Since starting this blog I have become more involved in the world of virtual schools and lesson giving via Skype and a number of teaching platforms(adobe and Seggle being the main 2 that I use).And in fact I do very few lessons via Skype now by choice as this is the lowest paid work.
I have also begun to have a better understanding of how the system works.Its not that different to how schools ,real physical rather than virtual ones ,work.An agent is your friend as a teacher.Its the agent who has the worldwide contacts ,if they are any good.I have now developed strong relationships with a number of agents and so work is just there for the taking it seems.If I were to put no limits on my working hours I could most likely be teaching 24 hours a day.Which obviously would be too much.But now I have managed to get myself into the position where its easier for me to pick and chose my students and my hours.
There seems to be a very high demand for IELTS and Business English Many students around the world are keen to migrate to English speaking countries for more education mainly so IELTS are essential for this.Chinese students are keen to get to Australia and New Zealand.South American students are keen to get to North America ,European students are keen to get to the UK.The Russian students I have seem to trend in two ways.The men want Business English in order to expand there successful businesses but they do not want to leave Russia and it appears that there is no need for that as business seems to be coming knocking on their doors.The women(remember this is in general) on the whole just want conversation English lessons so they can be good hosts for their husbands at dinner parties.
Since June the 12th I have in Central Portugal staying on a friends farm while she attends to some family business back in the UK.I am staying in her yurt which has been fascinating some of my students who in general all aspire to big houses ,big money and lavish lifestyles.Most of my students come from countries that are now developing and becoming big on the economic front..i.e China ,Russia ,Brazil and India.So they cannot see the attraction of living a rural lifestyle and think it funny and quaint.
This is a growing major industry and by all accounts it is going to get bigger and bigger.If you want to join get yourself a CELTA or TEFAL award and join in!
I have also begun to have a better understanding of how the system works.Its not that different to how schools ,real physical rather than virtual ones ,work.An agent is your friend as a teacher.Its the agent who has the worldwide contacts ,if they are any good.I have now developed strong relationships with a number of agents and so work is just there for the taking it seems.If I were to put no limits on my working hours I could most likely be teaching 24 hours a day.Which obviously would be too much.But now I have managed to get myself into the position where its easier for me to pick and chose my students and my hours.
There seems to be a very high demand for IELTS and Business English Many students around the world are keen to migrate to English speaking countries for more education mainly so IELTS are essential for this.Chinese students are keen to get to Australia and New Zealand.South American students are keen to get to North America ,European students are keen to get to the UK.The Russian students I have seem to trend in two ways.The men want Business English in order to expand there successful businesses but they do not want to leave Russia and it appears that there is no need for that as business seems to be coming knocking on their doors.The women(remember this is in general) on the whole just want conversation English lessons so they can be good hosts for their husbands at dinner parties.
Since June the 12th I have in Central Portugal staying on a friends farm while she attends to some family business back in the UK.I am staying in her yurt which has been fascinating some of my students who in general all aspire to big houses ,big money and lavish lifestyles.Most of my students come from countries that are now developing and becoming big on the economic front..i.e China ,Russia ,Brazil and India.So they cannot see the attraction of living a rural lifestyle and think it funny and quaint.
This is a growing major industry and by all accounts it is going to get bigger and bigger.If you want to join get yourself a CELTA or TEFAL award and join in!
