If you’re reading this, you’re more than likely considering a career in English Teaching. This is one of the most rewarding career fields around and with plenty of opportunities to specialise in different spheres of the EFL/ESL world, so why wait! Follow along as we unpack some of the fundamentals of teaching English full-time online.
You can most certainly teach English online full-time, but there are some essential aspects to consider. Maybe you’ve been teaching part-time and are looking to enter into more of a full-time position. Perhaps you haven’t even started teaching online at all and are in search of a few more answers before you decide to dive in!
First, consider the type of company you wish to work for. Do you want to work for a large company and have a fixed schedule or are you considering more of an independent freelancer approach whereby you devise your own schedule and arrange your own bookings? This will largely determine whether or not you can teach English online full-time.
Freelancers have more control over their own hours and bookings, but a lot of groundwork is necessary for those who want to make a full-time career out of it. Freelancers should pour time and energy, and sometimes even some initial capital, into marketing themselves to attract a decent client base and build up a solid schedule that they can rely on.
On the other hand, when it comes to a contracted company – you are generally signing your day away to them, which isn’t a bad idea. Suppose you have signed with a reliable company that seeks to fill their teacher’s (available) slots and prioritize teacher-happiness. When signing on to be a contracted worker, you are encouraged to open as many slots as possible to attract students who will hopefully decide to commit to classes with you permanently!
This is why first impressions are vital. Approach each new class with a positive attitude, and engage your students. Getting them talking as much as possible while facilitating a fun and exciting lesson. Consider signing a contract with more than one company at a time, ensuring that the schedules do not interfere with one another! Seek out companies in unique locations such as Thailand, Poland, or even Italy and don’t apply solely to companies located in Asian-based countries, which are often considered to form the EFL/ESL teaching hub. This will allow you to branch out and work for companies with varying peak hours in different parts of the world.
Consider specialising after completing your TEFL or TESL course. Large corporations receive hundreds of applications monthly and what better way to make yourself stand out than by enhancing your existing skillset. Here at iTTi South Africa, we offer brilliant Young Learner and Business English specialisation courses that are the perfect additions to your newly acquired 120hr TESOL certificate. Above and beyond EFL/ESL certifications, you may want to look into completing an IELTS course, for example, to further expand on the services you’re able to offer and therefore broaden your working opportunities even more! Don’t forget that the effort you put in determines the success you get out! Seek out reliable recruiters and job boards and continue to apply to various companies until you create a schedule that works for you and makes you smile when thinking of your working day!
Check out our website for more information and let us help you take on Online English Teaching full-time!
