Does anyone teach English (ESL) online from home?

[Coco6]

I have been doing this for 9 months and I love it. However, WFH can get very lonely!

Anyone else?

[3kidscrazy]

No but I taught EFL for nearly 20 years (stopped 2 years ago to be a SAHP) so would love to know more about what you do!

[PsychoSyd]

I don't, but it's something I'm considering doing. Coco6, are you up for answering some of my questions please?

[Tigerwhocamefortea]

It’s something I’ve been considering so would like some more info if you are willing to share? Which qualification did you do and who do you work for?

[Atalune]

I’d love to, but how do I get started?
I used to TEFL in Japan so have some experience.

[Taggle]

No but would love to hear more about it! I'm currently stuck in a miserable fucking job for the part time hours, and I have an English degree

[TakemedowntoPotatoCity]

Following! I am doing a TESOL online at the moment. The idea seems too good to be true - work from home at convenient hours since Chinese lesson time is during our school day here.

Any insights OP? Is it easy to get work?

[Coco6]

I'd be happy to answer any questions about it!

Yes, it's very easy to get work. I work 35 hours per week and take every Monday off.

I choose my own hours too, I normally schedule them the night before.

[DarrellMakepeace]

I'm interested too.
What's the pay like?
Have you tried any English conversation apps like Palfish and how did you find them?

[Atalune]

Who do you work for us it through an agency?

[Justtryingtobehelpful]

Would love to find out more details. Planning to do this once baby is birthed and maternity done. Was looking to complete course when on tailend of maternity.

[Heartofglass12345]

Oh I'm interested in this also! I'm highjacking your thread sorry

[Taggle]

How do you start OP? What's the money like for, say, twenty hours a week?

[Coco6]

I work for one specific company - I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention it on here? Feel free to pm me. Haha.
I should've put this in AMA.

I've heard of Palfish but I don't work for them.

I get paid £18 per hour.

Basically, you just set your own hours every week (minimum 10) and then you are given 25 minute classes with children or 45 minute classes with adults.

I mostly teach children from China. Some of them are absolutely amazing and have become regulars, so I see them 3/4 times per week which is lovely!

I have an older Japanese lady who I see every so often too. She's a retired doctor and I think she just wants someone to chat to. We never stick to the lesson plan and she just tells me about her life. 🤣

[TimeIhadaNameChange]

How did you start with it? I'd be really interested in doing something like this.

[Heartofglass12345]

Do you have to have an English qualification? I only have GCSE, wanted to do A level but my mum pushed me to do science

[Lagatha]

Did you have to buy a polo shirt and put up a backdrop? I'm considering this, I have a CELTA qualification

[Coco6]

You need a degree (in any subject) and be willing to obtain a basic online TEFL certificate. You can do this after you've started.

Yes, you need to wear a specific type of shirt and I just printed out some sheets of paper displaying the company logo and stuck them on the wall behind me. I know of others who have more professional set ups and green screens etc, however, you don't have to do this!

[PsychoSyd]

Coco6, how did you go about finding an agency to get work? Thank you.

[Coco6]

Sorry I forgot to say how I started.

I contacted one of the recruiters through an advert online. She helped me from the start and throughout. My interview was with her as well. She gave me some great tips. I had no idea what I was doing when I first started.

[Gooseygoosey12345]

I'd love to do this! Do you need to be able to speak another language? Also can I pm you for more info on the company please

[Coco6]

Goose no you don't need to be able to speak another language. I have picked up a few things though and they offer free Chinese lessons too!

Yes, feel free to pm me :)

[CandyLeBonBon]

Ooh I'd like more info too op!!

[RushianDisney]

This sounds great, I've done some work with teaching English as a second language before, but I don't have a degree unfortunately. Is a degree totally essential or do they consider people with experience?

[TheLurkingOne]

Following

[GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER]

Heartofglass, I don't think you actually need an English qualification, but IMO what you do need is a good general grasp of language/grammar, so if you're the sort of person who struggled with O level French, it's probably not the best idea.

Teaching English via TESOL or TEFL is quite a different name thing from how you may have been taught a foreign language at school. You have to teach (and understand) things that as a native speaker, you didn't even have to think about.
How many native speakers will know what is meant by e.g. question tags, or the third conditional? Yet these are things we say every day.
Luckily there are specialised grammars and of course teachers' books to help.
Many years ago I did a CELTA course with the British Council in the Middle East while living there, and subsequently taught (nearly all speakers of Arabic) in the BC there. It was all done in English, so the excellent course showed us ways of putting things across in the target language.

Might add that I had no English qualification other than O level Lang and Lit, but I had 3 foreign language A levels and some post A level language study thrown in.