ONLINE TESOL Diploma with real students
🕓
The Level 5 TESOL Diploma
7 mandatory units, totaling 32 credits and 200 guided learning hours (GLH). Learners are assessed via a portfolio of evidence. Registered Highfield Qualifications learning centre & Ofqual-regulated.
🏛️
4-weeks course
Get an accredited Level 5 TESOL certification within a month — an online teacher training program of the highest quality, focused on equipping teachers to be engaging leaders in the classroom.
🌐
Location
100% online, expert training and certified with TQUK Ofqual regulated. Established provider: 23 years delivering EFL/TESOL training. Strong, real reviews: 4.8/5 stars on TEFL Course Review.
📈
20 Hours of Practical Teaching
A valuable, real teaching experience with real ESL students, not just theory — completed across three phases totaling a minimum of 20 contact hours.
— What’s Included
What the four weeks cover?
Training Overview:
- ✓Unit 1 — The principles of teaching English grammar
- ✓Unit 2 — The principles of teaching language skills
- ✓Unit 3 — Preparing for English as a second language lessons
- ✓Unit 4 — The principles of classroom management
- ✓Unit 5 — The principles of teaching adult learners
- ✓Unit 6 — The principles of teaching young learners
- ✓Unit 7 — The principles of teaching online
Training Practices:
- ✓Live Observations — Participants observe live lessons taught by a mentor teacher.
- ✓Teaching Practice — Participants teach real ESL students live, with recorded lesson submissions assessed against a Teaching Practice Rubric.
- ✓Total — 20+. Three phases, completed in sequence — 20-hour minimum, extendable.
- ✓Recorded Observations — Participants complete recorded lesson observations.
- ✓A background check is required to be placed in the live Teaching Practice phase — online classrooms are overseen by our partner school.
— PROGRAM DETAILS
What you get, and what it takes to qualify.
About Our Partner Program
Brought to you by a pioneer in the TEFL industry (since 2004), TEFL Freedom provides the highest quality certificate program for those wanting to teach English as a foreign language abroad and/or online.
When we say “highest quality”, we mean it. This certificate is the only one in existence to be reviewed by TESOL International Association and meet their gold standard (for US-based programs).
- ✓Free and on-going job placement assistance
- ✓Individualized training on all aspects of in-person and online EFL teaching
- ✓20-hour practicum serving underprivileged EFL learners
- ✓TESOL International reviewed and internationally recognized
Requirements to Take the Online 120-Hour TEFL Course
If you’re wondering what you need to teach English online, here are the 9 key requirements to teach English online or abroad no matter where in the world you plan to teach:
- ✓Applicants do not have to have a bachelor’s degree to take part in this 140-hour combination of TESOL training and practical teaching diploma.
- ✓Native English speaker from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa. Other Nationaliities can take this course, but no guarantee of a job can be given.
- ✓A clear, neutral accent — applicants with a strong regional accent will be sent through for pre-screening.
- ✓Between the ages of 20 and 55 — outside this bracket can be taken on a case-by-case basis, so book a call to chat with us.
- ✓A clean criminal background check with no criminal record, previous arrests, or charges listed.
- ✓Stable, reliable WiFi and a computer with a webcam. Recommended: 2.3GHz CPU / 4GB RAM, 30mbps download / 20mbps upload.
- ✓A well-lit, quiet, neutral background — no cafes, outside, or noisy areas.
— COURSE AT A GLANCE
Four weeks online, 7 units that can change where and how you teach.
The Level 5 TESOL Diploma is made up of 7 mandatory units, totaling 32 credits and 200 guided learning hours (GLH) — the official measure set by the awarding organization, Highfield Qualifications. Learners are assessed via a portfolio of evidence against each unit’s assessment criteria.
- ✓140-hour combination of training and practical teaching
- ✓20 hrs online observed teaching with real students
- ✓Classroom management, lesson planning and methodology
- ✓Placement guidance included, no degree required
140h
Structured Certification
140-hour combination of training and practical teaching.
20
Counted Teaching Sessions
Online observed teaching with real students.
7
Mandatory Units
Classroom management, lesson planning and methodology.
32
Highfield Credits
And 200 guided learning hours (GLH), the official measure set by the awarding organization.
Teach from the comfort of your home
Teach for an online platform
Teach face to face with students in their home or office
— ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Will online teaching be your next career?
Requirements can vary by country. Start with the essentials below, then use the eligibility advisor for a personalised next step.
🌐
English proficiency
Native or near-native English speakers, or proof of English proficiency. No prior teaching experience is needed — this course teaches you everything you need to teach online or abroad.
📘
Job Placement Support
For graduates of our program, many are given the opportunity to join our pool of online, part-time teachers. We also have a continually growing network of employer partners to find teaching opportunities right after you graduate.
🛡️ Accreditation
Certification issued jointly and recognised by TESOL international & Ofqual-regulated – this means our graduates can apply to virtually any TESOL/TEFL job requiring a legitimate, fully accredited certificate/diploma.
🎓
Degree
No degree is required for the TESOL Diploma route — however, a good level of English is required to complete the course, however when applying for jobs abroad you may need a degree.
👤
Age guidance
General TEFL Freedom guidance is typically between the ages of 20 and 55 — outside this bracket can be taken on a case-by-case basis. However online teaching opportunites are open beyond this age bracket.
🛡️
Background check
Applicants should be prepared to complete relevant criminal/police background checks when completing the 60 hour practicum course.
— CHOOSE YOUR PATH
Three ways in.
Placement support is included with all three programmes and is never sold separately.
FULLY ACCREDITED LEVEL 5 · ONLINE
TESOL Only, No Practical
No interview required TESOL Diploma Online
$550
6–8 weeks, part time
Start from zero. Full certification online — complete this part time in 6–8 weeks and be certified with a Level 5 TESOL diploma.
200 GUIDED LEARNING HOURS
Level 5 TESOL Online
Police Check and Interview required
$650
Start from zero
Full certification plus the highest teaching-rep count of any online programme we offer.
2 WEEKS · ONLINE (APPROX 20 HOURS)
Classroom Practice with Real Students
Police Check required and Native Speaker
$295
Must already hold an accredited TEFL/TESOL
This online practical is with real students — if you are successful there is a possibility of employment.
— GET STARTED
Three steps to your place.
01
Check your fit
Review the eligibility essentials and confirm you don’t need a degree for this route.
02
Speak to an advisor
Discuss your background, timeline, and the most appropriate course route.
03
Secure your place
Confirm your intake, pay the deposit, and prepare for Siem Reap.
If you’re outside our core placement countries, we’ll tell you honestly about placement difficulty before you invest anything. We’d rather lose a sale than set you up to fail.
— Common Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Does it provide me the training I need?
Whether you intend to teach in person, online, or both, our comprehensive TEFL certificate program provides the necessary training in all areas. This includes teaching methods, activities and strategies for each language skill, classroom technology, lesson planning, assessment, classroom management, and skills for establishing and succeeding in a TEFL career online or in-person. Each topic includes training on theory, followed by hands-on practice with feedback from an instructor, and finally real classroom experience with supervision and coaching from a master instructor.
Is it expensive?
The old adage, “you get what you pay for” applies here. Our 120-hour certificate at $650 is among the lowest in the industry, and ours is the only TEFL certificate reviewed by TESOL International for quality with actual students to practice with. Other certificate programs may offer a lower cost and/or fewer hours of study, but none of them can match our quality.
What kind of support is provided?
From the start of your application to the weeks following graduation, our partners can be reached easily during business hours by phone or email to provide personalized guidance and support. This includes support with the application and registration process, then learning to use the learning management system and completing hands-on assignments. Once you have completed 50% of the program, human resources initiates employment support, which continues through the practicum and past graduation. Our partners also assist participants in securing practicum placement, in local schools or in their online classrooms as needed.
How long will it take me to finish?
The time to completion depends on how much you can dedicate to working on your course each week. Some participants can finish in less than 4 months. You have up to 6 months to complete every aspect of the 120-hour course, including the practicum.
Is the certificate recognized?
Absolutely. In a unique situation, our TEFL certificate programs are reviewed for quality by TESOL International Association and meet their gold standard for quality. This helps prospective participants know they are pursuing truly high-quality training that is also recognized by employers across the globe.
What are my job prospects after I graduate?
Within a few weeks of beginning the online course, the HR staff will work with each candidate to find an appropriate job “fit”. We have a growing list of renowned and up-and-coming employers who have committed to interviewing our candidates just because they have our certificate. We help our graduates find a job online or as part of the travel abroad industry at no charge.
Ready to Apply?
We typically reply within 24 hours
Start your application now, it only takes a few minutes. Prefer to ask first? Email us and we’ll answer directly.