Category: News

ESL Teaching Online – A Brave New World

ESL Teaching Online – Moving online helps you take control of your teaching, income, and where you live and work. It’s a lot of fun, and as you probably know, many teachers have decided to teach English online.

In the last decade or so, the ESL teaching industry has been changing. A teacher no longer has to travel across borders to teach foreign students. Better yet, a teacher doesn’t even have to struggle to find a classroom or workspace to meet in person. Instead, it can teach ESL online from home! And it doesn’t even have to get out of your pjs! Strike that. On second thought, a teacher should always throw on something a bit more professional because it still wants to look the part. After all, teaching English online is a paid job and it’s one you should take seriously.

Ups and Downs

Teaching English in person and teaching ESL online from home are super different. Forget using outdated textbooks and photocopying boring worksheets! Teaching English online kicks because you can access so many cool resources including YouTube videos, blogs, and online ESL language apps and games! However, you may hit a few snags regarding how to teach English online.

First of all, when you teach a student in person, you can rely on verbal and nonverbal cues (like body language) that happen in real time to let you know if you’re on the right track. With online teaching, this is also doable but more challenging.

Another roadblock is tech issues. Here’s how to teach English online badly. Use a really bad connection so that in the middle of your lesson, your screen freezes and you sound as though you have a really bad stutter. Don’t get me started on bad audio. Teaching and learning English is primarily about listening and speaking so if you and your student can’t hear each other well, it can quickly turn into a train wreck. You need to know your software inside out and to be able to do basic troubleshooting. Also, one skill you must have in any online environment is patience.

Another thing that makes teaching English online different is the fact that you and your students will most likely be operating in two different time zones. This is awesome if you’re a night owl or work shifts. It goes without saying that you have to be able to manage your time and schedule very well to avoid missing classes and those essential.

What to do about ESL Teaching Online?

As you probably taught in classrooms before, this transition can be a bit too much. But remember, you are adapting to new technologies and it is not the strongest that survive but the ones who are willing to adapt.

The main thing you should have in mind is that you are now a brand. And, as a brand you gonna need to settle, to have a homebased, and that is your website. To create a website you will need to learn how to buy a domain name, I suggest HostGator, and you will need to learn about WordPress.

Once you are settled and can show the world who you are, it is time to work on your social media. Be smart about how you present this. Focus on offering valuable lessons, and by putting yourself out there, in order to attract learners. 

 It is good to point out that in general, teaching English online pays between USD10 – USD25 / hour. It could be a nice addition to your current income. This is especially true if you’re basing yourself in a country with a low cost of living.

In some cases, you must commit to a certain amount of hours each week, while in others, you set the teaching schedule.

For whom is ESL Teaching Online Good?

Not only is teaching English online a great job for digital nomads and remote workers, but it’s also an excellent gig for stay at home parents and retired people who want to keep busy now that their careers are finished.

Time is the most important thing in life. In North America, people are taught tou work hard until they are around 60, 65 or 70 years old and then reap the rewards of retirement afterwards.

Doesn’t that seem strange to start living your life during an age when one’s body and mind are no longer at the optimal state? It simply might not be possible to do that epic trek you’ve been dreaming about, or that scuba diving certification you’ve wanted to complete.

For most teachers, this job is coupled with another form of income (such as travel blogging), or at least supplemented with free accommodation through house sitting or some other sort of exchange.

First things first. If you haven’t already, you better get TEFL certified stat! Now, you may be thinking, I don’t need any qualifications to teach English because I help my baby sister with her English homework all the time! Wrong! Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is a totally different ballgame! Remember this: teaching English to native speakers is not the same as teaching English to non-native speakers. If you want to learn how to teach English online and get money, a good TEFL course will give you a solid grounding in TEFL-specific teaching methodology and other essential skills.

Teaching English online from home is one option… 

When most people think about teach English online jobs, they automatically picture someone in their bedroom chatting away with a foreigner who’s more than a couple time zones away. This is certainly true in some ways. If you choose to teach ESL online from home, it definitely has its perks.

Reason number one: you never have to leave your comfy digs! That means no gridlock, no mascara-wand-in-eye mishaps, no hustle to get a cup of Joe at Starbucks, no soggy packed lunches, no long lines at your favorite food truck! Plus, you get to play with Sparky or Simba all day as he snuggles your feet under the table! You can also plan your teach English online jobs around your personal schedule (gym, me-time, picking up dry cleaning etc.) because you’re your own boss. Hell yeah!

Teaching English Online From WHEREVER! 

Teach English online jobs mean that you aren’t limited to teaching from home! You heard me right. You can take that side gig/career with you, wherever you roam in the world! If the digital nomad lifestyle is a-calling you, consider searching out the best online ESL jobs to make top dollar while you travel around the globe.

Because many teach English online jobs are freelance, you can clock in as many hours required, whenever you want! Unlike teaching apps abroad that come with contracts that mean you have to be rooted in a particular place for a particular time, teaching English online is perfect for nomads who are always on the move. The best online ESL jobs are super convenient and flexible, open 24/7, whatever time zone you’re in.

If you want to learn how to teach English online and get money quick, you have to invest in the right gear. That means you need a decent PC/Mac/laptop, a high-quality webcam and headset, a comfortable workspace (you’ll probably be sitting most of the time), and a super quiet room. Sorry but that means kicking Sparky and Simba out during classes. Fast internet speed is also a given. Check that you have enough RAM to run certain software programs. Also, make sure you are based in an area that has a reliable electricity supply or at least a backup generator.

Where to look for a job?

Now that you’re bent on online English teaching, where do you look for a job? First off, there are several organizations who’ve jumped on the teaching English online bandwagon. Your job is to separate the good from the bad. Start by reading reviews on the provider’s website and other external sites. Talk to people who’ve actually worked with the companies.

Depending on where you decide to work and what type of arrangement you are looking for, it’s important that you “shop around” for teaching English online jobs before you find the right one for you. Be sure to look at the fine print, communicate expectations clearly, and talk with other ESL teachers to ensure the org is legit and that money WILL end up in your bank account.

Is the business reputable and accredited by an external body? Scan its website. Grammatical errors and bad writing style should be a dead giveaway that these people should not be in the business of teaching English—online or otherwise! Once you’ve settled on a company, get the WiFi password and start teaching.

Resources

Finding jobs for teaching English online is no easy task, but when you find the one, you’ll know it. Ready to plug into the Matrix? Here are some more resources to help you decide if teaching English online is for you!

• This is why English language teaching is a dream career.
• But wait! There’s more! Here are  easy-peasy activities for ESL students.
• The Ultimate Guide to TEFL Certification for Americans 
• The First ESL Book You Should Get!

Whether you’re teaching ESL online or in-person, many games and activities can translate easily. Just get a little more creative and feel comfortable operating in the one-on-one space versus the world of large learning groups.

We know you’re in it not only for the professional experience, but to also make some cash-money, right?! That Euro Trip isn’t going to pay for itself. Enjoy!

The necessary qualifications

Teaching English is a rewarding and enriching experience – both in-person and online. There are lots of online teaching jobs out there. But if you want to teach English online, you need to make sure you’re going with a reputable company. Unfortunately for those of you who aren’t from Canada, the US, or the UK you won’t be able to work with the companies that pay better.

Wondering what is the best company to teach English online? It depends on your qualifications. In most cases, no previous experience is required, but it helps if you have worked with younger children in the past and have taken a TEFL course — which will give you a proper understanding of lesson plans and how to run a class.

You can teach English Online if you meet these requirements — almost all of the companies will require the following:

• Native English speaker, or near-native English speaker
• Solid internet connection, microphone, webcam, and quiet space for lessons
• You have a Bachelor’s degree or you are currently enrolled (in some cases this isn’t obligatory)
• A TEFL Certificate (in some cases this isn’t obligatory) 
• You’re from Canada, the UK, or the United States (in some cases all first language English countries)
• You are enthusiastic, passionate, and positive

These are the basic requirements to teach English online. And yes, you do need a TEFL certificate to teach English online for higher paying companies.

When applying to teach English online is to submit your application to more than one company. The more places you apply, the greater your odds are of getting hired.

The Companies

I really don’t think having a university degree in any subject should be a requirement to teach English online. Plus, if you have a TEFL certificate, are a native English speaker, have a good internet connection, and are enthusiastic, your odds of getting accepted for the job will be much higher.

However, there are some great companies to consider if you don’t have your TEFL: PrePly, Cambly, and Skimatalk don’t require a TEFL certificate. EF Education First only requires a 40 hour TEFL which you can easily (and affordably) obtain here.

If you’re currently living in the USA or the UK, EF Education First or PrePly are great options for you!

There’s also the opportunity to earn bonuses and referral pay. Plus, if a student cancels on you, you will receive compensation.

Some companies pay via PayPal or Payoneer, while others do a direct deposit to your bank account.

After reading “ESL Teaching Online”, you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs. You can also visit my channel on YouTube.

International Mother Language Day – Оn Fеbruаrу 21ѕt оf еасh уеаr ѕіnсе 2008, thе Unіtеd Nаtіоnѕ (UN) mеmbеr соuntrіеѕ сеlеbrаtе Іntеrnаtіоnаl Моthеr Lаnguаgе Dау (ІМLD), рауіng hоmаgе tо thе сulturаl dіvеrѕіtу оf thе wоrld аnd thе mаnу wауѕ реорlе соmmunісаtе.

Тhе 2020 сеlеbrаtіоn оf ІМLD іѕ bеіng hеld undеr thе thеmе “Lаnguаgеѕ wіthоut bоrdеrѕ.” Dаtа frоm thе UN ѕауѕ thаt “Аt lеаѕt 43% оf thе еѕtіmаtеd 6,000 lаnguаgеѕ ѕроkеn іn thе wоrld аrе еndаngеrеd. Оnlу а fеw hundrеd lаnguаgеѕ hаvе gеnuіnеlу bееn gіvеn а рlасе іn еduсаtіоn ѕуѕtеmѕ аnd thе рublіс dоmаіn, аnd lеѕѕ thаn а hundrеd аrе uѕеd іn thе dіgіtаl wоrld.”

Nіgеl Еnсаlаdа, Dіrесtоr оf thе Іnѕtіtutе оf Ѕосіаl аnd Сulturаl Rеѕеаrсh (ІЅСR) wіthіn thе Nаtіоnаl Іnѕtіtutе fоr Сulturе аnd Ніѕtоrу (NІСН) ѕаіd thаt tоdау hаѕ а ѕресіаl ѕіgnіfісаnсе bесаuѕе оf Веlіzе’ѕ сulturаl dіvеrѕіtу. Еnсаlаdа ѕtrеѕѕеd thаt whіlе Веlіzе іѕ а ѕmаll соuntrу, thеrе аrе реrѕоnѕ thаt hаvе Ѕраnіѕh, Ніndі, Gеrmаn, Gаrіnаgu, Сhіnеѕе, Yuсаtес, аnd Еnglіѕh аѕ mоthеr lаnguаgеѕ.

“Тhе Nаtіоnаl Сulturе Роlісу оf Веlіzе аddrеѕѕеѕ ѕаfеguаrdіng оur lіnguіѕtіс dіvеrѕіtу,” Еnсаlаdа ѕаіd, “bесаuѕе аnthrороlоgіѕtѕ wіll tеll уоu thаt whеn а lаnguаgе dіеѕ, thе сulturаl рrасtісеѕ аѕѕосіаtеd wіth thаt lаnguаgе dіеѕ wіth іt.”

Не аlѕо nоtеd thаt thеrе аrе іnіtіаtіvеѕ аt thе соmmunіtу lеvеl оngоіng іn vаrіоuѕ раrtѕ оf thе соuntrу wіth thе рurроѕе оf rеvіtаlіzіng еndаngеrеd lаnguаgеѕ. Не аlѕо nоtеd thаt Веlіzеаn Кrіоl іѕ іnсludеd іn thе lаnguаgеѕ bеіng рrеѕеrvеd аѕ а раrt оf Веlіzе’ѕсulturаl dіvеrѕіtу.

Learn more about this topic by reading this article on Breaking Belize News.

After reading “International Mother Language Day” you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs, and visit my YouTube channel.

How to Become an ESL Teacher – Teachers can have a big impact on the lives of their students, but few have as large of an impact as ESL teachers. Learning how to become an English as a second language teacher can be slightly complicated because there’s no strict formula to follow, and ESL teacher education and certification requirements vary by state. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an ESL teacher, here are some of the general requirements for prospective teachers.

An English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher helps English language learners (ELL) to become proficient in verbal and written English. According to the Department of Education, an ELL student is defined as an elementary or secondary school student whose native language isn’t English, who wasn’t born in the United States, and who are in need of additional English supports and services.

In short, that means an ESL teacher is someone who helps ELLs to access and acquire English language skills in order to participate in an English speaking contexts both inside and outside of school. Working with students from a wide range of age groups and backgrounds, ESL teachers need to be sensitive to cultural and linguistic differences, show empathy and support for their social, academic, and acculturation experiences, and assist other general education teachers to adapt their classroom instruction to support ELLs. In addition, the international importance of the English language allows ESL teachers to enjoy a variety of employment prospects, working in community centers, academies, schools, or as private tutors.

Learning a language can be incredibly rewarding, but also incredibly challenging. Helping students overcome that challenge requires a number of skills. Because any teacher can play an important role in the lives of their students, but as their guide to the English speaking world, ESL teachers often act as mentors and advisors.

Learn more about this topic by reading on Drexel.edu.

After reading “How to Become an ESL Teacher”, you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs. And visit my channel by YouTube.

The Role of an ESL Teacher – With the number of English learners constantly rising and permeating not only large urban areas but also spreading into suburbs and rural towns, there is a serious need for all involved in the education of those English learners to understand the role of an ESL/ELL teacher in their district.

ESL teachers work with students from all over the world, who come from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. They also bring varied schooling and life experiences with them. While a mainstream classroom mainly consists of students of the same age, an ESL teacher may work with a few grade levels at a time. In the groups of students, there are likely those who speak different primary languages, too. Even more, the levels of language proficiency may vary greatly, which means that an ESL teacher might have an absolute beginner English learner and a more advanced one in the same class/group.

That said, because of such exposure to different languages and cultures, an ESL teacher becomes a go-to person for both the families and mainstream teachers. The knowledge we possess about the school system and expectations is incredibly valuable for the families of English learners. We anticipate that there is a need for this kind of information and we act on it by arranging for translators, informing the administration, front office and the classroom teachers. Our knowledge of the students’ languages, cultural backgrounds and schooling is incredibly valuable to the administration and the classroom teachers. It helps them adjust their instruction and look for alternative ways to convey important information.

ESL/ELL teachers are well aware that language and culture are inseparable. Therefore, we also know that preserving and supporting the students’ first language (L1) will help them in learning English. Yes, it sounds crazy. But it is true! Because of that, on any given day we are humbled by what we learn from and about our students.

Learn more about this topic by reading on SimplyIeva.

After reading “The Role of an ESL Teacher” you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs, and visit my YouTube channel.

11 Question in a ESL Teacher Interview – Do you offer housing assistance or a stipend? If so, what are the details? Here you’re trying to get a better understanding of how much help you’re going to get with housing, specifically related to how much of the cost you’re responsible for and if you’ll have help finding a place to live.

You can expect the employer to say a few things:

We don’t offer any assistance
We don’t offer a stipend but we can help you find a place
We have an apartment you can use but you must pay for it
Housing is included in the contract
How much help you want is up to you, but at least you’ll know what to expect when you arrive.

Do you reimburse any of the visa and arrival costs?
The process of getting to China is both lengthy and expensive and while teachers are expected to come out of pocket for most costs, it’s not uncommon to have them reimbursed at a later time. Similar to the previous housing question, here you want to get a better understanding of what you’ll have to pay for.

Costs can include any of the following so make sure to ask about each if you’re unsure:

Background check
Document authentication
Visa processing
Medical check
Flight to China
Hotel upon arrival
All of these are negotiable but in my experience, the school should always pay for all visa and work permit costs while things like flight reimbursement are more wishful thinking.

When is payday?
It’s common for Chinese schools to pay their teachers mid-month so that if you break your contract you are potentially left without 2 weeks’ pay. A red flag would be if they pay any later than the 15th of the following month and I’d make a point to clarify why that is and potentially mark it for later contract negotiation.

Learn more about this topic by reading on ChinaByTeaching.

After reading “11 Question in a ESL Teacher Interview” you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs, and visit my YouTube channel.

I have done many things in my life but few have been as rewarding as being an online ESL teacher. Watching my students blossom to the point where they can carry on entire conversations in English is something special.

I was raised in China with an American mother and a Canadian father and grew up speaking both languages fluently. When we moved back to Canada I always made friends with the new Chinese students, partly because I knew I was the only one who would be able to really carry on a quality conversation with them. That is when I first started helping people learn English beyond a few words here and there. I loved it. At that stage I had no idea I would end up being an online ESL teacher.

Learn more about this topic by reading on Off2Class.

Why ESL teachers are the best – I’ve had many jobs in the last many years on the road but the one that I could always rely on was ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. I worked in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Brazil, and Ireland as an English teacher for non-natives and found it to be very satisfying work.

However, what I have also found is that the process of teaching English has also helped me to refine my language learning strategy and learn the local language better.

As well as this, I take great satisfaction in the fact that I was successful in helping even the weakest students to speak English and dramatically improve the level of many of those I taught. My success in teaching English is a huge part of why I am so confident in giving advice about learning languages in general on this blog (as well as my own experience in learning to speak them of course).

In meeting other ESL teachers, I can see this is true for many of them. There are plenty of exceptions, but I have found that ESL teachers make better teachers than traditional academic ones, as well as having an edge themselves for learning a language.

ESL teachers are forced to step outside of their idea of a failed academic system that never helped them learn to speak a language when they were at school and to do things completely differently.

Seeing others struggle with their own progress directly can also help as you give them words of encouragement and start to believe these words yourself. Even though I don’t teach English right now, encouraging others via this blog and the many e-mails people send me, reinforces my own enthusiasm in my language learning journey. Giving encouragement can encourage the person giving it too.

Learn more about this topic by reading on FluentIn3Months.

After reading “Why ESL teachers are the best” you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs, and visit my YouTube channel.

Ranking Countries by English Skills – This edition of the EF EPI is based on test data from more than 2,200,000 test takers around the world who took the EF Standard English Test (EF SET) or one of our English placement tests in 2019.

More than a billion people speak English as a first or second language, and hundreds of millions more as a third or fourth. For expanding businesses, young graduates, scientists and researchers, and international tourists, English proficiency broadens horizons, lowers barriers, and speeds information exchange. The incentives to learn English have never been greater.

And yet, the demand for English proficiency far outpaces supply. Education systems founded in response to the first industrial revolution have yet to adapt to the demands of the fourth. A front-loaded culture of learning leaves adults little time to reskill. The growth of the gig economy asks people to transition quickly from declining to emerging opportunities.

We often see English proficiency presented as a competitive advantage, but our analysis suggests that it is equally significant for the connections it enables. These connections may help individuals find better jobs or
start their own businesses, but they are also intrinsically valuable. Connection is one of the defining characteristics of the global citizen—curiosity, contact, and a sense of shared responsibility beyond one’s own borders—and speaking English today is all about connection.

This report investigates how and where English proficiency is developing around the world. To create the 2020 edition of the EF English Proficiency Index, we have analyzed the results of 2.2 million adults who took our English tests in 2019.

Europe has the highest English proficiency of any region by a wide margin—even more so if only EU and Schengen Area countries are included in the regional average. This success reflects decades of effort by national education ministries and the EU itself to promote multilingualism. Fast and easy communication strengthens ties between Europeans, as does student exchange, travel, and transnational work. Even as growing nationalism challenges the EU project, the opposing forces of European cohesion appear robust.

Learn more about this topic by reading on EF.

After reading “Ranking Countries by English Skills” you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs, and visit my YouTube channel.