Job Discussion Forums

[bulgogiboy]

Hi all

I was just wondering if anyone has any experiences to share about online teaching with companies that specialise in that? I'd really like to supplement my income with some part-time work and online teaching looks like a convenient choice right now. Is it also possible to make a living wage by doing it full-time?

I'd be especially interested in hearing from anyone who can recommend a decent, reliable online company/school that is looking for teachers.

Please pm me if you have time.

Cheers

BB

[nomad soul]

A related thread: most complete on-line school list in universe

[BadBeagleBad]

I've been doing it for close to five years. As for a living wage, it depends on where you live. In Mexico, it is ample, I regularly save more than half what I earn.

[bulgogiboy]

Thanks a lot for the list.

And also, to the 2nd reply, can I ask which company you work with?

[BadBeagleBad]

[maw]

Thanks for sharing the Online Companies list.
I wrote to one advertiser on Daves ESL job site who was asking for teachers, but after 3 emails they still wouldnt tell me the name of the company or the name of the person who was emailing me, but they wanted all my details.
I think they are still advertising...Maico Seco...maybe you will have better luck if you try.
I just posted an email asking for names of online companies, unfortunately I didn't notice you had put yours up recently.
I'm heading to Finland, without an EU passport, so thought this could be a good work option.
I would love it if you kept in touch to let me know your progress, and I will do the same.

[minguskhan]

I appreciate the thread. I just interviewed with a company located in Vietnam called Topica. They want to train me and want me to send them pictures of my passport and also a copy of my degree - which seems legit enough. Before I do, I wanted to know if anyone has heard or worked for them and also if they are legit? I want to make sure this isn't some identity theft scam.

Also, what are the pay rates like for working online? I saw in another reply the person said, "depends". Well... that's great so what are the typical pay ranges you have seen and does $10 an hour seem low, high or about right?

[maw]

http://www.tefl-tips.com/2014/01/the-best-tefl-jobs-online.html

There are some contacts on this page that I was given, that may be a bit more reputable, if you are having some doubts re the Vietnam connection.

Pay rates seem to vary from $9 -$30...Unfortunately, I havent been able to have a discussion with someone that is actually employed by a company as an online tutor....but will defintely stay in touch and let you know of any other good options that come up.

[LarssonCrew]

Alright, since I'm back in the UK for a while I teach online.

I get $11 an hour at one place and $20 at another.

The $11 is very cheeky in that the classes are 2 x 25 minutes so they pay you $9.50 instead of $11, which is annoying because it's basically an hour.

Problems are the students internet mainly, and people not turning up, but if that is the case you still get paid.

[minguskhan]

I interviewed with Topica the other day and did one online training with them. They gave me a salary range and said "most likely" I'd make $10 to start out. They do not pay you for training it seems (which my first one was 2.5 hours...) nor does it sound like you get paid for any prep time for your classes - which I am not too clear on how much prep time you will need for the classes in the first place or if this is the norm for teaching ESL.

They do seem to have a nice online platform and prepared lesson plans but I am feeling weary about them not giving me a more firm answer about my pay.

Any thoughts? Is typical of online ESL companies?

BTW - thanks for the list and for sharing your experiences.