Debunking the Myths about Teaching Online: What You Need to Know

Press release

Online teaching has become one of the most popular careers that many people are pursuing nowadays. For example, in 51Talk, the country’s fastest growing online English Language Teaching (ELT) platform, there are currently about 4,000 online teachers and counting. As many may want to consider teaching online because of the convenience that the job brings, one must know the facts versus myths about online teaching in order to make an informed decision. Here are the most common myths. 

Myth #1: Teaching online takes less time and effort.

Fact: Teaching online requires just as much hard work, commitment, and effort as other regular jobs, if not more. You need to commit time not just for the teaching session itself, but also for the preparation beforehand and your own personal study. Your work does not begin and end with the online lesson or class. You need to allocate time to prepare your materials, and you need to read further so that you can increase the quality of your input. With all this hard work, effort and perseverance are a must.

Myth #2: Teaching online does not require a lot of skill nor training.

Fact: While it is true that experience is not required for you to be an online teacher, it is crucial that you develop the skills for it and receive substantial training to teach. A person may have a gift for speaking well and confidently, but he or she may not necessarily have the capacity or demeanor to teach and listen patiently to students. Hence, you need proper training for you to have the right mindset and develop the appropriate skill sets. In 51Talk, all the online teachers get thorough training—and it is not just a matter of knowing what and how to teach. The teachers are also taught how to motivate and display patience and encouragement.

Myth #3: You can teach any way you want and do anything you want while teaching online.

Fact: The skill level, learning pace, and learning style of the student need to come into consideration first. You can apply your own teaching style as long as it agrees with the applicable teaching method. Moreover, you may not be physically with the student, but your full attention must be given to him or her. The student must never feel neglected.

Myth #4: Online teaching is not as in-depth as a personal or face-to-face tutorial.

Fact: Online teaching does not make the lessons or your interaction with the student any less real or substantial. Provided that you use the appropriate tools and materials and the right teaching style, and display the right attitude, your online teaching can be just as in-depth and significantly productive as a face-to-face tutorial.

Myth #5: Online teaching becomes a drag eventually, because you end up doing the same thing over and over again.

Fact: Online teaching is far from being a drag because as the students evolve and improve their skill, your own style and skills do so as well. Moreover, teaching materials need to be regularly reviewed and revised to make them new and relevant. Lastly, there is also the deep satisfaction that you get whenever you see a student improve—that will never get old and boring.

Teaching online requires commitment, discipline, and effort, but it also promises personal development and immense satisfaction. You can see for yourself how fulfilling it can be to teach online by joining 51Talk as a home-based or office-based teacher. For more details, visit www.51talk.com/ph.

51 Talk renews contract of Michelle Gumabao

I first found out about 51 Talk when I was invited to their media launch. This is also where I first met Michelle Gumabao as brand ambassador.

51 Talk is an ESL(English as Second Language) company from China that expanded their offices here because of obvious reasons, we have the best online English tutors in the region has to offer.

During the event, I witnessed Michelle Gumabao signs contract as she renews her term as brand ambassador of 51 Talk. From what I've seen in the videos, Michelle is passionate and very dedicated to 51 Talk as ambassador. She was present in every caravan, talks to applicants, talks to the new recruits and more.

In addition to this, 51 Talk awards winners for their in-house contest for their online teachers for #51TalkTeacherStory . They awarded three winning entries. I got to talk to one of them and shared to me how they benefited from teaching online and the fulfillment of doing it.

51 Talk continues to recruit new online English tutors and this may be a good opportunity for you. For more updates, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

51 Talk crosses boundaries between cultures with English

English is one of the most common languages spoken internationally. It's no surprise that the Philippines provides the most number in human resource because we are fluent. Whether in school or the work place, English is the most spoken language of all Filipinos.

Delamar, Shu Ting(COO/Co-founder,51 Talk), Jim Paredes, Michelle Gumabao

Which is why foreign entrepreneurs invests in the country for this specific skill we have. Call Centers have been sprouted over all over the business districts  nationwide especially here in the Metro. In addition to this, services are also provided for those who can teach English to our Asian neighbors specifically to Koreans who invested their education just to study here.

Now that we have online resources, we are now able to teach via internet which is why 51 Talk is here. According to Ms. Sue Ting, COO of 51 Talk(pronounced as Five-One Talk not Fifty-One Talk), there is a lot of Chinese who desire to learn English and are willing to invest to learn online.

You need not to be an educator to be an online coach. You just need patience and driven with the initiative to teach. 51 Talk is already in operation and now they are introducing their three brand ambassadors.

Monster Radio RX 93.1's DJ Delamar co-hosts the program The Morning Rush is one of the people with wide influence I admire. Even though she uses English on air, she still gives an impact on what she says even if it was funny. Another brand ambassador has influence among the youth. Michelle Gumabao made a name for herself when she played volleyball for DLSU. The last brand ambassador is a political analyst and an activist in his own way. Mr. Jim Paredes is better known for his Apo Hiking Society.

I am glad that 51 Talk is here. China has a strong need of learning English at the convenience of being online but it also opens new job opportunities for those who like to be instrumental to teach English. This can also be done at the convenience of your home as long as there is a good internet connection. Together with the brand ambassadors, they will close the barriers and probably open a better working relations between our two countries.

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