Online ESL Teaching - Why do I need a back up?


Here's a few home truths about the Online ESL world...

First...

NOTHING IS GUARANTEED!

Now that's ok for me! I'm fine to NOT work - sure I enjoy the extra income and the fulfilment I get from teaching but I don't rely on it.

Some people do...

People do this full time! THIS is it! This is what their mortgage or rent payments are relying on!

...and THAT is why you should always have a back up plan.

Here are some more tips:


  • If you already have steady employment DON'T QUIT YET! Building bookings in the online teaching world can take time!! If you can do both for a while - do it!
  • Teaching Chinese kids is seasonal- There is a high up take in extra classes during July/August things will get very quiet around Chinese New Year. The ups and downs of the market are part of the job - ride with it.
  • Many experienced teachers refer to the 'revolving door' nature of the industry. If you miss or cancel classes or don't put in the effort you WILL be let go. If your internet connection is dodgey you WILL be let go. There are PLENTY of other teachers willing to take your bookings. This is just how it is.
  • This is a NEW and booming market. Some companies MAY fail. Have a back up!
  • Most people on the facebook forums i'm a part of have AT LEAST a second company. Some work for three or more! If things go badly or slow down you won't be left high and dry. 
  • Chinese people PREFER North American accents. That's just how it is. That is why there are HEAPS of companies available to North America and Canada - and only a handful available to Australians at the moment. This is changing! You can help! The more quality Australian teachers companies get, the more word will spread. As we speak more and more companies are opening their 'virtual doors' to Australian accents. In short - don't speak like a bogan 😜
These are just some of the reasons I decided to pick a second company - and in the next few posts i'll introduce you to them...

Happy Teaching x

Useful Links: 

SayABC Click Here

Palfish Click Here


P.S. Every company offers a referral bonus - If you're interested in getting started and would like my help with the process drop me a line! 

 Palfish referral code: 58910752 
SayABC referral code: EG63VF 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Palfish - How to pass the interview...

Image
Remember folks, if you just want to do freetalk with adults you don't need to do an interview.  However if you want to teach kids (I recommend it) then once you're verified, if you're looking to join the Official Kids Course,   you will need to do an interview. Here's how to pass it. Before we get to that though - here's a pro tip I wish I knew before I scheduled my interview. Once you pass (you'll hear in 48 hours) and you complete your quiz (you can do this many times to get the answers right - easy) You will need to wait up to 8 business hours 10am - 8:30pm BJT and then you will go 'official' - as SOON as this happens all of the slots you selected as available for the Official Kids Course when you signed up for interview will open on your schedule and can be booked. ONLY choose slots you CAN work! Also - those first 24-48 hours after you go 'official' will be when you will get the MOST pop-ups for classes! So here's my ti
Read more

Props!

Image
Here's my top 5 topics for props you will use AGAIN and AGAIN no matter who you work for. 1) Food - Get yourself some fruit and veg, a pizza, a chicken, milk, meat and orange juice. Food is used a LOT in beginning English lessons. 2) School supplies - yep you heard right - pencil, pen, glue, scissors, book, crayon, marker - these supplies will get you through a number of lessons! 3) Animals - fish, monkey, elephant, giraffe, dog, cat. These will all give you value for money! I got the magnetic set from Melissa and Doug and it means I can use them for rewards too and stick them to my whiteboard when needed. Good investment! 4) Colours - I just got coloured paper and laminated small squares that I could hold up. Blue, pink, red, green, yellow and purple - To save time though if you buy coloured crayons (see above) you can just hold these up! Two birds, one stone! 5) Letter/Number cards - a pack of each from the dollar shop. These things come in handy ALL the time. I wo
Read more

The Basics of TPR

Image
TPR or Total Physical Response - was a whole new concept to me when I started teaching online. It basically means using your hands, facial expressions and gestures to get your point across. That may seem like a simple concept - but i've never been one to 'talk with my hands'. So it did take a bit of practice 😀 Here are some Basic TPR gestures to get you started... Hello... My name is... Then I usually point to my name and then my mouth to say Teacher Bell... Whats... Your...(It's rude to point in China - an open palm is a safer option). Name... (Drag your hands across your front like a name tag). Then cup your ear so they know you are waiting for a response... And there you go! You got through the first question 😂😂😂 Are you happy?... Where do you live?  Thinking... Good Job and Yes... No... Counting/How old are you... (Start lifting fingers one at a time and counting) Wow!/Amazed... When they do
Read more