Work from Home, Teach the World: Becoming an Online English Teacher
Over the years, and from generation to generation, the way we travel has changed dramatically. The lazy holiday at a resort that Baby Boomers and early GenXers religiously attended year after year is in decline–the younger generations want something different from their time abroad. Idle days dozing off by the pool with a drink on the side–rigorously from the all-inclusive menu–have been replaced by adventurous excursions and exciting activities that will give you back that long-lost zest for life.
Today, travelling has become a priority for many: jobs are accepted and relationships are formed only if they can work around those all-important travelling arrangements. Call it wanderlust or eleutheromania, you might have felt it too for quite some time–the need to find ways to fulfil your travelling dreams.
You spent hours carefully planning your itinerary, bookmarking budget flights, and daydreaming about sunsets in foreign cities. But then reality kicks in, and between the kids, work deadlines, aging parents, and a partner looking forward to a staycation, it’s clear that your dream isn’t going to turn into reality anytime soon.
Sounds familiar? You might tell yourself that when your kids are old enough, you’ll pack your things and go. But deep down, you know that that day might never come. But what if there was another way?
Another way to experience the world
Perhaps you may never be able to explore the world how you want to, but you shouldn’t let that stop you. One way–and probably the best way–to experience other cultures is to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) online. If you’re unfamiliar with the TEFL industry, take a look at The TEFL Org’s blog content about EFL to get the full picture.
The last few years have seen the world of online education boom, and the TEFL industry has taken full advantage of the situation. Advanced technology has allowed students from all over the world to learn all sorts of subjects, including English, from the comfort of their own homes, at a pace that suits them. In return, English teachers worldwide can share their knowledge from their own homes while managing other commitments without stress.
Online TEFL has been growing consistently, and it isn’t likely to slow down anytime soon. Here are some of the reasons why:
Ditching the daily commute. Who wants to start their day in rush-hour traffic, packed into crammed trains, or wasting money on expensive fares and parking? Not me, and neither do those who work from home.
Setting your own schedule. Yes, you need to be organised and quite strict about your routine, but it’s worth it. The freedom to fit your work around your family life can be like lifting a huge weight off your shoulders.
Improving creativity and focus. It might be because there's less pressure than in a traditional workplace, but it seems that a more familiar and comfortable environment can give your mind more space to come up with fresh ideas.
How to get into TEFLing online
Like for any role in any industry, it’s important to understand if it’s the right job for you. But if you like the idea of reclaiming your own freedom while teaching English to people from all over the world, there are two ways to approach this.
Option 1 - aka ‘no pain, no gain’
This option would be ideal if you already had some teaching experience and would like to become a business owner, or if you know the nuts and bolts of running a business and would like to combine that knowledge with your passion for teaching. Either way, some previous knowledge in either field is strongly recommended. This is because teaching online independently is more than planning lessons and showing up to your virtual classroom. It is equally about teaching and running a business—you’re not just the teacher, you’re also the marketing team, admin, and tech support.
In this scenario, the hardest part is finding your own students. This requires a strong online presence through social media, and a website is necessary to explain clearly who you are, what you offer, and, most importantly, why they should pick you.
But that’s not all. There are contracts, invoices, cancellations, payment systems, and taxes to think about. Without a doubt, building a freelance teaching business from scratch is incredibly rewarding—but it’s definitely not the easiest path.
Option 2 - aka ‘with a little help from my friends’
If you’re new to teaching, you need all the help you can get. Many online teaching platforms are designed with new teachers in mind. They handle the business side of things while you focus on your work.
These are established online schools that use platforms to organise every aspect of the business. They connect their existing students with teachers like you, so there’s no need to set up a website or to promote yourself on social media. They also book the video lessons and organise students’ schedules based on teachers’ availability. Some online schools make ready-to-use lessons available for their teachers.
Payments, cancellations, and legal matters are also taken care of by the school, so you don’t need to worry about admin. Some platforms even offer extra perks like teacher training, tech support, or online communities where you can connect with other teachers and ask for advice.
Equipment and setting
Whichever online teaching path you choose, you will need some tech and a place to set it all up. None of this needs to be fancy or expensive, but it does need to work for you and your clients. Let’s see how to give your students a great learning experience:
Tech tools. Your computer is your most important tool as an online teacher – it's how you connect with your students! You don't need to spend a fortune on high-end equipment when you're just starting out. Keep it simple and basic, but make sure your PC or laptop has all its free updates installed to keep things running smoothly. Your computer's built-in camera and microphone should work perfectly for your lessons–you can always upgrade later if you need to. A stable connection is a must. If your Wi-Fi at home isn’t reliable, it’s worth looking into an upgrade.
Teaching area. Don’t underestimate the importance of your teaching space. If you feel comfortable, they will feel relaxed and more inclined to enjoy the lessons. Pick a specific spot where you can set up your tech and teach undisturbed. A quiet and well-lit corner with a plain background would be ideal for adult learners. Younger students, instead, are often attracted to familiar visual settings, like a useful dry-erase whiteboard or language-related posters.
Let the world come to you
Teaching English as a foreign language online might be what you’re looking for. It’s a compromise between life as you know it, with its limitations, and the opportunity to experience other cultures, all without setting foot outside. If you can’t get out there, let the world come to you and give TEFL a try.
Always write down period start date and next invoice date and put them back once you have set up the new advertiser.
