Thanks to the widespread use of the internet and an increasing global need for English, the demand for online English teachers has never been higher.
While traditional pathways often emphasize formal education and degrees, online teaching offers other opportunities for aspiring educators without a college degree to have a beautiful career as an English teacher.
Why teach English online without a college degree?
A career in teaching comes with the opportunity for lifelong learning and a chance to connect with new people.
Online English teaching without a college degree has become increasingly popular, and here is why:
Online teaching, no matter which subject or level offers teachers flexible working hours. Teachers can manage their own schedules and workload.
Online teaching also makes it possible to work from anywhere in the world, as long as there is a decent internet connection, thus creating location independence.
With local independence comes freedom. Why not teach from a beach in Thailand for one month, do a culinary trip in Italy the next, and finish with a breathtaking view from one of America’s many National Parks?
This kind of travel is all possible with online teaching.
Skills and experience
The first thing that might pop into your mind when you hear about online English teaching is, “wait, don’t I need a degree for that?”.
Most platforms do have the minimum requirement of at least one type of certification, but college degrees are not always a prerequisite to teaching English online.
Showcasing relevant certifications and training programs will most definitely help your application. Most platforms will ask for a TEFL certification, which stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
This certification demonstrates you have followed the necessary training both in the English language and the teaching field.
Here you can find more information about how a TEFL certification can help you teach English online without a degree.
Parallel to certifications and training are language proficiency tests.
An important part of showing your capability as an English teacher is proving a strong command of the English language in terms of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension.
Taking English language proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS can help convince potential employers or clients that you indeed have a strong proficiency in English.
Another important skill for online teachers is having a good understanding of technology. You will most likely face some sort of technological error sooner or later.
Having a good understanding of how technology works will allow you to prevent the most basic mistakes and help you fix issues as they arrive.
Relevant technological skills for online teachers include using video conferencing tools, interactive whiteboards, educational apps, and VPN security.
The usefulness of online platforms and other resources
- Online teaching platforms are the most common way for new online English teachers to find their first job or student.
- Platforms like VIPKid, Cambly, iTalki, and others act as an intermediary for teachers to connect with students globally.
– Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of user-friendliness, fees, and scheduling options, so take your time to research which one fits your needs best. - Online teaching platforms often have communities, forums, and support networks where teachers can connect with peers, share experiences, seek advice, and collaborate on teaching ideas.
This sense of community can be valuable, especially for teachers who may not have a traditional educational background.
Many platforms also provide tools for managing student progress, tracking performance, and providing feedback.
Teachers can use these features to assess student learning, address areas of improvement, and communicate with students and parents effectively.
You can also collect reviews and feedback to showcase your experience for any future teaching opportunities.
The power of a strong profile and resume
When you don’t have a college degree, you will need to have a strong profile and resume to show you have, indeed, the necessary certification, training, and experience to be a good English teacher.
As with almost anything in life, first impressions are important. Your profile and resume are often the first introduction that potential students and employers have to you.
A well-crafted profile can create a positive first impression and entice future employers and potential students to contact you.
A strong profile and resume also help establish credibility and build trust with students and parents.
Highlighting your skills, experience, certifications, and relevant training demonstrates your qualifications as a capable and knowledgeable teacher.
Reviews from past students and/or parents are especially useful when you don’t have the “proof” of a college degree.
When you create your online profile and resume, be mindful of visibility and personal branding. A well-optimized profile increases your visibility on online teaching platforms and search engines.
Consistent branding, professional photos, engaging videos, and a compelling bio help create a memorable and professional image that resonates with your target audience. This is important in the sense that teaching is much more than just sharing knowledge.
Good teachers create a bond with their students and guide them on much more than just the lesson materials.
Building a network
Educators with college degrees often build a network as they attend school. The benefits of a network are wide and not to be underestimated.
Collaborating with like-minded educators can lead to joint projects, resource sharing, and mutual support.
Being an online teacher will most likely mean you won’t have many or even any direct colleagues.
Building a network provides a support system where you can seek advice, share experiences, and exchange ideas with like-minded individuals facing similar challenges.
Learning from experienced professionals can accelerate your learning curve, inspire you to set goals, and navigate challenges effectively.
A network can also help you in a non-professional setting with friendship and social support.
Last but not least, a strong network can lead to referrals and recommendations from colleagues, students, or industry contacts.
Positive referrals enhance your credibility and trustworthiness as a teacher, leading to more students and interesting opportunities.
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions leave them down below. Thanks for reading!
