“How to teach English online…from anywhere” is the most comprehensive course you’ll find about how to enter this fast-growing field. I’ve made every effort to include everything you need to be successful.
All lessons are available as MP4 videos and MP3 audio files. Worksheets and checklist are included for some lessons. Here’s what’s included:
Section 1: Introduction
Meet your instructor, John Clites. Who is he, and what are his qualifications? Learn why teaching English online is ideal for many people of varying ages and backgrounds.. What are some of the advantages to teaching English online? Who teaches English online? Could it be right for you?
Section 2: Technical setup
For many, the idea of teaching online is appealing – but they are afraid that the technical aspects will be complicated. Relax! These days, tech is easier than ever, and need not be a roadblock to your teaching online. Learn what you need (it isn’t really that much!), and what you don’t need. Learn how to set up a teaching space. What sort of computer do you need? How about a webcam and headset? Will your internet connection be adequate? What platform will you use to actually deliver classes? What are your options? How will you receive payments from students? What miscellaneous software should you download? Do you need a website? What are your alternatives? John covers all of these topics.
Don’t let an unwarranted fear of the tech setup stop you from getting started on what could be an enjoyable and rewarding career!
Plus:
- Physical class space checklists (PDF)
- Alternatives to PayPal (PDF)
- Setting up a website (PDF)
- Tips to troubleshooting Skype (PDF)
- Initiating a class in Skype (screen-capture video)
- Initiating a class in Google Hangouts (screen-capture video)
Section 3: Getting Yourself Ready to Teach
You speak English, yes. But I’ll help you polish up your skills a bit before you begin teaching. Topics include: Do you need a TEFL or CELTA teaching certificate? Do you need a university degree? You’ll want to tidy up your own grammar and speech. You’ll want to understand why defining a niche is so very important – and develop your own. Which teaching materials should you invest in? What are some free materials that you can use?
After completing this section you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward as you begin teaching!
Plus:
- Understanding the alphabet soup: TEFL, TOEFL, ESL, EFL, etc. (PDF)
- Teaching certification programs (PDF)
- My favorite teaching materials (PDF)
- Useful websites (PDF)
- Defining your niche worksheet (PDF)
- Materials I use: Speak English Like an American (screen-capture video)
- Materials I use: Murphy grammar texts (screen-capture video)
- Materials I use: Espresso English (screen-capture video)
- Materials I use: ESL Library (screen-capture video)
- Websites for grammar (screen-capture video)
- Websites for news (screen-capture video)
- Websites for conversation (screen-capture video)
- Do you need a TEFL certification? (video of John)
- Defining your niche (video of John)
Coaching Session #1 with John:
Discuss any technical questions you may have .
Discuss your background and qualifications and work to define your niche.
NOTE: Coaching sessions are included in the digital content + coaching bundle (currently $697). For those who have taught before and are self-starters, there is a digital-content-only version available (currently $397).
Section 4: Working with Online Schools
There are TONS of online language schools today. Learn who some of the biggies are. Learn how they operate, and what they do for teachers. What are the typical requirements to work for an online school? What are the Pros and Cons of working for an online school? Could working for an online school be for you? What are matchmaking sites, and could they be an alternative for you?
Plus:
- Listing of online schools (spreadsheet)
- School evaluation form (PDF)
- Interview with a teacher who works with online school VIPKid (MP3)
Section 5: Going Solo
Many teachers of English prefer to work on their own. What does going solo really entail? What are the Pros and Cons? How can you determine what to charge? You’ll need policies – what should they look like? How should you market yourself? how will you find students? Will you need a website? How do you define your niche? Yes, going solo can cause some jitters initially, but being your own boss has many advantages! This section is loaded with helpful information for those who would like to go solo.
Part 1: General, Pricing, Policies
How much can you realistically charge? What should you include in your policies, and how should you present them/
Part 2: Finding Students
Learn several free and inexpensive ways to find students. learn the importance of word-of-mouth promotion and retainin students.
Video introduction. Core material is available in PDF, MP3, and MP4 slide deck
Plus:
- Listing of matchmaker sites (spreadsheet)
- Matchmaker site evaluation form (PDF)
- Setting your pay rate worksheet (PDF)
- Payment and cancellation policies template (document)
- Personal marketing plan (PDF)
- Listing of Facebook groups for teachers (spreadsheet)
- Should you go with a school or go independent? (video of John)
- Using Facebook to find students (screen-capture video)
Coaching Session #2 with John:
Discuss matters such as whether you plan to work for a school or go solo,
and your strategy for finding students. Discuss teaching materials you might purchase.
Section 6: The Assessment Chat
The Assessment Chat is typically the first real contact that you have with a prospective student. It’s a free conversation of perhaps 20 minutes in which you and the student get to know each other. Done correctly, the Assessment Chat will “seal the deal” and you’ll sign up an enthusiastic new student. But the Assessment Chat is much more than a marketing tool. It’s a chance to verify the internet connection, to gather important information about your new student and his/her goals, and to avert potential headaches down the road. I’ll show you how I conduct Assessment Chats – which have been extremely effective for me – and also discuss what follow-up you should do.
Plus:
- Assessment chat data collection form (PDF)
- New student self-assessment and interests (PDF)
- Guide to creating a grammar test (PDF)
- Assessment chat with prospective student (MP3)
Section 7: Scheduling
When you start you teaching, scheduling is not an issue. You just want to fill all those open slots! But there is more to creating an effective schedule than you might imagine. What does a “typical” teaching schedule look like? should you accept once a week students? Where should you “slot” students in your schedule? How do you deal with time zone differences? How do you deal with cancellations and reschedules? I’ll share many tips learned the hard way, so that you can avoid headaches.
Plus:
- My own teaching schedule (JPG)
- Tools to help you schedule (PDF)
Section 8: Lesson planning
Solid lesson plans lead to great classes – which in turn lead to satisfied, loyal students who stay with you, and send you referrals! But…creating lesson plans can be very time consuming, especially as you begin teaching. You need a system so that you can work efficiently. I’ll show you exactly how I do my lesson planning, from materials I use to what screens and files I have open as I sit down to do the next week’s plans.
Plus:
- Student tracking sheet – blank (spreadsheet)
- Student tracking sheet – completed example (spreadsheet)
- Lesson planning process (screen-capture videos)
Section 9: Conducting Classes
As a new EFL teacher, what you probably really want to know is how to conduct a class. Amazingly, other courses about how to teach English online sidestep this topic, saying things like, “Your classes will be mostly conversation.” How is THAT helpful?!
But I tackle this topic head on. We’ll look at the overall structure of a class, including how to open and close a class, and how to pace it. We’ll discuss common problems which many students have, and I’ll share tons of tips for teaching grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, writing, and literature. We’ll talk about using articles (perhaps my very favorite teaching activity), and videos, and song lyrics. I’ll tell you about some of the websites and materials I use most often. And more… So relax. I will share years of tips with you, so that your students will think that you are just awesome! (And you WILL be!)
Section 1: Theory and typical class flow –
Learn about the multiple skills involved in learning a language. Understand that each student is unique – but that there are patterns. Understand the importance of “soft skills” and attitude when teaching. Develop your own teaching style. What should you do immediately before a class? What is the flow of a typical class? Learn tips for pacing classes. What do you do if a class finishes early? Should you contact students outside of class?
Section 2: Basic techniques –
Learn many specific tips for improving a student’s listening comprehension and fluency, and how to address the shyness that many new students exhibit. Learn how to incorporate grammar into classes, and what some of the more common grammar issues are, so that you can be prepared to address them. Learn how to gradually improve a student’s pronunciation using prioritization and patience. Learn some tips for teaching vocabulary – which will be an important part of what you’ll do as a teacher. learn the importance of word roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Learn how to use articles and texts to create fun but effective learning experiences. And learn how to turn simple conversation into a productive activity.
Section 3: Advanced techniques –
Learn how incorporating videos into lessons can add spice and improve students’ listening comprehension.What are some sites on which to find videos? How to use music and song lyrics to create fun, special classes which students will look forward to. Learn tips for teaching writing, which is the “capstone” skill for most students, and an important component of preparation for standardized tests such as the TOEFL. Learn how style is as important as grammar in writing. Learn how to use literature to add richness to classes with your more advanced students. Should you act as a counselor, and if so, to what degree? Parting thoughts from a grizzled old teacher.
Plus:
- Guide to pronouncing verbs ending in -ed (PDF)
- Pronouncing verbs ending in -ed (video of actual class)
- Listing of favorite websites for articles (PDF)
- Essay formats and comments (PDF)
- Common grammar issues with resources (PDF)
- Songs for class (PDF)
- Typical class flow (PDF)
- Teaching a basic grammar lesson (video of actual class)
- Conversation class using ESL Library material (video of actual class)
- Teaching idioms using Speak English Like an American (video of actual class)
Extra bonus pronunciation videos:
- Word endings (video of John)
- TH sounds (video of John)
- Short I versus long E sounds (video of John)
- Verbs ending in -ed (video of John)
Coaching session #3 with John:
What questions do you have about actually teaching? What does a class look like?
How do you do planning? Developing a style. Developing rapport with students.
Section 10: Administration
Whether you intend to teach English online full-time or just a few hours a week, everything will go smoother if you are organized and businesslike. So we’ll discuss things such as getting organized at the beginning, what to do after signing up a new student, having fair and effective policies, and a bit about…ugh…taxes.
Plus:
- Payment tracking sheet (spreadsheet)
- New student admin checklist (spreadsheet)
BONUS SECTION: Beyond Teaching
Teaching English online is a rewarding career in itself. But you may wish to branch out, especially if you plan to be traveling extensively or living abroad. Learn how diversifying – by offering group courses, specialty training, writing, and other activities – can boost your income, fill dead spaces in your schedule, and provide variety.
Sit down in a comfy chair and imagine the possibilities…
You’ll receive all this, PLUS…
All future updates, free of charge
VIP access to a closed Facebook group, whether you can post questions and connect with John and other subscribers