5 pieces of tech online TEFL teachers should consider
Online TEFL teaching is going from strength to strength and teachers are forever finding new tech to make their jobs more efficient and their lessons more effective. Cue this guide. It runs through just five of the hottest pieces of tech that people are talking about right now; things and programs and apps that can smooth out your day-to-day routine as a web-based EFL tutor.
Zoom
A lot of the latest schools to appear on the market bring a tailor-made in-house teaching system to the mix, so this tip’s not really for them. But for self-employed teachers with their own student base, Zoom remains the go-to choice for private one-on-one or group sessions. Since its astronomical rise throughout the pandemic, it’s established itself as one of the fastest and most reliable video conferencing tools out there. Special features include screen share technology and even a virtual whiteboard, which are great for leading hands-on and participatory English lessons over the web.
Noise-cancelling headphones
Some teachers love headphones, others don’t. It’s really that simple. However, whether you’re a fan or not isn’t always the deciding factor here. You might be forced into using this gear simply because of where you teach. Do you have an office space with a busy road out front? Are you planning on settling in co-workspaces where other teachers might be chatting in the vicinity? If so, then a pair of noise cancelling headphones is a good idea. Bear in mind that there are two types: CVC and ANC. The latter remove unwanted interference from the speakers. That’s not what you’re after. You want CVC, to clear up what your own mic picks up before transmitting it out to your students.
Google Classroom
Another piece of software tech that’s proving super popular in the industry right now is the acclaimed Google Classroom suite. It started life as a basic organization calendar but quickly expanded into much, much more. These days, the cloud-based platform lets you write and share quizzes and tests, give feedback to students on language progress, and even upload and store your own lesson materials.
A foldable laptop stand
While jetting around the globe from the beach huts of Cancun to the soaring peaks of the Alps while earning a living as a teacher is the dream, it’s important to remember that that can bring extra stresses to wellbeing. A significant one is the pressure that an ever-changing workspace setup puts on the body and, specifically, the back. There are clear rules on how to create an ergonomically friendly space that shouldn’t lead to long-term problems with the lumbar and whatnot. A major part is having the computer screen at the right height. Now, you might not be able to cart your own chair and desk around the planet, but you can bring a small laptop stand that will let you adjust things with ease.
Blue light glasses
Look, the jury’s still out on blue-light blocking glasses. They became all the rage during the COVID lockdowns when more and more people were stuck at home gawping at a computer for hours on end. Later, scientific studies failed to come up with compelling evidence that they worked. We won’t take a side, but we have heard anecdotal stories of how they’ve helped remote workers with the strain of constant screen use. The idea here is that the lenses have a slight blue tinge to block out blue light, which is thought to be one of the more damaging components of the rays that come off our devices.
If you know of any more tech that online TEFL teachers should consider before getting started in the world of remote work, be sure to add your thoughts in the comments below. Alternatively, if you’re ready to start on your own online TEFL career path, check out our 140-hour Master Course that’s tailored to online work.