Not so long ago, it seemed that almost every child had a stay-at-home parent who would always be around to pick them up from school, spend quality time with them in the afternoons, and be ready to serve up a home-cooked meal in a flash. However, times have changed.
As the cost of living has gone up, the need for both parents to go out to work and earn money has grown too, and for single-parent families, there simply isn’t the luxury of being able to afford to be a full-time mom. Yet that doesn’t mean that we don’t long to spend more time with our little ones, especially in those early years, and fortunately, thanks to the internet, there’s now a perfect solution – teaching English from home as a side hustle.
What Is A Side Hustle?
The term “side hustle” seems to have really taken off in recent years. It’s used to refer to any work you do outside of your normal day-to-day activities. If you’re an at-home parent, a side hustle could be anything you do to make extra cash outside your domestic and caring role.
As an at-home parent, handling your finances and budgeting can be tough. It isn’t hard to see why as many as 40% of parents are now setting up side hustles to bring in some extra cash while their children are at school.
While some side hustles, such as completing internet surveys or selling old clothes, may only bring in a small amount of pocket money at the end of each week, there are some options that can bring in an attractive sum that could even equal a second salary. Online English teaching definitely falls into that second category.
What Should I Know About Online English Teaching?
In the past, teaching was something that took place in a physical classroom, with face-to-face interaction between teachers and students. That is no longer the case. As more and more people worldwide have gained access to the internet, online teaching has become increasingly accessible for would-be learners across the globe.
With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the online education market has grown faster than ever as people from all walks of life realised the possibilities that online learning could bring.
While there are online lessons available in virtually every subject, from piano playing to acting, English language classes have proven to be extremely popular with learners of all ages.
There are now numerous online language schools offering classes for everyone, from the youngest children to professionals seeking to improve their business English. Anyone who is eager to learn can now be located anywhere worldwide as long as they have an internet connection in order to access virtual classes.
Thanks to this burgeoning market, online English teaching, therefore represents the ideal side hustle for any at-home parent who wants to boost their income.
Why Consider Online English Teaching As A Side Hustle?
There are plenty of reasons to consider becoming an online English teacher as the ideal side hustle for at-home parents. For a start, it’s something that you can do from virtually any location as long as there’s Wi-Fi. That means you can deliver classes from your bedroom, front room, home office, or indeed, any location where you won’t be disturbed.
Another good reason to teach English online as a side hustle is its flexibility. As there are learners in every time zone, you can easily find classes that will fit around your schedule. If your kids are at school for five or six hours during the day, you can pack all of your lessons into that window.
Alternatively, you could wait until your little ones are in bed and asleep before heading online to deliver classes. You’ll also have the freedom to work as much or as little as you like, allowing you to maximise your income if necessary or just to bring in a little extra for treats.
Finally, teaching English online is a rewarding job that can be life-changing for your students. That makes it a far more enjoyable side hustle than some of the alternatives such as data entry or working as a virtual assistant.
How To Become An Online English Teacher
The best way to embark on an online English teaching side hustle is to get qualified as a teacher of English as a foreign language. That means it makes sense to obtain TEFL certification for flexible remote work opportunity maximisation. Studying for your TEFL certificate will equip you with all the skills and knowledge you need to successfully deliver English lessons to speakers of other languages.
As it’s an internationally recognised qualification, you can be sure that you’ll stand out from the crowd when applying for roles with online language schools. It’s important to note, though, that not all TEFL courses are created equal. It’s essential to take an accredited 120-hour course which will offer you the tutor support that you need to excel.
The next step is to make sure you’ve got a strong internet connection, a reliable laptop or computer, a headset and microphone, and a suitable location in your home from which to deliver your classes.
Having some teaching materials may also be helpful, although many of the online language schools provide lesson plans and resources that will save you time and effort. As you can see, you won’t need to spend a lot to set up your side hustle – it’s certainly an economical option!
Choose Your Ideal Side Hustle
Now that you know the ins and outs of becoming an online English teacher and the benefits of choosing it as a side hustle, it’s the perfect time to begin a TEFL course and get qualified. Before you know it, you could be earning a valuable extra income while enjoying a fun and rewarding job that will fit perfectly around your lifestyle, no matter how hectic it may be!
