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

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
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
British Council

Exploring English: Language and Culture

This course for learners of English looks at British culture and examines English in use to help you improve your language skills.
4 weeks
2 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

English for the Workplace

This course for learners of English helps you with the language you need to find a job and successfully function in the workplace.
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
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
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

Browse more courses in Teaching and Languages & Cultures

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.