5 Steps to Become An Online English Teacher

If you have just started your career, lost your job, want to change careers, or are looking for a side job, teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages online may be what you are looking for. In fact, if you are reading this article, you may have heard something about teaching online, but you are just not sure how to start. Well, then you have come to the right place. Let's take a look at the steps you need to follow to become an online English teacher. So, how can I become an online English teacher?

1. Get a Teaching Certificate

Even if you have a degree in education, taking TEFL/TESOL courses is still a better choice for you. Yes, you can find a job without any teaching certificate. But it would be more difficult and you are not being competitive. And with the upcoming Chinese policy about online teaching, the Chinese Education department requires that all the teachers from after-school companies need a teaching certificate. Besides, The TEFL/TESOL course will teach you everything you need to know about teaching English as a foreign language. Lesson plans, teaching methods, learning theories, teaching skills, classroom management, and the basics of English grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation will be taught to you, helping you prepare to teach this crazy language to your students. Just because you speak this language does not necessarily mean that you can teach it. This is why you need to take a teaching course.

2. Organize your paperwork

Once you have completed this course, it is time to make sure all your paperwork is in order before you start applying for a job. Finding a job teaching English online is no different than other jobs, so your paperwork is the same. Update your resume, making sure to highlight any experience or skills you may have that are useful in teaching. Certify your degree and make sure you have a digital copy of the certificates and ID. In terms of digital paperwork, you should also choose a Paypal, Payoneer, or similar payment portal, so that your school or student can pay you quickly and easily. This may sometimes take several days to get approval, so the sooner the better.

3. Do your research

Do you want to teach teenagers or are you more willing to teach adults? Do you want to teach general English or academic English or business English? Do you want to teach a few hours a week? You need to figure out these questions before you make applications. Once you have considered these issues, do some research online to find some companies that suit your needs. Your teaching preferences will determine which companies you will apply for. For example, if you are a North American citizen and you want to teach children, you can apply for VIPKid or DadaABC. If you are more willing to teach adults and you are in the UK, then first look at English First. Before applying, make sure you understand exactly what the company requires of teachers to ensure you are qualified.

4. Start Your Application

Just like any other job search, now you need to apply for as many different teaching jobs as possible. It may take a while to find the right position for you, but any demo you need to do can be done comfortably in your own home, which makes the application and interview process very easy! Besides, with online teaching, you can work for more than one company, so if you can’t choose between the two, you don’t need to worry about having to choose an employer.

5. Teaching!

By now, you should have all the equipment you need to teach English online. Once you get an offer from a teaching company and you have organized all the equipment and resources you need, you are ready to teach and change the world with a big smile!