Perks of Working Online and Teaching English
The Reason for Entering the Online Business
Do you need an income? Or perhaps improve your communication skills? These are some of the thoughts I have in mind when I first started to teach English online.
When I first joined the internet business, I was lost on where to get my finances while studying in a university. I also struggle with my timidity and lack of self confidence while doing a report or presentations at school. And I see these as the struggle of many students too. After more than 4 years of doing the online business, I should say I enjoyed it and learned a lot from it! Now it's time for me to share and help those who felt the same way as I do.
Money comes when you exercise your passion and think of your dreams
— Capote, 2017Working Online and Teaching English Provides What I Needed
Working online was the last option I had in mind. I don't have any idea what to do because I don't have any experience and I was nervous meeting people with different culture and language than mine.
I could remember the first time I had my English lesson with my Japanese student who happened to be an Engineer. He was already good in English and would just want to practice his English fluency with an Online Tutor. I was edgy because I am not confident teaching a person with a higher profession than me. He even taught me how to correctly pronounced the word "record". But as time goes by, I got the hang of it. So here I am, sharing the five good things about working online.
1. I Can Work Far From Home
Cliché as it may seem but this is the best thing I love about working online. Right now, I am in Qatar but still I can conduct my lessons at a small corner of the house. I can go out and enjoy the beautiful sites of Qatar at night because my lessons online are conducted every afternoon.
2. I Can Do Volunteer Works Freely
I was a volunteer in a Radio Station in Davao City, Mango Radio, as a program DJ on Mango Drive. I love how I can do the things that inspires people who are listening on the radio. Volunteering in this radio station has always made my life so worth-spending because I can play the songs I like and so as the songs that our listeners love. I can access my online schedule while I am at the station and change it whenever I need to, as long as I am online and I have a device to access the website.
I can also volunteer at our church wherein I made my self get involved in the music ministry. I can spend time with my church buddies while helping out in making activities for the church and sing together.
3. I Can Control My Own Schedule
So, I have many extra curricular activities while juggling with my studies and online job. This wouldn't be possible if I can't control my own schedule. Most of my school classes are in the morning and afternoon thus I usually booked my schedule at night in my online job. I can also cancel my lessons online if there is an emergency without explaining to a boss or writing an essay or even a "lying" essay for some gatherings I have to go to. There are also times that I feel lazy or tired so I don't schedule any online classes. These are the times that I just play with my nephew and niece or just want to lay in bed.
4. I Can Speak in English More Often
At school and in my radio program I usually communicate in English but improving my communication skills doesn't end there. This is because, I needed to speak straight English for 3-5 hours at night before going to bed. This is my favorite part of all the perks working online and teaching English. I love the idea that in the Philippines we don't speak English at many places but I can do it most of the time and make it as a part of my daily life.
I suck at school presentations, because I doubt with what I would have to say in English. But teaching to professionals made me realize that I can "own" my presentations at school and there's no one I should be afraid of. I gained confidence and I love it whenever I present my report or study at school.
5. Lastly, I Earn a Living
One of the reasons why I opted to work and teach online, was because I need financial help to continue my studies. I tried working for a company but it drained my energy once I reached the school to attend my class. It was a blessing when someone invited me sign up to teach English online and so I started my journey there. I was able to pay for my school tuition (minus my scholarship grant) and at the same time, I can give some amount of money to my family. Gone are the days that you needed to drain your energy for a work at a restaurant or at a busy places to earn money for school. But this online journey has helped me finished my studies while enjoying the fruit of my labor online. Money will really be earned once you exercise your passion and think about your dreams.
But Of Course, There Are Those Drawbacks
Identifying Some Stumbling Blocks
Whether it's a passion or a job, there are always drawbacks. Things like noise background, summer black outs in Mindanao, the internet problem of PLDT (hahaha - sorry for specifying) and the other uncontrollable situations with mother nature and the like.
But of course, these things doesn't happen every time so you just have to prepare for the worst. Remember, life is too short not to appreciate the things around you. Those are your internet connection and your laptop. All you have to do is explore the online world and practice that creativity in you.
Remember, life is to short to not appreciate the things that you already have. And those are internet connection and your Laptop!
So, there you go. These are just few of the things to appreciate working online and teaching English. Whether you are a novice or an expert in the online business, I know you have something to share about. Please drop those comments below and I would love to read and reply to them. Have a great online job hunting!
You may also send me a message if you wanted to know the online company where I am part of. I would be glad to help you out.
© 2017 Sheryl Ferrer Capote