For those of you who have been considering online teaching as a possible career path, hopefully the following article will convince you to pursue it. It will discuss how to get started, the perks associated with the work-from-home lifestyle, and finally, the reasons why you should go ahead and try it out.
Why Teach English Online?
With the world of e-learning growing more and more popular, it is no surprise that thousands of English teachers are now teaching online. What is perhaps most exciting is that you can do this from the comfort of your home, allowing you to combine your love of teaching with your desire to be a full-time parent or caregiver.
Here are some of the key reasons why you might want to consider becoming an online English teacher:
Flexible Schedule
One of the biggest perks of the online teaching job is that you set your own schedule. You don’t have to worry about students arriving in the morning, evening, or on a weekend. You can take your classes whenever and however you can fit them into your schedule. This can be a great advantage for those who want to be able to combine working with parenting or caring for an elderly parent, while also teaching English online.
Earnings Potential
It is always exciting when you can find a job that offers you the flexibility and the ability to earn cash. There is no set salary for an English teacher, but you can typically expect to earn anywhere from £20,000 to £30,000 per year. Not bad for an online teacher who typically works 40 to 50 hours per week. If you do some research, you can find some excellent opportunities in Thailand where the cost of living is low and the work is plentiful. If you can master the English language, you can enjoy a very high earning potential in one of the world’s most popular countries.
Work From Home
If you’ve been searching for a job that allows you to work from home, you’ve come to the right place. The position of English teacher offers you the perfect opportunity to do just that. You can take your classes anywhere and at any time you wish. The work is not demanding and you will not have to deal with a large group of students. Instead, you will be working with individuals via the internet, which means you can engage with and help your students whenever you want.
Full-Time Job
There are plenty of opportunities out there for those who want to be able to combine their love of teaching with their desire to be a full-time parent or caregiver. The key is to look for jobs that offer you the flexibility to work remotely, or from home. You don’t have to travel to campuses to teach, meaning you can use this perk to your advantage. As an online English teacher, you can work remotely and combine your teaching with your other responsibilities. This can also be a great option for those who want to be able to travel or for those who want to see the world. You can use online teaching as a stepping stone to further your career, or even go on to establish your own private school or online academy. If you have a strong interest in teaching, you might even enjoy the flexibility of an online teaching job, without having to commit to a full-time position.
Variety Of Subjects
With the internet and the invention of e-learning, it is now possible to provide students with a variety of different subjects, all from the comfort of their homes. If you’re an English teacher who wants to provide your students with a more in-depth knowledge of the language, you can opt for an online university degree in English. These types of courses will not only help you establish your credibility as a teacher, but will also give you the opportunity to explore different aspects of the English language, and help you establish yourself as an expert in your field.
If, however, you decide that you want to specialize in Literature, you can take a Bachelors in Literature with a minor in Teaching. From there, you can move into a full-fledged teacher training program, where you will learn more about pedagogy and how to effectively teach various kinds of texts. During your program, you will gain experience in both classroom teaching as well as online teaching. When you graduate, you will not only be able to teach Literature, but will also have the opportunity to work as a specialist tutor or as a school librarian. Whatever your specialty, there will always be a demand for teachers in literature and language, meaning you can be certain of a job for life, even if you want to switch fields later on in your career.
More Freedom
The last point to make about online teaching is that it offers you more freedom. You won’t have to worry about where you will teach, or if you will be able to teach in the same place for a long period of time. As a private tutor or online instructor, you can take your class anywhere you want to, and set your own hours and days of the week that you teach. This can be a great option if you want to be able to combine your love of teaching with your other responsibilities as a parent or caregiver.
If you have your own personal computer, or can access one at a nearby library, you do not need to worry about where you will find a quiet place to study. You can do all of your research and preparation for classes from the comfort of your home, and ensure that you are presenting yourself and your students with the best learning experience possible. You will not only be able to engage with students via email, but you can also set up quick Google Hangouts with your students, for those who want to keep in touch after the course has finished.
If you think that you might enjoy the freedom that comes with an online teaching job, or would like to see if this is a path that would satisfy your needs, feel free to give it a try. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even start your own blog, and use it to profile your courses, or to discuss current affairs in English teaching. The world is your oyster!