Page 33 - ELG2011 Nov Issue 473

TEACH IN . FEATURES & COMMENT

Teach in Teaching OOnline Adjusting

to online

EL Gazette looks at teaching online as an

alternative to in-person teaching, and the teaching
best places to look for online work

etween the pandemic and ongoing Working for a platform like VIPKids will he focus in the press has been on
social disruption, many language earn an average hourly rate of around £8 - students needing to quickly adjust to
schools in English speaking- £17 before tax, around the same as language online classes. However, keep in
Bcountries are struggling to stay schools in UK and Europe but lower than the Tmind that teachers need support for
afloat and more teachers are seeking online rates in East Asia. Depending on the working in an online environment, too.
alternatives. platform, around 25 per cent of the pay may The first thing to realise is that online is
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, be in the form of a bonus, which you earn by not the same as in-person. Many of the
online ELT platforms were seeing rapid working a minimum number of hours or by COUNCIL OF VIPKID / YOUTUBE techniques you use in-person will not work
growth, particularly in China. Last year, hitting certain standards. Keep in mind that remotely. Where do you look? What do you
VIPKids, an online ELT platform focusing on the time difference can mean you are do with your hands? What do you do when
the Chinese market, had a valuation of over teaching classes at somewhat odd hours. the 5-year-old you are teaching remotely
$3 billion, making it the world’s most valuable These platforms primarily appeal to those wanders out of their room? You will need to
online education company. VIPs 65,000 looking for a bit of extra income: people Interesting props, animated delivery and a lively background for your work space develop new techniques for managing this.
teachers teach around 500,000 students and working other jobs or stay-at-home parents. across different time zones — lots of hours can all help when teaching online It is important not to rely on your voice
earn between £8 and £17 per hour. The upside is that once you are taken on, the you can teach in. Hourly rates may not be alone and to develop effective ways of
The boost that online learning has gotten work is steady and you can set your own much better than the other platforms, but What do I need to teach online? communicating using facial expressions and
from the pandemic is likely to continue, even hours. There is also nothing to prevent you the support is good, you can work full-time seated gestures. Many teachers find that props
after the virus recedes. And not just in China. from working for more than one platform. and a big name on your CV can help your help — for example, using puppets to mimic
But where can you get a job? career. The answer is, surprisingly little. You they will have their own video- conversations when working with children.
conferencing software, but if you are
probably already have most of what
If you are freelancing and choosing a
Platforms What do you do Local language schools you need, but there are a few things to teaching freelance, you will want to remote platform, you will need to get to grips
In China and the US, the market is when the 5-year-old Teachers who already work for an in-person keep in mind. Here are the essentials, have a variety of platforms available, with all of the features available and how to
dominated by online teaching platforms like school, whether at home or abroad, may have and a few of the nice to-haves. like Skype, Zoom and Hangouts. use them effectively. Try to find a platform
Whatever you use, make sure to take
VIPKids or QKids, where many people with you are teaching found their school switching to online that allows you to change the layout of your
little or no teaching experience find their first remotely wanders out classes, or offering online classes in addition A stable internet connection: Even if the time to learn all the features. Keep virtual classroom and has a virtual
your local service is not the best, there
in mind that students in China may well
job. These platforms, some of which are to in-person teaching. This type of work is whiteboard or breakout rooms. With most
directly owned by tech giants like ByteDance, of their room? primarily available to those who already work are ways to maximise the speed of the want to use mobile apps like WeChat, platforms, you can also share links to
while someone in the UAE may prefer
service. For example, you could
connect teachers and students and do all of in the school, and is a great way to gain materials through chat and have students
the admin. Many also use their own teaching experience in a new skill and, if your are on consider using a desktop computer BOTIM, so be prepared for this as well. open the materials by clicking on the links.

with a cable attached to the router,
and curriculum materials, meaning there is Global EFL brands an hourly rate of pay, to make some extra If you are teaching a group, features that
minimal prep time required. A number of the big-name global chains have money. rather than relying on WiFi. Have a A Cloud account like Google Drive or allow you to send different materials to
OneDrive: This will allow you to share
back-up plan for when the internet
Most require a degree, a passport from a offered online options for many years; EF was different students can help you to create
native-speaker country and a TEFL probably first in the market, but Berlitz and Freelancing does go down. The best option in this materials easily and is particularly information gap activities, set up role-plays
case may be to use your phone, so
useful if you are teaching group
certificate, all of which are legal requirements Inlingua have also been online a long time. A growing number of online marketplaces, and give personalised feedback.
for platforms operating in China. Many have When the pandemic hit, the British like Verbling, italki and Preply, are making it make sure you have enough data to classes. You can have a shared Also consider how far away from the
document open, where you and your
handle the odd emergency.
a lengthy application process, including Council moved forward their online plans, easier for freelance remote teachers to camera you should be in order to seem
requiring teachers to conduct a mock class using the teachers laid off when their schools connect with students. A recent review also Headphones and a microphone: You students can both write during the ‘natural’. You don’t want your students
lesson, and which they can then keep
and create an introductory video of overseas were closed. International House outlines opportunities for online freelance looking up your nose or down your shirt. One
themselves. has also just launched an online platform translation. This approach is probably best should not rely on the built-in devices for reference. tip is to look at the camera, not the screen
that came with your computer. These

North Americans are often preferred and using teachers both from its schools in for experienced teachers. while teaching.
racism can be common: Chinese students English-speaking countries and from those in Using an online marketplace allows you to can pick up background noise and are Sound editing software: It’s easy We have all seen clips of people whose
often prone to echo and distortion –
enough to play online resources, such
may accept black Americans as teachers but local markets. set your own hours and prices, so those with children or pets interrupted their important
often not black Britons, while native speakers Brands want experienced teachers but offer advanced credentials and experience have a not ideal for language learning. Pick up as BBC News videos, directly from the Zoom meetings. That’s hilarious – as long as
a pair of quality headphones that fully
source during lessons. But if you want
of East Asian heritage are often not seen as training, materials, students (mostly in greater income potential. The downside is it’s happening to someone else. Avoid
‘real’ native speakers. groups) and — because they are operating that it takes more than teaching experience cover your ears and have a microphone to work on skills like dictation, you may problems by making sure your workspace is
attached.
want to use sound editing software like
to stand out in these marketplaces and Webcam: While most mobile devices Audacity to record and edit extracts. set up for the camera and for privacy. That
ELIZAVETA GALITCKAIA / SHUTTERSTOCK eye-catching video introduction. webcams, if you are using a desktop Having a camera will allow you to the dynamic range of your voice and how
attract students, so you will need an engaging
includes paying attention to whatever is on

the wall behind you.
description of what you have to offer, and an
Video camera and editing software:
have excellent-quality built-in
You also need to be aware of how you use
It is important to build up a regular
computer, you may need to install one.
record your own video content for use
that works with the microphone and the
clientele. If at all possible, sell ‘courses’ of six
Keep in mind how you will be using the
in class, as a video intro for your profile,
volume on your computer. If you are used to
or ten lessons paid in advance. Remember,
or as a YouTube promo. Most
webcam – if you will be moving around
half of all adult students will probably drop
projecting in a large classroom, keep in mind
smartphone cameras should be fine,
a lot, consider a webcam that can be
out, but children probably won’t. Group
that raising your voice has a different effect
easily moved around the room.
but if you are developing your own
online. Practice recording yourself and
classes pay best: six people paying £12 an
YouTube, you may want some video
teacher and the students.
your voice.
are working with a platform or a school,
editing software as well.
And most of all, have fun.
Teaching remotely can allow you to work anywhere, anytime hour is better than one paying £50, for the Video-conferencing software: If you lesson material, or putting videos on experiment with the dynamics and tone of
32 November 2020 editorial@elgazette.com 33