Finding the right career path is essential to your happiness and thankfully, we are no longer tied down to a standard 9 to 5 job existence. Millions of teachers are expanding their teaching ability far beyond the standard classroom with online teaching opportunities. The beauty of teaching online is the ultimate flexibility in your schedule and endless income potential. If you have ever wanted to become a teacher, here is what you need to know about teaching English online.
It is Not Easy Income
One of the biggest misconceptions about teaching English online is that it is an easy way to earn money. Where it can be easy to earn money once you have established yourself as an effective online English teacher, you often have to hustle a little bit to get your career going. In the beginning, English teachers, especially those that do not have prior training, may have to reduce their hourly rate to bring in more students. Do not worry. After a while, your reputation will become established and you can charge more for your services.
You Will Require Excellent Internet Connectivity
If you live in an area that is prone to internet outages, you might want to think about finding a signal booster or ways to maintain a strong internet connection. A lost internet signal is lost time with your student and for those looking to make this their primary career choice, you will want to do everything possible to ensure your students learn as much as they can. A strong internet connection along with a good computer and microphone equipment will help you connect with your students. It will also ensure you are always available for questions making you a more effective online English teacher.
TEFL is Not Required, but is Recommended
The TEFL or Teaching English as a Foreign Language is not required to become an online teacher. You can find students to teach without this certification, but you will find it more difficult to make money with competitive hourly rates. Students look for a few things when they seek to learn English. The first, naturally, is the price point of lessons. Teachers who price themselves too high will have difficulty finding students to teach. If the price is right, the student will look further into the qualifications of a teacher. When pitted against a teacher with a similar price the once with a TEFL certification will almost always win out. This certification signals to your student, you are a qualified English teacher.
The Right English Teaching Job Site is Essential
Some online jobs merely require you to bid for a job and hope for the best, but with teaching English online, the site you use is vitally important. Standard freelancing sites have a broadened spectrum of available jobs opportunities and it can be difficult to find actual teaching jobs. However, sites like Preply.com specialize in English teaching jobs and offer the best option for finding the right job for your needs. Sites specific to teaching languages attract students who truly want to learn and conversely, qualified teachers that have a keen desire to teach.
Teaching and Traveling
The world of online English teachers is broadening as more people leave their 9 to 5 jobs in search of a freer schedule. Many have chosen to teach English while they travel. That is a great idea if you are adapted for it. A traveling English teacher must possess the ability to connect with their students from anywhere and that can be difficult if you are easily distracted. While you are traveling, you will also have to find Wi-Fi locations to ensure you can continue to connect with your students and that can be difficult in some countries. Carefully map out your travels and ensure that you can find a high quality Wi-Fi connection when you need to teach.
Becoming an English teacher is not a job for everyone, but for those who are driven by a desire to teach and change the world through their lessons, an online English teacher can be among the most rewarding careers. The ability to teach English from anywhere in the world is impressive and in our global society, we need more English teachers than ever before.
Who says you have to simply drone on in your standard 9 to 5 job? The world is open for various online employment opportunities and as an online English teacher, your income potential is truly limitless. As a teacher, you will positively impact lives around the world from the comfort of your home, RV, campground, hotel room, or anywhere with an internet connection. Being an online teacher will give you the freedom to explore your dreams or spend much more valuable time with those you love.
