Tag: learning

ESL, work from home

Why Poor Reviews Hurt ESL Tutors More Than You Think

When you teach English online, those little stars beside your name matter more than most people realize. As a work-from-home mom juggling ESL tutoring and content writing, I’ve seen firsthand how one number can make a big difference. My RareJob rating hovers around 4.90 — solid on paper — but mixed in with those high scores are the dreaded ones and twos. They sting. They’re … Continue reading Why Poor Reviews Hurt ESL Tutors More Than You Think

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ESL, work from home

Confident Teaching: Simple Ways to Beat Nervousness in ESL Classes

“Why am I so nervous? They’re just students.” I whispered that to myself before logging into my first online ESL class two years ago. My hands were clammy, my heart was racing, and for a second, I considered pretending my internet went down. If you’ve been there, trust me—you’re not alone. Teaching English to foreign learners sounds exciting, but the reality can feel intimidating at … Continue reading Confident Teaching: Simple Ways to Beat Nervousness in ESL Classes

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ESL, work from home

How to Ace Your ESL Demo Lesson and Land the Job

When I applied for my first ESL job, the part that scared me the most wasn’t the interview—it was the demo lesson. You know, that short class where you’re supposed to impress a hiring manager who’s pretending to be a student? Yep, that one. My hands were sweating so much, I was afraid the flashcards would stick to my fingers. If you’ve ever been there, … Continue reading How to Ace Your ESL Demo Lesson and Land the Job

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ESL, work from home

Must-Watch English Shows for ESL Learners: Tutor-Approved Picks

Back when I was still learning English, I didn’t have fancy apps or online classes. What I had were my aunt’s Betamax and VHS tapes—movies she brought home from her job in the Middle East. I must’ve watched Mrs. Doubtfire a hundred times. Not because I planned to “study” it, but because it made me laugh. And somewhere between the jokes and the drama, I … Continue reading Must-Watch English Shows for ESL Learners: Tutor-Approved Picks

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ESL, work from home

When ESL Students Outgrow the Basics: What Great Tutors Do Next

There’s something oddly humbling about having a student correct you—especially when you’ve been teaching English for a while. It happened to me recently during a business lesson with a sharp executive. I meant to say “feedback on performance,” but I casually said “feedback about performance.” He paused, smiled politely, and said, “Wouldn’t it be more natural to say on?” I laughed and agreed—he was right. … Continue reading When ESL Students Outgrow the Basics: What Great Tutors Do Next

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ESL, work from home

Teaching Isn’t Always Sunshine: Let’s Talk About Difficult Students

Teaching isn’t always sunshine and smooth conversations. Sometimes, it’s awkward silences, forced smiles, or a student who just… won’t budge. If you’re an ESL tutor like me, especially working from home while juggling family life and another job, you’ve probably had at least one class that made you question your career choices. I’ve been part of Rare Job for over a year now, squeezing in … Continue reading Teaching Isn’t Always Sunshine: Let’s Talk About Difficult Students

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ESL, work from home

What To Do When Your ESL Student Won’t Talk

If you’re an ESL tutor, you’ve probably had one of those lessons—the kind where your student barely says a word, and you end up talking to yourself for most of the session. It’s awkward. It’s quiet. And sometimes, it makes you question if you’re doing something wrong. As someone who’s been teaching one-on-one English classes online for over a year now, I’ve had my fair … Continue reading What To Do When Your ESL Student Won’t Talk

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ESL, work from home

Why I’m Always Fully Booked as an ESL Tutor (And How You Can Be Too)

If someone told me a year ago that I’d be fully booked teaching English online—on top of writing content for a living—I probably would’ve laughed and gone back to proofreading blog posts with a coffee in one hand and laundry waiting in the background. But here I am, a full-time content writer at NoBS Marketplace and a part-time ESL tutor at RareJob, juggling both roles … Continue reading Why I’m Always Fully Booked as an ESL Tutor (And How You Can Be Too)

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ESL, work from home

Online ESL Teaching vs. In-Person: Pros, Cons, and What Works Best

Teaching English has come a long way from crowded classrooms and whiteboards filled with scribbles. These days, you could be explaining verb tenses to a student in Tokyo while sitting in your pajamas at home in the Philippines—yep, that’s me most days. Online ESL teaching has opened so many doors, especially for people like me who need flexibility and a little quiet corner to earn … Continue reading Online ESL Teaching vs. In-Person: Pros, Cons, and What Works Best

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