Online English Teaching: A Flexible Way for Parents to Boost Income

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding yet challenging roles, and for many, it means putting personal goals on hold to focus on raising children. Parenting requires not just time but also significant energy, patience, and financial resources, often leading parents to set aside their career aspirations. As the saying goes, "There’s no way to be a perfect parent, but there are many ways to be a good one." Mothers, in particular, know firsthand how hard it can be to manage the responsibilities of raising children while setting a positive example.

One of the biggest challenges of being a parent is making ends meet with the increasing cost of living. Yet parents, with their resilience and adaptability, continue to find creative ways to turn challenges into opportunities. One of these is to find great deals online for toys and clothes for their young children. 

Parents are also savvy with their money and find ways to make extra money while staying at home. Fortunately, technological advances have made it easier for parents to balance work and family.

Tapping into online resources

Affiliate marketing is a way of earning extra money without disrupting your routine as a busy parent. It allows you to promote products online through social media or a blog and earn commissions on sales, without managing inventory or deliveries. If you are good with words, freelance writing offers opportunities to create content for websites and blogs. For those who enjoy the commercial aspect of the business without compromising on creativity, designing and selling custom T-shirts lets you focus on creativity, with companies handling production and shipping. You can also get paid to share your opinions by completing online surveys. 

However, one of the most reliable ways to earn flexible income through online English teaching. This offers the flexibility parents need and an opportunity to generate income while staying present in their children’s lives.

First steps in the online teaching industry

In recent years, the education sector has experienced a major shift from traditional classrooms to online platforms, completely transforming how we learn, teach, and earn a living.

In this context, many parents are teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) to reconnect with their careers while maintaining the flexibility they need. TEFL has long been a growing industry, and in today’s globally connected world, the demand for English language skills has only increased across various sectors. 

What are the advantages of teaching English online?

Here are the main benefits of teaching English online:

• Flexibility: This is a top priority for parents, and the ability to choose when and how much to work can be a huge relief for those who feel there’s never enough time in the day.

• Work-life balance: While working from home (WFH) can blur the lines between work and personal life, it can also be a benefit. For example, you could teach students in different time zones while your household is still asleep.

• Comfort: This is another major reason why many people, not just parents, work from home. Skipping the daily commute saves both time and money, making WFH an even more appealing choice.

Is teaching English online the right path for you?

You likely still remember your favourite teacher from school, course you took, and probably your least favourite. Good teachers tend to share certain personal qualities, but they also meet specific professional standards.

Great teachers are creative and open to learning new things, often finding inspiration from their students. Teaching learners around the world introduces you to new cultures, broadens your perspective, and sparks fresh ideas. This helps you design personalised, engaging lessons for your students.

Empathy and patience are essential traits for any teacher. Students learn at their own pace and in different ways, and various factors like their environment, political or economic conditions, or academic pressure can impact their progress. Working in this field exposes you to diverse backgrounds, which is both fascinating and challenging. It's important to be understanding and listen carefully to your students' needs.

Requirements to start teaching English online

Professional requirements for online teaching vary depending on the platform and the country of your learners. Ongoing professional development is strongly recommended for teachers. Some platforms may require a bachelor’s degree or prefer native English speakers and experienced teachers, though this isn't always necessary. An accredited 120-hour TEFL qualification from a respected provider is a valuable asset to stand out from other candidates.

Starting your freelance online teaching career doesn’t require any specialised equipment. You likely already have the basics: a PC or laptop with a webcam, a microphone, and a stable, reliable internet connection. As you progress, you can always invest in higher-quality tools if needed.

Your teaching environment is just as important as your tech. Your teaching space should be well-lit and quiet. Choose a room or a corner in your home that can be dedicated to your online lessons. Ideally, it should be a low-traffic area with natural light from a window. If that’s not possible, a well-placed lamp can provide the necessary lighting.

Online teaching as a solopreneur

Becoming your own boss might be your ultimate career goal, and if you're considering starting your own online teaching business, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. The biggest challenge in this path is promoting your services and attracting students. Additionally, you’ll need to handle administrative tasks, marketing, setting terms and conditions, processing payments, and, of course, lesson planning and teaching.

If this list doesn't deter you and you’re excited to start, congratulations! Your next step would be creating a website to introduce yourself as a teacher and reach potential students.

Online teaching with established platform support

If you'd prefer a more structured start to your freelance teaching career, there’s another option. You can work for an online company through a teaching platform. The company will handle the administrative tasks, marketing, and other details, leaving you free to focus solely on teaching. The major benefit is that the company finds students for you; some even provide lesson plans.

The key difference between independent teaching and platform-based teaching lies in control over pricing. As an independent teacher, you set your own hourly rate, whereas on a platform, the company typically determines your rate based on factors like qualifications, experience, and performance. Generally, online teachers earn between $14 to $23 per hour, with higher rates for private one-on-one lessons. Be sure to research companies thoroughly to ensure the terms align with your needs and schedule.

Final thoughts

Starting to teach English online is a life-changing decision, so it needs to be thought through. Ask yourself if the nature of this job is suitable for you and if your personality aligns with the requirements of this job. If the answer is yes, start your training and choose your teaching path.