Date	Course Format	Fee
30 Aug – 04 Oct 2025	Fully Online	£347 Apply

Become an Online English Teacher with International House Certificate 

In recent years, the ability to teach effectively online has become a vital skill for all educators. However, teaching in a virtual setting requires different competencies than those used in a traditional classroom. This fully online course is designed to enhance your teaching abilities and build your confidence by helping you navigate the online teaching environment and explore a variety of tools and techniques.

Led by experienced tutors, the course covers best practices for both synchronous platforms (such as Zoom, Skype, and Google Classroom) and asynchronous environments (like forums and activity-based platforms where students learn at their own pace). You’ll explore how to use each platform effectively, understand the necessary equipment, and develop essential skills such as message crafting, fostering a supportive atmosphere, sustaining engagement, and designing online tasks.

The knowledge and techniques you gain from the IH Certificate in Online Tutoring can be applied to both language teaching and teacher training in Virtual Learning Environments.

Developed by expert online educators, this course is exclusively available through the IH Online Teacher Training Institute (IH OTTI)

Who is this course for?

If you’re a teacher planning to move your lessons online, or an experienced educator aiming to become an online tutor or trainer, this course is designed for you. The content is applicable across all subjects delivered online and is not restricted to language teaching. It’s also ideal for those interested in designing digital courses or for tutors working with universities and other educational institutions.

This course is also suitable for teachers or trainers who:

• want to develop professionally and enhance their skills;
• started teaching online due to the Covid-19 pandemic;
• are considering a transition into online tutoring;
• seek greater confidence in conducting lessons online—whether in synchronous or asynchronous settings;
• have experience teaching ESP/EAP and now want to grow as online English instructors;
• already teach online but are looking to improve their methods;
• need to expand their skills due to their institution’s increasing focus on online course delivery;
• are curious about how to adapt communicative teaching methods to online environments;
• aim to improve the overall quality of online lessons within their institution;
• want to make their online classes more engaging and motivating for language learners;
• are looking to diversify their teaching skills in response to the often unpredictable nature of EFL employment.

We’re proud to share that the IH Certificate in Online Tutoring is one of the few courses officially recognised by Cambridge Assessment English as a qualification for CELTA trainers to deliver Online CELTA.

Course Content

Module One: Creating a Positive Online Environment
Over the course of 7 days, this module focuses on how to build and maintain a supportive online community in an asynchronous learning setting—and why it matters. You’ll explore how learners introduce themselves, create profiles, and navigate the platform. The module concludes with an optional live session.

Module Two: Core Tutoring Techniques
This 7-day module delves into essential skills for supporting and monitoring students online. You’ll learn how to write effective messages, manage discussion forums, and become familiar with key terms related to asynchronous teaching. An optional live session with fellow participants and a tutor is usually offered at the end.

Module Three: Working in Real Time
Spanning two weeks, this module examines the contrasts between asynchronous and synchronous learning. You’ll collaborate with other participants to explore a synchronous platform of your choice and will be asked to design and present a task—either to the group or during an optional live session held during the module.

Module Four: Pulling It All Together
This final 7-day module focuses on the advanced skill of “weaving”—integrating and responding to student contributions in a meaningful way. You’ll also revisit the key concepts covered throughout the course and consider how to apply them in your own online teaching.

How is the course delivered?

This course is delivered asynchronously, allowing you to access the content online at any time that fits your schedule. There’s no need to log in at specific times each week, making it ideal for those with busy lives, work or family responsibilities, or living in different time zones. Optional live sessions may be available during the course, but attendance is not required.

Your tutors will support and guide you asynchronously, and you’ll move through the course alongside a group of fellow participants. To successfully complete the course, active involvement in the tasks and activities is essential.

A key feature of asynchronous learning is the use of discussion forums, which help build a strong sense of community. These forums offer a space to exchange ideas, share best practices, and reflect on your experiences as an online tutor with peers.

Duration and your time commitment

This course includes five weeks of tutor-led input. Following that, you’ll have an additional week to finalise and submit your portfolio for assessment. Over the 5 to 6 weeks, you’re expected to dedicate at least 50 hours to the course. This averages around 2 hours per day, though the schedule is flexible and can be adjusted to suit your availability. Naturally, the more time and effort you invest, the greater the benefit you’ll gain from the experience.

Assessment

At the end of the course, participants are required to submit a portfolio that includes a series of mandatory tasks completed throughout the course—usually one reflective task per module. The final outcome will be a Pass or Fail, based on the successful completion of these portfolio tasks and a minimum participation rate of 80% across the course.

Your verified digital certificate

Upon successfully completing the course, you will be awarded a digital certificate. This certificate is securely stored on a verified platform, ensuring its authenticity and making it easy to share with others confidently.

It will appear as shown in the image below:

A digital certificate is a safer and more reliable option than a paper one—it can’t be lost in the mail, damaged over time, or misplaced. It’s always accessible, easy to share with just one click, and you can print as many copies as you need, whenever you need them. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly, helping to reduce paper use, ink consumption, and shipping, which lowers the overall carbon footprint.