Job Discussion Forums

JethroCariaga · Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 1

Hi all,

No doubt this has been posted many times before but here goes.

So, after numerous delays in trying to obtain an E2 visa, I've been considering teaching over Skype. My problem is I have no idea how to get started. If there's anyone out there who is teaching/has taught over Skype and has some tips they'd like to share it would be greatly appreciated.

My main questions are did you start on your own or join an online company? How/where did you advertise? What rates did you charge? Does it differ much from a normal lesson?

Thanks,

JC.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Yes, the question has been asked and answered extensively. Have you tried the search function, either here or on Google itself?

I have not done an online lesson. Never will. If you plan on doing it, will it be with clients from your own country? That will make a difference in advertising.

How much to charge will also depend on where you and the clients live. Same country means no problems with exchange rates. Same or different country means you have to set up something like PayPal, and I'd strongly suggest getting a month's payment in advance.

You should also consider whether you mean a Skype lesson to be audio only or audio plus video (and advertise accordingly). Not everyone has a camera, and not everyone will be comfortable with video. Will you also try a multi-student simultaneous broadcast? I'd DEFINITELY test it out first!

horse · Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 37

I've never done it myself and, as with Glenski, never will, but I'd say it would be hugely different from teaching in a classroom - and also probably quite difficult. Strikes me as not being an overly effective method either, rather like eating chocolates without first removing the wrapper. Perhaps I am just being a luddite -it would not be out of character.

You may also run into problems with the students. Some of them may have very genuine reasons for not following the more traditional route of physically attending a class, some may not. I once taught a one-to-one lesson with an Italian chap who surprised me by requesting that I take minutes of our conversation, then type them up and deliver them to his house because ''I don't want to lose my time''. Well, as I say, we only did the one lesson - I, too, didn't want to lose my time.

All the best with it, though.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 17 Feb 2012 Posts: 389

I am teaching by SKYPE, if you can call it teaching. I was teaching in Korea, and will go to China in Sept. So, for this period, I am doing a bit of SKYPE teaching. It as sent up by a Korean friend, and it pays 15,000 won an hr. Crap pay, but beats a part time job here. For a friend it works for me cause I know I get paid.
I have beginning students who I want to pull my hair out for, but i smile. I have some Korean teachers who by no means should teach English, but I smile and try all I can.
It is no where as easy as face to face, and if anyone does try it I suggest you do not have beginners. SKYPE teaching is fine enough if people want to practice their speaking skills, but as far as anything else, not sure.