About 1.39 billion people speak English, making it the most widely spoken language in the world. There are 379 million native English speakers. In addition, 753 million people worldwide speak English as a second language. English developed in Britain and spread to other countries of the world through British influences. Today, English is the main language of business and International Business. People in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, Namibia, and other countries speak English as their main native language. It is the official language of 67 countries and 27 non-sovereign entities.
The English language has been tremendously successful. It is not only the language of business, travel, and international relations; it is regarded as a language of opportunity and a better quality of life. Its popularity is boosted by the relative simplicity with which it can be understood and the pervasive culture and influence of Native English speakers globally. Consequently, there is no doubt that the English Language will continue to be the dominant language in the world.
Why Would You Want to Become an Online English Teacher?
The Internet has greatly changed the way things are done. This has brought various benefits for those who are adaptable. One of these benefits is online learning and teaching. As the emergence of COVID-19 has demonstrated, an online presence is no longer a choice, but a necessity and the way of doing things.
Online teaching is also convenient for the teacher and the students. Flexibility is one of the key advantages of online learning. Students learn at their own pace, where and when it suits them. There are no travelling expenses to and from classes. The same thing applies to the teachers
Other than the convenience and cost-effectiveness of online learning and teaching, online teaching is growing. So, if you have teaching skills and have been thinking of going abroad, it may be the best way to experiment before you make the move.
Qualifications You Need
Some companies may require a bachelor’s degree and/or English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification. However, if you do not have a degree, do not panic, as there are companies that offer online teaching jobs without requiring a college degree. However, though a degree may not be required, most companies will require a TEFL certification.
TEFL, TESL and TESOL Certifications
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is a qualification awarded upon completing the course. The certification is proof that you have been properly trained to teach English online or abroad.
TEFL is the basic qualification required to teach English online. This is important so that the school or language company that hires you knows you are competent to teach English online, and if you are travelling abroad, it will also help to obtain the right visa.
TEFLÂ is for teaching English in non-native English-speaking countries to speakers of foreign languages, for example, teaching English in a country like China.
You may also come across Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) certification. TESL is no longer popular because you may find that learners of English are not learning it as a second language, but as a third, fourth, or fifth language and so on. So, TESL is becoming redundant.
Another certification you may come across is Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). It is generally recommended for teachers who plan to work with learners who are non-native English speakers living in English-speaking countries. According to Bridge Universe, though there is technically a distinction between TEFL and TESOL, they are often used synonymously regarding the certification requirements. However, if you want to earn a degree in teaching English to obtain a bachelor’s or master’s, it would be in TESOL and not TEFL (BridgeTEFL, 2019)
How to Get Started as an Online English Teacher
According to the British Council (Segev, EÂ 2014), these are some of the main tips to help you get started as an online English teacher.
Getting Proper Equipment
Before you are able to teach online, you need the right equipment. This includes having an appropriate Internet speed, a headset with a microphone, and a good quality webcam.
If you are going to work for yourself as a freelance teacher, you may need to use a video conferencing platform such as Skype or Zoom
Working for an Established Company
You can work as an online English teacher either by joining and established online teaching company or by going freelance.
If you are starting new, it is better to join an established online teaching company. If you opt to apply to online English teaching companies, you’ll find that each one has its own hiring requirements. If your English level is high, and you meet other requirements for the job, you will find opportunities regardless of your native language. So, you don’t have to be a native English speaker.
Some platforms provide interactive teaching video downloads and Discussion Boards to help you familiarise yourself with the online English teaching environment to develop your skills and experience.
The advantage of working for an established online teaching company is that you do not need to worry about finding students because the companies do the marketing, recruitment of their own students, and assign them automatically to teachers. They may even provide lesson plans along with slides and teaching instructions.
Creating a Blog
Blogs are beneficial for sharing your passion, communicating your skills, and getting exposure.
In teaching, particularly in online teaching, blogs can be used by teachers to publish assignments, share resources, and keep your learners, the parents, and guardians informed of events and lecture plans. Blogs can also be used to help the students develop knowledge of content creation and in that way, they can improve their writing skills.
As an online teacher, blogs encourage your learners on the use of the Internet and online facilities. They promote discussions among students as well as autonomous learning by providing opportunities for students to take more control of their learning.
Becoming part of a network of teachers
Teaching online can be challenging and lonely. For these reasons, it is better to join a network of teachers, for example, Facebook Groups. This will help you to connect with others, learn from them, and share experiences. Like blogs, it will also give you exposure as you can make job connections through these groups.
Effective Time Management
Online teaching provides the flexibility that face-to-face teaching does not provide. The question is not whether it saves time but developing effective time management strategies to take advantage of this flexibility. You need to set clear goals, plan your course schedules and assignments properly.
References
BridgeTEFL. (2019). What Is TESOL? Which Certification Is Better–TEFL or TESOL? [online] Available at: https://bridge.edu/tefl/blog/what-is-tesol/.[Accessed 19 July. 2020].
Guinan, S. (2014). Teaching English online – opportunities and pitfalls | British Council. [online] Available at: https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/teaching-english-online-opportunities-pitfalls [Accessed 12 July. 2020].
Lingoda. (n.d.). English Speaking Countries List | Lingoda Online English Language School. [online] Available at: https://www.lingoda.com/en/content/english-speaking-countries/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20English%20is%20recognized [Accessed 27 Jul. 2020].
Segev, E (2014). How to get started as an online teacher of English | British Council. [online] Available at: https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/how-get-started-as-online-teacher-english [Accessed 12 Jul. 2020].
WorldAtlas (2016). What is the Most Spoken Language in the World? [online] WorldAtlas. Available at: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/most-popular-languages-in-the-world.html. [Accessed 27 June 2019
