Wednesday, March 30, 2016

ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING: A NOBLE PROFESSION

Online teaching has become one of the most popular career nowadays. For example, in 51Talk, the country’s fastest growing online English Language Teaching (ELT) platform, there are currently about 6,000 online teachers and counting. As many may want to consider teaching online, one must understand that it is as noble as classroom teaching and as professional. 


Here are the most common myths and the actual truth about a craft that requires passion:

Myth #1: Teaching online does not require a lot of skill nor training.
Fact: While it is true that experience is not required for you to be an online English teacher, it is crucial that you develop the skills for it and receive substantial training. A person may have the gift for speaking well and confidently, but he or she may not necessarily have the capacity or demeanour to teach and listen patiently to students. You need proper training for you to have the right mind-set and develop the appropriate skill sets. In 51Talk, all the online teachers get thorough training — and it is not just a matter of knowing what and how to teach. The teachers are also taught how to motivate and encourage.

Myth #2: You can teach any way you want and do anything you want while teaching online. 
Fact: The skill level and learning pace and style of the student must come into consideration first. You can apply your own teaching style as long as it agrees with the appropriate teaching method. Moreover, you may not be physically with the student, but you must give your full attention to him or her. The student must never feel neglected.

Myth #3: Online teaching is not as in-depth as a personal or face-to-face tutorial. 
Fact: Online teaching does not make the lessons or your interaction with the student any less real or substantial. Provided that you use the appropriate tools, materials and teaching style, and display the right attitude, your online teaching can be just as in-depth and significantly productive as a face-to-face tutorial.

Myth #4: Online teaching becomes a drag eventually, because you end up doing the same thing over and over again. 
Fact: Online teaching is far from being a drag because as the students evolve and improve their skill, so do your own style and skills as well. Moreover, you need to regularly review and revise teaching materials to make them new and relevant. Lastly, there is also the immense fulfilment that you get whenever you see a student improve — that will never get old and boring.

Teaching online requires commitment, discipline, and effort, but it also promises personal and professional development and immense satisfaction. You can see for yourself how fulfilling it can be to teach online by joining 51Talk as a home-based or office-based teacher. Interested to teach with the best, visit www.51talk.com/ph.

51Talk is the largest online English education provider in China. Operating internationally in multiple sites in China and overseas, 51Talk has millions of registered users, over 6000 online English teachers.

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