Interested in teaching a language online? Nowadays, e-learning has gained popularity and there is a high demand for teachers willing to work from the comfort of their homes. In fact, according to Global Industry Analysts Inc. the global private tutoring industry is a multi-billion dollar trade, and it is predicted to reach over $100 billion by the year 2018.
Why Teach a Language Online?
While more and more language and ESL teachers are becoming open to the use of technology in the classroom, teaching online is a major step. For teachers who are used to the traditional way of teaching, they could be reluctant to take on this kind of setup. Nonetheless, language teachers are shifting to digital education or online tutoring, mostly because of the notable benefits.
Flexibility
Provided you have a computer and a reliable Internet connection, you can work anywhere and still be able to teach your lessons. Online language teaching offers flexible teaching hours, which is particularly convenient when you don’t have a full-time teaching job or if you’re a stay at home mother. Flexibility in location and time can even offer diverse and enriching experiences as you meet students from different cultures and walks of life.
New Teaching Methods
Teachers can try a variety of Internet-based teaching strategies, making it possible to plan more engaging and diverse lessons. News reports, interactive quizzes, videos and music can all be used in an online classroom setting. This teaching model also enables language teachers to plan more individualized lessons and integrate new learning activities that cannot be applied in traditional courses. Through the use of computers, learning a language can be a more personalized process where students can work with materials that are relevant to their individual needs and goals. Teachers may construct lessons with the help of online sources like news websites, online magazines/blogs, videos, and photography. If a student has a specific goal in mind, teachers can create custom activities with the help of these online sources.
Through the use of computers, learning a language can be a more personalized process where students can work with materials that are relevant to their individual needs and goals.
In addition, the Internet allows teachers and students to easily share information with each other since resources are easier to access in digital format. With online education, both teachers and students can use search engines, social networking tools, digital libraries, and word/PDF files to facilitate the language learning process.
Documenting the Teaching Process
When teaching a language online a number of tools are readily available to help teachers organize themselves. A teacher can record their lessons on mp3 formats, grading and attendance can be recorded on excel files, and lesson plans can be saved and organized directly into one’s computer. With the use of Skype and other videoconferencing platforms, conversations and notes, which were submitted through chat, can easily be saved and even copied and sent to students for later reference.
Student Engagement
In an online lesson, students who hardly participate in class are more likely to take part in the activities they are given. Students become more interested and involved in the classroom activities since the material is personalized. Online language teaching offers diverse options and flexibility so that students and teachers can get the most out of a lesson.
Extra Perks
Updates on class hours/availability, homework assignments, due date reminders, and a number of other things can be easily shared and communicated with the help of the internet. Both students and teachers can also save time on commuting to class since the lesson can be taken anywhere with an internet connection. The common occurrence of arriving late to class or being help up in traffic can all be avoided when the classroom is 100% virtual. If you are a teacher, finding and choosing your own private students, working on your own terms, and charging your own prices are also some other extra benefits of becoming an online teacher.
These days the Internet is gaining popularity and many people are embracing this change. Taking advantage of the online language teaching industry could bring forth many new possibilities and opportunities.
What about you? What is your view on online language teaching? Let us know below!
