance of exploring ITA’s available courses, which will prepare you for a life as a digital instructor. You will find a plethora of resources and tips to help you succeed. ITA prepared me well for life in Spanish, Korean, and Turkish classrooms; it can do the same for you in online teaching preparation.

Pro tip:  Read my tips for Lesson Planning on the Go: My Quick and Flexible Approach

Fourth Step: The TEFL Digital Nomad's Checklist

• ENSURE YOU HAVE PROPER GEAR: If you want to use online teaching as a way to travel the world, you need to be mindful of how to do it logistically. As an online teacher, your computer and headset are your best friends and must travel with you everywhere. Before leaving home, ensure your computer can handle the demands of being abroad. We recommend upgrading if you have an older, slower computer. The last thing you want is for your computer to break down and then be responsible for fixing it abroad. Based on our experience in over 68 countries, we have found that electronics are always more expensive abroad. Unless you want to worry about shopping around in another country and navigating a different language, have this squared away before traveling abroad.
• MAKE SURE WIFI IS RELIABLE: Once you have all your tools in order, you need to be extremely mindful of the WiFi situation in the place you are traveling. No internet means no work, which means no money! We prefer Airbnb for our accommodation needs and carefully review the property's comments on internet speed. Additionally, if you prefer to work in a cafe, you should recheck the reviews to ensure the internet is reliable. The last thing you want is for the internet to be spotty or unreliable. Speaking from experience, we have had to move classes or cancel because the internet couldn’t support online teaching. Avoid this headache altogether by knowing the internet situation before you arrive. Once you have all of this in order, you are ready to take your laptop and get out to see the world!
• TEACHING MATERIALS: When it comes to teaching materials, it’s important to have more than just a lesson idea in your head. Whether you’re working with a company’s curriculum or designing your own, you’ll want to back it up with props and visual aids —like flashcards, a whiteboard, or digital slides — that bring your lessons to life. On top of that, having resources for placement tests or level checks helps you understand where each student is starting from, while feedback and assessment templates make it easy to track progress and show students how far they’ve come.
• HAVE FUN: Teaching English online has not only allowed me to build a flexible, fulfilling career—it’s opened the door to a lifestyle I never imagined possible. With just a laptop, a TEFL certificate from the International TEFL Academy, and a willingness to adapt and learn, I’ve been able to live and work across multiple continents, meet incredible students from all over the world, and experience cultures in a truly meaningful way.

If you’re dreaming of a life with more freedom, adventure, and purpose, online teaching might be the path for you. Whether you’re planning to stay in one place or take your classroom on the road, the tools, training, and support from ITA will prepare you every step of the way. So don’t wait for the “perfect time” or the “right experience.” Start now, take the leap, and see just how far your TEFL certificate can take you. The world is out there—go teach it!

Go Further:

• How Much Money Can You Make Teaching English Online?
• 5 Reasons Why Teaching English is One of the Best Digital Nomad Jobs
• 10 Best Locations for Digital Nomad Online English Teachers in 2026