Whether it is for personal or professional reasons, more and more students turn to the internet to learn new languages. There is always a free spot in a virtual classroom to learn any language.
An online language lesson is so flexible that it can be easily integrated into a student's and a teacher's schedule. People have a busy life and the internet, being a very democratic tool, is here to help.
Teaching online can be a great way to earn money for language tutors, and most of all, teaching English as a foreign language online (TEFL) can be a rewarding experience and an opportunity to change someone’s life.
To teach a language online, you can either go through networking platforms or create your own website. Each solution has its benefits and drawbacks. Many teachers and tutors even choose both.
One of the easiest and safest ways to make a living as an online tutor is through online learning platforms. Students are increasingly turning to online platforms like Coursera, Preply (27 languages: Spanish, French, German, and many less-known languages), or Lingoda (where you need to be a native speaker with at least three years of experience) to find a language course. These are just a few examples of the numerous internet resources that teachers can access to provide their services in language learning. A platform is not just there to link you with potential students, it can also take care of invoicing for you, help you decide on the best rates, as well as offer a certain flexibility in your work schedule: you can plan your work week with ease and help your business grow, even book a lesson yourself.
The only drawbacks are the commissions charged and that some platforms require you to have certified skills to apply for an account with them. The TEFL certification with a minimum of 120 hours of study is the most common. ESL and other certifications are also welcome. Some of them require you to be a native speaker, some don't. You are free to join as many as you like.
If you are a teacher of English as a foreign language (TEFL) or a tutor in English as a second language (ESL), and if you want to work online with students from around the world, this is all you need to know to make a good start on your new career path.
As we have seen, there are many sites you can turn to and start earning an income. Each has its own requirements and offers, depending on the language (or languages) you intend to teach. Even if you could be able to tutor without a formal education, most platforms ask for a university degree level and certifications.
Being an experienced language teacher does not mean that you will have the educational level needed to tutor any language online. Giving online lessons is a practical and flexible way to earn money, but it requires different skills than conventional teaching. Working and preparing courses online is a different set of needs and conditions.
Be sure everything is up to date and functioning before giving your first classes.
The following are also highly recommended if you really want to make a difference with your online tutoring offer:
The first set of online classes can be intimidating, as you are starting out with few students, but that should not discourage you. Many students are really motivated and prepared to invest time and money to advance their language skills. You should know that Spanish, German, Italian, English, and French are most in demand. Considering this, it is not very hard to find students to teach online. You just need to have the right method and the right level of skills. Be sure to plan your working week in the most effective way. As your experience grows, so will your earnings. Having a world of opportunities can be overwhelming but working in your own rhythm from the comfort of your home is very rewarding in every way.
It is always a good idea to set aside some time and create an introductory video about yourself, especially if you have joined an online teaching platform. Most teachers do one, and it is a great way to present your degree, your experience, your personality as a tutor. You can talk about the method you use to create a lesson or a specific course, what skills you apply, and what students can learn with you.
Tutors in many languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish and English as a foreign language, native or not) have already crossed to online lessons. You can be part of that new trend very easily.
Additionally to all the above tools and skills, you will have to make sure you meet all the legal requirements to work as a freelancer in your country. You can decide between being an independent or opening a company (and add some other services), but as a rule, be sure to be informed about the tax rules as well, depending on your country of residence.
Having your own web site is also a must if you want even more flexibility and a higher earning potential than with online teaching platforms. You will then have to do all the administrative work by yourself, including your schedule.
As a freelancer, you need to have very sharp marketing skills, and a lot of stamina to find and keep the number of students you need to have good earnings. You can use printed material or social media to get online students, as well as attend conferences and professional fairs. It can be a very tiresome marathon, considering that you must prepare your courses and do the administrative work that your business requires, and that takes time too. But you can also choose to join an online teaching platform, where entire teams are dedicated to fill your life with teaching hours with students from all over the world. This will give you more free time to prepare your classes and give a student all your attention.
Are you a native speaker of Italian, Spanish, German, French, or maybe other rarer languages, and are you a native in English who can give TEFL or ESL courses? Do you have some free time, or do you need a professional change? You have the necessary degree or certification? Become an online language tutor, set the course for your new career path.
People often think that a conventional lesson in physical classes is the only way to learn a language. Nothing could be further from the truth. You can start working on courses and plan your week like a true professional tutor too. Start learning, apply your skills, build your experience, help a student be the best they can be.