How to Start Teaching English Online
This post is sponsored by Magic Ears but, as always, all opinions are my own. Please read my full Disclosure for more information.
Do you dream of staying home with your kids but your family needs the extra income that you bring in?
Being able to afford motherhood is also my dream. So, when I became a mom, I started researching ways to bring in some money from home so I could stay home with my son.
I was so surprised to know that there are LOTS of great work-at-home opportunities for moms—from proofreading, transcribing audio files, blogging, virtual assisting , freelance writing, and teaching English online.
I wrote a few posts about these opportunities before but, today, I wanted to talk more about how to make money from home as an English teacher.
Teaching English online is a great side hustle for moms or anyone looking for a flexible work at home job. If you have small kids, you could easily sneak this side hustle into your schedule.
And the best thing about it is that you don’t have to have an English degree to become an online English teacher.
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Why Teaching English Online is one of the Best Work at Home jobs for Moms
Teaching English online is one of the best ways to generate supplemental, even lucrative full-time income. It is perfect for stay-at-home moms because:
You can work at flexible times.
Most of the time, online English teachers have the freedom to pick their own working hours, whether it’s by the time the baby is asleep, your kids are at school, or when your spouse has come home and can watch over the kids. You can build or choose schedules that are most convenient for your family’s set-up.
No need for a commute.
Since all work will take place online, you don’t have to go to school to be able to teach English. All you need is a dedicated nook or room inside your office where you can focus on teaching without distractions. Your work could be just three steps away from your bed when you wake, and nothing gets better than that!
You don’t need an English degree.
In most cases, English tutors online don’t need any degree in English, although that could help you land online teaching jobs faster. Clients are often looking for conversational English learning, and an English native speaker could qualify for a teaching job.
You can add to the family’s income.
Online teaching jobs can generate a good source of income, helping your family to pay bills, inflate savings or pay for some luxuries. Depending on your company and where you find clients, you can make as much as $26 per hour teaching English online.
Tips on How to Become an English teacher
Are you ready to work as an online English teacher, have command of your working hours and earn a good income? If yes, then here are some of the most important things you need to get started.
Fortunately, if you’re already speaking English as a native language, you don’t need much to get started. However, you still want to prepare for this job and take it seriously. Here are the most valuable tips on how to become an online English teacher and become successful at it.
Sturdy equipment and reliable internet connection
First, you need a sturdy desktop or laptop. It must be also be equipped with a working webcam with clear camera resolution, as well as a pair of headsets with excellent audio. You’ll also need to be connected to the internet with speed at par or better than the company requires.
“Classroom” setting
This is especially essential if you are teaching young kids English online. Since clients in this age bracket tend to be visual learners, you need to have several tools to stimulate and practice their learning. That being said, consider investing in props and materials, like ABC and 123 flashcards, posters and even real objects. Also, make sure that you have adequate lighting in your “classroom.”
Degree and certification (optional)
Some companies require their teachers to have prior teaching experience, whether in a real classroom setting or online. If not, a certification may be an excellent alternative. However, there are also companies that don’t need both – as long as you can speak in conversational English and you’re passionate about teaching; you have high chances of getting in.
A fun and perky personality
Again, different companies have different requirements. You could be a master at the English language, but if you don’t have a fun and engaging personality, teaching may not be a good fit for you. For companies that cater primarily to kids as clients, character is more important than certificates.
So, if you’re looking into this type of side-hustle, you must be joyful and able to brighten up your students’ day while allowing them to learn.
Teaching English Online with Magic Ears
If you’re looking to jumpstart your work-at-home career as an online English teacher, one of the top sites you can go to for teaching jobs is Magic Ears. Magic Ears is a relatively young company which was established in 2016. Its main goal is to connect Chinese kids, ages 4-12, to native English tutors.
Over a few years, Magic Ears has expanded aggressively. From its headquarters in Beijing, China in 2016, it made its way for operations to Nashville, Tennessee in 2018.
Right now, Magic Ears is hiring a lot of teachers! You can send your application here.
Why Work with Magic Ears?
When you’re just starting as an English tutor online, looking for clients can be a struggle. However, if you’re connected with an established agency like Magic Ears, they get the clients for you, and you’ll have steady work as long as you’re getting booked by students.
You’ll get four students for each session lasting 25 minutes. This is a more unique set-up than the traditional one-to-one system. With four students, your classroom will have more fun and dynamics, the kids learn from each other, and the class is over before you know it because all of you are having fun!
Grow Your Career
Additionally, Magic Ears emphasizes a fun, creative, and enjoyable learning environment. Apart from teaching, the company also provides its staff with room to grow and in advance. You could become Magic Ears’ recruiter, social media specialist, interviewer or mentor.
The company also fosters encouragement and support among its teachers. You can join the company’s Facebook groups to interact with other teachers where you can bond and communicate, acting as your second family and support system.
How Much Does Magic Ears Pay?
Now, for the most important and exciting part, how much can you earn from Magic Ears as an English tutor online? Well, Magic Ears pays 30% more than other English teaching companies. To start with, you’ll earn a basic pay of $9 – $11 for a 30-minute class. Add in several perks and bonuses, you could make $18 to $26 per hour.
Magic Ears provides lucrative perks and bonuses for their teachers. For instance, arriving at least 3 minutes earlier than your class schedule wins you a dollar bonus, and then you get another dollar for opening 60 teaching slots for the entire month. You’ll also get performance bonuses based on the company’s discretion.
Payments from Magic Ears are released every 10th of the month, whether through your PayPal account or bank transfer.
How to Get Into Magic Ears
Magic Ears follows a streamline hiring process with lots of opportunities to train and prepare. Typically, applications are processed within two weeks and then you can start teaching as soon as you get hired.
Submit your application online.
Send them an updated CV/resume, certifications, and other pertinent documents. You are also encouraged to send an introductory video of yourself to show off your fun and engaging personality.
Do a recorded or live demo.
Either way, you’ll have at least 24 hours to prepare. In a live demo, you will be interviewed by the staff, and then you’ll pretend to tutor a five-year-old kid. It’s almost the same with the recorded demo, except that you’ll answer questions without an interviewer. Either way, make sure to have good lighting, prepare some props and have lots of energy!
Attend a teaching workshop.
When you get past the first two stages, you’ll be invited to attend a teaching workshop with three other prospective applicants. At this point, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the platform, gain initial experience and become more confident as a teacher.
Teach in a trial class.
Now, you’ll get your first dibs into teaching four students for one session. This trial class will last for 25 minutes. Magic Ears mentors and supervisors will observe the class and let you know if you get in.
Complete background check.
Sign the contract.
You will stay in contract with Magic Ears for six months.
Start teaching.
Congratulations! You’re ready to call yourself a teacher and earn some money.
Booking Your Teaching Class
Magic Ears has a fully integrative platform where all booking takes place. When you’re ready to start your first class, you just need to pick a schedule and mark yourself available. Meanwhile, the kids’ parents will pick and book their classes. When your teaching schedule matches with the kids’ booking, you’re off to your first class!
Pro Tip!
Give your best in every class, make your lessons fun and engaging and show off a bright personality. Before you know it, you’ll have your schedules filled with bookings, which means more money coming in for you.
Teaching English online proves to be a fun and lucrative way to earn money on the side, even full-time if you so desire! The best thing is that you can pick your hours, you have the opportunity to advance within the company and feel a sense of fulfillment apart from being a mom.
Nothing best being a mother — it’s the noblest job ever. But it also doesn’t hurt to be a mom and help earn from your family while staying at home.
Apply to Magic Ears today! You can start the application process here.
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