Kate Zarb

Kate (GradCertEd TESOL) studied a TESOL certificate in 2010 and has been teaching English ever since. Tutoring ‘freelance’ for many years before starting an independent teaching business, she began Teach English Online to support Australians and New Zealanders to do the same. Just starting out, want to apply to one of the 300+ global companies or build your own small independent teaching business? She can help.

How do I write the perfect resume for teaching online?

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How do I write the perfect resume for teaching online, you ask? Are you telling prospective employers, “Hi, I’m currently (or will be) a great teacher”? From formatting, to language skills, work history and background research; here are 10 questions to consider that will highlight your positives…. and get you hired.

This post is part of our “Ultimate teach English online guide“. Go check it out. 

Is my resume well formatted?

A resume for teaching online needs to have the grammar and spelling must be “on point”. You are applying for an English teaching job after all. Download a free app like Grammarly and/or ask a friend to review your resume before you send it.

Find a clean, simple template (a free template from Microsoft Office is more than sufficient) and keep it to 1-2 pages.

You should also put in a few things that you don’t when applying for a job domestically:

  • Put your time zone, with the GMT+number code, e.g “GMT+10:00 (AEDT)”. This helps the interviewer schedule a time with you.
  • Skype ID (Optional). This is the most common way for online interviews to be held.
  • Phone number, including country code, +61 Australia / +64 New Zealand (Optional).
  • Photo (Optional). While there is A LOT of debate on whether or not to include a photo, we recommend that you include a small, professional-looking head shot. If a company is going to reject me based on my looks, I’d rather they do it before wasting my time in an interview. This is optional though and completely up to you.

Who is reading my resume?

Keep language simple and clear. Many staff members speak excellent English but don’t assume this to be the case. Consider the person reading your resume. Are you using any colloquial English that someone from another country wouldn’t understand?

Is my resume focused?

Make sure that your resume is focused on teaching or your professional history. Keep personal history relevant to your job only. Languages, qualifications, short courses etc. are great – when relevant.

If you are a new teacher, consider how your previous work experience can directly help you teach (good organisation, people skills etc.) OR how you may be able to teach related English. The main complaint that we hear is that newbies often just put a list of the previous jobs that they have had, in chronological order. Try and keep it related to teaching-adjacent skills as much as possible. Probably best to keep that job at McDonalds back in high school off your resume!

Emphasise non-teaching experience only when relevant to to the English that you will be teaching. Stand back from your own experience and consider what your student might need. Use key words and phrases for the area in which you wish to teach. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Adult, Business, Career, Health, Psychology, Exam preparation, high school etc. Make your experience in these areas CLEAR.

Is my resume highlighting my positives?

If you are from a non-teaching background, this is A POSITIVE. If you have skills sought by others in common or popular professions such as medicine, business, any professional skill such as accounting, finance and media – this makes you stand out.

How do I highlight my positives?

What is your mission statement?

Teachers are often humble folk and the idea of a mission statement seems to them self-promotional and marketing a terrible beast to be best avoided. While we understand this feeling, it cannot be further from the truth. In order to attract the highest salary, you must be able to quickly and succinctly tell a company that you are worth the amount that you are asking for by highlighting your strengths – in all areas. Students must be immediately attracted to what you are doing, so spending some time really thinking about a teaching niche for yourself from a larger range of broader teaching areas, such as IELTS etc – we have found – means that you can be teaching part-time almost immediately with a regular student base.

This can as simple as:

“I am name. I am from x. (My mission statement is) I help students to manage anxiety in IELTS speaking tests. This comes from my own experience of anxiety in international language testing and speaking which I successfully overcame (FOR EXAMPLE).”

NOT

“I teach English.”

(c) Pexels

Who are you?

Humble teacher, You are full of positive attributes. Highlight your positives in a brief fashion, ask for a salary that provides you a comfortable living wage. Negotiate and ask for more. Assert your positive strengths and give an approximation of your available hours.

Do not consider anything a negative. You must sell and market yourself to the company. Bi-lingualism is a positive asset, as is international travel, study and exam taking. 

Is my resume truthful?

We often mistake what people want from us. This means that we use dishonesty to confuse or mistake our students. We can never know what people want so it is better to just be yourself. Do not lie on your resume. It never pays off.

Should I mention my language skills?

Multi-lingualism is a positive asset and a widely coveted skill. If you speak multiple languages, please let your interviewer/students/mentor/friends know. You should be paid more if you can attract students in more than one language. Sell your skills.

Have I put TOO much history?

Only put relevant jobs. One page is enough. Even for experienced teachers. 20+ years means 20+ years. No need to elaborate. Time is a premium in hiring offices.

Will my resume get me an interview?

As any novice teacher will tell you, it is the interview stage where you will quickly need to step out from behind your resume. You will now be assessed on your ability to teach English online in an engaging, fun and enjoyable way.

Questions interviewers/hirers/HR staff ask themselves:

  • How do you present to camera?
  • Do you smile while speaking?
  • Are you engaging and approachable?

A resume is only ever a summary document. It can only tell an interviewer so much. How you act in front of a camera will ultimately weigh more than pure experience. Don’t be afraid to apply at more than one company, with experience comes a confidence in teaching. Find your teaching niche, market yourself and be clear in who and what you wish to teach …and charge accordingly.

Want to stand out even more? Do your research!

This post is part of our “Ultimate teach English online guide“. Go check it out. 

Do you have any other tips form creating a great resume? Comment below.

How long are online English teaching contracts?

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With online English teaching companies, many will ask you to sign a contract – stating the salary, required hours and conditions of your employment – with the average length of a contract being 6-12 months. Here are a few things to be mindful of before signing on the dotted line.

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

This post is part of our “Ultimate teach English online guide“. Go check it out. 

A common question many soon-to-be teachers ask is “How long are online English teaching contracts?”. A long contract can be a help or a hindrance depending on what you’re looking for when applying for an online English teaching job. The security of a one-year contract might be reassuring for you and provide a degree of security but it may also make you feel locked into one position, so it’s an important consideration before applying for a job.

From our research, the average length of a contract is around 9 months, yet many companies will hire you as a contractor with an ‘open-ended’ agreement that specifies required working hours and requirements but with no specific length. Companies that assign students for a designated period of time are more likely to ask you to sign a contract in order to ensure that students stay with the same teacher for a specified teaching period (for one semester or level, for example).

Some things to think about before signing your online English teaching contract:

    • Can you teach for other companies?
      Although rare, some companies ask you to sign an agreement saying that you will only teach for them. As it is common to teach with multiple companies, please be aware of this before signing. We would only recommend that you sign an agreement of this kind if the company can guarantee your required teaching hours and can ensure a full schedule.

    • What are the termination conditions?

      Unfortunately, due to the nature of teaching English online, companies can terminate your contract at their own discretion. We advise carefully reading your contract and making notes of what conditions the company can terminate your contract (for example, negative feedback, absences and/or cancellations) and being aware of these before starting.

    • What penalties (if any) apply for circumstances such as technical difficulties, illness and negative feedback?

      Although reliability and consistency are an important part of being a good teacher, some companies can be harsh on teachers in circumstances that happen to even the most prepared. We recommend that you consider these circumstances before starting and having a plan in place, such as learning to screen record any computer/browser difficulties, having a mobile phone hotspot in case of wi-fi issues and knowing how to upload a doctor’s certificate in case of illness. Planning ahead can prevent many issues relating to the expectations of your contract.

    • How can you terminate the contract?

      If you are not happy at your company, or get a better offer, you can usually terminate your contract with a specified notice period. Make note of this period and any penalties that may be applied before signing.

As you are likely signing a contract with a foreign company, it is especially important to read your contract thoroughly before signing it. Contracts translated into English may not always be as clear as if written in a native language. If you are confused, you may have more luck asking for a copy in the native language of the company and running it through an online translator. If you can find somebody who speaks that language to translate for you, that is even better. Contracts and working conditions may be very different in the country in which your company operates. If you don’t agree with the terms of the contract or you are uncomfortable with its contents we highly advise you not to sign it and to consider another company.

If you want to ‘lock-in’ a job for six to twelve months, a contract may be the way to go. With a little bit of research and a quick read of those dreaded ‘T&C’s”, you can ensure that you have a stress-free contract period. Good luck and happy teaching!

Do you have any experience with online English teaching contracts? Comment below.

This post is part of our “Ultimate teach English online guide“. Go check it out. 

Best TESOL online courses Australia? Compare all TEFL / TESOL certifications: A teacher’s guide (2024)

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Do you want to study a TEFL / TESOL course online? Earn a TEFL / TESOL online certification to teach English online or teach and travel the world? If so, you’re in the right place. 

With online courses starting from ≈$200 to over $20,000, it can be overwhelming! After 10+ years of teaching and having completed multiple courses/certifications myself; I’ll guide you through everything that you need to know.

You can compare them side-by-side and select the best one for you. Plus, you’ll learn what you’ll be able to teach at each level once you graduate – including TEFL, CELTA, Certificate IV, DELTA, Diploma and Higher Education qualifications.

DISCLAIMER: We use affiliate links and may receive a small fee for your referral (at no extra cost to you). Please see our Disclaimer. Prices are correct at date of publishing and are in Australia dollars (AUD) unless otherwise stated.

TESOL online courses
A cheap Groupon-style TESOL certification can cost <$20 but won't really help you to be a confident, prepared teacher.
Reading Time: 10 minutes

(Updated: April 2024).

Why I wrote this post…

A small group had gathered together on Zoom to discuss the first assessment for our post-graduate TESOL studies. Most of the group were experienced teachers and found the work challenging but exciting. Suddenly, mid-conversation, one of the students burst into tears. “I have no idea what I’m doing and I’ve just realised that I won’t get an opportunity to learn how to be a teacher…”

Later, I found out that she hadn’t done a lot of research and had started the course thinking that it would be like a ‘hands on’ Certificate IV or CELTA course; not realising that university courses are often far more theoretical. She left the course a few days later. This post is here so that you don’t spend thousands of dollars on something that isn’t right for you.

online english teaching
A good TEFL / TESOL course helps you to be a confident, prepared teacher. (Photo by Vanessa Garcia)

What is a TEFL / TESOL course?

Essentially, a TEFL / TESOL course/certification/qualification provides the fundamentals of how to teach or tutor one or more students from a non-English speaking background to improve their language skills, including grammar and pronunciation. 

TEFL / TESOL courses take from 120 hours to 2 years to complete but can be done in as little as three weeks. 

The main topics you’ll cover in the introductory courses (120 hour TEFL/Certificate IV in TESOL/CELTA) are:

  • English grammar – think verbs, adjectives and nouns etc; 
  • Teaching basics such as: how to plan and deliver a lesson, manage students and conduct activities, games etc;
  • Observation of a classroom and/or practice teaching (teaching classes to your fellow students or with real ESL learners).

The students may be located online or in-person, but the focus of this post is courses that can be completed 100% online.

The more advanced courses (Diploma or higher) will cover topics such as linguistics, English education within specific contexts and/or for developing skills required in managing other teachers. 

Quickly, what do all these acronyms mean?

* TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
* (T)ESL – (Teaching) English as a Second Language
* (T)EFL – (Teaching) English as a Foreign Language

While there are technical differences, they are generally interchangeable. 

TESOL is more commonly used in Australasia and TEFL internationally. CELTA/DELTA are equivalent qualifications provided by Cambridge Assessment English (UK) that is widely recognised in the English speaking world. 

TESOL in Australia and New Zealand refers to both the general  “field in which teachers provide English language instruction to people living in an English speaking country” and the online courses and certifications discussed in this post.

The course is what you’ll be studying and the certificate/certification/qualification is what you’ll receive once you graduate. 

Should I study a TEFL / TESOL course or certification online?

This post is focused on courses that are offered 100% online – but – if you thrive in an environment with other people and think a face-to-face course would be better, many of the following courses have hybrid (online + in-person) versions.

Are online TESOL courses valid?

Yes, an accredited online TEFL / TESOL certification is equally valid to one completed offline. The main difference is that the teaching practice occurs online instead of in-person. If you plan on teaching online, there is a distinct benefit to this, as you’ll be more prepared for your first online class. Online courses are more convenient and can be done from the comfort of home.

What is 'teaching practice' and do I need it?

Many TEFL / TESOL courses provide an opportunity to practice teaching to a class to your fellow teachers or real students. See if your course offers teaching practice (also called a ‘practicum’) below. This is usually via video call and you are often provided feedback on how you went. If given the option, we recommend that go with any practice teaching opportunities, especially if you don’t have any previous tutoring, mentoring or coaching experience. If you’ve never taught before, this experience is invaluable.

It’s important to note that many post-graduate online TESOL courses/certifications/qualifications DO NOT come with the required teaching practice required to teach in Australia, according to NEAS guidelines. If you want to teach in Australia, make sure you confirm that the included teaching practice meets any requirements beforehand (more below).

Practicing with other students before a 'real' class can help relieve your nerves and give you an idea of what to expect.

What are my TEFL / TESOL course options?

TEFL, Certificate IV, CELTA, DELTA and Diploma

A 120 hour TEFL is a short course [O] designed to give you an introduction to the field. It isn’t as involved as the higher-level courses, but is inexpensive and can be completed in as little as three weeks! Best for roles online or overseas (but it is best to check the requirements of the role before you apply). You can also purchase additional extras and upgrades for more in-depth learning.

If you are uncertain about teaching English and you want to “wet your feet”, a course like a 120 hour TEFL [O] from Premier TEFL (Ireland) will be a great introduction for roughly the price of one single unit of Certificate IV. There are no Australasian providers currently running this course, but we recommend Premier TEFL as their practice teaching sessions are conveniently held on Saturday and Sunday evenings (AEST). Use the code [TEO.AU] for an extra 15% off at checkout! Check out their course here. 

Accredited TEFL Courses

[O] – OFQUAL – The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation [UK].
[AC] – ASQA – Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) [AUS] accredited.
[NA] – Not ASQA accredited.

ASQA is the regulatory body that ensures quality for all accredited courses and the process to have a course accredited in Australia is extremely rigorous.  Organisations must be registered to deliver these courses and are regularly audited to ensure consistent and relevant content.

The next step up is a Certificate IV in TESOL [AC] – an Australasian certification (AQF Level 4) – and the CELTA [O] certificate (UK). There is some debate on which is better, but a Certificate IV in TESOL is best if you might want to teach in Australasia in the future, as it is accredited by an Australian authority. If you plan on teaching online or abroad, both are sufficient.  

TESOL is usually undertaken over a longer period, providing time in between ‘learning’ for further reading, research and putting into practice what has been learnt. The CELTA is about twice the price, so you are somewhat paying for the CELTA ‘brand’, it isn’t Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) accredited and has slightly higher entry requirements; you must apply and be approved to take the course. CELTA is also often undertaken as an ‘intensive’ course crammed into a shorter period.

So while the 120 hour TEFL [O] covers the basics, a Certificate IV in TESOL [AC] from TESOL Australia – for example – includes topics such as how to assess language learning and how to help learners to improve their pronunciation, speech and grammar.

If you want to study with an accredited Australian provider, TESOL Australia currently offer the lowest cost Certificate IV in TESOL [AC] in Australia. They can also arrange “6 hours of teaching practice with 8 or more ESL learners”, or “mentoring and supervising by a fully qualified ESL teacher and TESOL Assessor with ESL students and virtual classroom set up provided” – perfect for new or beginner online English teachers. Check out their course here. 

Low-medium cost TEFL / TESOL online courses + certifications:

All prices are Australian Dollars (AUD), correct at the publishing date. Tables best viewed with a computer, not mobile. #Code: FREECIV21

For New Zealand teachers, please check out your additional options at English New Zealand and TESOL ANZ. 

Graduate Certificate, Diploma, Master's (and even a PhD)

The next step up is a Diploma in TESOL [AC]. If you want additional practice teaching and more in-depth learning opportunities, this is a good choice. A DELTA [O] has stricter entry requirements than the lower-level courses, so double check your eligibility.

Basically, each course is a step above the previous one, adding more in-depth study and potential for research. 

Postgraduate TESOL courses can be from 1-4 semesters (~6 months to two years) and can cost easily cost $20,000+. As I mentioned earlier, a number of my fellow students dropped out after a few weeks once they realised that the course was more academic than practical. Postgraduate study is often very theoretical. TESOL can also come under a number of post-graduate degrees in Education, Adult Education, Teaching and Applied Linguistics. Each has a slightly different focus so it’s best to check them out carefully and ask questions of your provider on whether this is the best option for your particular career plans.

If you want to teach in a Primary or Secondary classroom in Australia/New Zealand, you’ll need a Bachelor of Education (TESOL) or a Bachelor’s degree + selected postgraduate TESOL qualification. Check with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) or Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. All Bachelor of Education courses (and Higher Education courses leading to Australian teacher registration) require in-person teaching practice, so I won’t be covering them in detail here

Medium-high cost TEFL / TESOL online courses + certifications:

These courses are for those who are more serious about TESOL as a career. There are a number of university course providers and they vary in price. This is just an example of a few providers for comparison purposes.

Some other universities providing the Graduate Certificate level courses (and higher) completely online include:

ACU
Bond University
University of Canberra
Charles Sturt University
Deakin University
Edith Cowan University
Federation University
Flinders University
Griffith University
Massey University (NZ)
University of New England
UNSW
QUT
Southern Cross University
University of Woolongong

Your online TESOL/TEFL certification might lead to job opportunities abroad. (Photo by Naomi Shi)

What can I use my TEFL/TESOL online certification to teach?

Other certifications that you have (in addition to your TESOL/TEFL certification) will affect what you can or cannot teach once you have graduated, as well the level of certification you decide to do. If you are also a qualified Primary or Secondary teacher, you will have the most opportunities, for example. Other qualifications in Education will also be beneficial, such as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. This is a general guide:

If you want to teach in Australia in a company/institute, university or government program, it’s best to check with your course provider that it meets NEAS requirements. Their site gives detailed information about course requirements, but you’ll usually need a Bachelor’s degree + a TESOL qualification with approved teaching practice.

The TESOL association in your state/country can also give you more information about state requirements: QATESOL, ATESOL NSW, VicTESOL, ATESOL NT, WATESOL, TasTESOL, SATESOL or TESOLANZ (New Zealand). University courses don’t always lead to national or state teaching registration either, so if you are considering teaching TESOL (EAL/D) in the primary or high school classroom, please confirm this with your university beforehand. 

For New Zealand teachers, please confirm requirements with TESOL ANZ or Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

If you want to teach ONLINE at an overseas company/institute/university to students located abroad, you’ll need to confirm individual requirements, as they vary widely – but generally – a certification like a 120 hour TEFL [O] is usually sufficient for online positions, especially entry-level ones. A course like the Certificate IV in TESOL [AC], CELTA [O] may help you secure a higher rate, and would likely be the minimum required for formal in-person teaching. 

The demand for online English teachers is growing. If you’re interested in teaching English online, read our ULTIMATE TEACH ENGLISH ONLINE GUIDE or check out our list of the top 50 highest paying online English teaching jobs.

If you want to teach privately/independently/freelance to students located in Australia and/or overseas, all courses will suffice (120 hour TEFL, Cert IV, CELTA, DELTA, Diploma or HigherEd) and your choice comes down to your existing experience, budget and how seriously you are considering a TESOL career. Success as an independent teacher is equally about good teaching and strong business, sales and marketing skills. I offer coaching to support those who want to start their own business, having done so for the last decade. Please get in touch if you’re interested.

If you want to teach overseas in person or teach online from inside another country (yes, that’s a thing) – I recommend researching the country, looking at some job ads, joining groups of expat English teachers and asking about what qualifications are expected in that particular country. It varies so much from country to country and job to job! For many places, a 120 hour TEFL [O] certificate will be accepted, while others require a Master’s degree.

The higher the education/economic levels in that country, the higher the requirements will be for teachers. In developing nations, you might find a job without a lick of experience or anything more than a 120 hour TEFL [O] certification. In other English speaking countries, The Middle East and much of Europe (for example), a Bachelor’s degree + AC/post-graduate qualifications will likely be the minimum. Again, it varies so much that it’s difficult to give a simple answer, so please do your research.

Which online TESOL / TEFL course should I study?

As you’ve seen, there are quite a few options and the right one will be based on your circumstances and what you want to do with English language teaching in the future. Here are a few things to consider before signing up:

  • If you want a low-cost, quick, entry-level course, consider a 120 hour TEFL [O] course;
  • If you want a mid-range priced course with some practice teaching, consider a Certificate IV in TESOL [AC] or CELTA [O]; 
  • If you want more practice teaching and more in-depth knowledge, a Diploma in TESOL [AC] might be for you.
  • If you want to move into higher-level ESL teaching/coordination, consider a Diploma in TESOL [AC] or DELTA [O].
  • Postgraduate study [AC] might be best if you are serious about a long-term TESOL career, academia or a leadership position.

Summary

I hope this helped clarify the different TEFL / TESOL courses and certificates available to you. Having been in the field now for over ten years, I cannot recommend a good certification enough – especially as a new or beginner teacher. Teaching fundamentals and the foundations of the English language are more complicated than they first seem. 

A good TEFL / TESOL course will set you up for success from day one and you’ll be confident and prepared for what your students throw at you. For experienced teachers, higher level study can be an amazing challenge, propel you to greater heights in your career and offer opportunities to do important research.

So what are you waiting for? Go out there and do a TEFL / TESOL course online. You’re able to study an online course that might open up a work from home opportunity, a new career or the ability to travel the world.

Have you studied a TEFL/TESOL course online? What was your experience?
Any other courses that I missed? Comment below!
Interested in a CELTA in Toronto? See The Canadian Wanderer’s experiences.

25+ Free TESOL courses online

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Studying a free TESOL course (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a great way to open up the opportunity to teach overseas or online from the comfort of home. By the way, it’s also known as TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), with TESOL being more common in Australia and TEFL being an international term. They are essentially the same thing for teaching online, but if you might want to teach in Australasia later on, you’ll want to do a paid TESOL course. 

We recommend that if you don’t have one already, you study an accredited TESOL course of 120+ hours. Read more on the Best TEFL / TESOL online courses in Australia.

A free TESOL/TEFL course is great for both a new teacher looking to learn more about how to help your students or an experienced teacher searching for professional development opportunities and a way to grow. 

A TESOL/TEFL course that you can study online allows you to upskill and work on your professional development from the comfort of your own home. Even better, these courses and certifications below are completely free*. 

*NOTE: Some of these courses require payment to issue a certificate, which is always optional and at your discretion. Some may be for teachers from certain locations only, so please check course details. Also, course dates are constantly changing so keep “an eye out” for newly available ones and let us know of any updates in the comments!

https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-wearing-gray-dress-shirt-and-blue-jeans-3184317/
Photo by fauxels from Pexels

Introduction / TESOL

Grammar/English language

Teaching Online

Professional Development

Young Learners

IELTS/Other

If you know of any other FREE courses for Online English teachers, please comment below.

What is the essential equipment to teach online?

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Internet, a computer or laptop with a webcam, a headset and good lighting is all the essential equipment to teach online that you’ll need. There are a few more items, though, that can really make you stand out. Let’s find out more.

My first online English teaching setup was too basic! (c) Kate Zarb

5 years ago, when I first began teaching online, I bought a cheap pair of ‘call centre’ headphones with a microphone, a clip-on ring light and little else. While the classes were OK, it soon became apparent to me that a few pieces of better quality equipment would also increase the quality of the classes. 

If you want to stand out amongst a sea of grainy-looking classes with bad audio, I’ll answer the question “What is the ESSENTIAL equipment to teach English online?”.

The basics

In this post, we will cover all the basics, with budget, mid-tier and high-end options (plus, tips and tricks).

Internet

To teach English online, you need the internet. English teaching companies may require that you have a minimum internet connection speed (which can vary greatly).

Freelance and marketplace teachers will also benefit from a fast, steady connection. 

A GENERAL guide is 10Mbps Download/10 Mbps Upload or higher. Australia has slow internet overall, so “the faster, the better”… but it’s normal for your upload speed to be slower. If your connection cuts out regularly or is patchy on a Skype/Zoom/Video call with friends and family, it might not quite be enough.

You can check your internet speed at speedtest.net

Here is an example of my connection (top) via wifi and Ethernet cable (below).

One of the easiest ways to increase your internet speed is by purchasing an inexpensive ‘Ethernet Network LAN Patch Cable’ (from ≈$5AUD on eBay Australia). 

By plugging your computer directly into your router/modem via Ethernet cable, you can increase your speed significantly. Modern laptops lack Ethernet ports, so you may need a USB (or Micro) to Ethernet (RJ45) adapter (≈$20AUD on eBay Australia). 

I have been teaching for almost two years with the above speeds and have not had any issues, except for a few nights with stormy weather, but the faster the better.

Even moving closer to your router/modem will help improve your speed. You may have luck with a wi-fi extender that can dramatically increase the wi-fi speeds in hard-to-reach areas of your house (from ≈$50AUD on eBay Australia).

Also, if you use a VPN, you may wish to turn it off before class and back on again after; I’ve found that they really slow down your connection.

It’s also good to have a back-up connection via wi-fi hotspot (on your phone).

I’ve relied on this a few times and it has been a lifesaver. It looks slightly different on every phone. On Apple phones, it’s ‘Personal Hotspot’ (see image). 

If you don’t have unlimited data on your plan, it can be expensive, so best for emergencies.

Computer

Like internet speeds, some companies will require that your computer has minimum operating specifications.  A Windows 7 (or above) laptop/desktop or Mac with 4GB+ RAM and Intel 5i+ (AMD10) are generally required, but please check out the technical requirements of each company as they are all different. 

Teachers have reported issues with Chromebooks and Linux systems on some teaching platforms. Some companies run their software on Google Chrome, so you may need to download this browser. Some companies allow you to teach from a tablet (like an iPad) or phone, but the majority require a new-ish laptop or desktop.

If you’re using a laptop, a stand (≈$50AUD on eBay Australia) that elevates your webcam to eye level is really helpful if you can’t adjust your chair, although a stack of books or a shoebox will also do in a pinch. Remember, try and get the webcam to as close to your eye level as possible, as you don’t want your students staring up into your nostrils or feel like you are looking down on them from a great height.

Webcam

If you have a less than 5 year old laptop, you should have a integrated webcam that will be sufficient. If you are working on a desktop computer, you may need to purchase one. Aim for 1080p (at 30fps) for best video quality. 

Note: if the webcam you want is compatible with your operating system (Windows or iOS) before buying as many released this year are only compatible with the newest version of major operating systems.

After good lighting and a quality microphone, a good webcam will set you apart in the job interview and make your classes much higher high quality, so it’s worth the extra expense if you can afford it.

Our recommendations:
Budget webcam: (≈$70AUD on eBay Australia) Creative brand 1080p webcam.
Mid-range webcam: (≈$120AUD on eBay Australia) Logitech brand 1080p webcam.
Hid-end webcam: (≈$300AUD on eBay Australia) Logitech brand HD Pro webcam.

Photo by tyler hendy from Pexels


Lighting

The fastest way to improve the quality of your appearance online is to set up some basic lighting. In my first budget setup, I used a $6 LED lamp from Kmart (which is sadly no longer available), so a cheap desk lamp or two is a perfect way to start.

Cinematographer Greg Middleton recommends that you bounce the light from a desk lamp off a wall instead of pointing it at yourself directly, if possible. He also says that “cinematographers favour tungsten bulbs or energy-efficient LEDs, which generate steadier light than fluorescents”, so be mindful of the bulb in the lamp too. 

I’ve seen a few that are quite yellow and make people look a bit jaundiced. There is something called the Kelvin Scale which ranks lights from blue to yellow. 

It is a bit complicated, but basically, you want to aim for light in the middle of the spectrum – that is – closest to ‘Cool White’. Keep an eye out for white bulbs if you are using a lamp, but my experience has been that most LED lights are near to this goal white area. 

This article suggests that “The optimum points when adding lights around your face are at 10 and 2 pm if you’re sitting at, and facing, high noon. You’ll also want a slight light behind you – again from an angle”.

Ring lights used to be only in the purview of Instagram models and YouTubers, but they are also indispensable for those educating online. You especially want the students to see your face (and mouth) to help them imitate your movements and to help elicit communication. Ring lights are great at focusing light right onto your face, but you may want to turn on your overhead bulb, a desk lamp and maybe even a light or two behind you. Turn on your webcam and play around with different arrangements until you find the best setup for your situation.

Our recommendations:

Budget Ring Light: (≈$10AUD on eBay Australia). The ‘clip on’ selfie ring light can clip on the top of your laptop over your webcam and usually comes with three settings – low, medium and high. It’s a great option if you are on a budget and/or just getting started. You can use it to make yourself look good in selfies too, which is a bonus. 

The main ‘con’ is that looking into it for long periods of time is not great, so I actually recommend a larger ring light that sits behind your laptop or on your desk that can you look through the middle of. Trust me, your eyes will thank you.

Mid-tier Ring Light: (≈$40AUD on eBay Australia). This well-reviewed ring light is 10″ and sits on your desk (for the smaller sizes) and the floor (for the larger lights). It is adjustable, with many different light/brightness settings. 

High-End Ring Light: (≈$65AUD on eBay Australia). The next step up is to invest in professional ‘soft box’ 

Headset

Although you might get away without having a headset, we don’t recommend that you skip this purchase. After being able to see you clearly, students need to be able to hear you clearly too. You also need to be able to hear them too! 

Communication with a non-native English speaker is not always easy, so make your life easier and buy the best headset that you can afford. We recommend headsets with a built-in microphone, like the ones that you see in call centres, as they provide the best sound quality.

A few considerations before buying a headset:

  • Noise-cancellation. If you are working from a noisy space, having a noise-cancelling microphone is a must.
  • Mute button. If you think you may be interrupted frequently by young children in your home, for example, you may want a headset with a quick and easy mute function.
  • Wireless headset. If you are a very animated person and especially if you plan on teaching young children, being wireless will help you tremendously.

Do your research and read a few reviews before buying a headset. If you plan on teaching full-time a lightweight and comfortable headset will be worth its weight in gold, but an inexpensive headset from Logitech (see below) was our choice when we first started and is still a reliable backup after a year of daily use. 

Note: Depending on your laptop/computer, you may need an adapter for some headsets. Be mindful when looking and buy a USB or wireless headset for maximum compatibility.

Our recommendations:

Budget Headset: (≈$25AUD on Amazon). Basic and with none of the aforementioned features, this is the cheapest well-reviewed headset on the market. You may need an adapter (≈$7AUD on Amazon).
Mid-tier Headset: (≈$50AUD on Amazon). With a noise-cancelling microphone, a mute button, and a USB connection – this ticks most of the boxes for the price.
High-end Headset: (≈$99AUD on Amazon). All of the above features, but wireless.

Tablet

This is an often overlooked item for teaching but we think it is one of the things that can really increase the quality of your class. By tablet, we don’t mean a device like an iPad, but a drawing tablet that is common among graphic designers. It usually consists of a small drawing surface and digital pen, known as a stylus (see above).

Depending on the platform that you use when teaching, you can draw on the presentation to underline words, draw pictures and bring focus to certain elements of the class. In classes where you can write on a whiteboard-esque white screen, you can write ‘on the board’ just like in a real-life classroom.

Our recommendations:

Budget tablet: (≈$50AUD on Amazon). Simple, cheap and easy to use.
Mid-tier tablet: (≈$69AUD on Amazon). Comes highly recommended, slightly larger.
High-end tablet: (≈$90AUD on Amazon). We use a Wacom tablet personally and find them the easiest devices to plug-and-play. 

Here’s a great example of the sort of thing you can do with a tablet:

So, that’s all for the tech. Just remember that a few items will greatly increase the quality of your face and voice. Online English teaching companies often offer you an hourly rate based on your demo(nstration) class, so if you are in a quiet, well lit room with a clear, high quality image and sound (plus, give an enthusiastic class) you’ll likely receive the upper rate. The small amount that you pay will be recouped in a few hours work at a better hourly rate.

Backdrop/Background

What you have behind you while you are teaching is really important. The students have only a small ‘window’ on their screen in which to view you and just like when you watch a video online, a messy bedroom in a background is really distracting.

Some companies ask that you have a plain, white background, while others encourage you to decorate your background with colourful signs, posters and child-friendly decorations.

For plain backgrounds: You can purchase a photography backdrop (above) that includes both white and green screen fabrics, but as you can see in the photo – the cheap fabric that comes with it is unable to be ironed and leaves creases. We recommend that you buy a frame (≈$45AUD on Amazon) and a decent muslin fabric (≈$40AUD on Amazon), or you can use any plain fabric like a sheet, for example. Using a green screen gives you the potential to use virtual backgrounds through programs like ManyCam. This can be really spectacularly used for young learners with animations and fun filters. Using a program like ManyCam is quite RAM-heavy so works best with new systems. You can also purchase a small portable green screen that you affix to the wall (≈$68AUD on Amazon).

For decorated backgrounds: You can get really crafty and make yourself a personalised background with cardboard, your name, and an Australian/New Zealand-themed collage – you are only limited by your imagination! Lots of people have a World Map (≈$30AUD on Amazon). Some companies require you to display the company logo on your screen and you can do this by printing it out on paper or using a program like ManyCam to add it digitally.

If you have a lovely, tidy home or office – you might not need a backdrop. Again, it depends on your situation but I’ve found that if you travel a lot, a backdrop can provide a consistent background for your lessons. 


Whiteboard

You might want to buy a small ‘mini’ whiteboard ($10AUD on Amazon) to write on and can be especially helpful when explaining a vocabulary word, by drawing an image or breaking it down letter by letter.

Props

What props you use will depend on the age of the students that you are teaching and your own comfort level with using them. The list really is endless. You might want to have a puppet, prop food, costumes etc.

Remember, you can use use props for adult learners as well. Use a phone to ‘call’ your students, or put on a paper moustache to role play a discussion with an angry boss etc. Surprisingly, adults often respond to the same, fun activities that children do – just take your cue from how your students respond. Not all cultures are as comfortable with the notion of play and fun, so start conservatively and get ‘sillier’ if and when appropriate. 

Online English teaching setup
This is the author's 2021 setup. (c) Kate Zarb

Summary

You can go ‘all out’ when teaching online and you are only limited by your wallet, but in order to be a great teacher, focus on WHAT you’re teaching and let the technology and props support you. If you are on a tight budget, we suggest that you buy the best headset that you can afford and spend the most you can on good lighting and a webcam (if you can). This will really help the student to see and hear you. A tablet, a program like ManyCam, a few props and a fun background are useful extras.

Good luck and happy teaching!

This post is part of our “Ultimate teach English online guide“. Go check it out.