8 Reasons why you should Teach Online

Teaching is one of the oldest professions in the world. The world is changing though, and so does the way teachers work. Now, it is easier than ever to have a career as an online teacher. More and more people are becoming an online English teacher so they can travel the world virtually. Are you curious about how that works? Why don’t you head over here to discover the requirements for online teaching. Not sure yet? Read this list of 8 reasons why you should teach online and you’ll be convinced in no time. 

1. Work from anywhere in the world

One of the greatest advantages of teaching online and working online in general is that you can do it from anywhere in the world. All you need is a decent internet connection and you’re ready to go. 

You can teach from the comfort of your own home or you can travel through Southeast Asia, Europe, or Latin America. Because you are working during your travels, you don’t have to worry about using up all your vacation days and spending all your savings. This also means that traveling this way is not a true vacation. You will have a lot more freedom than those who work in a classroom, but you still have to show up for your students or make online teaching videos in advance. Still, working and traveling at the same time is a great way to discover the world, and teaching online makes that all possible. 

2. You are your own boss

Teaching online is possible in several ways. You can make your own courses to sell, become a tutor and build your own client base, work for an agency, or get a “normal” teaching job, but fully online instead of in front of a classroom. 

With the first three, you will be your own boss. Yes, even with an agency, you are in control. You are the one who decides when and how many hours you work. The agency just facilitates you in finding students to teach. When you are your own boss, you are responsible for finding your own clients. You lose the stability of a stable income, but you gain a lot more freedom. You are in charge of your own time. With a “normal” online teaching position, you are not your own boss and you don’t control your own time. You lose the flexibility, but you gain a more stable income. It is up to you what you prefer. 

Being your own boss also means you get to choose what you want to teach. Tutors for Mathematics and English are always in high demand, but what if your talents lie elsewhere? Don’t let that stop you, this teacher led her exercise classes online during the pandemic and people loved it. 

3. Work at any time

When you are your own boss, you can decide when you want to work. Some people are more productive in the morning while others prefer the afternoon or the evening. With teaching online, the options are limitless. You can set your own hours and take a day off whenever you want. You can also take advantage of time differences around the world. If you prefer to work in the evening, you could easily tutor a morning class in a timezone that is behind yours, or the other way around. 

4. No dress code

It’s always important to look professional, but working in front of a camera is a lot different  from standing in front of a classroom. There’s no need for stuffy pants or painful high heels. You could just as easily teach in sweatpants and slippers. If you’re doing podcasts or if you’re teaching with a presentation and not video, you have even more freedom. 

Please keep your clothing choices in mind at all times, because you don’t want to stand up and accidently show all your students your new bright pink sweatpants. 

5. No commute

The online commute you have with teaching online is from your bed to your laptop, or maybe a stop by a nearby coffee shop to pick up some caffeïne. But that’s it, no more endless hours in traffic or being stuffed into crowded subway trains like sardines. 

6. Learn about other cultures

Teaching online means you can teach from anywhere in the world. This also means your students can be from anywhere in the world. Changes are pretty high some, if not all, of your students will be from different backgrounds and have different cultures. This creates a great opportunity for you to learn more about different cultures around the world. Not only for yourself, but for your other students, too. You can use these different cultures in your lessons yourself to teach your students about each other. 

7. Your students are already motivated

There is a big difference when it comes to motivation between normal schools and online teaching. In normal schools, students have to be there. With online teaching, students choose to be there. Whether they bought a course you are teaching or are in need of some tutoring, all these students want to learn from you. 

8. Technology

Teaching online means you’ll have to embrace technology. Not only for yourself, but also for your students. Embracing technology in your online classroom can help students keep engaged in active learning. Technology creates the opportunity to use games, videos, animations, music and so much more during lessons. All that sounds much more fun than focussing on an old textbook. 

You yourself will improve your technical abilities, too. Teaching online includes setting up online calls, sharing your screen and making and editing teaching videos. Skills like that will always be useful in an ever more digital world, whether you keep teaching online or find another occupation. 

There are many benefits to teaching online. It provides you with freedom and flexibility on when and where you want to work. You get to be your own boss, you don’t have to worry about a dress code and there is no more commute. You learn about different cultures and improve your and your student’s digital knowledge. And best of all, your students actually want to be in your online classroom.