What are the main differences between an online TEFL course and an intensive TEFL course abroad?

Both the online TEFL course and a local 4-week course train you in roughly the same skills, namely teaching skills in the English language. Some of the main differences to take into account when picking a TEFL course:

• Planning and time commitment: One of the main differences is that the online course allows you to work much more at your own pace. This makes it easy to combine the online course with your studies or job, for example, or even while traveling abroad. If you have time for a one-month course (e.g., during your vacation or sabbatical), then the intensive practical course is the right choice for you.
• Interaction: In the 4-week course, you will be taught in a classroom, which means you will get more practical experience than online and have a lot of direct contact with your teacher(s) and fellow students. With online courses, the amount of contact with teachers and fellow students varies greatly depending on the provider. In so called 'blended' TEFL courses a mixture of live interaction and personal planning options is offered
• Practical experience: Local courses often offer more opportunities to practice in practical situations, sometimes even with practical lessons at a local elementary school, for example.
• Target group: The four-week intensive courses are primarily aimed at people who are seriously pursuing a teaching career and who want to teach for a longer period of time. It may also be that your employer requires a 4-week practical course. If your goal is to teach abroad as temporary work in the run-up to emigration or during your backpacking trip, then the online TEFL course is an option that will enable you to teach anywhere in the world, either voluntarily or for pay.
• Career assistance: although most online providers offer some degree of CV writing and job application assistance, local providers in particular often have strong ties with educational institutions in the region, making it easier to find a (paid) job locally. If you don't yet know where you want to work, the more broadly oriented job boards of online TEFL providers might be more suitable.
• The price: Finally, there is also a difference in price. The online course costs between €200 and €500, while the four-week practical course costs around €1,500.