What’s the difference between an ‘online course’ and a ‘virtual course’?

Well, quite a big difference actually! Here’s the low-down.

What is an online TEFL course?

Online courses generally involve modules or lessons which you do by yourself, in your own time and at your own pace. This usually involves watching videos or reading content, then perhaps doing a few worksheets or assignments. Progress is often self-graded by way of an online tick-the-box test. If you don’t get it right, it gives you the option to go back and try again. Occasionally assignments are graded by a tutor, and feedback is emailed to the student. Generally speaking, there is very little interaction with the trainer, and no interaction with classmates.

What is a virtual TEFL course?

Virtual courses are conducted LIVE AND IN REAL TIME so are in fact face-to-face classes. They are conducted in exactly the same way that an in-class course is conducted, and students get to interact not only with their trainer, but also with their classmates. Trainers are able to give immediate feedback, as well as encouragement to their students, call on them to answer questions, pair them or assign them to ‘rooms’ to do group work and interact in exactly the same way as they would in a classroom. This is the way that universities are handling classes during the lockdown period, as the lessons and therefore the quality of the qualification are not compromised.

So given the choice of an online or virtual course, which should you do?

Well, here are some pros and cons of each in order to make an informed decision.

Pros and Cons of a Virtual TEFL course

Pros of Virtual Course

1. Feels like a real classroom environment

2. Get to meet and interact with your trainer

3. Get to meet and interact with your classmates, meet new people

4. Trainer to student ratio is usually similar to an in-class course, meaning you will get personal attention when needed. The reason for this ratio is because the trainer is dealing with students live, as in a classroom environment and needs to allocate time to each for interaction and marking of assignments.

5. It’s possible for your trainer to give you a letter of reference as they get to know you as a person, as if you were in class with them, which you are.

6. In some industries (such as TEFL) online courses are frowned upon as being inferior to an in-class course. However, Virtual courses are considered in the same light as an in-class course – as it is just that, live and face to face. Your qualification gained will therefore have much more credibility than an online course.

7. It’s easier to stay on track as you get real time feedback from your trainer and can ask questions immediately without having to wait for a reply.

8. As classes are at specific times (like an in-class course) you can’t get lazy and say ‘I will do it later’, therefore it’s easier to complete a virtual course as you stay motivated and have to attend class.

9. Group and pair work is possible, allowing you to learn not only from your trainer but from your peers

Cons of VIRTUAL TEFL Course

1. Depending on where the trainer is based, you may have a time-zone issue.

2. You need to have sufficient time to do the course, in the same way as if you were attending an in-class course. However, you are then more committed to the course.

3. The course may cost more than an online course – but you are paying for what you get. Online courses are ‘pre-made’ meaning that 1000s of students can just download or follow the course. For a virtual course the trainer is live and numbers are therefore limited.

Pros and Cons of an Online TEFL course

Pros of an Online Course

1. You can do the course at your own time and pace. However, you need to be committed and disciplined to do it.

2. Usually cheaper than a virtual course. That is because once the course is created, there is an unlimited number of students who can sign up to it, as there is no strain on the trainer, so no trainer to student ratio limit.

Cons of an Online Course

1. Students often don’t complete an online course as it is difficult to stay motivated and disciplined when there are not specific times to ‘log in to class’.

2. Many industries (such as TEFL) frown on an online course as they are considered inferior to in-class or virtual courses.

3. It’s a lonely form of study. You don’t get to interact much, if at all with your trainer, and no interaction with fellow students. You therefore don’t get to meet new people as you do with a virtual course.

4. You seldom get a letter of reference as your trainer doesn’t know you.

5. You generally have to wait for an answer to a question you ask your tutor as it’s not a live lesson. Sometimes this does not allow you to carry on with the module – or you carry on and have to redo the work due to not understanding.

6. High student to trainer ratio. It’s not personal, you are often just a number. Your trainer doesn’t get to know you as a person.

7. Grading is often done by self-assessment which does not give you constructive feedback in the way that a live trainer would do.

8. Only 4% of people who start an online course actually complete it

So under the current CoVid-19 situation and social distancing being the norm for the immediate future, what does Destination TEFL offer until such a time as our in-class courses can commence?

We are offering a VIRTUAL COURSE hosted from our training centre in Siem Reap. The advantage of this virtual course (aside from the benefits mentioned above) is that it is a combination of a virtual course, with deferred practicums and job placements later when travel bans are lifted.

The virtual part of the course is 3 weeks, and includes a detailed module on ‘how to teach online’. At the end of the virtual course you will receive an accredited 120 hour TEFL certificate. This certificate will allow you to apply for online teaching jobs. If you would like to eventually make your way to Southeast Asia to teach, you can then apply for our 2 week TEFL Extension, practical teaching program. On completion on the TEFL Extension program you will be presented with our full ‘140-hour accredited in-class TEFL/TESOL course with observed practicums’.