Career advice

Teach English

Want to teach English as an additional language or teach English abroad? Keen to improve your existing English language teaching (ELT) skills? Kickstart your career by joining one of these professional development courses for educators.

What skills do you need to teach English?

  • Flexibility

    Depending on whether you're planning to work as a TESL, TESOL or TEFL teacher, you could teach English to children or adults and work around the world.

  • Communication

    A good command of English is an obvious requirement, as are strong written and communication skills, plus the ability to listen effectively to students.

  • Organisation

    English language teachers will need to be exceptionally organised. They will need to plan and deliver creative and interesting lessons day in, day out.

  • Self-improvement

    Continuing professional development is a key part of any teacher’s job. Staying abreast of the latest developments in English language teaching is a must.

Develop these skills with online short courses for English language teachers

The University of Glasgow

TESOL Strategies: Supporting ESL Students in Mainstream Classrooms

Learn the basic principles, considerations and strategies for cultivating a rich language-learning environment

3 weeks

4 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

The British Film Institute (BFI) & Into Film

Short Film in Language Teaching

Find out how teaching with short film can bring alive the learning of languages and introduce rich cultural content to lessons.

3 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

British Council

Exploring English: Language and Culture

This English language course looks at British culture and examines English in use to help improve your English language skills.

4 weeks

2 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

Cambridge Assessment English

Teaching English Online

Learn how to transfer your teaching skills to an online context and start teaching English online.

4 weeks

5 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

Lancaster University

Dyslexia and Foreign Language Teaching

Gain practical tools and theoretical insights to help dyslexic students learn second languages, with this free online course.

4 weeks

4 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

British Council, Study UK & The GREAT campaign

Study UK: a Guide for Education Agents and School Counsellors

Develop your knowledge of UK education, the UK as a study destination and the benefits of Study UK.

3 weeks

3 hrs per week

Free digital upgrade

British Council

Language Assessment in the Classroom

Assessment is becoming increasingly important in language education. Understand it better with this course for language teachers.

4 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

University of Southampton & British Council

Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching

An introduction to some key concepts in the effective teaching and learning of languages.

4 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

University of Southampton

English as a Medium of Instruction for Academics

Equip yourself to teach in international contexts by increasing your English language skills and intercultural knowledge.

4 weeks

4 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

Queensland University of Technology

Teaching Entrepreneurial Thinking

Get an introduction to what entrepreneurial thinking is, and how and why we should teach it.

2 weeks

1 hr per week

Included in Unlimited

British Council & Learning Time with Timmy - British Council

English in Early Childhood: Language Learning and Development

Discover how very young children learn English as an additional language and how you can help them progress.

6 weeks

2 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

UEA (University of East Anglia)

Professional Development for Early Career Teachers

Find out how to develop and improve your teaching abilities as you start your career as a teacher.

5 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

University of Leicester

Introduction to Applied Linguistics and TESOL

Get an introduction to applied linguistics and how linguistics is applied in a range of fields - from language teaching to law.

6 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

National STEM Learning Centre

The Science of Learning

Discover the scientific research about learning and how it applies to your classroom, on this CPD-certified course for educators.

5 weeks

3 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

Browse more courses in Teaching and Language

What do English teachers say about FutureLearn courses?

I have been favourably impressed by the courses that I have attended and I am attending. First of all, because the teachers and educators are highly experienced and prepared. Secondly, because FutureLearn has been able to provide what usually may be lacking in an online course – the interaction with educators and with other learners that is continuous and of good quality.

Mariella
English teacher from Italy and learner on Teaching for Success

I strongly believe that upgrading the Teaching for Success program will be a significant qualification for my CV. In addition to this, my success on this program will give me more confidence to keep trying to make the difference in the domain of English education and contribute to the welfare of our society.

Effrosyni
English teacher from Greece and learner on Teaching for Success

How professional development for teachers works with FutureLearn

Learn flexibly online, for free

Develop valuable skills with a short, online teaching professional development course wherever you are. Start learning for free, on desktop, tablet or mobile.

Upgrade or buy Unlimited for extra benefits

Upgrade your course for ongoing access to the course content, tests, and the chance to gain a Certificate of Achievement. Buy Unlimited for access to hundreds of short courses in a year and the ability to keep access to courses you gain a certificate on.

Meet English teachers worldwide

Learn with experts from top universities and cultural institutions, and share your experiences with English teachers worldwide.