Читать книгу Introduction to TESOL - Kate Reynolds - Страница 50

Tutoring or one-on-one teaching has long been a reliable standby for many TESOL instructors starting out. Instructors post advertisements to attract students for one-on-one instruction focused on the level, goals, and interests of the particular student. Tutoring has found a niche in the online world where opportunities for teaching one-on-one online have exploded in the past 10 years.

Typical one-on-one instruction begins with an assessment of the student’s language abilities to determine what should be the emphasis of instruction. The student’s interests and goals are factored into the establishment of instructional objectives. For example, many students wish to have one-on-one tutoring to develop their conversational skills in a less embarrassing, more personal environment. Instructors create individual lessons and participate in conversational exchanges with the student.

Unless an instructor was employed at an online English language learning corporation that would attract students and collect funds, making a living at one-on-one teaching would require an educator to hustle to find students, develop lessons and assessments, and conduct the business end of the instruction.

Online instruction has become an avenue for some individuals wishing to teach ESL/EFL/ELT. Instructors can find online teaching opportunities through universities, private language schools, or corporations. Some of these organizations have no brick-and-mortar classrooms. In these environments, an instructor can teach students one-on-one or in small groups, who range from children to adults. Classes are usually not mixed age groups though, since instructional choices for one group would not be appropriate for another. The computer interface that connects the instructor to student(s) may be Zoom, Skype, or Google hangouts, a classroom management system (e.g., Blackboard, Desire to Learn, or Canvas), or a platform designed specifically by the organization. Instructional approaches would be different for a group of several people. Instruction online to small groups tends to emphasize reading, listening, and writing. Speaking occurs between the teacher and students, but there may be platforms that allow for students to interact easily with each other.

Online instruction and tutoring tend to be hourly work and wages are based upon the educational background of the individual. For most online companies, an instructor needs at least a bachelors’ degree, but a TEFL certificate or CELTA would increase the likelihood of being hired and higher wages received. It is possible to tutor without any particular credential or teaching preparation, but mistakes can be made and learners may not excel as they should.