If you have been reading here for a while, you know very well what I do for a living: I teach English to Korean students. From 2006 until last June I worked in a company in Makati that offers Telephone English classes to its clients. A month ago I started in another company in Alabang, and this time our classes are carried out online. Ready with my headset and webcam, I sit in front of my office computer communicate with people a time zone away.
This kind of job has been steadily gaining popularity, and a great deal of call center people are leaving the stress of the BPO industry for the more relaxed atmospheres of online teaching centers. With the pay being almost the same or sometimes even greater, I understand why.
Teaching English online can be office-based, or home-based. If you want to teach at home all that is required is a good internet connection, and of course the ability to communicate in English with a neutralized accent.
The system is very simple: the people over there in Korea take care of the marketing and liaison, and the teachers here just wait for a name to appear on their schedules. In an 8-hour shift, teachers can be assigned a maximum of 12 twenty-minute classes here in my company. The remaining time is of course used for class preparation: lesson plans and PowerPoint presentations. Teachers receive a basic salary and receive additional monetary incentives depending on the number of students.
For home-based teachers, the number of students would depend on one’s availability. The bulk of students is usually between 5:00-9:00am and 5:00-11:00pm Philippine time. The only downside of home-based teaching is that the pay depends on how many students a teacher has, and how many classes are conducted within a pay period.
Many classes are conducted using Skype, but the company I belong to uses special software (pictured above.) Both the student and teacher can write, type, or doodle on the screen using the mouse or a light pen.
The lessons and teaching materials differ from company to company. Only the objective is the same: to allow the students to express themselves in English and communicate with someone who speaks the language because in their native country, they have very little opportunity to do so.
Teardrops On My Guitar
Miraculously I found myself some free time and this is the result of the boredom. I dunno why, when I talk to my students I pride myself in being so clearly understood all the time, but when I sing the words don’t come out right.
19 responses so far ↓
K.noizki // August 7, 2009 at 7:25 pm |
I wonder how much time you practice each day to get that “neutralized accent” to your students. I heard you once in youtube which you posted here and I feel that you are an educator at heart.
I believe the field you’ve chosen is essential to a society’s future and being able to contribute in such a field is a real challenge specially when it’s done online. Galeng mo, Kat.
Kat Carneo // August 10, 2009 at 9:12 pm |
Practice makes perfect, as the saying goes. It’s just important that a teacher in this company can speak without the obvious Filipino intonation and mispronunciations. It’s not necessary for one to sound like an American.
Thank you, I love my job and I feel that every day I’m off to do something good for the world, no matter how small-scale.
Miel // August 8, 2009 at 1:04 am |
I love my job eversince not only because it pays so well but because I love talking to different people in different walks of life and different races… hope we would be hiring i would gladly recommend you…
Kat Carneo // August 10, 2009 at 9:14 pm |
Oh, yeah, we’re in the same field! A true teacher-at-heart can’t help but fall in love with students, eh?
Thanks for the offer, but I can’t teach at home. (I don’t have my own computer, huhuhuh)
Tita Emy // August 8, 2009 at 9:23 am |
That’s my intelligent niece. ok, i got ya! so that’s how the work goes eh! i do believe that you do well at your chosen career and it’s a good thing that you are passionate about it. I remember you when you were little, when ur finger got caught in ur mum’s electric fan but u were cool about it!!! that’s how strong you are… and I’m glad that everything’s well with ya… keep it up and hey, save for your future ok././ love Ta Emy
Kat Carneo // August 10, 2009 at 9:17 pm |
Nyah, more and more of the family is stumbling upon this blog. Feels kinda weird. Anyway, thanks for being here and yeah, I still bear the scar from the electric fan incident. Perhaps it did show my strength of character at an early age, and but also revealed how clumsy a person I will be in the future. Haha.
All my love to you there, guys down under!
Momisodes // August 8, 2009 at 10:05 am |
I had no idea it was gaining so much popularity. I can certainly see why. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity for both parties!
Kat Carneo // August 10, 2009 at 9:18 pm |
There are even some Americans here who go for this job. A native speaker is considered an asset in companies like mine.
I read somewhere that there are similar companies in India, but the teachers teach Mathematics and Sciences to American students online.
thelovelessguru // August 8, 2009 at 11:04 pm |
Wow Kat you have a good singing voice. I miss teaching Korean students.
Kat Carneo // August 10, 2009 at 9:19 pm |
Why, have you quit your job?
Thanks for the compliment. Me the wannabe singer/nangunguna sa videoke appreciates that a lot!
prinsesamusang // August 10, 2009 at 9:32 pm |
you have a cool job kat gusto ko nga din itry yan eh LOL
bw // August 11, 2009 at 12:43 am |
nice to hear about your online job. The software you are using looks like a sophisticated collaboration tool. Teaching english to Koreans is a hot job nowadays. I know someone who flew to Korea from Canada to each only this summer – all expenses, accomodation paid for 2 months. More power to your career
jeff reiji // August 14, 2009 at 4:47 pm |
the job sounds very tempting to leave my current call center job. =)
junkikim // August 18, 2009 at 3:39 pm |
Well, I’m actually thinking about focusing on this career. ‘been doing this for almost 3 years. I must say that I’m proud to be part of this field. Though I sooooo love this job, some things can’t just be perfect. So I find myself weighing things to make it better…
Rach (Heart of Rachel) // August 19, 2009 at 7:10 pm |
That’s a good profession. Hope you continue to do well in your career.
burn // August 20, 2009 at 11:59 am |
hello kat, thanks for dropping by. I experienced tutoring 2 Koreans. That was a nice experience.
My best friend works in a Korean school here in Cebu. You are in the same boat,when it comes to salary.
You must be good in your job. Kudos!!!
Cindy // September 9, 2009 at 8:52 pm |
Hello Kat. I would like to thank you for writing a blog about your job. I stumbled upon it because I have been in search of a job like yours. Alabang is logistically advantageous for me. May I ask for information on how to file my application? Thank you very much.
Kat Carneo // September 10, 2009 at 11:59 pm |
I sent you an e-mail, Cindy.
jc // October 19, 2009 at 1:19 pm |
Hi, Kat. May I know the name of the company? I’m from Las Pinas City. Thank you.