E-learning has opened its doors to a world of possibilities for those who want more flexibility in their work environment. Although there is a lot of criticism regarding the relatively new work-from-home setup, it is safe to say that remote work is here to stay.
One of the advantages of working online is that the number of work opportunities has increased exponentially in the last few years. This situation has been exacerbated by a combination of factors, including global events and the rapid development of affordable and accessible technology.
Teaching English online is one of the most rewarding jobs that encompasses all the advantages of working remotely without compromising on personal and professional development. Let’s see in detail why online teaching has become one of the most popular sources of income, whether it be full- or part-time.
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It gives you the flexibility to choose how much or how little you want to work.
You can adapt your teaching timetable to suit your needs and to fit your busy lifestyle. In this way, you can choose where to teach: you could be on your sofa or traveling the world; you can decide when to teach: depending on whether you are a night owl or an early bird – but keep in mind your students’ timezone; you can also pick what age groups to teach: adults or children.
It’s meaningful and rewarding. English is the common global language used in finance, media, and technology, necessary in any form of business. For this reason, more and more individuals are enrolling in language courses to improve their professional life. You, as a teacher, play a key role in the lives of those who join your lessons.
It’s a fun way of earning money. Lecture-style teaching is a thing of the past and you can create lessons that engage and excite your learners. By bringing your enthusiastic personality into your teaching style, you can build a strong rapport with your students, while personalized lessons to suit their needs will ensure maximum participation on their part.
It gives you independence. If you are thinking about teaching online, it means that you are ready to become a freelancer and cut all ties with your ‘employed’ status. If you enjoy the work that goes on behind the scenes of a business, e.g. legal, admin, and marketing aspects, you could start your very own online teaching business from scratch. This will involve hiring experts to help you along the way, like accountants, graphic designers etc.
However, if you don’t feel ready for such a big jump in the unknown, there are established online schools ready to support you with the ‘boring’ work and let you get on with what you do: teaching! These online schools allow you to deliver your lessons through their own platforms offering you a hassle-free approach to freelance teaching. They find the students for you and organize your timetable according to your availability. Often, they provide you with ready-to-use lesson plans and materials. In return, they take a cut from your earnings.
Which are teaching platforms available?
1. Cambly allows you to teach students from anywhere in the world. It is ideal for learners who are already able to use the English language to a certain extent, as on this platform you will provide informal conversation classes.
2. Italki is ideal for those who want to teach another language instead of (or as well as) English. There are two teaching options with this platform depending on experience. You can work as a ‘community tutor’, delivering informal and conversational classes, or as a ‘professional teacher’, with more structured lessons. Although you can set your own fees, students are more likely to pay more for a professional teacher.
3. Topica Native targets learners from South-East Asia. This platform welcomes non-native teachers and guarantees a minimum of 20 hours of teaching per month.
4. OiKID hires native speakers from the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The students on this platform are from 3 to 15 years old. This is ideal to get started with teach English in Taiwan.
5. LatinHire focuses on South American students. Other subjects, like Chemistry and Marketing, can be taught, as well as English. It prides itself on a fast hiring process and very flexible timetables.
Who can teach English online?
To become a teacher of English, you need to be a proficient user of the language, at a native or near-native level. Some online schools require their teachers to have a university degree and a TEFL certificate. These qualifications aren’t always mandatory, but they give you a considerable advantage over other candidates.
Your attitude is crucial in this line of work. You will be dealing with people who come from different backgrounds and cultures on a regular basis. Therefore, it is important to be tolerant and open-minded. You should also be a lifelong learner, not only regarding your teaching skills but also in enjoying what your students can teach you.
What equipment do you need to teach online?
You can start teaching online with very basic equipment: just a laptop/PC and a stable internet connection. However, if you want to improve the quality of delivery, you can invest in a high-resolution camera and a good-quality headset, to block out external noise.
Your teaching space is very important for the success of your lessons. There should be a dedicated spot for your lessons wherever you live: ideally, a quiet and well-lit area. Although natural light would be better, one or two bright lamps can work just as well.
Is online teaching right for you?
If you are in search of work flexibility, you might be considering online teaching. As well as technological equipment and language knowledge, you need the right attitude to deal with unfamiliar cultures and customs. Teaching English through one of many online platforms available is like opening a window onto the rest of the world, and you might end up learning more than you teach! Are you ready for the adventure?
Sources:
https://www.cambly.com/english?lang=en
https://www.italki.com/en/teachers/english
https://oikid-t.weebly.com/
