If you’re looking to improve your English language skills, hiring an online English teacher can be a great way to achieve your goals. However, with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right teacher for you. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to find and hire an online English teacher.
Table of Contents
When should you consider taking private online classes with a teacher?
- You feel lost and don’t know what to focus on in your English
- You get distracted by things, and forget to sit down and study English
- You want to improve your pronunciation
- You’ve been learning English on your own for some time, but have trouble making progress
- You want to improve active skills (writing, speaking) which always require feedback
- You want to get better at maintaining conversations and responding more naturally
- You want to achieve your goals faster
- You like interacting with people, but you want to do it in a safe environment
- You have a lot of questions about grammar or vocabulary
- You seem to “know” a lot of English, but when speaking, you can’t use those things on autopilot
Common misconceptions about getting a private English tutor
Private lessons are only for beginners
There seems to be a common belief that private lessons are solely for beginners. But this idea is wrong. Private lessons help both beginners and advanced learners.
One of the biggest advantages of private lessons is that they can be completely customized to fit the specific needs and goals of the learner. Advanced students can focus on complex language structures they might never encounter in everyday conversations, but need to be ready to use.
They can also improve their speaking skills and develop specific abilities such as writing or public speaking.
Believing that a native English speaker teacher is always better than a non-native English speaker teacher
When hiring an online English teacher, it is important to consider whether you would like a native speaker or a non-native speaker. The advantage of working with a native speaker is that they have natural pronunciation and intonation, as well as being able to provide insights on cultural context.
But a native English speaker teacher is not always better than a non-native one. Here’s why:
A non-native English teacher may have valuable insights on how to learn English as a second language. They can help you avoid the same problems with the language they experienced when they were learning it. An experienced Ukrainian teacher can often guess what you want to say, can predict the words you want to “translate” from your head, and will offer a better way to put the idea into words.
That’s why I’d recommend learning English at beginner and elementary levels with a non-native teacher of English. After you reach B2, or just want to challenge yourself, you can benefit from hiring a native speaker. You’ll have no trouble understanding them, and they’ll help you soak in complex vocabulary and grammar more easily.
Thinking that the more expensive the teacher, the better quality of teaching will be
The reality is that the quality of teaching is not directly proportional to the price.
The price is not always the sign of expertise or effectiveness. Some lesser-known teachers may provide excellent teaching and personalized attention at a more affordable price, while some more expensive teachers may focus more on marketing and self-promotion than on their actual teaching skills. My next-door neighbor, a retired school teacher, charges 4 times less per hour than me, while an online colleague charges 3 times more.
Bear in mind some unobvious pricing considerations:
In general, experienced and qualified online English teachers charge around $22 to $60 per hour. But not all teachers provide hourly rates. Some offer monthly or quarterly packages of lessons. These generally include a discounted rate for buying several classes or lessons in one purchase.
When thinking about the price, take into account the cost of materials. Many online English teachers provide classes based on a textbook, workbook or worksheet, or other resources. This can be an additional cost or might be included in the fee, so ask about the cost of materials.
With a teacher, you don’t need to study any English outside of lessons
Practicing outside of class is essential for improving your English skills as an adult learner. Class time is limited, and you might not get to practice everything you need to. Without practicing on your own, you might not make much progress, especially if you only have a few classes a week. Consistency is key, so make sure you practice regularly to really get those language nuances down.
Practicing outside of class has its perks! It makes your language learning experience more personal. You can do whatever you want, like reading books in English, watching shows, listening to podcasts, or even chatting with friends in video games. The more you expose yourself to English, the better you’ll get at it.
Plus, practicing on your own helps reinforce what you learned in class. You can review and apply the stuff you learned at your own pace, which enhances your grasp of the language.
Thinking that the teacher will help you master English in 4-6 months
You might have seen online ads that promise you an increase in level within 4 months. I guess it’s theoretically possible, with adult learners who have jobs and families, it’s highly improbable. Advertisement tricks can make you think something is possible, but when you can’t do it, you feel discouraged and unmotivated. To speak plainly, it takes a lot of time and effort to become fluent in a language, and even more – to be really proficient.
How long it takes to master English can be influenced by a few factors. These include the learner’s current level of English, their learning style, and how much time they can dedicate to learning. Becoming proficient in a language can take several years of consistent effort and practice. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. When choosing a teacher, be ready for this, and run if they promise you quick and easy results without effort on your part.
5 things to ask yourself if you want to choose the best English teacher
Before you even start searching for an English teacher, consider several questions to have a clear idea of what you want and need, and who might help you best.
Your goals and expectations
What do you need: Is it general English? Business English? Speaking practice? Writing for IELTS? Pronunciation course? Authentic listening course?
Your expectations can be based on your previous experiences, or your ideal learning experience. Ask yourself:
What instruction, feedback, and support do you expect from an online English teacher?
Decide what you want to do at class. It’s OK if you don’t really care as long as they help you make progress.
But if you have specific preferences, write them down to discuss with a possible teacher. Grammar explanations? Encouragement? Corrections? Do you want to use a textbook? Quizlet cards created for you? Would you like to have progress tests every 3 months?
Your price range
Before you even begin your search, it is important to have a budget in mind to ensure you can afford the services that you need. So ask yourself: How much can I afford to improve your English skills?
Don’t think in terms of spending money- but rather in terms of opportunities you are going to lose if you don’t improve those skills.
Your time restraints
You might have a busy schedule and can only learn English before work, late at night, or at the weekend.
Make a list of available slots for quick reference when you research online teachers.
Native speaker or not?
Do you want to study with a native or non-native English speaker teacher?
Personal compatibility
Personality of a teacher plays as important role as their expertise. Leaning English requires a trusting relationship, which only happens if his or her values and temperament align with yours.
So ask yourself what kind of person you’d like to hang out with and learn from. You can try finishing these sentences about your “ideal” teacher:
- What gender would I be comfortable with?
- My teacher should be … / should not be …
- I can’t get on with a teacher if …
How can you get to know the personality of a teacher?
- Sign up for their newsletter, subscribe to their YouTube channel. You can tell a lot about a person by how they write or speak. Their content is a window into their personality. Besides you’ll be able to see if you like their tone of voice, way of expressing themselves, approach to life, etc.
- Read reviews and testimonials, check out their website (especially “About me” page)
- Ask them questions (DM or email) and see how they respond and how they treat you.
- Sign up for a consultation and talk to them online face-to-face
By taking the time to ensure you’ve found the right online English teacher, you can be sure to get the most out of your language-learning experience.
Where to look for an online English teacher
Finding an online English teacher is easier than ever, with a variety of options available to you. The most popular sites for finding an online English teacher include specialized websites such as iTalki and Cambly, professional services such as Preply, as well as language forums, such as My Language Exchange and InterPals. In Ukraine, you can also use professional tutoring service Buki.
Social media sites, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, may also provide useful results in your search for an online English teacher. Ultimately, use the platform and search tools that you are most comfortable with. This will help you find the best online English teacher for you.
5 things to check with the teacher before taking a decision
Checking and conforming the following things will help you make an informed choice.
What types of qualifications do they have?
If you want to hire an online English teacher, you need to know what credentials the teacher should have. A decent teacher should have an English, linguistics, or education degree. Plus, they should’ve had ample experience teaching English to non-native speakers.
Besides teaching experience in general, make sure they also have experience of teaching online. They should be tech-savvy and have the necessary equipment and resources. This includes having knowledge of various tools, apps, and platforms that are normally used in online teaching.
Pricing and payment options
Check the pricing. Make sure that the payment methods accepted by your teacher are available in your country. Also, if you’re buying access to a course, confirm the duration of access to the course materials.
Availability and flexibility
To ensure a successful learning experience, it is important to discuss the time and dates that work best for both parties.
It is also important to consider time-zone differences and make sure both parties agree on an acceptable time for their sessions.
It is useful to discuss any specific needs for the sessions, such as extra-long sessions or last-minute changes.
After-class support
Find out if a teacher provides after-class support, and if so – how. This includes the willingness to discuss any homework assignments, respond to questions that may arise, provide feedback on written assignments, and grade assignments in a timely manner.
It is also essential to be able to contact the online English teacher if there are any issues or problems. Check how best to reach your teacher: through emails, online messaging, or phone calls.
Terms and conditions
Before hiring an online English teacher, it is important to understand the terms and conditions – basically, the rules according to which you’ll work together.
Make sure you know about how cancellations and rescheduling happen, what happens if one of you are late. There might be discounts for buying more classes, or bonuses for referring a friend – you’d better ask about those possibilities.
It is important to ask about or read through the terms and conditions of the online English teacher before making a booking to ensure that you are comfortable with any potential changes or fees.
Consultation or trial lesson
Most online teachers offer a short free meeting to meet the student, answer their questions, show them their learning setup. Some call it consultation, some – trial lesson, some – a demo. Before you commit, ask a teacher if they provide this, and how you can book the appointment with them. Ultimately, a trial lesson will give you a much better sense of how the online English teacher works before you commit.
Questions to ask your teacher before or during consultation to decide if you should hire them
Before you invest in an online English teacher, it is important to be sure you are making the right choice for you.
Interviewing your potential teacher can help you get a better idea of who they are and what their teaching style is like. Before or during the consultation, ask your teacher questions to decide if you’ll be a good fit. Here are some important questions to consider asking your online English teacher:
- How long have you been teaching English? What do you like most about it?
- What is important in your process?
- What type of students do they get on best with?
- Have you had any problems or conflicts with your students? How did you handle them?
- What did you not like to do when you were learning English? Do you use this task/activity with your students?
- Do you offer any discounts or promotions?
- How do you evaluate and track my progress?
Additionally, take note of how they communicate. Do they appear warm? Do they express patience? Are they understanding and open to feedback? These qualities are essential to creating a successful learning environment.
FAQ
What should I do if I feel uncomfortable with my online English teacher?
I recommend telling your teacher what makes you uncomfortable and what you’d like to change. If your teacher is not listening to you, start looking for another teacher and inform the previous teacher that you want to stop your lessons.
How do I know if an online English teacher is right for me?
You won’t know for sure unless you start working with them. You can increase your chances of finding the right person by following the tips above, but still you might find the teacher was not a great fit, admit it, and look for another one.
