| The internet has opened up our lives in numerous | | | | example, skype or Messenger and instant chat with |
| ways, changed how we engage in business and has | | | | just about anyone anywhere in the world. What are |
| brought the world into our homes. Teaching English | | | | you offering that will attract them to pay you money |
| through the internet is a growing market and one that | | | | to teach them? |
| will keep growing. The demand is there, students are | | | | To begin, it's important to have a collection of lessons |
| waiting to engage tutors and teachers to help them in | | | | that you can adapt for varying ages and needs. |
| their conversation abilities and to help them take their | | | | Something worth considering is what area would you |
| English to a new level. | | | | like to focus on - Business English? Teens? Over |
| There are a few key ways to break into this lucrative | | | | 50's? Each group will have somewhat different |
| home business. In this article, I'm going to deal with the | | | | learning needs and styles. |
| opportunities to set up your own home office and | | | | Do you need any qualifications do to online teaching? |
| create your own classroom from the comfort of your | | | | If you go it alone and set up your own virtual |
| own home. | | | | classroom at home, you don't necessarily need any |
| How can I break into this lucrative market? | | | | qualifications. Some know-how of how to use a |
| To create your own ESL classroom at home, there | | | | webcam, the internet and the software to set up |
| are a few interesting websites worth looking into. | | | | lessons with your students will definitely be needed. It |
| 1. seriousproz. They will help you to set up a virtual | | | | will depend on what program you use if you do decide |
| office and a good way to start attracting students. | | | | to set up your own home office, for example, if you |
| 2. Adobe offer a product called 'virtual classroom' that | | | | decide to use Skype, they have a great set of tutorials |
| will take you through a set up will give you everything | | | | that will help you set yourself up. They will introduce |
| you need, plus more. This option is only worthwhile if | | | | you to video conferencing, skypecasts and VoIP (all |
| you are serious about investing in a new career and | | | | very exciting!). |
| want the best product on the market. | | | | For more information, head over to skype. |
| 3. There are various online options for creating videos | | | | A TESOL or CELTA certificate will be helpful in that it |
| and opening up channels of communication. Skype, | | | | will give your students the assurance that you |
| YouTube, Ustream...these are all options to create | | | | understand language teaching and will help you with |
| visuals for your classroom and open up interactive | | | | creating engaging material . If you have a degree in |
| possibilities. | | | | English or any undergraduate degree, this will also help. |
| Using these tools and setting up your virtual office will | | | | For those who are excited about teaching English |
| take research and time. There are many good | | | | online and would like a specific qualification on setting |
| resources out there and I'd recommend diving into | | | | up an online classroom, there are two institutions that I |
| these blogs to start you on your way to making cash | | | | know of that provide a specific qualification for training |
| in (blog)teachingenglish (UK)teachonline2008 (blogspot) | | | | in virtual classroom technology. |
| There are a number of issues to be aware of if you | | | | 1. LANCELOT |
| do it alone. | | | | 2. Consultants-e |
| The times that many of your students will want to | | | | Both are trinity accredited and well worth the |
| contact you and have a lesson may not be ideal, | | | | investment if you plan on making this type of teaching |
| depending on where you are so it's best if you have a | | | | a new career. |
| flexible lifestyle that allows you the freedom to choose | | | | The world of ESL has never been as exciting and so |
| (sometimes unusual) hours of work. | | | | filled with potential than it is right now. Your clients are |
| Another issue to consider is that it will take much | | | | global and the need is huge and growing all the time so |
| longer to build up a set of students or regulars. You will | | | | spend some time investing in the knowledge and it will |
| need to consider your 'product' very well and make it | | | | repay you with a promising income that will only grow |
| as affordable and attractive as possible. Students | | | | with time. |
| online can do many things themselves for free, for | | | | |