English remains the universal language. Over 1.27 billion speak it, and it remains the medium of instruction the world over.
That’s why foreigners are looking for an affordable and reliable way to learn English. It’s especially true for those who didn’t grow up speaking the language.
Luckily, the Philippines is the perfect place to establish a career as an English tutor. After all, it’s our second language. So if you want to take advantage of online job opportunities in teaching English online, you can become an Online ESL Tutor.
What’s an ESL Tutor?
The term ESL comes from the phrase “English as a Second Language.”. For example, some nationals from Japan and Korea may fly to the Philippines to learn English as their second language since it’s not as widely spoken back home.
But with the advent of online learning, they don’t have to move countries to learn English. Most now opt to get tutoring services online.
Their responsibilities include:
- Preparing customized lesson plans based on the student’s needs and academic goals,
- Breaking down complex topics to make them easier to understand,
- Assessing student performance and offering constructive feedback to help them improve,
- Tracking student progress and adjusting teaching methods to improve learning outcomes, and
- Offering sessions that accommodate the student’s availability.
The average monthly salary range for full-time, entry-level ESL tutors ranges from PHP 15,000 to PHP 20,000.
Senior-level tutors, on the other hand, can expect a range between PHP 30,000 to PHP 35,000 per month.
So, how do you break into this niche? It helps to develop the following skills:
A Solid Grasp of the English Language
How can you teach something you don’t know very well yourself?
You should have a firm grasp of basic and advanced grammar rules so you can easily explain these to your students.
To beef up your credentials, you can get certifications like TEFL or TESOL but be sure to brush up on your English prowess beforehand.
Take note; you don’t need to be the best in the industry. You just have to be qualified to teach the language.
The Ability to Cater to Different Learning Needs
Every student learns differently. Some are fast learners who can pick up lessons right away. However, some might take time before they can grasp even the most basic concepts.
On the other hand, your students may want to learn about Business English. Others might want to apply to international schools. Some are learning just for fun, or to communicate with an English-speaking partner.
It’ll be your job to adjust your teaching methods to address what your students need.
Fortunately, most online classes cater to fewer students, allowing you to plan accordingly for each one based on their needs and capabilities.
Online Classroom Management
Sometimes, you might have to teach multiple students at once. This is where online classroom management comes in.
First of all, you should be adept at using your video teaching platform (like Zoom or Skype).
Secondly, draw up lesson plans that allow your students to get the most out of each lesson.
This could be games, group activities, or even mock conversations.
Adaptability
Contrary to popular belief, teaching English is far from easy. Sometimes, grammar rules may change. (I’m looking at you, “irregardless.”) There may be technical difficulties, or you might get students with an attitude problem.
The most in-demand ESL tutors are able to adapt to each one in time with expertise and experience and still deliver excellent results.
Communication and Collaboration Tools for Tutoring
For first-time online tutors, here are the tools you’ll need for work:
- Zoom:
- Zoom is a widely used app for live, face-to-face tutorial sessions and includes features like screen sharing, breakout rooms, and recording for future review.
- Google Meet:
- For those looking for alternatives to Zoom, Google Meet is another popular video conferencing tool due to its seamless integration with other Google Workspace Tools like Docs, Sheets, and Google Calendar.
- Microsoft Teams:
- Another popular video conferencing app tutors use for sessions is Microsoft Teams.
- Teams support high-quality audio and video calls, and feature screen-sharing for visual guidance and integrated chat for quick communication.
- In addition, tutors can assign tasks, share files, and gain access to a digital whiteboard using Teams.
- Teams also integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Office Tools like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Google Docs/Sheets:
- Speaking of Google Workspace Tools, Google Docs and Sheets allow tutors to collaborate with their students in real-time.
- This allows tutors to provide instant corrections, feedback, and guidance to their students so they can correct their mistakes and understand complex concepts more easily.
- Google Calendar:
- Another Google Workspace Tool online tutors must familiarize themselves with is Google Calendar.
- This tool helps tutors manage appointments, schedule sessions, and send reminders.
- Google Classroom:
- Google Classroom is another popular tool tutors use for managing lessons and assignments and communicating with students.
Other Niche Teaching Opportunities for Online Tutors
Aside from ESL, what other niches can you apply for as a tutor?
Here are a few examples:
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- Technical Skills (Coding, Graphic Design, Digital Marketing, etc.):
- With the rise of remote jobs in the Philippines, online tutors who can teach coding languages (Python and JavaScript), graphic design tools (Photoshop and Illustrator), or digital marketing skills are greatly in demand.
- Special Needs Tutoring:
- Some tutors specialize in working with students who have learning disabilities or other special needs.
- Because this niche requires specific skills, tutors who can work with Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) are highly sought after.
- Art and Music Tutoring:
- Tutors with expertise in specific artistic skills – like painting or playing musical instruments – are also in demand.
- Technical Skills (Coding, Graphic Design, Digital Marketing, etc.):
- Test Preparation Coaching:
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- Tutors specializing in preparing students for exams like the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) and the Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET) are always sought after.
- Due to its specialized nature of instruction, this niche allows you to command higher fees.
Conclusion
Are you ready to become a sought-after online ESL Tutor? With the skills above, you are a few steps closer to your goals. If you are looking for opportunities in this field, you can check this link for more information. Good luck!
