Teaching English online instead of actually traveling oversees is a great way for any native (or even non native) speaker to earn extra money.
And the good thing about online English teaching jobs is that you can almost always make money despite the recession since this there is a high demand for English speakers in a lot of developing countries. This especially holds true in Asian countries.
Asian countries, historically, hire native English teachers and bring them in Asia to teach via face-to-face instruction. This, however, cost Asian companies a lot. Recruiting instructors can also be challenging.
But now, internet has provided a chance to teach English via virtual classroom setting. This is the main theme of some of the websites you are about to read
There are various means of becoming a language teacher (teaching abroad, etc), but not all methods may be desirable. If you ask me, the best way is to teach while at home using your own computer. You don’t have to leave your house, and in most cases you will be
teaching through Skype.
But I Can’t Speak Any Other Language but English!
Just knowing a native language is all you need. English instructors in most cases do not need to speak a second language. Students who are in the beginners level will need a teacher who is bilingual.
But for those in the advance level, students will simply need a native speak who can help them with accent, cultural understanding and correct word usage.
Advanced students already have the ability to understand English, but they still need a native speaker to help them further with their English by listening and explaining the complexities of the language.
Finding Online English Teaching Jobs
There are different ways you can look for English teaching jobs that allow you to work online. You can even use online
tutoring sites that pay you to teach students anything from math and science to art and English.
But if you are looking for the easiest and quickest ways to get a few clients, the following 3 websites are some of the best places to look:
1. Italki
An online marketplace for language,
Italki provides that virtual classroom area for both students and freelance teachers. Teachers in this marketplace earn by teaching while students can find reasonably priced English lessons.
Teaching English Through Italki
Getting started with Italki is pretty easy and quick. Here is what you need to do in order to get started:
First is to register at the site. Take note that registration is for free.
- Make a curriculum.
- Fix your rate for teaching.
- Hang around and wait for students.
- Start teaching once you get clients.
- Collect your money!
Aside from putting together teachers and students, Italki also keeps a good number of online language resources for free that you can use. These online resources also help obtain consumer traffic for its marketplace.
After looking at teaching prices available, I discovered that a handful charge about
$15 for half an hour. Definitely a reasonable price in exchange of talking to a student for 30 minutes. This actually may make you want to never talk without getting paid.
2. VerbalPlanet
It is a website that allows you to create your own teaching profile.
VerbalPlanet, however, can be strict as they first need to approve your profile. The firm approves profiles based on a teacher’s experience and qualifications.
After your profile has been approved, then you can start setting your rates, and proceed to wait for students to communicate with you.
It is recommended to begin with a lower charge, somewhere between 10 to 20 US dollars for every 45 minute lesson to attract students to get you as their instructor.
You can start building a good reputation after getting students.
3. TutorABC
TutorABC firm is from Taiwan and is presently on the look-out for English teachers. Teachers will be teaching beginners, intermediate and advanced students.
Take note, that knowledge of Chinese language is not a requirement since you will be an instructor to students who already know some English.
TutorABC has its own virtual classrooms, and you will need to log-in before every session.
Your Turn
Do you know of any other site good for finding online English teaching jobs? Are you a teacher who makes money by teaching English to foreign students on the Internet?…
Or do you perhaps work with one of the sites mentioned above? If so, what your experience has been like?…