What is the Best Way to Teach English Online

With many of us always on screens of different sizes, it’s probably no surprise that you can make teaching online a career. And yes, the demand accelerates if you are an ESL (English as Second Language) teacher.

Thanks to video conferencing platforms like Zoom, teaching online has become a rewarding side hustle for many. Keep reading to learn everything about how to teach English online.

Who is the best fit to teach online English

If you ask who can teach English online, the answer is everyone! Yes, everyone who has a passion for teaching students and is a native speaker or has fluent English speaking skills can consider taking up this as a career choice. However, the opportunity is not just limited to native speakers; being a native speaker is a plus. But if you have good communication and writing skills in English, you can teach students even if you don’t have any qualifications.

Retired English teachers or teachers who are looking for a side hustle besides their regular school job can also teach online to fill their timetable gaps and supplement their income. In short, those who want to embrace new cultures and are interested in international education would be a great fit as online ESL teachers.

What do you need to teach online English?

You will need a laptop, a secure and fast internet connection, a Zoom account, and a TEFL/TESOL certificate to teach online English. It’s also great if you are a native English speaker. Most importantly, be a friendly, patient, and punctual personality who has the potential to interact with students of all ages.

When you start teaching English Online, your subject matter also requires flexibility. Meaning; that you will have to cover English speaking, listening, writing, reading, and grammar.

What salary can I make by teaching English online?

The basic pay to teach online English is generally not high, but it can be increased by providing specialized English classes and group packages, and by showing the proof of high ratings given by your previous classes. You can expect a greater salary with more academic qualifications, certification, experience, and expertise. The more proof you have of your expertise, the more pay you can ask for.

English teachers can expect to make $10-$50 per hour by teaching online, with your qualifications being the significant factor determining where your revenue would fall.

As you teach online, you will be able to decide your hours, which means you can fit your teaching into your schedule. That means you can still do your full-time job and start teaching English online as a side gig.

Do I need to get TEFL certification to teach online English?

First things first. If you haven’t already had one, getting a TEFL certification to sell expertise is better. If you are brainstorming about how to start teaching English online and if you think the experience of teaching your own kids is enough, you are wrong!

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is a different game, and it is great to have TEFL certification.

Getting started with teaching English Online

Contrary to popular belief, it is recommended to begin your tutoring journey by establishing a tutoring platform of your own. While this is the best way to teach English online, many educators refrain from this thinking about the challenges associated with it.

If your tutoring experience is limited and you aren’t a tech-savvy person, you can start working for a tutoring company. But the revenue you could make will be low, and you will have hands-on experience doing a tutoring job. Here are some of the best ways to teach English online.

Become a subject expert

The ESL tutoring market is crowded and highly competitive with subject experts. As it is important to demonstrate your expertise to your target audience, ensure you have a TEFL certification to offer complex language concepts to your learners.

If you are looking for how to start teaching English online and have valid experience teaching English for years, you can start without any certification. But make sure you are an expert in the language and have the right skills to communicate the concepts with your English learners. Your learners are paying for your experience and expertise.

Set up your tutoring space

If you are looking for ways on how to start teaching English online, you need an online tutoring space. To facilitate efficient online tutoring, you need the right set up that includes a laptop, an HD Camera, MIC, a well-lighted space, a stable internet connection, and an online tutoring website.

Choose a quiet and peaceful environment that is free of distractions to improve the quality of your online classes. Your online tutoring space is a professional space just like a normal classroom make sure you treat it just like that.

Create a language learning website

If you are brainstorming about how to teach English online, the best way to get started is to build a language learning platform for yourself. A third-party platform eliminates the work you have to do, like searching for clients, accepting payments, marketing yourself and all the challenges that come along with it. But to build a reputable language tutoring brand, you will have to grow beyond the limits provided by third-party platforms.

For instance, when you are tutoring on a third-party platform, the platform deducts a major share of your hard-earned money. That is when building your language learning platform is the best way to teach English online. Choose an Online tutoring software platform like Pinlearn to build your language learning website with required customizations. The readymade solution comes equipped with all the features needed to deliver a seamless learning experience for your students.

Find learners

Now that you know the best way to teach English online, it’s time to find learners. The major challenge you might face is finding potential clients who are spread across the globe.

The simplest way is to connect with the new learner is through social platforms. Spread the word about your tutoring service to get your first set of learners. You can also use paid ads on Google and Facebook to increase your exposure.

Conclusion

The best thing about start teaching English online is that you can teach anywhere, anytime, in the comfort of your home. The prerequisites of starting online English tutoring classes are less, considering the challenges you must go through to teach in a school or college.

Use this opportunity to reach out to a broad audience and connect with them. If you follow these tips, you can soon become a language expert in the industry.