If you're looking for an online job opportunity this 2018 you might want to consider Teaching online with 51talk.
They hire online teachers every now and then so if you want to apply click here to go to their application form
But like any other company, school or organization. There is no such thing as perfect. And 51talk is not an exemption. It has its own flaws which can be discouraging for some teachers. especially for newbies. Give it some time, master time management, understand how the system works, and get the hang of teaching online, everything will be a bliss. You will choose to stay.
Why must one choose to teach with 51talk
After nearly two years of teaching with 51Talk I know enough so here is my honest review. But let me first tell you that, I have no reason to present a biased review since 51Talk does not pay me to write this.
My only goal is for you to have an idea of what to expect when you apply for an online teaching job. Also, to help you better decide if 51Talk is for you. However, I will receive some incentive if you chose to apply using any of the links from this page. But that is still beneficial for you since I will be there to help you get started.
Teaching in 51Talk is worth it.
1. Flexible schedule
If you value your time with your family, yet still want to earn extra income. Then 51Talk is for you. 51Talk offers you the freedom to plot your schedule on any day of the week from 6:00 A.M. - 11:30 P.M.
You can always cancel your schedule if you have sudden emergencies provided they have not been booked. But if are already booked you can call the company's support team to request cancellation. You must do it as early as 24 hours before the class to avoid painful penalties.
Of course, there are some guidelines to consider when canceling schedules. Be aware of them before even booking your schedules and you will avoid penalties.
2. Paid per slots with no limit.
You can open as many slots as you wish. Remember you are paid per slot so the more the merrier.
Just so you know, if you are a new teacher, don’t expect all your opened slots to be booked. But that is alright because you need time to adjust and get familiar with all the lessons. In no time you will be the one surrendering hoping you have not opened those slots.
3. Developmental Training
If you are a neophyte, don't worry they provide necessary training. Training address the teachers' skill development, newly launched lesson materials, language skills enhancement, and more. Teaching demonstration is frequent during those training. So, for those who think that 51Talk are hiring low performing teachers. Ask to have teaching duels with a 51Talk teacher and you'll see.
Training completed also affects the rate per class, and the teacher's level.
4. Prepared lesson materials
Say goodbye to lesson plans or endless research. All materials curated to suit the system, the need of the learner and even teacher.
I honestly appreciate how the materials are put together. It only includes, what the student can absorb within 25 minutes it even give the teacher guide on how to teach them. Also, teacher's can submit a correction of the material if something is amiss.
These prepared lesson materials give enough time for the teacher to be creative. The teachers can then learn more, create visuals, learn songs to incorporate into their teaching, practice TPR or attend training. This way the lesson, when conducted, is even more lively. And I salute the creativity of the teachers who give all effort in making teaching fun.
5. No delays in payment.
In 51Talk, you don't have to worry about collecting your salary. Just make sure you uploaded your bank account details. They will send your payment promptly 10days after every cut-off.
I am saddened though because some 51Talk teachers still complain that pay comes late. But that is not true because it is clear in the contract that payment will be deposited 10 days after every cut-off. Whether you make follow-ups or not your pay will be sent to your bank account on time.
6. Custom Teaching software
AC is a teaching software in 51Talk. While other teaching platforms depend on SKYPE, QQ or whiteboard for their lessons. 51Talk is wise to invest in its own application which is user-friendly.
It is very easy to navigate even if it is just your first time to use. But easy as maybe, 51Talk makes sure new teachers go through the onboarding training for the software. Also, the company has never stopped improving creating update upon update.
7. Tested company with a high-performance rating.
Previously, I was not very proud to be a teacher of 51Talk. I don’t want people to know that I am teaching with them. Until recently, I observed other online platforms and had researched about them. Now I have enough reason to be proud of this company and to stay.
Yes, it is a tested company been growing for 5 years now. There are teachers of 51Talk that have been teaching there long enough, much longer than my 2 years’ stay.
8. Self-improvement.
Teaching always gives way to learning. In fact, most of the time, we learn many things because we have to teach them.
51Talk’s motto is Teach, Learn Earn. True to it, you’d be immersed in a lot of information about China’s culture and their way of life. Your English skill will certainly be polished also. Think about speaking in English every day discussing different topics in different levels. Add to that 51Talk offers training not only for teaching skills but also for English mastery. They offer training for topics phonology, grammar, TESOL… and more.
And if you want a place to train you for time management, 51Talk is certainly a place to start.
9. Social Community.
How about meeting new friends with the same interest. You will never feel alone here unless you chose to. You’d be assigned a team that you can work together with, share sentiments or frustrations. And they will understand you and sometimes offer the right advice.
Yes, you will have a helpful community that offers instant help whenever you got stuck. Because working online is dependent on the performance of application and internet.
There may be a time that the company’s support won’t be able to respond to you timely because of the influx of issues they’re handling. Don’t despair. Your team, the mentors, and the coaches will be there to answer them for you. Just reach out.
10. Income
This depends on the number of classes you conducted. If you’ve been working eight hours a day for 6 days you won’t go any lower than 25K for a month.
But here's the catch. I have some sentiment regarding the rate per class. As a Filipino, I can’t just be silent about it. They pay their Filipino teachers way below the rate they are giving the other teachers. Those teachers that are native speakers of English.
Of course, we understand that the clients are willing to pay higher for those native speakers. But who instigated them anyway, and is that the only reason? A lower rate may not be painful but for me, the difference of the rate is unreasonable.
Hopefully, this is not discrimination. A little increase will not hurt the company. It would even gain more loyal Filipino teachers who by the way are the greatest task force of the company.
And yet here is one good thing, worth mentioning they do provide incentives every now and then. One is the internet assistance incentive. There is also a guaranteed pay for new teachers, onsite training allowance, and occasional bonuses.
Now having read these benefits it’s time for you to decide if 51Talk is for you or not.
How to apply as online teacher in 51Talk
If you choose to try here is if you qualify. You must be
- a college graduate (any course)
- love to teach
- patient with kids
- able to afford to teach for a minimum of 60 hour/15 days (peak hour schedules)
- fluent in English
Must Haves
- at least more than 2mbps internet connection
- a laptop or desktop
- webcam and a headset (if you don’t have a headset yet, you may still apply and buy one after you qualify)
- a quiet place to work
Qualified? If yes, don’t wait for another day. Join this growing community of home-based English teachers. Start your Teach, Learn, Earn journey.
Again, if you apply through any links from this page, that means I must help you get started. And it would be my pleasure to do that. Also, I will be receiving an incentive from 51Talk for referring you.
Thanks for reading, please leave a comment.
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