What Can You teach English Online -

Apr 27, 2022

A digitally connected world that has more than 1.5 billion individuals looking to increase their English through connecting to native English teachers from all over the world There's never been a better time to dip a toe into teaching English via the web.

This field is growing quickly - this market of on-line instruction in languages can be expected to reach more than $10.5 billion by 2025, and you can do it anyplace in the world provided you've got a reliable internet connection.

The need for English instructors online

Picture it: the ultimate side gig that allows the possibility of earning money from virtually anywhere. An income that is sustainable and gives you the freedom to choose whether to work on the road or from the safety of your home. It still meets the need for human connection as well as the joy of doing work that makes a difference.

This dream job probably sounds like we're venturing into the realm of fairytales, but it's the dream of a unicorn on everyone's list since the beginning of COVID-19. But it's actually a reality which online education can make possible. As of the beginning of 2019 the online learning business was expected to reach around $300 billion by 2025, but the pandemic has rapidly accelerated this timeline, with many teachers and entrepreneurs putting their talents online where they can build a business that isn't affected by the pandemic.

In this guide We've collected all you need to be aware of when teaching English on the internet.

How can teaching English online function?

Teaching English online means teaching English to a non-native speaker via the internet using various virtual platforms and tools. Students can learn in smaller groups or one-on one lessons, and the spectrum ranges from beginners in pronunciation and grammar, up to interview and business language coaching. It allows schedule flexibility, and the costs are usually lower than conventional in-person lessons, which makes it a viable alternative for those around the world looking to increase their English ability.

Jennifer Gardner of The English Classroom is a firsthand witness: "digital teaching resources are appealing to teachers as they're available for less than the price of traditional textbooks, meaning that more students than ever will have access to English education. They're also highly active, and engaging, and they are updated continuously. This improves the quality of instruction on offer ."

Jennifer has decided to construct The English Classroom on because "it could be used in a variety of ways and offered a simple interface. This was a major factor for me because our teachers are from different parts of the world as well as different education backgrounds as well as different levels of experience in technology. It should therefore be simple to begin and easy to grasp. Moreover, I added my classes swiftly and easily, and organized in a way that works with The English Classroom and teachers can sign up themselves - this makes it a viable option to increase the size of our courses. ."

How can I earn money through teaching English via the web?

Absolutely! The pay for online English instructors varies, but even if you're new to this field and are just beginning, expect to earn a starting salary of somewhere between USD$10 and $20 per hour. Based on your timetable it is possible to teach English on the internet as a job and earn USD100+ per week, or you could commit to full-time work and earn monthly salaries closer to USD$2000 and more.

Of course, the benefit of creating your own course by yourself instead of working with the services of an agent is that you can determine your own pricing and schedule, without handing an amount to the middleman. It is possible to be more in control of the content, time and profit margin however, you'll have to take on the responsibility of running your own advertising, marketing strategy, and customer service.

What credentials do I need?

  1. You need to be able to speak English effectively. It's not a surprise that - ideally, you need to be a native English speaking, however as a bare minimum baseline it is necessary to speak fluently.
  2. You need a qualification. Ideally, you need an TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) or TESOL certification. Some also recommend that online English teachers should be CELTA or DELTA certified. Have a look at each option and then decide on the one that is the best fit for your needs.
  3. A degree is required. Actually, this is more of an optional extra. While there are some opportunities which don't require a college degree however, generally you'll require an undergraduate degree in any field in order to be able to work with some of the larger English education companies. The degree could result in a better salary in the end however, you'll be able to make it without.

You know what you might be thinking - "I use English every day, I don't even need to be a certified teacher!" or "I tutored my high school classmates English So, I'm well-prepared and ready to go!" Well...not quite.

  • It is important to note that teaching English as a second-language isn't the same thing as the high-school curriculum of English. Both have overlapping content, but they're not the same as the teaching of History as well as Geography. The high school curriculum of English is aimed at first-language learners, and it's more concentrated on the communication aspect such as figurative language and literature analysis, while teaching English as a second-language is more focused on language mastery. Therefore, it doesn't matter if you're familiar with Macbeth from front to back, it's not going to assist someone to master the confusing labyrinth of English verbs!
  • Teaching English to people who are not native speakers is totally different to teaching native speakers. It requires a different approach, a different teaching style, and a specific set of skills. If you're looking to master the art of teaching English on the internet and earn a living out of the profession, then a TEFL certification provides a strong basis on the process of teaching English as an international language.

What do I need?

If you're looking to launch your own online English school, the wishlist isn't long. Generally speaking, all you need is a laptop computer with a quality webcam, microphone, headset, and a stable, high-speed internet connection. If you've got those things already in place, all you need is the material to teach with as well as a comfortable, quiet space - be it your office in the home or a hammock on a beach.

teach english online

How do I format online English lessons?

The team at Learn Your English uses a range of strategies for teaching and language learning courses. "We employ a mix of talking head videos as well as reflection and task-based audio commentary of tasks, quizzes, audio feedback and group discussions with participants in our classes. We also try to incorporate a "pause-and-reflect" protocol, where course participants are encouraged to pause the video, take notes and reflect, and put what they have learned into practice by designing an activity or lesson (teachers) or using the target language (students/learners)."

Alex Melia from Swoosh English

What can I do to market my online school?

There are plenty options to advertise an online class!

  • Social Media : Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and even LinkedIn can be great tools to build your online presence.
  • Ads  Paid ads and sponsored posts can also be a great method to bring visibility to your school.
  • Webinars  hosting an online webcast, an automated webinar or podcast provides you with an opportunity to provide students with an opportunity to experience the online classroom, and also to teach them a specific short instruction or skill.
  • Free Content: Provide samples of your teaching material to offer prospective students an idea of your teaching style! Harry Cassidy of English Lesson Via Skype uses this approach: "I provide a lot of free material on my web page and I publish podcasts every week and am always updating my content. It is full on !"
  • Word of Mouth: As your business picks up steam and you'll see the word will spread! Alex Melia from Swoosh English says "we get a lot of friend referrals from students too, which is fantastic and shows how much our customers love our services!"

Creates an interactive online teaching experience

You can leverage online communities, membership websites as well as Facebook groups, to build an engaging experience for your students as well as enhance their education. Students are able to share their successes among themselves, help each other with questions and obstacles, and create connections with fellow students, and even with your!

Shereen Jaff of An English Nerd has used Facebook and Telegram groups to encourage students to interact in English. "This gives them an element of immersion which really boosts the rate at which they learn. Within the groups, I post activities for them to do together. One thing that's extremely helpful is a speech challenge. I pose a question to the group to answer via video. This gives them the opportunity to share their thoughts and to observe their own speaking and also encourages them to connect with each other. ."

Alex Melia from Swoosh English finds that online communities even assist in marketing as they're a great way for students to meet new people and to show them their courses that are paid for. "We make use of Facebook groups which are a great method of building connections with students. After we've provided students with an opportunity to gain something, they will usually choose to enroll in one of our courses to help them pass their test. ."

Will I be able to really have an impact in teaching online?

A course that is so flexible that it is able to be flexible, and so in-demand, can your course really be a success? Sure, but we'll leave you with words of wisdom and inspiration from some highly successful English educators who chose for their online platform for teaching:

I have had students who had never taken an online course in a group environment. It has completely transformed their fear of speaking English when speaking in front of other people. Don't underestimate the power of the community! - Shereen Jaff, An English Nerd

It's a shame that I didn't change my profession a few years ago. It is a great feeling helping people get their job since their English is improved or to help to improve their conversational English so that they can participate in company meetings. I have met and taught many wonderful individuals. I can honestly say I've had nothing but positive experiences. - Harry Cassidy, English Lesson Via Skype

We teach students from over 150 nations around the world and have doctors, nurses and students from universities tell us each and every day about the positive impact we've had on students in helping them succeed in their exams and change their lives for the better! When nurses and doctors calling you up and telling you how your work has changed their lives, you know you're doing something that's worthwhile. I have had one Iraqi physician from Baghdad call me who had passed a while ago. I asked him , 'What did you do when you passed your exam and he replied 'I had tears'. Then I asked him 'what did your wife do?' and he replied 'she cried too'. I will never forget this, and I realized the moment they realized their lives were forever altered. Their hard labor that led to this, although I think that we all had a contribution to make! - Alex Melia, Swoosh English

Are you ready to launch your own online English school? Sign up for your free account right now and you can start building your first course today.

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