Even if I never manage to escape the daily grind and escape to warmer climes, I want to have a plan in place, just in case.

At the end of last year, in the absence of a sod-it-all fund, I weighed up all the options and came to the conclusion that a TEFL qualification would be my best chance of earning money abroad.

Teaching English as a foreign language

When I had become familiar with TEFL's many acronyms, I ruled out CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) and Trinity CertTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) courses.

Though top of the range, I figured they would be too costly and time-consuming for someone not wanting to teach English as a career in the long-term.

Attending TEFL classes must be the best way to learn. Fun, interactive and a good way of making friends.

Living in London, I am spoilt for choice of TEFL schools. But I was hatching an escape plan rather than wanting to relive my student days again, so I went online. To study in the comfort of my own home. Or on the road.

Online diploma

A 60-hour diploma with i-to-i, accredited by the UK Open and Distance Learning Quality Council. Easy. Will have it under my belt in no-time. Grammar awareness. No problem. Extra modules - Teaching English to Young Learners and Teaching Business English. Add them on. £264.

Including two books from Amazon, the total cost of my alternative sod-it-all package was around £300.

No stroll in the park

Learning how to teach English as a foreign language is no stroll in the park, as I soon discovered. You need to get to grips with the fundamentals of the language, while becoming clued up on teaching methods.

The i-to-i modules are certainly designed to stimulate your brain. I enjoyed learning something new, as well as the challenge. Written tasks reinforce what you have been taught.

The online system was not without technical quirks, however, and some modules were full of typos - sometimes I felt as if I were the first person to attempt them. Being online for that length of time didn't do my hands or eyes any favours either.

On the positive side, the i-to-i helpdesk was a useful resource and each student is allocated a tutor. My tutor was very willing to answer questions and help with difficulties.

The course took me longer than 60 hours, but completing it gave me a real sense of achievement.

I have yet to discover whether an i-to-i TEFL diploma will make the world my oyster. But if the day comes when I say 'sod it all', I shall be clutching my certificate.