How to Teach Online English – Step by Step Process
How to Teach Online English – Step by Step Process
Hello everyone,
Are you a native English speaker looking to make some extra income from home?
Or maybe you’re an English teacher who wants more flexibility in your schedule.
Teaching English online could be the perfect opportunity for you.
With online education becoming increasingly popular, there is a growing demand for qualified English instructors to teach students from around the world via video chat.
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to start teaching English online successfully.
We’ll cover finding the right online teaching platform, setting up your teaching space, planning effective lessons, using engaging teaching methods, and providing valuable feedback to your students.
Let’s get started!
Step 1: Find an Online Teaching Platform
The first step is to find a reputable online teaching company or marketplace to work with.
There are quite a few options out there, such as VIPKID, Qkids, Gogokid, Cambly, and Preply.
Each platform has its own requirements for hiring teachers, so you’ll need to research which ones you qualify for.
Generally, the basic requirements include:
– Being a native English speaker
– Having a bachelor’s degree
– Possessing a TEFL/TESOL certificate (sometimes mandatory, sometimes not)
– Owning a computer, webcam, and headset
– Having a high-speed internet connection
Once you’ve identified some platforms, you’re eligible for, you’ll need to complete their application and interview process.
This usually involves submitting documents like your degree and teaching credentials, doing a mock teaching lesson, and having an interview.
Step 2: Set Up Your Teaching Space
With an online teaching platform lined up, the next step is setting up a dedicated teaching space in your home.
You’ll need a quiet, distraction-free area for conducting your video lessons.
Pay attention to lighting, background, and potential noise issues.
Here are some tips for an ideal online teaching set-up:
– Use a plain background or hang up a backdrop
– Ensure the area is well-lit, either by natural light or lamps
– Use a quality webcam and headset with a mic
– Have all your teaching materials and props within reach
– Minimize background noise by closing windows/doors
Taking the time to create a professional-looking teaching space will help put your students at ease and allow you to focus better during lessons.
You may want to read:
- Remote Education Jobs Opportunities
- The Role of Technology in English Teaching
- Managing Discipline in Online ESL Lessons
- The Rise of Online English Teaching
- The Ultimate Guide To Online English Teaching
Step 3: Plan Engaging Lessons
Like any good teacher, you’ll need to plan out your online English lessons in advance to keep students engaged.
The key is to use a variety of activities, visuals, and interactive elements. Students will quickly get bored if all you do is lecture at the camera.
When planning a lesson, start by identifying the key learning objectives and language points you want to cover.
Then, build your lesson plan around short activities and exercises that will allow your students to practice those skills.
Some examples could include:
– Conversations/role plays
– Games and puzzles
– Reading comprehension exercises
– Vocabulary review with flashcards or imagery
– Grammar drills and sentences for writing practice
Be sure to prepare any visual aids, props, or multimedia you’ll need.
Online whiteboards and screen-sharing capabilities can be very useful tools.
Step 4: Use Effective Online Teaching Methods
Once your lessons are planned out, you’ll need to adjust your traditional teaching methods for the online environment.
Without being in the same room, you’ll have to work a bit harder to engage students, manage the classroom, and ensure everyone is participating.
Here are some tips for effective online English instruction:
• Be an animated and enthusiastic presenter to keep attention
• Use students’ names frequently and call on them to respond
• Ask lots of comprehension questions to gauge understanding
• Do activities that require physical movement or response
• Share your screen to show visuals, apps, websites, etc.
• Allow time for unmuted conversations/discussion
• Offer encouragement, praise, and feedback regularly
The most successful online teachers are those that are able to create an interactive, supportive, and fun learning environment despite the virtual setting.
Step 5: Provide Feedback and Review
Finally, an essential part of helping students improve their English skills is providing regular feedback and review opportunities.
After each class, take some time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved.
Identify areas where individual students struggled and look for ways to review those concepts.
During the next session, you may want to:
• Quickly re-teach or clarify any confusing points
• Ask topical review questions or do a warm-up activity
• Go over homework assignments or have students share writing
• Encourage students to ask any lingering questions
Don’t just plow forward with new material each time.
Make sure your students have multiple opportunities to practice what they’re learning and to get your feedback and corrections.
Consistent review and guidance are key for effective language learning.
Those are the core steps for getting started teaching English online! While it will likely take some adjustment, online teaching can be a very rewarding experience.
You’ll get to interact with students from around the globe, build your teaching skills, and have the flexibility of working from home.
The most important things are to plan well, leverage technology and multimedia, create an engaging learning environment, and provide plenty of feedback to facilitate your students’ growth.
If you consistently deliver a great educational experience, you’ll have a steady stream of happy online students.
So, what are you waiting for?
If you have a passion for the English language and for helping others learn, why not look into the many opportunities for teaching English online today?
