A few years ago, after having my third baby, I was itching for something to do. Don’t get me wrong, being a stay at home mom is great! I love taking care of my kids, and getting to spend time with them everyday. By I was longing to make money, or do some kind of hobby that was outside of being mom. For me (and like many other mom’s I know) there is a personal satisfaction from earning your own spending money. I missed that gratification I received from a full time job, pre mom life.
I searched high and low online for some kind of job I could do from the comfort of my own home. There are SO MANY jobs and SCAMS online when you type into good “stay at home mom jobs” or “work from home.” It’s easy to get lost in the sea of websites offering to get your rich fast. I finally stumbled upon a great opportunity, teaching English online! I was super hesitant at first. Was this a scam? Do people in other countries really have their kids take English courses online? After a little research, I decided to just go for it!
I can tell you now, after a few years of teaching online that I am SO HAPPY I took the risk. It has been one of the most rewarding side jobs I have ever taken on. It has allowed me to receive a paycheck and still be home with my kids. No to mention it is rewarding, and I have established some great relationships with my online students. Plus an extra $2,000 a month never hurt anyone!
Let me break it down for you with a few of the most important frequently questions I am asked:
Can you teach anywhere?
Yes! Although they ask that you teach from a stable internet connection at home, I have taught many classes from a hotel room! One year while in the Bahamas, I taught from the hotel bathroom! (I made a little desk area out of chairs and a side table!)
What are the requirements?
The company asks that you are a native speaker, and have a bachelor’s degree in any subject. I have talked to a few teachers that do not have a degree and got hired based on experience. It’s worth a shot just to apply!
What is the pay?
This is a good question. The company asks that you do not disclose pay. The pay range is from $15-$25 an hour. Pay is also negotiable after 6 – 12 month contracts. I can say that I have always been more than happy with my pay and they are very generous!
What kind of equipment do you need?
I teach from my MacBook Pro with a headset I ordered on Amazon. My headset can be found HERE. Any laptop that you are able to attach a webcam (or has one built in) would work great. You will also need a quiet space to teach, and some teaching props. Some of my favorite props I use are flashcards, puppets, and cool maps for my backdrop!
What is the schedule like?
You are asked to have a set schedule with a minimum of two days a week for at least 2 hours each day you sign up to teach. (So four hours minimum). You teach in Shanghai time, so be sure to check what time this would be in your zone. Shanghai, China teaching times are Monday to Friday: 6pm-9pm and weekends: 9am-12pm, 2pm-4pm, 6pm-9pm. What is also wonderful about this company, you can add extra hours at anytime! Say you have more free time a certain month, and your schedule has lightened up. No problem! Just hop on the companies app and add extra hours. There were some months that I was easily making a quick $2,000!
How long is the hiring process?
When I was hired on a few years ago, it took about 3 weeks total to get started. After applying you go through a Skype interview, internet connection test, online training, a demo class, signing a contract, and becoming an official teacher!
So what are you waiting for? It totally is worth a shot to apply.
A few suggestions I have:
- Make sure you have an awesome headshot to upload with your resume.
- Smile! It’s important to show you know how to be friendly during the interview.
- Study TPR on YouTube.
- Highlight any work you have done with children on your resume.
- Have fun! This is a great job to really be yourself and be silly. The kids love it!
TO APPLY CLICK HERE! This link will take you directly to the application.
Have more questions? Feel free to drop me a message in the contact tab at the top of the page. I am happy to help!