TEO Unit6

ITTT Specialized Course
Teaching English Online
TEO 006
Unit 6 The online

teaching world
©
International TEFL and TESOL Training
Where the world is your classroom
Unit 6
The online teaching world
6.1 Some words of advice
from real teachers
Once you start looking for jobs, presuming that is the
way you wish to work, you will find no shortage of
positions; however as with any market the best paid
positions will be available to those who meet the
standard requirements of the company.
The two most important attributes you can posses are

qualifications and experience. You will also have to
have the correct equipment to act independently as a
teacher.
Working as an EFL teacher is not an easy job and it

requires commitment and energy. For those who wish
to move away from the standard, 9 to 5, one location
lifestyle, online teaching has a lot to offer. As with
anything it also has potential downsides.
Typical requirements may include:
n A teaching certification which can be TEFL, TESL, TESOL, etc.

n A degree (not necessarily needed for some companies).
n Computer with camera, headset and microphone (a phone/tablet with a headset is sometimes the only requirement).
n A good internet or WiFi connection.
n A quiet location.
n A well-lit location (Depending on your time zone, you could be teaching at night.)
This list is by no means exhaustive, but be prepared to see job positions which ask for teachers from a single particular
country and other such requirements.
We asked a number of practising online teachers for their tips and advice to create a pros and cons list on the following
page.
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Where the world is your classroom TEO 006 Copyright © 2019 International TEFL and TESOL Training. All rights reserved.
Unit 6
Pros and cons of teaching English online
Pros (potentially include...)
n Flexible hours
n Good pay - some companies pay up to US$25 an hour
n Location independence – work from wherever you want
n Less demanding work – if working for a company that provides courseware, a simple lesson check beforehand
n Regular students – this allows you to watch the growth of problems that arise and handle them accordingly and
develop a relationship with students that becomes quite unique
n No office politics – you are your own boss
n The opportunity to freelance once you have sufficient experience and this means more income
n Skills development that allows you to gain experience and confidence so you can tutor on the side
n If you enjoy teaching, combining teaching in a standard classroom as well as online allows you the best of both
worlds – but not too much!
n Additional experience for your CV or resume
n Experience of teaching students of other cultures without the need to travel there
n Most companies provide ready-made material for their teachers, which reduces lesson preparation time
Cons (potentially include...)
n Can become boring or repetitive –if you thrive on being challenged, you may get bored quickly
n Time zone differences
n Internet connection – this can be very difficult in some locations and some companies require a LAN
connection, not just Wi Fi
n This is not a digital nomad position – you need a quiet, well lit location (not a café)
n Companies can vary on their salary depending on your qualifications and experience – it pays to check in
advance
n If this is your only source of income, prepare a budget to check if the company is paying you a sufficient amount
to cover your costs
n May need to work set hours – it is important to develop a routine when teaching, especially with time
differences and when traveling
n If working independently, you will need to market yourself to get your students, you also need to maintain
correspondence, and embrace social media and other platforms to ensure you get the correct exposure to
attract students. (This is extra administration but can be very beneficial financially in the long-term)
n Working on your own? Can you cope without having the interaction of a school or company atmosphere?
n Class requirements – some companies will require you to provide a proper classroom setting – can you do this
when travelling?
n Difficult students – this is not like in school, some students may play up during lessons and you need to learn to
handle these situations
n Parental intrusions – as they are paying for the lessons, you should be aware of their presence or comments
n Technical glitches – these can affect your pay and reputation
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In summary:
n Work out what is best for you and what your ideal teaching scenario would be.
n Plan in advance and research companies, and ask for advice online from those who have worked for the companies
you might be interested in.
n Be prepared to 'work towards' your ideal position, as it is unlikely that one will fall into your lap with the first job
application you submit.
n Be realistic.
an St
re o
Read more pros and cons of teaching English online: d
se p
www.goabroad.com/articles/teach-abroad/pros-cons-teaching-esl-online-vs-classroom a
rc
h
Case study
www.teflcourse.net/blog/five-online-teaching-jobs-that-dont-require-a-degree-ittt-tefl-blog/
Five Online Teaching Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree
Online English language teaching is one area of the TEFL field that has grown rapidly in recent times and it is only going to
become more popular. With this growth comes an increased demand for teachers which is a very positive thing for anyone who
doesn’t have a full university degree. While some online employers do insist on a degree, the two most important ingredients
when applying for online teaching jobs are generally a TEFL/TESOL certification and in some cases being a native English
speaker.
For anyone without a degree, the best thing to do is to offer as much else to the employer as possible. As mentioned, a
TEFL/TESOL certification is essential (a minimum 120-hour course is usually expected). Other sought after skills include
foreign language experience, flexibility and a positive attitude, as well as any level of classroom experience. The following are
five well-known online English language teaching companies that take on teachers without a degree:
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Cambly
The Cambly platform offers short chat sessions via webcam with students worldwide. The main student body is made up of
adults, although it does cater for some younger learners. Cambly employs native English speakers from the USA, Canada, the
UK, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries in certain circumstances.
With Cambly you can work as little or as much as you want as you simply login whenever you are free and start making chat
calls immediately. Your online time is automatically tracked and you are paid $0.17 USD per minute (which equates to $10.20
USD per hour). Your weekly earnings are paid via PayPal every Monday.
To apply to Cambly you will need a reliable internet connection that can handle video streaming. This is tested by them
automatically to ensure it is up to the job. Next you have to record a short video to introduce and sell yourself as a tutor. Finally,
you fill out a tutor profile that will be shown to potential students. If this sounds like something you are interested in click here.
Also read: How to Find a Job as an English Teacher Online
PalFish
This platform is a little different as it is app-based, meaning you need an iOS (Apple) or Android cell phone/tablet to
communicate with your students. Through the PalFish app you can teach both one-to-one students and larger groups. It is
worth noting that PalFish has no rules regarding the nationality of its teachers and non-native English speakers are more than
welcome to apply. Applicants simply need to be a fluent English speaker with good communication skills and plenty of energy.
A TEFL/TESOL or CELTA qualification is also necessary.
Your working hours can be as flexible as you want as there are no minimum requirements. You also get to set your own hourly
rate without any influence from PalFish. The average rate is between $10 and $18 USD per hour for one-on-one classes.
Payment of your earnings is made via Payoneer only, so you will need to set up an account if you don't already have one.
To apply to PalFish you should first download the app here and then follow the instructions. You will need a good photo for
your avatar, a self-introduction piece of over 100 words, and a self-introduction video to show off your English pronunciation
and proficiency. You will also need to provide your Payoneer details.
Also read: The Best Apps to Have on Your Phone While Teaching English Abroad
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SkimaTalk
SkimaTalk take on native English speakers over 18 years old that have an American, British, Canadian, Australian, New
Zealand or Irish accent. Teaching qualifications and experience are not essential, but either or both is always an advantage
when applying for any teaching position. Your students could be from anywhere in the world, but are most likely to be adults. A
good internet connection is a must, as is commitment, a passion for teaching and a professional approach.
You are free to choose your own working hours and to set your own hourly charges. SkimaTalk takes 20% of whatever price you
set for each lesson and the remaining 80% (less any PayPal fees) goes to you. Payments are made to teachers once a month.
To join the SkimaTalk platform you can create an account by signing up here. You can then fill out a teacher profile, record a
video introduction, and complete a set of simple tests.
Also read: What it's Like to Teach English Online: An Online Teacher Reveals Her Secrets!
Lingoda
Lingoda is currently the leading online language school in Europe, with over 6,000 students involved in around 7,000 live
classes per week. Lessons are provided 24 hours a day in a range of languages, including English, German, French, and
Spanish. All the required materials for your lessons are supplied by Lingoda and your classes will generally be in small groups
or on a one-to-one basis.
You get to pick which hours suit you best from a list of 24/7 options and the pay is between 7 - 11 euro per hour. All applicants
must be native English speakers with a TEFL/TESOL or CELTA certification and 2 years of classroom experience.
To sign up for Lingoda you can fill out an application here or you can send a 1-minute video application to
teacher@lingoda.com which is generally a quicker option.
Also read: The Exciting Future of Learning English Online
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Open English
Open English is the most successful online English learning platform in Latin America. The platform runs small group and one-
to-one lessons around the clock, as well as on-demand services and interactive content. In place of a degree, Open English
require a TEFL/TESOL certification and a minimum of one year of teaching experience. A good knowledge of Spanish or
Portuguese is also a big advantage. It is worth noting that they typically look for North American English speakers.
Open English require a minimum of 10 hours teaching per week, although the hours are not guaranteed and can vary
depending on the time of year. Most lessons are taken during the evenings (USA ET). Hourly rates are up to $15 USD. You can
apply for a position here and you might be expected to have an interview or produce a video recording. If successful, you will
then undertake training specific to the Open English platform and their preferred teaching methodologies.
Also read: 5 Great Places to Teach English Abroad Without a Degree
Are you ready to teach English online?

Although a degree does provide more options for English teachers who want to work online, there are still plenty of great
opportunities available to those who have a TEFL/TESOL certification. Hopefully this list of potential employers will help you
get started on your new path as an online English language teacher.
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6.2 Contracts
These will vary depending on the company you work
for. You will find some of the basic information
regarding working conditions and requirements on the
company's websites, shown in the next section.
Tax
You will need to comply with the tax laws for whichever
country or countries you receive income. Most
companies will tell you that you will have to deal with
tax issues for yourself, so it is important you make sure
you are familiar with the rules.
There is a lot of free help available for these issues in

teacher forums and blogs.
Example site:
http://www.teacherindie.com/how-to-track-and-pay-
your-taxes-as-an-online-teacher/
Retirement
Even though you may be just starting your teaching career, if you intend to work as a freelancer, you should think about
retirement planning from day 1. This relates to your tax plans above, as retirement plans usually give some form of tax
benefit.
You need to make yourself aware of what is available.
an St
re o
Read more about being self-employed while ‘retired’: d
se p
www.nerdwallet.com/blog/investing/retirement-plans-self-employed/ a
rc
h
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6.3 Salaries and
payment systems
Examples of teaching platform salaries for teaching
English online include:
Cambly: offers conversational lessons in an informal

setting. Students come from all over the world. Pay is
$0.17 per minute, or $10.20 per hour, paid through
PayPal every Monday.
Continuum Education Services: recruitment agency

that pairs teachers with companies that require
English services. Companies offer base pay and
flexible schedules. English native speakers only with a
TEFL/TESOL certificate.
eBerlitz: has offices in 70 countries worldwide and is

one of the biggest names in the business of teaching
English as a foreign language. The pay is $14 per hour.
Englishunt: hires tutors for virtual lessons with

Japanese students. Teacher s must have a
TEFL/TESOL certificate. Teachers work between 8 and
12 hours a week. Pay is $14.50 per hour. Curriculum is
provided.
iTutor: open to teachers from the US, Canada and the UK with a degree. Hiring process is very quick, within 3 days of
registration. Pay is between $16 and $25 per hour.
Magic Ears: provides fun, interactive and efficient online English learning experiences to 4-12-year-old children in China.
Magic Ears offers compensation, which is 30% higher than the average market value and you can earn between $18-26
USD per hour. See below
VIPKID: focuses on teaching children in Asia. All lesson plans and teaching materials are provided. Applicants need to be
US or Canadian citizens and possess at least a Bachelor's degree and have a stable internet connection. Pay is $18 to
$21 per hour with average earnings of $2,000 per month.
Typical examples of general pay and conditions for some of the above companies on the next few pages.
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VIPKIDS
www.vipkidteachers.com/mkt/faq/payment
Pay Hourly salary Remarks
This is decided based on your credentials and demo lesson

Minimum pay USD 7-9
performance.
This is based on showing up on time and teaching the lesson

Participation Incentive Up to USD 1
according to schedule.
This is based on the number of classes you finish in a month.

Finished Class
Up to USD 1 We use this to assess your teaching quality. If more students
Incentive
continue to book with you, you are rewarded.
Total per 30 minutes USD 7 - 11
Total per 1 hour USD 14 - 22
VIPKID payment information
QKIDS
https://teacher.qkids.net/faq
Work from home, work remotely, teach online from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada
Flexible Hours, Part-time, set your own teaching schedule
Easy and Stable Supplemental Income$16 - $20 USD an hour, each in-lesson time is 30 minutes
How much do I get paid?
Base pay: $8 base pay for full lessons. $4 base pay for standby lessons (approximately 10 minutes with no
teaching required).
Incentive: eligibility for $1 Performance Fee for each lesson based on family review. Eligibility for $1 Attendance
Bonus for each lesson once a minimum of 15 lessons are taught in a week.
Limited Attendance policies requiring 24 hour notice for schedule changes and minimum 5 hour notice to
maintain eligibility for overall attendance fee.
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How and when will I be paid?
All teachers will be paid via bank transfer to your U.S. or Canada bank accounts. The transfer fee is covered by
Qkids. The pay date is no later than the 15th of each month where you will be paid for the entire previous month of
teaching. The pay date will automatically extend to the next week in the event of any Chinese national holidays.
How much tax do I need to pay?
All Qkids teachers are independent contractors and will be responsible for your own taxes in accordance with
state and country laws, and individual tax jurisdictions.
I am a resident of Canada, do I get paid in US dollars?
Yes, all teachers will be paid in US dollars.
How long is the contract? Can I take time off?
The contract term is 6 months with the possibility to extend upon re-evaluation. Please inform the Class
Coordination Team 2 weeks in advance if you need to take extended time off during the contract.
Magic Ears
https://t.mmears.com/v2/learn
Magic Ears offers compensation which is 30% higher than the average industry pay. As an independent
contractor, your payment is calculated on a per-class basis and is composed of a minimum pay with potential
incentives. (Total class time = 25-minute lesson + 5-minute student evaluation.)
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*Final definition of peak hours is subject to changes by Magic Ears.
How much tax do I have to pay?
Magic Ears' teachers function as independent contractors and are responsible for their own taxes in accordance
with their individual tax jurisdictions as well as state and federal laws.
When and how will I be paid?
The monthly compensation shall be paid on the 10th working day of the next calendar month. Teachers can be
paid through online bank transfer or PayPal. Magic Ears assumes the transfer fee charged by the remitting bank,
and teachers assume the handling fees charged by the receiving bank.
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Receiving your salary
You can see some examples of methods available for you to get paid here:
http://anomalouseducator.com/what-are-the-best-ways-to-get-payment-from-students/ (Ray Blakney)
What are the best ways to get payment from students?
What are the best ways to go about accepting the fruits of your labor? In 2017, online payments are quick and painless. Some
services will take a small fee for processing and depositing your payment, others won’t. Here we’ll look at the best ways to get
payment from students.
Likely, you will accept payment via a few different paths below, although customers shouldn’t expect you to accept all forms of
payment. It comes down to what works best for your business, situation, and ultimately, the majority of your students.
PayPal
PayPal is perhaps the easiest and most widely used online payment service. Simply sign up with your work-based email
address, get your account linked to your bank, and you’re ready to go.
Payment is sent directly to your PayPal account by the student. You can then deposit the money into your bank account, if you
choose. PayPal takes a cut of the transaction, either from your end or the sender’s end, depending on which option you choose.
You can also obtain a PayPal.Me link, which you can share with students. This allows them to pay for lessons by simply clicking
the button in an email or website, and entering the payment amount.
Credit and Debit Cards

To accept credit and debit cards, there are two main options. You may want a dedicated merchant account, as customers can
already use their credit card to pay with PayPal and other aggregated holding accounts.
The dedicated merchant account deposits funds, minus processing fees, directly into your bank account. Standard rules apply
for credit card transactions through these dedicated accounts.
This is helpful if a customer requests a refund, or you have to deal with an unfortunate case of fraud. The middle man is
eliminated. PaySimple can set you up with a dedicated merchant account.
The drawback to dedicated merchant accounts is that your business will have to undergo underwriting and a credit check. As a
new online teacher or business, you may not have sufficient credit to be approved.
In this case, an aggregated account may be best, at least temporarily.
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Recurring Billing
One of the best ways to get payments from students from the teacher’s perspective is recurring billing. Students are
automatically billed once per month, or whichever billing cycle you prefer to use, without you having to hassle the student for
payment or them having to remember.
PaySimple has a strong recurring billing platform. Want to be paid on time every month? Recurring billing is the way to go.
Easy to set up, easy to cancel, and convenient for both parties.
Click-to-pay email invoicing and direct payment through accounting apps

If you use QuickBooks for cloud accounting, you have the option to sign up for their in-house payment system. When you
invoice a student, they have the option to pay automatically within the invoice. The funds are then deposited into your account
in about two business days. It’s quite simple, but QuickBooks does take about a 3% cut of the transaction.
Multiple options are available for click-to-pay email invoicing, including PaySimple. Other than PayPal, this is perhaps the
quickest and easiest method for customers, making it one of the best ways to get payment from students. The invoice allows
them to pay via ACH, credit or debit card, and saves you the trouble of going through underwriting and a credit check. Other
accounting services have similar payment services, but I’ve found QuickBooks to be the most straight forward.
ACH processing
Direct bank account debits are a simple and popular way to get paid online because the transaction fees are frequently lower
than those of credit cards. It’s basically like the student writing you a check via the internet. The student inputs the routing and
account number into an online payment interface that you provide them access to. PaySimple can also set you up here.
2CheckOut and FTNI are other options.
Venmo, sending money through Facebook, and other forms of ‘social e-payment’ or ‘share
payment’ services
Personally, I’m not a fan of using Venmo, Facebook payments, or other ‘payment apps’ for professional situations. Call me old-
school, but it just strikes me as cheesy. If you’re teaching a friend how to play guitar, splitting a cab ride, or repaying a family
member who lives far away, Venmo is a great option. For the workplace? Not so much.
When considering the best ways to get payment from students, remember that the overall goal is to make the process simple.
Keeping it stress-free for both you and the student is key. As an online teacher, you don’t want to be hounding students multiple
times to get paid any more than they want to fall behind in the first place.
The best ways to get payments from students have minimal clicks involved, keep the payer in one place, and are as automated
as possible.
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6.4 Useful links

Teaching materials
www.freeeslmaterials.com/
www.usingenglish.com/teachers/
www.teachchildrenesl.com/
https://en.islcollective.com/
www.esl-galaxy.com/
Blogs and groups
www.teflcourse.net/blog/
www.eflmagazine.com/
www.eslpod.com/eslpod_blog/
www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/
https://oupeltglobalblog.com/
www.englishteachermelanie.com/
Online teaching companies list
www.goodairlanguage.com/teaching-english-online-2/
Exam systems
Overview: www.esldirectory.com/english-language-exams/
IELTS: www.ielts.org/
TOEFL: www.ets.org/toefl
TOEIC: www.ets.org/toeic
BULATS* www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/bulats/
*BULATS retired at the end of 2019. Replaced with Linguaskill Business.

www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/
Pros and cons of online teaching
www.teflcourse.net/blog/how-to-teach-english-remotely-from-anywhere-in-the-world-ittt-tefl-blog/
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Companies mentioned during this course
iTutorGroup www.itutorgroup.com
ABC International Group www.goodairlanguage.com/abc-international-group
Lingo Live www.lingolive.com
Fluentify www.fluentify.com
eBerlitz www.berlitz.us/individual-solutions/language-instruction-adults/eberlitz/
EnglishTutorOnline www.englishtutoronline.com/english/teachers-application-form
Break Into English http://englishclassviaskype.com
Novo English www.novoenglish.com/fr
Educastream www.educastream.com
FluentBe www.fluentbe.com
51Talk www.51talk.ph
Koolearn www.koolearn.com
New Vision Learning Services http://newvisionwx.com/join-our-team
A Top Class http://atopclass.com
Likeshuo www.likeshuo.com/recruit/teacher
Tutoring http://tutoring.co.kr/tutor/apply
NIL English www.nilenglish.com
Cambly www.cambly.com
Englishunt www.englishuntusa.com
Magic Ears https://t.mmears.com/v2
VIP Kid www.vipkid.com
SkyLearn https://skylearn.es/
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6.5 ITTT alumni contacts

At ITTT we would suggest that the most valuable
feedback you can receive about your teaching is from
the students you teach.
Extending this concept, we have created an ITTT TEO

alumni contact list of employees of various online
teaching companies. They have said that they are
happy to be contacted about their employment
experiences. They have also agreed to answer limited
questions that you may have about the job application
process and general queries.
Once you gain employment and if the company you

work for is not represented here, you can be added to
the alumni contact list should you wish to be available
to potential employees to answer their questions.
If you wish to be added, please contact admin@tesol-tefl.com referencing the ITTT TEO alumni scheme using the
following format for your details:
Company name
Your name
Your contact email address
VIPKid
Taylor Sruba
tay.sruba@gmail.com
itutor
Terrance Massa
terrancemasso3@gmail.com
DadaABC
Steph O'Bryan
skobryan90@gmail.com
BlingABC
Kirsten Lamb
Kirsten.p.lamb@gmail.com
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6.6 Comprehension text

Read the following text and additional readings.
Knowledge of the text will be tested.
Article 1 (6.5.1)
www.teflcourse.net/blog/the-15-most-asked-
questions-in-a-tefl-interview/
The 15 Most Asked Questions in a TEFL

Interview
Learning how to answer common questions in an ESL
interview is easy if you've researched and prepared in
advance, even if you've never had a formal job interview
before.
Before we head into answering the top 15 most asked

questions in a TEFL interview, there are a few things to
check off your to-do list before interviewing:
Ÿ Find a quiet and well lit spot for your interview.

Ÿ Test your Skype connection, your earphones and your microphone before you start your interview.
Ÿ Be online 15 minutes before your interview starts.
Ÿ Make sure you dress to impress.
Ÿ Non-verbal communication is important: Smile, make eye contact, and remember that your body language says as much
about you as your words do.
Ÿ Remember that you must communicate well. Answer your questions efficiently and effectively.
Ÿ Make sure you answer the questions you're being asked and don't stray off on other subjects.
The 15 Most Common ESL Interview Questions

1. Tell me a little about yourself.
This is an icebreaker question that gives you the opportunity to sell yourself.
Be positive and tell the interviewer about your good points, especially the parts of your personality that make you a good
teacher. Explain why you are interested in moving abroad to teach and focus on the care and attention you will give to your new
job. You can also talk about previous travels, previous work experience, or talk about your personality and some of your
favorite hobbies.
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2. What do you know about the country you are moving to and why do you want to teach there?
Make sure you have done your homework in advance and you've researched the country you plan on teaching in.
Mention places you'd like to see, but don't spend too much time talking about travel. You want to touch on what you know
about the country you're planning on teaching in, but never leave the interviewer with the overall impression that your number
one reason for moving abroad is to travel.
If you've been sent information in advance, make sure you've read it.
3. What kind of teaching experience do you have?

This is the type of question that you can expand on, even if you don't have teaching experience. Babysitting experience,
summer camp experience, or any other kind of experience that has had you working with kids or adults can be useful in an ESL
job interview. You can also talk about helping your siblings if you have nothing else to fall back on for teaching experience.
4. Have you ever lived abroad before or have you been exposed to different cultures through travel?
Obviously the best answer to this question is that you've lived abroad or studied abroad, but if you haven't and need to talk
solely about travel, make sure you mention where you have traveled and some of the observations you made while traveling.
Your interviewer will want to know that you are somewhat familiar with the ins and outs of moving through another country.
5. Let's say you'd like to order some food or buy train tickets, but you don't speak the language yet. How
would you tackle these tasks during your first months abroad?
Most interviewers will ask something like this to determine what you're like in certain situations. This is your opportunity to be
creative and talk about how you might accomplish tasks in a different language. Your answer will also illustrate that you
understand what your own students might be going through in your own classroom.
6. What do you hope to learn from your year of teaching abroad?

This question depends on your goals for your year abroad. You'll want to base your answer on your motivation to teach. Do not
use this question as an opportunity to talk about traveling to other places or learning the local language. Talk about how you
want to improve your teaching skills with a certain age group or how you want to develop your professional teaching skills.
7. What is your favorite age range to teach and why?

Be specific about which age groups you love to work with, whether they bolster your creativity as a teacher, and why you feel
that the age group you are interested in would be fulfilling to teach. You can always express that you're interested in all age
groups if you genuinely don't mind who you teach, but be specific about any favorite age groups. If young learners make you
happy because they give you an overall feeling of satisfaction by watching their learning skills develop, then say so.
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8. What would you say are the most important qualities an ESL teacher needs to have?
There are many answers to choose from for this question, but most schools will want to hear a mix of the following: Good
communication skills with a clear and concise voice, time management skills in class, creativity, passion for working with young
learners or adults, patience for new language learners and a sense of humor are all important qualities to mention in your
interview.
9. What is your greatest strength as a teacher? What can your new school expect of you?
This is important because your school will want to know what you excel at or what you think you do best. Whether it's being
creative or being adaptable or knowing how to manage your time in class, be ready to impress your recruiter or interviewer
with at least one strength that highlights your strengths as a teacher.
10. How would you describe your teaching style?

Most teachers have a good idea of how to answer this question, especially because they are prepared for it in their TEFL course.
The best way to answer this question is to review the advertisement for the job and focus on the qualities mentioned in the job
description. If they ask for creative and positive teachers, mention you're creative and positive and then give them personal
examples.
11. How would you go about teaching a specific lesson to a group of young learners?
It's not uncommon for interviewers to ask how you'd teach a specific lesson to a group of kids at a certain age level. For
example, you might be asked how you'd go about teaching 'professions' or 'going to the store' to a group of five-year-olds. Try
not to fall back on using flashcards in class to teach words or sentence patterns. Interviewers hear this all the time. It's not an
original idea and will not gain you any points in your interview.
Prepare a mini lesson in advance that you can adapt on the spot in your interview.
12. How do you maintain discipline and control in your classroom? How do you handle kids with
behavioral issues?
In many ways, this question can be one of the most important parts of the interview because schools will want to know that you
know how to handle a group of 15 to 20 five-year-olds in class. There is bound to be one student in your class that acts out, and
it's impossible to keep an eye on all students at all times.
Draw on your experience and explain effective ways that you've used for classroom management in the past. From pairing
students together to finding the root cause of their behavior, there are many ways to address this question.
Talk about your lesson plans and how they are designed to keep students busy, engaged, and focused on the lesson. Make sure
to ask about the school's policy for dealing with students that are behaving badly in class.
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13. How do you deal with kids that learn at different rates to other students in class?
Schools will often create classes for students of the same age, but they don't often take into consideration that the students can
have a range of English speaking abilities.
Your TEFL course should prepare you for this question, but an easy way to answer it is to match students with poor English
speaking abilities with a student who is more advanced. Your advanced student will love the opportunity to be a helper, and
your student who is having challenges in the classroom will receive extra attention from a new friend.
14. How proficient are you with technology in your classroom?

It's important to stress that you are proficient in technology in the classroom IF you have these skills. If you don't, don't try to sell
yourself on a position that you might not be able to handle.
If you are technologically proficient, talk about the experiences you've had using audio and visual aids in your classroom and
mention whether or not you are familiar with using a smart board.
Be sure to mention using hardware such as tablets and computers, specific software apps, and online education sites to
strengthen your lesson plans. Use successful examples from past experience.
Ask your school what kind of technology they use in their classrooms so you can be prepared to teach there.
15. Do you have any questions?

The worst thing you can say to this question is that you have no questions.
Interviewers will cover a range of topics, but try to have at least one question to ask your interviewer to show your interest in this
position. You can always ask about working environments, teaching resources, the kind of responsibilities you should prepare
for, what managers are like in the country you'd like to teach in, or what to expect about a curriculum to follow. These sorts of
questions generally aren't covered in an interview, but it gives you a chance to stand out and let your interviewer know that you
are the perfect teacher for their school.
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Article 2 (6.5.2)
www.teflcourse.net/blog/what-scams-to-look-out-for-when-looking-for-tefl-jobs-ittt-tefl-blog/
What Scams to Look Out for When Looking for TEFL Jobs
Moving abroad to teach English has become a widely popular career path for many people of all ages and backgrounds around
the world. A quick Internet search reveals a seemingly endless array of job offers for TEFL certified teachers. But how can you
make sure that the advertised job is legit? This article shows you exactly what scams to look out for when looking for TEFL jobs.
What do scammers want from TEFL teachers?

While the individual motives can be varied, most of the time, scammers try to take advantage of teachers looking for jobs
overseas for pure financial gain. Some try to get you to pay for an application or visa fee, while others may go as far as stealing
your personal and credit card information.
Scam Number 1: Using the name of a well-known school

One of the most common scams involving TEFL jobs is the usage of a reputable school in the job advert. For example,
scammers often use a similar email address with a different domain, such as schoolofenglish@gmail.com, instead of
jobs@schoolofenglish.com, the genuine address of the school. How to avoid this scam: Do some research on the school name
online. There are websites specifically dedicated to TEFL scammers offering ‘blacklists’ with shady school names. You can also
get information from blogs or ESL articles. If the school has its own website, check if the email advertised on the homepage is
the same as the one in the job offer. If still in doubt, email them via their homepage or social media and ask if the job offer you
saw was really posted by the school.
Scam Number 2: Requiring upfront payments

As mentioned earlier, a lot of TEFL scammers request money from their potential teachers very early on in the application
process. Some of the most common scams involve the ‘employer’ requesting money upfront for things like airplane tickets, visa
fees, security deposits for accommodation, etc. How to avoid this scam: Again, do your research. While there are some
employers that expect their teachers to pay for their own airfare, many of them will reimburse the money once you start work.
Generally, no TEFL employer should ask for flight money upfront. Also take a look at the visa fees in your host country on the
official embassy website or call the officials and ask them if the visa fees proposed from the employer sound legit.
Scam Number 3: Getting hired without an interview

While a face-to-face interview is unusual when looking for a teaching job in a different country, most employers conduct TEFL
interviews via Skype or phone instead. If an employer hires you without even asking for an interview, chances are that the job is
a scam.
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How to avoid this scam: Should the employer not interview you, it is safe to assume that the job is fake and you should just walk
away. If you feel like it might actually be genuine, request an interview with the employer and see what they say.
Scam Number 4: Not allowing you to speak with current teachers

One common way of finding out if a school suits your preferences is to speak with current employees of the school. Should an
employer refuse to let you speak with teachers currently working at the school, this should raise a red flag. There most likely
aren't any current teachers because the school doesn't exist. How to avoid this scam: Ask the employer why it is not possible to
speak with a current employee. If the employer is concerned about giving out personal information, such as email addresses or
phone numbers of their current employees, give them your contact information instead and request to be contacted.
Don't get discouraged! While these sorts of scams do exist, most TEFL jobs are posted by genuine schools looking for a good fit
for their school. Keeping these four most common scams in mind, however, will help you to avoid the small number of
scammers who look to cash in on the huge worldwide demand for English language teachers.
Article 3 (6.5.3)
www.thebabbgroup.com/blog/from-the-founder/common-online-teaching-job-interview-questions.html
Common Online Teaching Job Interview Questions

You have an online teaching job interview scheduled and you aren’t quite sure what to expect. You may feel a bit nervous, or if
you are a pro at this you may already know what to expect, and have an answer for everything that is asked. My goal in this post
in the series on Steps to Getting Your First Online Teaching Job is to help you identify some of the more common interview
questions that deans and professors report asking (or being asked) during interviews and to share the reasoning behind some of
the questions from the hiring manager, dean or human resources perspective so you can think about the interview and prepare
ahead of time.
After you have provided email responses to most questions, the next step is usually a one-on-one or group phone interview
(though more recently Skype video interviews). While you may feel nervous, remember that the people interviewing you more
often than not report they are trying to “rule you in” not “kick you out”, so come at the interview with this in mind. Now I will get
to it.. some of the more common interview questions:
1. Share with me/us your experience with teaching adults.

The interviewer is wanting to find out not just about your experience, but that you know there is a difference between teaching
adults and teaching traditional students. I suggest making this clear in your response.
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2. Share with me/us your experience teaching online.

Just like the question about your experience teaching adults, the interviewer may just be checking to be sure you know that
there is a difference between the methodologies used and engagement level online than in traditional education. He or she is
also looking for what your experience level is (“I have X years experience teaching in XYZ platforms teaching ABC subjects” is
a nice way to start this one). If you have no experience teaching online, just be candid about it. “I have experience doing ABC,
but I have yet to teach online. However. .I believe an online instructor needs to…” and this is where your teaching philosophy
comes in. What does an online instructor need to do? What open source platforms have you used just to learn them online
(Moodle etc)? Did you have experience as an online student that transfer into the classroom as a professor?
3. How did you hear about this position?

If you have a reference or a referral (please be sure they are in good standing with the university, to the best of your ability,
before name dropping!) then explain that. If you found it online you can say that too. I would suggest somehow bringing in why
you wanted to work here or what you found appealing in the job description as well.
4. Why do you want to work here?

Simple enough. You read about them online right? You learned about them in our forums right? You have heard great things
about how they uphold academic integrity, how they stand behind their faculty, they communicate regularly, your colleagues
love working there, etc. If you are applying to a faith based school be sure to mention this element.
5. How do you engage students?

If you have experience doing this, you know that communication, emails, announcements, thought provoking questions,
getting to know your students and making them feel important in class matters. If you are a new instructor, you will be engaging
your students by doing these very same things and have learned from online professors you have taken courses from or have
talked with colleagues about, right?
6. Tell me about a scenario you have dealt with recently in which you had to work with a very difficult
student. Explain the situation and how you handled it.
Dean’s tell me they are looking for candidates who know they need to 1. Follow university protocol first and foremost, 2.
Communicate, 3. Try to reach the student, 3. Try to understand both sides of the issue when applicable, 4. Let the student’s
adviser know, 5. Re-engage the students to try to retain the learner. With these items in mind, try to tell the story. Explain what
the background is with no names whatsoever (no university names and no student names), how you handled it, and what the
outcome was.
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7. I see you work for quite a few universities. How are you going to fit this into your workload?
Try not to take offense to this question. Simple answers here will do wonders. If these scenarios apply, talk about them. 1. The
other universities you work for only schedule you X number of times per year and you find yourself very often with far less work
than you can handle. 2. You manage your time very effectively. 3. You never take on more work than you can handle and still
provide quality instruction. 4. While your CV may seem as though you work for a lot of places, this has given you a lot of
experience and scheduling is all over the map, with little consistency. Dean’s tell me they want candidates who address this
question candidly and honestly, and that they understand an adjuncts workload can be scattered and that it is very likely the
candidate does in fact have time for the job.
Remember, try to turn each question into a dialogue! Answer the questions, but allow the interviewer to get to know you, too!
Let them hear how personable and thorough you are (while not boring them, so don’t take 5 minutes to answer a simple
question). Honest answers are important, and remember almost everything is verifiable online. You may get asked questions
about your subject matter expertise, but I find this is rare; usually it’s for positions in research methodology. The interview is an
important time for you to emphasize the points you would like to make.
When the interviewer asks if you have questions the answer is absolutely never “no I do not” (unless you don’t want to work
there).
Some questions you may consider asking:
Ÿ How long are the terms?

Ÿ What platforms do you use?
Ÿ Do you require or allow synchronous sessions? “I want to work for a school that upholds academic integrity. Can you tell me a
little bit about your policies in this area?”
Ÿ Who would I be directly working for?
Ÿ What is the course review process if I notice something could use updating?
The goal with your questions is not only to answer questions, but to show the person interviewing you that you “know how the
process works” and are asking questions that imply you will better the curriculum and be a thorough instructor.
You should now be ready to attempt the test for unit 6. Go to the control panel to open and take the test.
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ITTT Specialized Course

Teaching English Online

Unit 6 The online

The two most important attributes you can posses are

Working as an EFL teacher is not an easy job and it

Typical requirements may include:

n A teaching certification which can be TEFL, TESL, TESOL, etc.

Pros and cons of teaching English online

Pros (potentially include...)

Cons (potentially include...)

Five Online Teaching Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree

Also read: How to Find a Job as an English Teacher Online

Also read: The Exciting Future of Learning English Online

Also read: 5 Great Places to Teach English Abroad Without a Degree

Are you ready to teach English online?

There is a lot of free help available for these issues in

You need to make yourself aware of what is available.

Cambly: offers conversational lessons in an informal

Continuum Education Services: recruitment agency

eBerlitz: has offices in 70 countries worldwide and is

Englishunt: hires tutors for virtual lessons with

Pay Hourly salary Remarks

This is decided based on your credentials and demo lesson

This is based on showing up on time and teaching the lesson

This is based on the number of classes you finish in a month.

Total per 30 minutes USD 7 - 11

Total per 1 hour USD 14 - 22

VIPKID payment information

How much do I get paid?

How and when will I be paid?

How much tax do I need to pay?

I am a resident of Canada, do I get paid in US dollars?

Yes, all teachers will be paid in US dollars.

How long is the contract? Can I take time off?

*Final definition of peak hours is subject to changes by Magic Ears.

How much tax do I have to pay?

When and how will I be paid?

Receiving your salary

http://anomalouseducator.com/what-are-the-best-ways-to-get-payment-from-students/ (Ray Blakney)

What are the best ways to get payment from students?

Credit and Debit Cards

In this case, an aggregated account may be best, at least temporarily.

Click-to-pay email invoicing and direct payment through accounting apps

6.4 Useful links

Blogs and groups

Online teaching companies list

*BULATS retired at the end of 2019. Replaced with Linguaskill Business.

Pros and cons of online teaching

Companies mentioned during this course

6.5 ITTT alumni contacts

Extending this concept, we have created an ITTT TEO

Once you gain employment and if the company you

6.6 Comprehension text

The 15 Most Asked Questions in a TEFL

Before we head into answering the top 15 most asked

Ÿ Find a quiet and well lit spot for your interview.

The 15 Most Common ESL Interview Questions

3. What kind of teaching experience do you have?

6. What do you hope to learn from your year of teaching abroad?

7. What is your favorite age range to teach and why?

10. How would you describe your teaching style?

14. How proficient are you with technology in your classroom?

15. Do you have any questions?