Being an ESL teacher is not as simple as it seems. Many aspire to join the industry however, there is a lot to consider before finally settling to be an ESL teacher. In this article, you will discover what one needs to smoothly transition to teaching ESL online.
Teaching/Learning ESL Online: Background
ESL Teaching stands for English as a Second Language Teaching. It is where non-English speaking people study the English language through various channels online. Most students come from booming economies and rich countries in Asia such as China, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, and Japan. The increase in demand is caused by continuous globalization which requires a common ground of communication. This is where English arrives. With the help of the world’s lingua franca, people from different countries can now communicate in a business setting with no or minimal barriers in understanding.
A lot of ESL students are business people who are extremely busy and ESL teaching is their friend in practicing English speaking skills. It is also the top choice of K-12 students as ESL learning is flexible when it comes to time and accessibility. With just a few clicks and reliable internet access, students can get access to English classes. Online teachers are everywhere- they can be native speakers or people who use English as their second major language. The Philippines has been the major source of qualified and excellent ESL teachers since the country is heavily influenced by Western culture and language. Due to the rapid increase in demands for ESL teachers, a lot of companies start to advertise hiring posts on social media and other platforms.
ESL classes are available to anyone who wants to learn or just maintain their acquired English skills. Not all students are beginners- some are already fluent and simply want to practice their speaking skills since English is not widely used in their country. The availability of English teachers in various companies provides students the freedom to book their desired class time slot. English teaching also gives numerous earning opportunities for ESL teachers across the world.
Teaching Online: Investing in Requirements
Before applying for an ESL job, one must be aware of the requirements the position demands. ESL jobs are usually remote-work, which means you have to work from home. A lot of people who want to do online teaching end backing out once they realize that the equipment needed to teach are a bit costly. To save yourself from all the misconceptions, below are the requirements you must possess to start your ESL career:
Reliable Internet Access– It is suggested to have a DSL Connection with at least 3-5MBPS of download and upload speed. Consistent and reliable internet connection is mandatory to ensure you can manage teaching via Skype or the company’s teaching platform.
Webcam/Built-in Laptop Camera- It is highly encouraged to teach with video to catch the student’s focus and attention. Children are visual learners and they tend to lose their focus if they are not be able to see their teacher on screen. This also builds credibility that you are confident enough to show who you are as a teacher.
Desktop/Laptop- Before your employment, you must have a desktop/laptop. It is suggested that you must at least have 4GB RAM, 150GB of free memory, and Intel i3 or AMD equivalent processor. This is because some companies use their own teaching platform which can eat up your computer’s RAM. Skype also develops its system consistently and teachers must ensure that their application is updated.
Plain Background- Teachers are encouraged to have a plain background when teaching. A clutter-free background is ideal so students can focus their attention on you and the lesson. Avoid working in a place where people around your house keep passing by. As much as possible, work in a quiet room and ensure your back is facing the wall. It’s better if you can produce a white background but colors such as light blue is also a good color for studying.
Noise-canceling Headset- A noise-canceling headset is substantial to keep your voice quality when teaching. It is more professional when you teach using a proper headset. Plus, it minimizes unnecessary background noises around you. A noise-canceling headset is required for comfort as well. Speaking all day in a common headset or earphones may damage your ears and make you feel uncomfortable while using a proper headset will help you perform your classes in great comfort.
Neutral/American Accent- Some students are very particular when it comes to accent. Koreans and Chinese students are known to be very picky when it comes to a teacher’s accent. It’s extremely encouraged that teachers will practice daily to develop their American accents. Self-training using videos on YouTube and ESL websites will greatly help in enhancing a person’s accent.
Bachelor’s Degree or Teaching Experience- Some companies require their applicants to be a university graduate while some decide on how skillful and experienced a person is when it comes to teaching. Call center agents are very welcome since they are highly-skilled in using the English language with a great accent.
Benefits of Teaching ESL Online
Earning money isn’t only the benefits online teaching gives. You can indeed earn as much as PHP30,000 from teaching online but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Below are some of the best reasons why a lot of people are excited to enter the industry.
Continuous Learning and Development
You may think that teaching online is only about developing a student’s skill but, the answer is NO. You will develop your patience, perseverance, and versatility as a person when you teach online. A teacher’s English skills and knowledge will also be enhanced when they teach online. You will get ideas and information from articles, books, and even from your students!
Get Free Certification
Some ESL companies offer free training on TESOL or TEFL and these are expensive types of certification. If you are an ESL teacher and your company will offer such an opportunity, do not hesitate and grab it! This is a good way to advance your teaching career.
Convenience and Flexibility
Teaching ESL online will give you the freedom to choose when to teach at the comfort of your own home. It provides a better chance for you to spend more time with your loved ones instead of traveling and braving the traffic every day. This is a great chance as well for moms to earn and raise their kids without having to leave for work.
ESL Teaching: Application Process
Almost all ESL companies go through the same application process. The major application steps are:
- Sending a curriculum vitae/resume or submitting an online application
- Taking an assessment exam (English knowledge tests)
- Skype Interview
- Demo Class
- Training/Trial Period
The most common thing done by ESL companies from the list above is the demo class. It is a vital part of the application as this will determine the applicant’s potential to teach online. It is also the most critical as the demo is added with a twist: teaching a difficult student in the demo class. Even though it is a mind-blowing part of the process, acing it provides a satisfying moment to a teacher.
The details above are just some of the things one should know before entering the ESL industry. If you know someone who works as an ESL teacher, their opinions and insights might be helpful for you to weigh your capabilities and gauge your skills. At the end of the day, the best way to enter a battle is to make sure you are prepared to win!