Hello Hivers! I hope you are all in great shape today. It has been a while since my last blog due to a hectic schedule at work. In today’s blog, I am going to share my extraordinary adventure as an online ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. Using the word "extraordinary" may seem like an exaggeration, but that is how I describe it. My heart and soul love teaching, but on an online platform? " You got to be kidding me" that is my ridiculous overstatement every time the topic slips into my mind. At first, it was beyond my wildest imagination!
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was not required to learn any social media platforms to communicate; instead, I relied solely on chat through Messenger and the traditional sending of text messages. Manipulating different communication apps was new to me, and since I am residing in a countryside, signals from telecommunication providers are always devastating, and I have no access to what is happening globally except what I have read on Facebook posts, which can be accessed using mobile data. Aside from not being tech-savvy, I don’t even have the slightest idea what equipment to use. In layman’s terms, I don’t have the guts and I am not qualified at all to apply to any online opportunities.
The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 has brought a potentially damaging disruption to the education system. Everything has changed. Worldwide virtual learning is the panacea to the global crisis in education.
As a teacher, I am typically inevitable of such change. I've realized that I'm already a thousand miles behind in terms of technology. It was then that I challenged myself to venture into something that could enhance myself and keep me up-to-date with the technology-driven way of teaching.
My perspective on "online teaching" gradually changed. I started upgrading myself. And one of my friends suggested I apply at 51Talk. I researched the company and armed myself with the necessary information.
I took my first leap in the application process on November 11, 2020. I signed up using the link provided. Then I received an email to schedule my interview. After passing the interview and being scheduled for my technical check, without second thought, I submitted my confirmation for another round of screening. To my astonishment, I did pass the technical check. The steps that followed were orientation and training. It was during the training that they let you do the initial demo if you passed the initial demo. You can proceed to the final demo, wherein a Chinese evaluator will be the one to decide if you are hired or not. Maybe my lucky charm worked on them that day; I got the job.
I have been working with them since 2020 as a part-time teacher from 18:00–20:00 every day. I am so grateful to the company for the opportunity to grow professionally and hone my teaching expertise, which others have been denied. The company has its ups and downs, which most companies do; in my case, I was able to adapt to the company’s rules and regulations. Though the hourly rate is not as high as on other ESL platforms, I was able to sustain my postgraduate education and finally finish it in December 2022.
I have proven that nothing is impossible as long as you have a strong determination to learn the things you are passionate about. Despite all our limitations, we should never yield to our dreams and continue learning until we achieve them and are successful.
The first step is always the hardest. Just have the courage to do it, and everything will be in place.
Thank you so much guys. I really appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. I hope to see you again. Godless and keep safe everyone!
Keep it up @melit79 . I salute you.just continue to be an inspiration to others.
Thank you very much @renah26.
A very hardworking woman and hiver!My salute to you ma'am!Indeed nothing is impossible if the determination is strong and solid, especially for a fighter like you!God bless you in your endeavors!!@melit79
Thanks a lot @missjoycee, I am so flattered with the compliment at the same time mura ko maka hilak ug popcorn hahahah..
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Out of the online teaching platforms, 51talk for me is kinda hard. Great job on landing your spot here teach!
I can imagine the energy that you are bringing to the kiddos with the materials that is in the background.
Thank you, maybe I was just lucky that time😄.
Yes, I must utilize such items in the background since I am not good at using a computer app for their rewards😀.
I really like Native Camp. I only teach during Japanese night time so I never see the kids. 95% of the students are already great at English they just want someone to have a conversation with and some grammar and pronunciation tips.
Wow good for you😆. I heard some good feedbacks about Native Camp.
I also have adult students, but my regulars are level 2-3😃.
Online teaching is fine, you just never get an !PIZZA
A slice of 🍕 and 🍔 for everyone!😊
I gifted $PIZZA slices here:
(1/10) @jeremiahcustis tipped @melit79 (x1)
Send $PIZZA tips in Discord via tip.cc!
Wow! You're a 51talk teacher. I have a boardmate before who is also a 51talk teacher. She really provide generator Incase of brown out.
Yes, in my case instead of using generator, I use power inverter and car battery it is cheaper than the generator. Thank you for stopping by my friend! See you around.😀
That's a good idea too. Mabuti at may alam ka sa mga ganyan kung papano Yan gagawin.
At first, I didn't know about anything related to all that stuff, but I did my research on what back-up equipment to use😊. Thank you very much.
Being an online teacher is never that easy. You need to make your lessons entertaining and interesting to the learners.
Salute to you ma'am for being so passionate and a dedicated teacher.
Thanks a lot @selflessgem.
Thanks maam @selflessgem, sometimes the best motivation on what we do is our kids and family. they are the reason of these what you call dedication and passion. hehehhe😃