With technology now integral to life around the world, many can work from anywhere with an excellent internet connection and a laptop. Those who have taken up that opportunity are part of what’s known as the digital nomad phenomenon. And while this lifestyle may not be for everyone, it is an excellent opportunity to travel and learn more about the world while making money.
Not every job can be done remotely, however, so if traveling while working from your laptop sounds appealing, you may be wondering what exactly you can do to start your digital nomad journey.
Enter teaching English online. The demand for learning English around the world remains strong as English is a commonly used means of communicating between people of various cultures, whether or not the two or more parties are native speakers.
This article will discuss how teaching English online can be an excellent option for those who want to start or continue the digital nomad lifestyle.
Who are digital nomads and what is their lifestyle?
Generally speaking, digital nomads are people who do not permanently live and work in one location. Nomadic in some way, they work on a laptop or other device from various places around the globe. These workers choose how long they’d like to stay in one place; some choose to spend a month or a few weeks in one location before experiencing a new location. Others choose to spend six months, a year, or longer in one place, preferring to move more slowly.
Depending on the nature of their work, many digital nomads can set their own schedules. If nomads come from a full-time job or full-time studies, this flexibility can be one of the biggest assets of this lifestyle.
Other nomads may still be held to a specific schedule, but because the cost of living in their adopted location is lower than in their country of origin, they find that they can work fewer hours to support themselves.
What are the reasons people become digital nomads?
Digital nomads work remotely while living in other countries for various reasons. Some want to take advantage of the cultural offerings in their new locales, seeking out a community for a passion or a hobby or perhaps a connection to history or a particular cuisine. Some digital nomads move to be closer to friends or family in a specific place for a certain amount of time. Others might want to learn a new language in a new environment. Enjoying different weather, seeking a lower cost of living for a higher quality of life, or achieving easier access to more affordable healthcare.
How can I get permission to work remotely in another country?
Certain countries offer specific visas for nomads, some offering multiple years to stay in one place. Estonia, Portugal, and Thailand are all popular with digital nomads because they’ve historically offered visas for longer periods of time. Each country will have its own requirements and laws, so be sure to research in detail what you need to legally live and work in your country of choice.
And in terms of career choices, digital nomads obviously need a job that they can do location-independently. Many have previously held jobs that easily lent themselves to working from anywhere before they chose to try the nomadic lifestyle. For example, careers in technology, writing, design, administration, tutoring, and digital creation all lend themselves to the digital nomad lifestyle.
Other digital nomads decide to create a career around their desire to live abroad, transitioning from perhaps a more traditional job to a role they can facilitate from wherever they choose. Teaching English online is one way many have transitioned into the digital nomad lifestyle.
What is teaching English online?
Teaching English online is a general term describing English speakers (typically native) teaching non-native learners of all ages through an online platform or communication method, like video chats. Students range in age from children to adults.
For your students to master a language, they’ll require proficiency in multiple skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Your job as a teacher may be very specific – teaching and modeling grammar to students, for example – or very general – conversing with learners to help them develop fluidity in their speaking skills.
If you are considering teaching English online, you can use your skills as a native speaker to benefit others and yourself while creating a life where you can live in another country for whatever reason you desire.
Where and how do digital nomads teach English online?
English teachers can choose a variety of paths for their online teaching careers, including very structured, somewhat structured, and no-structure options.
Some platforms hire English teachers from a variety of backgrounds and provide them with a completely structured teaching experience. One example is VIP Kid, a platform serving primarily school-aged children in China, which provides an interactive platform and structured lesson plans for each class period. Teachers will still need to prepare for classes, but only how to implement the curriculum with the students rather than create the actual content of the lessons. This could be a strong option for those looking to maximize their efficiency focusing on teaching and time for their personal pursuits.
In the cases with very structured platforms, the company facilitates the scheduling of lessons; the teacher will likely be required to be available at specific times throughout the week. The platform will also likely set the pay rate.
Other platforms provide a somewhat structured approach to facilitating English lessons online. Italki and Cambly are two examples of these platforms. On Italki, teachers are given the flexibility to schedule their own hours, set their own prices, and determine the content of the lessons they offer. For example, an English teacher could offer conversation classes for a specific rate and more specific classes, like English for business, at a higher rate since it is a more specialized topic.
As the platform facilitates communication and payment between teachers and students, it will likely take a fee from the teacher’s earnings. Many platforms will also offer a bank of pre-made curriculum (grammar concepts, etc.) for teachers to use, which can provide support if needed.
Other nomads can create their own online teaching service without using a platform, taking ownership of all aspects of their teaching: scheduling, payment, curriculum creation, execution, and communication with students. The strongest advantage to this system is likely the ability to control one’s own business decisions and time, but it also requires the teacher to have knowledge of how to build and sustain a client base.
How does teaching English online fit the digital nomad lifestyle?
Because you will be able to teach English from the comfort of any space with a quality internet connection in a location of your choosing, you will be naturally suited to the digital nomad lifestyle.
As you start your journey teaching English online, you’ll want to research what resources the platform provides for teachers so that the platform aligns with your goals and expectations for your life abroad.
How can I start my path to teaching English online as a digital nomad?
How to start your path to teaching English online depends on your current background.
If you’re a certified teacher for non-native speakers learning English in your own country, you will likely not need additional training to start this path. Most structured platforms will accept your current credentials.
Many structured online platforms, like VIP Kid, require their teachers to obtain or hold a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certification, which can be used for teaching English abroad and online. TEFL certification programs can vary in length of time needed to complete, but most are commonly completed in 120 hours. You can take these certifications either online or in-person to fit your needs.
If you decide to launch your own business teaching English or choose a less-structured platform like Italki, you’ll have the flexibility to use your own credentials and career history to build your credibility as an English teacher.
Be sure to check your desired teaching platform to confirm your own certification needs.
Create the Lifestyle of Your Dreams
No matter the pathway you take to teaching English online as a digital nomad, exploring this lifestyle can be an exciting first step to creating the life of your dreams while positively benefitting students around the world.
