Teaching English Online - Can it Help the Hard Pressed TEFL Teacher?

Teaching English Online, according to some, may be the great hope of the underpaid overworked English teacher. Whether you teach in the centre of China, the outskirts of Okinawa, or the middle of Madrid, stories of overwork and underpay are all too common.
Now, it is true there are many schools which treat teachers with the respect they deserve. Others, unfortunately, expect staff to work around the clock.
Some school contracts leave teachers with no option but summer camp teaching.
So what can hard-working dedicated teachers do to top up often meagre incomes and take much deserved time off? Private lessons, teaching for another language school, employment outside teaching.
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? All these options provide extra income for the hard pressed teacher but rarely allow for long breaks from teaching.
So can teaching English online offer more? Here are some points to consider: Teaching online for an established service.
ProsYou don't need to worry about finding students.

Good online schools will provide you with materials.
Most providers will support you in one way or another.

No commuting-no students visiting your home.

ConsContracts may limit your teaching schedule depending on where in the world you live.Rates of pay may not compensate for the flexibility required in timetables.
Teaching methodology may not suit your style.

Internet access needs to be high quality.

Open your own online academy.
ProsThe business is yours to take where you want.

You choose the hours.

You choose the students.

You control where and how much.You have more time to do what you want.
It's a lot easier than some would have you think. ConsInternet access needs to be high quality.You do the searching for students.
Students may have IT problems on top of their English problems.If you have family, it may be difficult to dedicate to the project.
All things considered, there is money online but much depends on whether you the teacher are prepared to work as hard for yourself as you are for the school.

The best advice may be to examine your own skill set and ask if you are overlooking something that would allow you to teach as much as you enjoy but leave you free to make the most of life by setting up your own online business - be it in teaching or another more profitable area. Remember, the internet grows daily and is still in its infancy so opportunity is knocking all the time for those prepared to put in the effort! Good Luck with your business - whatever it may be! John C Curry