How You Can Make An Extra $600-$2,000 A Month By Teaching ESL

HOW I TURNED TEACHING ENGLISH ONLINE INTO A FULL-TIME JOB

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I had finally reached a breaking point. 

I was unhappy and felt trapped by bills and mounting piles of debt. I wanted so desperately to be free to pursue my goals and find my passion. 

Things at my day job felt tense due to the toxic environment my co-workers seemed to cultivate, leaving me exhausted both emotionally and physically by the time I arrived home. 

Something seriously had to give. 

Amid all this turmoil, my husband’s job was also starting to wear on him.

It was around this time that a good friend of mine made a post to Facebook. A post that seriously changed everything for my family and me. 

The post was simple. 

Something along the lines of “Hey, my awesome job teaching English from home is hiring, and it’s super easy to apply.” (Of course, it was much more well-written, with many more details.) 

I had seen a few of her previous posts about how much she was enjoying teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) and was intrigued. 

I clicked the link and started studying up on what it would take to start my own teaching journey. 

I was nervous.

I didn’t feel qualified, but I knew that if I didn’t at least try, that nothing would change. 

I told my husband about this new goal that I was working toward, and he, too, decided he wanted to apply. 

So we did it together.

And you know what? He got in, but I didn’t. 

After months and months of research and hours of practicing, my husband, who winged his way through the entire freaking interview process, got in, and I didn’t.

I felt devastated, but also super happy for my husband. (It was a weird emotional place).

I decided at that moment that instead of accepting defeat, that I would apply again in three months and see what happened. 

So I did and got in! 

It took a few short months to get to a place where we could financially afford for me to quit my job and switch solely over to teaching English. (My husband had made the switch six months prior). 

And it turned out to be one of the best decisions we have EVER made. 

HOW TEACHING ESL CAN BENEFIT YOU TOO

There are so many benefits to teaching English online. 

I really could go on and on about all the wonderful changes I was able to make in my life due to the flexibility and change of pace the ESL world offers.

Some of the added benefits to online teaching include,

1. Getting Paid More For Your Time

ESL actually pays pretty well. Most companies’ starting wage is at least $16 an hour and caps out at about $26 an hour.

Also, there are occasional bonuses! 

Whether you are looking at English as a potential full-time job or just as a means of earning some extra cash, ESL is a great place to start. 

2. You Can Work From Anywhere

This perk is actually what initially drew me to teaching English in the first place. 

I was so tired of my time, not feeling like my own. 

The 9-5 grind felt like busywork. Each day I would compile a list of useless tasks to fill my obligatory eight-hour shift. 

With English, as soon as I finish teaching, I am done. Off the clock. 

And the best part? 

• No more busywork! 
• Plus, when I say you can work from anywhere, I mean ANYWHERE. Well, so long as “there” has decent internet. 
• You can move to a foreign country and live like a king.
• You could move to a state with a lower cost of living, thus allowing you to live your best life for much less.
• Not to mention you can work while you travel! Many teachers are traveling the world, even some full-time RV travelers. 

3. Having A Flexible Schedule 

Having a flexible schedule pairs’ amazingly with perk number 2.

Being able to set your own schedule and work from anywhere is such a productivity game-changer. 

The benefits of creating your own work schedule include,

• A sense of freedom
• Less missed social and family events
• More time for the things that matter
• Much more time to focus on your goals and passions 
• The flexibility of an ESL schedule pairs well with a second job 

4. A Feeling Of Accomplishment 

It is lovely to know what you are doing each day is making a difference, especially in a young child’s life. 

HOW TO GET STARTED TEACHING ONLINE 

If being paid more for your time, the ability to work anywhere, create your own schedule, and help children, sounds good to you, then you should definitely give ESL a try! 

THINGS YOU WILL NEED

• A computer with an i5 processor or better (the higher, the better)
• A high internet speed (each company is different, but a safe number would be 10 Mbps download speed and 2 Mbps upload speed)
• Ethernet cable
• A quality headset 
• A mouse (Using your trackpad on your laptop is not ideal for a lot of teaching software)
• External Camera (most laptop camera quality is very poor and not ideal for a clear image when teaching)
• Colorful teaching background
• Bright lighting 

FUN TEACHING EXTRAS

Here are also a few extras that I personally like to use in my online classroom that aren’t required but totally adds to the teaching environment. 

• Manycam (seriously my favorite teaching software because it makes acquiring props for lessons so much easier)
• Greenscreen (for Manycam) 
• Gaming mouse (to help switch between platforms more fluidly during classes)
• Sparkling cat ears (because students love logging in to see a cat teacher) 
• Quality Microphone
• Gaming headset 
• Standing Desk 

SELECTING AN ESL COMPANY 

There are many online ESL companies to choose from, which is why it is so important to do your research. Each company comes with its own unique perks and drawbacks. 

This is why I have selected the 3 companies’ family members, or I have personally worked with for today’s list. 

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”

– Malala Yousafzai

1. Magic Ears 

My husband and I have been teaching with Magic Ears for just over two years now and don’t plan on stopping any time soon. 

A little about Magic Ears, they are a relatively new company having just launched in 2016.

ME is fairly unique in the fact that their platform is set up to teach group classes of four students at a time. 

Teaching hours available are Mon-Fri: 5pm-9pm (BJT) and Sat-Sun: 9am-11:30am, 5pm-9pm (BJT). 

Now, this can be a bit early for some. But I personally love being finished with work by the time the sun rises!

The requirements you must meet to join the Magic Ears family include,

• Must have or be actively working toward a bachelor’s degree
• Must have a TESOL Certificate (China recently passed a law requiring all teachers to have completed this training course. No worries, though! They are about $20 and Magic Ears offers their very own TESOL course) 
• Good lighting setup
• Knowledge and use of TPR (Total Physical Response)
• Vocal variation
• Teaching with Passion/high energy
• Previous experience working with children 
• Computer with an i5 processor or higher
• Stable internet connection with a download speed of at least 10 Mbps and an upload speed of 2 Mbps 
• Headset 
• Ethernet cable 

A little more about Magic Ears,

• The company books teachers rather than the parents of students, resulting in new students in each class.
• You can make $15-$26 per hour (starting wage will depend on experience and level of education completed). 
• You will get to work with students ages 4-12
• No minimum hours worked requirement.
• The classes are 25 minutes.
• The curriculum is provided and highly interactive.
• There is a built-in reward system (trophies).
• Secondary positions are available.
• Generous cancellation policy ( teachers are allowed up to 4 free cancellations a month without penalty).
• “Peak Time Carrots” teachers can collect carrots by opening and teaching slots. Carrots can be used to purchase extra cancellations, trade-in for Magic Ears swag at the company store, or can be turned in for a bonus at the end of each teacher’s 6-month contract.
• Casual dress code (you can teach in a nice shirt and pajama pants. I do!) 
• Your booking rate depends on your OPV (a score based on your performance and class ratings). Your OPV will decide which ranking of teacher you are and your booking rate percentage.

We have several friends and family members who also work for Magic Ears, and they love it as well! 

If you have been contemplating a change, you should definitely give Magic Ears a try!

The hiring process will look something like this,

Step 1 Complete The Application Process

Set up a Magic Ears account and fill out the application. As long as you meet all of the desired criteria, you will advance to the next step. 

Step 2 The Demo 

There are two options for completing your demo. You may record your demo and send it in or schedule a live demo with a Magic Ears Interviewer. 

If you choose the recorded demo class, you will need to submit a 3-5 minute video of you teaching a class.

If you choose the live demo with a Magic Ears Interviewer, you will teach a 5-8 minute mock class. 

I personally recommend the live interview.

The first time I applied for ME, I sent in a demo video and didn’t get in, but when I reapplied three months later, I went through the live interview process and instantly got in. 

In your demo video, you will be asked to teach a class as if there were a real student present.

If you opt for the live interview, the interviewer will pretend to be a student while you teach. 

At this stage, Magic Ears is looking for the use of TPR, vocal variation, facial expressions, and the ability to provide clear instructions to students.

Also remember, NO voice dragging! 

Step 4 The Training Video 

Once you pass your demo, you will receive an email with a 30-minute training video, after which you will be able to schedule your second demo.

Step 5 The Trail Demo 

For the 2nd demo, you will teach another 8-10 minute demo lesson to a Magic Ears Trainer.

After the lesson, the trainer will provide feedback and answer any questions you may have. 

Step 6 The Background Check

After you pass the trial class, you will move on to the background check. Once completed, you will be offered a 6-month contract with the company. 

Step 7 Start Teaching 

Once your contract has been signed, you can open up slots and start teaching right away.

Your Success Coach will heavily monitor your first ten classes and provide feedback. 

At one hundred classes, you will receive your OPV and be sorted into your proper ranking category. i.e., Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, and Magic Master.

With each rank you move up, so will your booking rate. 

You can sign up and apply for Magic Ears HERE!

2. VIPKID 

I have never personally worked for VIPKID but have several friends and family members who love it! 

A little about VIPKID, the company was founded in 2013 and is one of the more well-known ESL companies. 

VIPKID’s hours of operation are 8:30 am-9 pm BJT Monday-Sunday.

Some hour slots are more likely to book than others due to student availability. 

The requirements for teaching with VIPKID are as follows,

• Must currently have a bachelor’s degree or higher 
• Must be eligible to work in the US or Canada 
• Must have at least one year of teaching experience 
• Completed TESOL certificate
• Must be a native English speaker 
• Operating System Mac OS X 10.10 or above, Windows 7 or above
• Stable Internet connection 25 Mb/s or higher 
• Computer memory at least 8GB of RAM 
• Must be able to pass a background check
• HD webcam (at least 2 megapixels)
• Noise-canceling headset 
• Professional colorful background
• Good lighting 

A little more about VIPKID,

• Parents read through teachers profiles and book classes with the teachers they wish their students to learn from
• Pay is between $14-$22 per hour depending on credentials 
• Classes are 25-28 minutes long
• Relaxed casual dress code
• Rigid cancelation policy 
• Classes are 1v1 with students 
• The curriculum is provided
• You will teach the same students regularly and be able to build relationships with those students

When applying for VIPKID, the hiring process will go as follows,

Step 1 Create A Teacher Account 

Simply sign up and create an account to get your application process started.

Step 2 The Demo Video 

For this step, you will record a short demo lesson as instructed by VIPKID.

Using their software or app, you will record and submit your teaching video.

Step 3 Get Certified 

You will teach a live class or “mock class” to a teacher mentor, after Which you will receive feedback about your performance. 

Step 4 Sign The Contract

Before signing, you will be required to upload documents and pass a standard background check, and then you are on your way! 

Step 5 Start Teaching 

Once you have signed your contract, created your profile, and passed your background check, you will be able to open classes and start getting bookings.  

There are many teachers who work for multiple companies to fill in the booking gaps and turn ESL into a full-time job. 

If you have interest in VIPKID you can apply HERE!

3. Outschool

Outschool is a relatively new program founded in 2015 located in San Francisco.

Outschool is unique in the fact that they offer all sorts of classes, not just ESL. 

Also, they do not require any sort of degree or certification! Though they may help when it comes to parents booking your classes.  

You can teach anything from English to Dance classes. 

My husband started teaching music with Outschool for just over two months and is already booked out three weeks in advance!

Outschool Requirements,

• A fast and reliable internet connection (over 3Mbps upload and download speed)
• Ability to pass a background check 
• Must be at least 18 years of age 
• Must reside full time in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
• Well-spoken and professional demeanor

A little more about Outschool

• Create your own classes and curriculum 
• Set your own class prices (Outschool takes a 30% cut of the profits)
• Create and open your own schedule 
• You get to choose your own class lengths 
• Outschool has students ranging from ages 3-6 though you can set age requirements for each of your classes
• Classes are conducted via ZOOM 

The Outschool application process,

Step 1 Apply 

First, you will need to create an account and fill out the required information, such as a small bio and record a short introductory video, including your experience and what you will bring to the classroom. 

Step 2 Background Check 

Once you have passed the initial application process, you will proceed to the background check.

As soon as your background check clears, you are free to begin teaching. 

Step 3 Start Teaching 

Once approved to teach, you will be able to create class listings and submit your class curriculum for review. 

So far, Outschool has been an excellent company to work for. Essentially you are running your own business with the help of Outschools marketing. 

I totally recommend Outschool if you are looking to start working from home. It is especially a great option if you don’t have a degree. 

Not to mention there are seriously classes on everything! 

If you have interest in Outschool apply HERE!

CONCLUSION 

Getting a job that allowed me to work from home and make my time my own seriously was the best thing to ever happen to my husband and me. We have so much more time for fun and goals! 

If you have been thinking of making a change, you should totally give online teaching a try! 

Also, be sure to stick around for future articles and SUBSCRIBE for our FREE mind reboot camp series and be sure to check out our cute Printable Store!

If you enjoyed this article be sure to check out our article Several Ways To Diversify Your Income This Year!

Have you ever considered teaching online? What holds you back?

I’d love to know!

Also, if you have any more questions about the listed companies, I would be happy to answer them! 

Have a bright day!