How Do I Become an Online English Teacher?

It's a question that I asked myself over a year and a half ago. I was on summer break, as most teachers and teacher's assistants were, and like most teacher's assistants I didn't have an income in the worst part of the year here in Arizona. Our electric bill was soaring over our heads and the kids were at home eating everything in sight. I knew there had to be something out there to supplement my income. Had I known the impact teaching English online would make on my home life and financial health, I would have made this jump long ago.

Enough chit chat! 

You came here to teach English so let's dive in and talk requirements!

Education Requirements to Teach English Online

• TEFL, TESOL, TOEFL certification 120 hours or more AND
• Bachelor's degree or last year BA senior***

OR

• Up to date teaching degree

Technical Requirements to Teach English Online

• Webcam
• Quiet teaching space 
• Props
• Kid-friendly backdrop
• Teaching experience (volunteering at your kid's school, teaching your own kids or siblings, babysitting)
• High speed internet connected with Ethernet cable (run a speed test HERE to check your speed)

As per new Chinese government regulations, most companies require their teachers to hold a TEFL, TESOL, TOEFL certification 120 hours or more certification. I found a certification program through Groupon, totally by accident. With the 160 hour TEFL certification package purchased through Groupon for an affordable price of around $35, I started right away and earned my TEFL certification in about a week. This is an easy certification to obtain and it basically gives you a crash course rundown of teaching English as a foreign language. There is a lot you can take away from this affordable course

What do I need to apply to teach English online?

• Current Resume
• Your Teaching Availability 
• Screenshot of your CPU Specs 
• 1 - 2  minute introduction video (Introduce yourself, where you live, your educational background, and any experience teaching or working with kids. Then tell or read a children’s story.)

The company that I teach for is called Qkids and they are wonderful. We will touch on the company, pay and teaching hours available in another post.
Feel free to contact me for more guidance or if you have any questions about the process.

Apply to teach English online!

Happy Teaching!