Studying, just like working, is a very demanding and time-consuming feat, but when you have children, time is always of the essence. Luckily, we live in a day and age where technology can help everyone be more flexible, whether they are studying or working.
What’s more, technology can allow you to retrain for a new career and start your own business – all while juggling a busy life as a parent. No, it’s not always going to be straightforward. It can, in fact, be quite challenging at times, but nothing worth having comes easily. Think about travelling with young children. It takes a lot of planning and preparation beforehand, and it might not be plain sailing once you have reached your destination. But the pros of letting your children experience new places and new cultures definitely outweigh the cons.
One of the most popular online businesses at the moment is teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) because of the many advantages it offers.
What are the advantages of teaching English online?
As you can imagine, one of the biggest benefits of working online is flexibility. You can decide where, when, and how many hours to work. You might find that working late at night or early in the morning better suits your lifestyle. Well, there are always students in the right time zone for your time preference.
Another positive aspect is the comfort and convenience connected to working online. As long as you have a reliable and stable internet connection, you can teach from anywhere in the world – or from your living room! What’s more, in doing so, you avoid the cost and the time involved in commuting.
Studying Online – How do you structure an online teaching business?
What is truly amazing is that you get to choose what kind of business you want to be involved in. You might decide to be completely independent and set up your own website, find your own students, and set your own fees. But there’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than meets the eye – not only in terms of technology but also in admin and marketing. All this is required even before you start planning and teaching your lessons. However, this option gives great freedom and huge satisfaction.
You might not want to focus so much on the ‘behind-the-scenes of online teaching, and that’s fine. There are plenty of established Courses that would happily take over the ‘boring’ side of the business and let you get on with your teaching. Some of them will even provide you with ready-made lesson plans and materials if you prefer. Weigh your options carefully when you choose the school(s) you want to work with – they all come with different conditions.
How do you get into online TEFL?
Once you decide that online teaching is for you, the first thing you should do is train as a teacher and get your TEFL certificate. In this article on TEFL Org you will find a lot of detailed information. Again, don’t forget that this training can be done online, from the comfort of your own home at the times that suit you.
From the age of 18, anyone with a strong command of the English language can become a TEFL teacher, but it is necessary to have a TEFL qualification. A reputable provider should be able to offer you a 120-hour course to start. This will provide you with a general understanding of various aspects of the English language, from lexis to phonology. It will also teach you to create engaging and effective lessons that your students will love.
A basic TEFL qualification is enough to get you started. However, to stand out in this competitive industry, consider additional qualifications, specific to teaching within an online environment. This will enable you to better manage the technical aspect of things and structure your lessons accordingly.
What do you need to teach online?
As well as your all-important qualification, you’ll need some equipment. Chances are that you already have most of it, but let’s have a quick recap.
First of all you need a suitable area for your teaching. It needs to be well-lit and quiet. Natural light works best, but it’s not always possible. Bright light from a lamp placed in a strategic position can work just as well.
Of course, you’ll need a laptop or a PC, and a strong internet connection. Although you could technically teach from a smartphone or a tablet, you might find there are some restrictions. If you choose to work through an online school’s platform, you need to check if it’s allowed.
If you want to take the quality of your screen time to another level, think about some additional equipment, like a good quality headset or microphone, and a webcam with a higher resolution.
Are you the right person for the job?
Teaching people from other countries means experiencing a bit of their culture. While this is an incredible opportunity, it can sometimes be challenging.
You might not always understand or agree with other cultures’ traditions. Therefore, keeping an open mind and being culturally sensitive is extremely important. Always remember that kindness and understanding goes a long way, no matter where you come from.
Studying Online – In conclusion
Retraining as an EFL teacher and setting up your own business while bringing up your children is no joke. You could even combine these by considering Childcare Apprenticeships & Courses. The personal satisfaction and the reward for your achievements are priceless. All of that without leaving your house!
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