Work from home teaching ESL if you are someone who’s excellent in the English language, at the same time, have the passion to make a difference in someone else’s life through teaching.
Teaching is a very fulfilling profession. Needless to say, it can be financially rewarding as well.
Initially, when you think about teaching, the first thing that comes to mind is being inside a classroom full of eager learners. While this continues to exist in a typical classroom setup, working as an ESL teacher lets you teach students online.
Teaching ESL can be done using different online communication platforms like Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, and more. Indeed, thanks to technology and the internet, today, you can already fulfill becoming a teacher specifically teaching eh English language right at the comfort of your home.
But wait, what is ESL? What makes it different from other subject matters out there?
Well, if you are wondering what ESL is all about and how to work from home teaching ESL, you are in the right place, because today, we are going to provide you essential information about teaching ESL from the comforts of your home.
Before moving on, you are probably wondering why ESL teachers are in-demand.
This may be a little surprising, but, according to the website called Face the Facts USA (A Project of The George Washington University), studies have shown that — “Ten percent of all public school students are English as a Second Language Learner (ESL), meaning they have limited English proficiency. But less than 1 percent of public school teachers are ESL instructors.”
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This data shows that every single ESL instructor teaches the language to 150 ESL students.
Honestly, this is pretty surprising, but if you come to think about it, the United States is a mixture of culture. Meaning, there are a lot of immigrants coming from different countries (mostly non-English speaking), which is why a lot of its population is not proficient in the English language.
So, what are pointing out there?
Well, simple, we wanted to show you that ESL teaching is in-demand because there are a lot of students who need them. Thus, if you are proficient in the language, it would be great if you consider work from home teaching ESL. As we have mentioned earlier, it’s that kind of job that is fulfilling, at the same time can be financially rewarding.
So, having said all that, as promised, in the following sections, we are going to particularly tackle some very important information about pursuing a work from home career in teaching ESL.
In particular, we are going to talk about the following:
- What is ESL?
- Why teach English online?
- What does an online ESL teacher do?
- Who qualifies to work as an ESL teacher?
- How much does an online ESL teacher make?
- Where to find online English jobs?
WHAT IS ESL?
If you are someone who hasn’t heard about what ESL is all about yet, then, this section is for you.
We kept mentioning ESL, but what is ESL, really?
ESL stands for “English as a Second Language.”
Generally, ESL programs are designed to particularly teach the English language to non-native speakers. ESL teaching can be done either through a one-on-one session or through a small group setting.
Although there are institutions that offer face-to-face or in-person ESL teaching, thanks to technology and the internet, work from home teaching ESL or online ESL learning has become available.
Through the program, ESL teachers get to help non-native English speaking students learn the fundamentals of reading, writing, as well as speaking English.
Although institutions may have their respective ESL programs, most ESL classes use a combination of learning the specifics of the language like tense, part of speech, etc. and practicing conversational English. To be honest, the combination of both is believed to be effective in teaching the language to students. Needless to say, it makes English easily understandable.
Moving on, apart from the United States, which is an English-speaking country, ESL programs are also offered in different countries in the world.
As we have mentioned, ESL teachers are in-demand, and that there is a great opportunity in this industry.
Also, interested students who want to learn the English language does not only come from the US but also all over the globe. Thus, in most cases, ESL teachers end up teaching students online who are hailing from other countries.
In addition, ESL students come from different age-range. Although most are adults, there may be students who are in college or even younger. Thus, ESL programs also vary depending on the student.
Teaching ESL is absolutely a great choice for people who are passionate about teaching, proficient in the English language, and are willing to work with students regardless of time difference.
Meanwhile, if you want to know more about what an ESL teacher is all about, here’s a very informative video that tells you exactly what you need to know about being an ESL teacher from TEFL & TESOL Courses – ITTT:
WHY TEACH ENGLISH ONLINE?
Okay, before we further talk about ESL teaching, since we are talking about working from home as an ESL teacher, perhaps why consider opting for that path if you can teach in-person?
Well, the answer to that is very straight and simple — work from home teaching ESL is booming.
It is booming! It is in-demand.
Today, there are more opportunities for you online. Needless to say, working from home, working online is just so convenient. You no longer have to worry about anything apart from ensuring you stay connected (internet).
Online teaching is so convenient that it allows you as a teacher and your student/s to set your preferred time to hold the classes.
As mentioned earlier, you also have the choice to either hold a one-on-one session or a group setting.
Furthermore, ESL teachers teaching online get to save time on preparation since online classes are usually discussion-based.
Overall, we got to say that in most (if not all) parts of the world, learning English online has already been well-established, which is also great as you can choose the community you’d be able to connect the most.
WHAT DOES AN ONLINE ESL TEACHER DO?
Generally speaking, online ESL teachers are educators who provide instruction particularly on reading, writing, as well as speaking to students or individuals who are not native to the English language.
As an online ESL teacher, lessons are conducted virtually, using web-based communication platforms like Zoom, Skype, etc.
WHO QUALIFIES TO WORK AS AN ESL TEACHER?
So, you already know what ESL is and what an ESL teacher does. This time around, we are going to provide you with the requirements that you need to meet in order to become an online ESL teacher.
Primary Requirements
The basic requirement to become an ESL teacher working from home is, of course, having the mastery of the English language not only in speaking but as well as in writing and speaking.
While not all, most ESL teaching programs require teachers to hold either a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree. Currently, bilingual ESL teachers are in demand, so, if you are one, it’s time to try out this career. Who knows, this might just be the one you have been looking for!?
Having teaching experience, while not necessary for some organizations, could be a very good advantage.
Although not really required for some online teaching jobs, having a teaching certification is a must if you are going to seriously pursue an ESL teaching career. Needless to say, having a teaching certificate makes you a more competitive and competent candidate for the job.
But, what is a teaching certificate? How do you get one for yourself?
Well, there are two most popular certificate programs out there. One is called TESOL or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and two is TEFL or Teaching English as a Foreign Language. These programs are offered as part of teacher education programs or in some cases, as a supplemental certification.
It is important to note, though, that teacher licensing requirements vary depending on the state, as well as the program. Thus, it’s always best to check out first and see which is more ideal for you.
When teaching ESL, it is also important to know that there are a lot of different niches that fall under it. Some of them include English for legal, medical, business, as well as academic fields. Knowing this will help you determine which one is best for you to pursue or to become a master of.
Additionally, there are also a lot of ESL programs that focus on helping students get ready for either study or work abroad by preparing them for one or more of the following tests: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), as well as Cambridge English: First or Cambridge Advanced.
Qualities and Skills Required
Apart from the above-mentioned requirements, to become an online ESL teacher, you must also have or work on having the following skills:
- Excellent communication skills – Since you and your student are miles apart, having excellent communication skills is a must to ensure so that you get to fully relay the teaching process, and of course the lessons.
- Organizational skills – As a teacher, you have to be organized not only with the lessons but everything, in general, to become more efficient.
- Time management skills – In most cases, you can schedule several classes or sessions in a day with different sets of students. Thus, you have to make sure you do not overlap when teaching one student to another.
- Patient – You need lots of patience when teaching. That’s basically one of the secrets to becoming a great teacher. You have to be patient with the learning ability of your students.
- Understanding – Being understanding is also key because not at all times, the student can easily comprehend the lesson. Being an understanding of his or her learning progress is very important.
- Passion to teach and make a difference in someone’s life – Of course, the ultimate key to becoming not just a great ESL teacher but as a teacher, in general, is having a passion for the work.
Technical Requirements
In addition, to be able to work from home teaching ESL, you also need to have the following technical requirements:
- A reliable computer
- A high-speed internet connection
- A good-quality headset
- A room free of distractions and noise
HOW MUCH DOES AN ONLINE ESL TEACHER MAKE?
Now that you already know what ESL teaching is all about, the requirements for the job, and the reasons why you should pursue online teaching, it’s time to talk about how much you can make as an online ESL teacher.
Generally speaking, how much you earn as an ESL teacher depends on a number of factors like your niche, the country you’re in, as well as your experience and expertise.
Normally, companies that provide ESL classes pay their ESL teachers $10 to $15 per working hour.
However, if you want to earn more, it’s best to instead work independently and start your own ESL online teaching business. By doing so, you can earn as much as $20 or more!
Do you think it’s hard to start off your own ESL business from home? Well, it actually is not, especially if you have the experience and the certifications we mentioned earlier. Also, setting up your own website, and building your social media pages are great ways to attract more clients, which in turn means more income.
Anyway, work from home teaching ESL today, and you will surely get great rewards in the future — not only in monetary terms but also knowing that you are able to contribute to your students’ English language journey.
WHERE TO FIND ONLINE ENGLISH JOBS?
In this section, we are going to provide you with some of the companies that provide online English classes. These companies normally hire teachers on a regular basis.
So, if you are ready, let’s start with –
HAWO
HAWO is owned by China Online Education Group (NYSE: COE), which was founded in 2011, and is now a leader in K-12 online English education.
China Online Education Group actually has two brands. One is HAWO, which is intended for group classes, while the other one is the popular 51Talk, which is the company’s one-to-one English teaching product.
HAWO seeks native English speakers from the United States and Canada to work for the company and teach ESL classes to Chinese children.
Yes, the company is specifically designed to teach the English language to Chinese children and even adults, too.
To land a job at HAWO, you must at least be currently enrolled in a university or is a bachelor’s degree holder. You must also be willing to work at least 10 hours a week.
As a HAWO English teacher, you can make up to $22 for every 45-minute class. Apart of that, you can also receive bonuses and other incentives.
51Talk
As mentioned above, 51Talk is the one-on-one product of the China Online Education Group. 51Talk is actually popular when it comes to online English teaching platforms.
Similar to HAWO, 51Talk also requires native English speakers from the U.S. and Canada to be considered for the job. Enrollment to a university or a bachelor’s degree is also required.
Payment to English teachers is the same as well. You can earn up to $22 for every 45-minute class.
Cambly
Cambly is another popular company that provides online ESL teaching job opportunities.
The company offers ESL students a private tutor experience through a specific desktop or smartphone application. Cambly’s teachers or instructors provide assistance to students either on an individual work a small group basis.
With Cambly, online tutors can earn 17 cents per minute or $10.20 per hour. Payments are sent via PayPal.
To qualify, you must be a native English or Spanish speaker from the U.S., Canada, Australia, or the United Kingdom.
ESL Employment
Unlike the previous companies on our list, ESL Employment is not a direct company. ESL Employment is an online job listing site that specifically caters to ESL and EFL job opportunities.
It is a perfect platform for both job seekers and companies to find each other.
ESL Employment listings vary. However, most of them are open to teachers who have a teaching certification, and those who want to work independently as contractors.
While the requirements vary from one job listing to another, to give you an idea, some ESL Employment positions require you to have your own software, equipment, as well as a lesson plan. Meanwhile, other positions provide software and instructional materials for the job.
When it comes to payment, it also varies depending on the job listing.
goFLUENT
goFLUENT is the leading English-teaching company in Europe. Unlike other companies, goFLUENT particularly focuses on teaching the English language to business clients.
The company specifically offers English teaching opportunities for teachers based in the United States or Canada, as well as teachers who are the U.S., British, or Canadian citizens living in Central America.
To qualify for the job, you must have a college degree and previous teaching experience. The good news is, the company does not necessarily require a teaching certificate.
With goFLUENT, work hours are flexible, and of course, you hold classes online.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON DOING WORK FROM HOME TEACHING ENGLISH
It’s nice knowing that in today’s age, people can learn the English language regardless of where they are in the world. Through technology, students and teachers are able to hold classes by simply being online.
Moving on, as we have mentioned early on, ESL teaching is a great opportunity for people who are passionate about teaching especially those who are native English speakers. While some companies may require teaching certifications, other does not mind that at all.
So, having learned all the information we provided, do you see yourself exploring this job opportunity?
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