Speaking English is a mustnowadays. It is a language that opens the doors to various opportunities in the world. It drives us professionally and allows us to meet people from different cultures in the process. For this reason, there is a growing demand for qualified English teachers around the world.
Because of the pandemic, people are becoming more involved in the virtual world every day. With reduced mobility in most countries, there is much more demand for online English teachers. This is the ideal time to start preparing for this new reality.
Teaching online gives you a lot of flexibility. You can teach from anywhere, but it requires a good Internet connection and specific knowledge. Even after quarantine, you can still be an online teacher and travel the world and earn income from wherever you decide to be.
Online teaching is a field that has already had quite a bit of history, but it is still evolving, so not everyone is ready to do it. If you already have experience teaching English in institutions, you’re halfway there. The only thing that will change is the use of technology. You can apply all your previous knowledge to your online teaching methodology and also discover new techniques to make your classes more productive.
What does it take to teach English online?
First of all, although it seems obvious, mastering the language perfectly. The most demanding students and the most prestigious schools accept non-native English speakers, but you must have at least C1 level of the CEFR. Therefore, the first step will be to reach this level in order to continue advancing.
Secondly, it is highly recommended that you have an official TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. The best known are the CELTA from Cambridge University and the CertTESOL from Trinity College. The best way to obtain these certificates is to take a preparatory course, as the skills required go beyond simple theory. The advantage of the Trinity diploma is that now you can take an online Trinity CertTESOL course, and get the certificate without leaving home.
And finally, equally important, is to have the right technology and equipment. Without a good Internet connection and a proper computer it is impossible to teach English online. This makes these two things an indispensable investment for a teacher who wants to work remotely. Your computer should also have some video conferencing software such as Skype, Zoom or Microsoft Teams and know how to use them properly.
Next steps
You already have the skills to teach English online, you have a certificate, and you have the technology. Now what? The opportunities are many and varied. You can decide your path as a part-time teacher, look for students for private lessons, or you can look for work at online language institutes. For starters, the very TEFL school that trains you to get your certificate can help you find work in partner companies. There are also many classified websites where you can advertise and find self-employed students. The important thing is to search actively, and soon you will be able to become a digital nomad.