It comes as no surprise that these days more and more professionals are on the search for stable jobs that come with flexibility and some sort of independence. Commuting and spending time in an office are no longer the ideal situation for many professionals out there. In recent years, working remotely and independently has grown all around the world and one of the areas with the biggest market is online teaching and more specifically teaching English as a second language. For those teachers who never had contact with online classes getting started can seem quite a challenge but with some research and the correct attitude there are no shortage of options out there.
1. What kind of online ESL teacher are you?
First, you need to think about what kind of online teacher you want to be and this can be based on previous experience or affinity when being new to teaching. Think about the following questions:
If you have previous teaching experience - Are you an adult or kids teachers? Do you mind teaching both? Do you teach General or ESP English? Do you teach exam preparation? Are you comfortable with creating materials by yourself or do you prefer to use something already prepared? Groups or private learners?
If you don't have any teaching experience: How comfortable are you with the English language (explaining grammar topics, pronunciation and so on)? How familiar are you with teaching methods and techniques? How much support do you think you will require?
For those with previous teaching experience it can be easy to decide what kind of online classes you want to teach and to search for them. However, if you don't have any previous teaching experience then there are a few more things you need to consider.
2. Company, freelance or independent?
There are advantages and disadvantages in all three types of online ESL teaching and to know what the best fit for you to get started is you need to understand each of them.
+ Company
The options here are enormous, with more and more companies popping up every day it is only a matter of finding the perfect fit. Here are some things to consider. Working for a company can provide stability and regular hours with some flexibility depending on the company's polices. Most companies also provide a curriculum and materials that are already prepared based on the method of their choice. You will also have different services that you will be able to provide from teaching group classes to private classes to exam preparation and so on. Depending on the company, they will provide training and support which comes in hand if you have no teaching experience. Students are provided by the companies making your job exclusively about teaching. The pay might not be the best but it will most likely be stable and the job itself will certainly provide a good starting point.
+ Freelance
You can freelance for companies or branch out on your own using freelance platforms. In freelance platform scenario, you won't find much stability as you will depend students looking for teachers when there is no shortage of freelance teachers today. It all comes down to you and what skills you bring to the table here. Pay will fluctuate a lot and it will be set by market demand.
If you freelance for companies, they will most likely provide you with materials, support and students. Your hours will vary a bit but they will most likely be steady and on a part-time basis. You will have flexibility in setting your hours and depending on the company and on your performance, you might get the chance to become a full-time teacher. It is a really good cost x benefit situation.
+ Independent
In this case, you are entirely on your own. You will need to create not only content but also a website and social media to be able to advertise your work. You will need to think about payment, content, policies for payment, cancelations, how will payment be made, and how will it work overall. You will be entirely responsible for every single aspect of your business and this can be very daunting for those new to the area. Pay here can be higher but it will also vary according to your student demand and student retainment rates.
3. What do I need to teach online?
In terms of structure, since you will be working remotely, you will need a computer with a good quality camera, a headset for quality audio, a strong cable connection and a clear and professional background (what shows up on camera). Having a designated workspace that is quiet and well lit will benefit both you and your students.
In terms of qualifications, most companies will ask for a bachelor's degree nowadays that can actually be in any field. They will also ask for a TESOL/TEFL Certificate. There are different types and different ways of getting one. If you are interested in working for companies, make sure to do some market research on the most accepted and requested courses out there. Companies' requirement on TESOL/TEFL Certificates will vary.
Most companies will hire only native speakers but there are exceptions out there for non-native speakers. Pro-tip for non-native speaker teachers: use your strengths, your native language can be an asset for some companies.
4. How do I get started?
Research. Once you decide what kind of classes you want to teach and where you want to start you will need to look for opportunities. There are several websites that specialize in posting vacancies for English teachers and there is no shortage of online teaching positions available. You can search for online companies directly and then visit their websites for more information on them and on how to apply.
Getting started
Research done, CVs sent and offer accepted all that is left is to get started. Online teaching can be challenging at first but it is definitely rewarding and full of potential and excitement. You will open yourself up to a completely new world and to a completely new experience. Are you ready for it?
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