Teach English Online in 2023

Teach English Online with Confidence-10 Things to Know Before You Get Started

Introduction

Do you want to teach English online? With remote learning becoming a standard practice across the world, it is easier than ever for teachers to start teaching online. However, it can be challenging to know where to start.

In this guide, we’re going to share 10 important things to know before you start teaching English online, including qualifications, English teaching materials, and more.

1. What Does it Mean to “Teach English Online”?

Teaching English online has many advantages over in-person lessons, but it also has some challenges that you should be aware of before you get started.

One of the biggest advantages of remote learning platforms is that you can take advantage of all types of media to enrich your lessons, including:

• YouTube videos
• Apps and games
• Blogs

Online learning provides more flexibility and creativity when planning your English lessons. It’s also convenient for students and teachers because lessons can be arranged when it’s most convenient for both parties.

Of course, there will also be challenges that you should be prepared for, such as:

• Lack of in-person interaction. When interacting in person, you can pick up on visual cues and body language to see if you’re on the right track or if the student is struggling to comprehend the materials. It can be more difficult (but not impossible) to pick up on these cues when you’re teaching online.
• Scheduling. There’s a good chance that your students will be in different time zones, which can make scheduling more challenging. You may need to work early in the morning or late at night to accommodate your student’s schedule. Time management will be of the utmost importance.
• Connection and tech issues. If your goal is to be a successful online English teacher, then you need to ensure that you have a good Internet connection, equipment, and software. Depending on your location, it may not always be easy to find a reliable Internet connection.

If you’re going to teach English online, then it’s important to understand what this venture really means. Knowing the pros and cons, as mentioned above, will help you decide whether this is the right path for you.

2. Do I Need a College Degree or Professional Qualification Like CELTA/DELTA/TEFL to Teach English Online?

Whether you need a college degree or professional qualification to t each English will depend on your goals.

If your goal is to work independently to teach English online, these qualifications are nice to have but aren’t necessary. However, without a degree or professional qualification, you will need to rely on quality lesson plans and resources. For example, platforms like AmeriLingua have subscription plans for ESL teachers that include interactive lessons, lesson plans, and more.

If you want to work for an online language school or any type of educational institution, you will likely need a TEFL, CELTA, DELTA or other qualification.

• TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language): The most popular certification and is commonly required by language learning institutes.
• CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults): A specific type of TEFL certification given by the Cambridge English Assessment. The certification allows you to teach English to adults exclusively.
• DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults): Another certification given by the Cambridge English Assessment. DELTA is only available to qualified teachers who have at least one year of experience.

Remember — if you want to offer private English lessons online, certifications are nice to have but they aren’t necessary. A degree and/or certification is usually required when teaching for an educational institution abroad.

3. Can I Travel and Teach English Online from Anywhere I Am?

One of the reasons why people are interested in teaching English online is that the job offers freedom and flexibility. Along with setting your own schedule, you can also choose to travel and teach.

As long as you have a reliable Internet connection, a quality ESL lesson plan and a reasonably quiet location for your lessons, you can absolutely teach English while traveling.

Just keep in mind that proper planning and time management will be crucial if you decide to explore the world while teaching.

4. What Technology Do I Need to Use to Teach English Online?

The great thing about teaching English online is that you don’t need much to get started. Individual needs may vary, but here’s the basic technology you will need to teach English online:

• A teaching platform. There are many options here, including Zoom, Google Class and Flip. Choose a platform that you’re familiar with and that’s easily accessible for both you and your students.
• A laptop or desktop computer, which will allow you to grade work, create materials and interact with students more efficiently.
• A quality microphone to ensure your students can hear you well.
• A high-quality ESL lesson plan.

Of course, you’ll also need a stable Internet connection to ensure your video chat sessions go smoothly.

5. Do I Need a Website to Teach English Online?

No. You do not need a website to begin teaching English online, but you do need a platform that will:

• Host your English teaching materials
• Allow access for teachers and students
• Make it easy to review homework
• Provide an environment for interactive lessons

If you have potential students who want to learn English online, you don’t need a website of your own. However, many teachers do have a website because it helps:

• Establish them as professionals
• Attract organic traffic from search engines

6. Should I Work for an Online Teaching Company or Look for My Own Students?

You can work for an online teaching company or begin finding your own students. There are pros and cons to both:

Depending on your own preferences,you may or may not want to work for someone else. Looking for your own students and being your own boss may be something you want to do, and this is 100% up to you.

If you want to begin making money faster and don’t find pleasure in finding your own students and marketing your services, online teaching companies may be the optimal choice for you.

7. What Resources Should I Use to Teach English Online Effectively?

Teachers are always evolving to better help their students. However, you need a firm foundation of resources to help you get started with teaching online as effectively as possible.

The following resources can help you begin teaching English online:

• AmeriLingua offers an innovative platform with high-quality ready-to-teach lesson plans and resources for independent teachers, schools, and learners. Here is the video explaining how to use this site:

• ESL Expat is another website with great resources, especially for traveling teachers. You will read teachers’ stories about teaching English in different countries. You can also find a job teaching abroad.
• Teachers PayTeachers is also a great site to find educational resources produced by other teachers. You can find resources on any subject, from language learning to music to seasonal holidays.

8. What Salary/Compensation Can I Expect If I Start Teaching English Online?

Teaching English is a valuable, in-demand skill that pays very well.

How much can you make teaching ESL?

• PayScale.com lists the average salary of $47,152 per year for teaching ESL, with a base salary ranging from $34,000 — $67,000.
• Glassdoor.com has a similar average salary of $46,176 with ranges from $31,000 — $68,000. Many teachers also earn $2,300 in additional pay per year.
• ZipRecruiter has hourly figures, which are great if you plan to offer your own services. The range is from $6.25 — $30 an hour, and the average ESL teacher will earn around $20 an hour.

Of course, if you work for yourself, you won’t benefit from bonuses or profit sharing, which may be offered by some online schools, but you will set your own rates.

9. How Do I Bill My Students If I Start My Own English Teaching Business?

Running your own business leads to one major question: how do you bill students? You should offer your students multiple payment options, and the following platforms are great for helping with billing:

You’ll find other great options for accepting payment online from your students. However, most of the processors will have similar rates and options. A solution like Wave is a good option if you accept bank payments or want to set up recurring payments.

10. Will the IRS Find Out If I Get Paid from An Overseas Student?

Yes! The IRS will find out if you’re receiving money overseas from students. If you work and reside in another country, there may be taxation agreements between the countries to avoid double taxation.

If you are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, you also want to read up on 1099-K requirements, which:

• Apply to CashApp, PayPal, Stripe, Venmo, Square, Zelle and others
• Require filing a 1099-K if you make $600 or more a year

In the past, you wouldn’t receive a 1099-K unless 200+ transactions or $20,000 were processed, meaning most people kept the money earned off of their tax returns. However, these laws changed in 2022 and anything over $600 must be claimed on your taxes.

Conclusion

Teaching English online can be a rewarding experience. Along with helping your students achieve their ESL goals, you enjoy freedom and flexibility in your scheduling and lesson plans. If you’re an inexperienced or aspiring ESL teacher, it is crucial to use high-quality teaching materials. The right materials will help you teach with confidence and ensure your students receive the education they expect.

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Created on Nov 3rd 2022 11:41. Viewed 160 times.

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