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There are a few tools for Teaching English Online or just teaching online in general that I recommend if you are considering this avenue as a source of income. Here are a few of my suggestions based on experience. It is not a must just sharing my thoughts. Please note that there are Pros and Cons to everything named here. You should also check out my post on:
- Where to get your ESL Certification
- How to get started teaching English Online
- Companies to teach English online with.
if you like this post on the tools for teaching English online.
EQUIPMENT FOR TEACHING ONLINE
1) DESKTOP COMPUTER OR LAPTOP
Having a great system is one of the great tools for teaching English online and depending on what your plans are. If you plan to travel and teach then a laptop is the best option if not a nice big screen desktop in the home office is perfect.
I know the ASUS Zenbooks are good for teaching as that is the one I have been using for about 4 years now and it has been great. I also have a Dell Inspiron as a backup. Both also come with great webcam qualities as this is important and to save you from buying an external webcam.
It is important to have a system with good processing speed and memory. I also personally recommend a touch screen as those can come in very handy in a virtual classroom. Just ensure it is a computer with good specs that can manage. I will try and provide the exact specs needed but I added some systems I recommend. HP is also another great brand that you can look into.
2) A GREAT HEADSET
A great headset can be anything but you need one that can stand the test of time and one that can save you a bit. I usually use the Microsoft LifeChat LX-6000 as linked here. It is very reliable and lasts for a while as it has a solid mouthpiece that doesn’t bend. Another headset is the Microsoft Lifechat LX-3000. This one is also good, however you must use this one with care. Due to the make of the mouthpiece, it is very flexible and as such the wires seemed to get messed up once moved around too often.
There are many other headsets that could work but I know these are the best ones I have personally used. I also know that some companies require specific headsets and these two work well. They are noise-canceling headphones so very easy to block out those outside noises. Some of the other brand headsets can have feedback or cause other noises which can disrupt the lessons.
3) CLEAN BACKDROP
It is vital to have a clear background with very good lighting. Some companies may require a decorated background if you are working with children. It is best to keep it clear until you decide. If you don’t have a clear background you can look into getting a white backdrop screen. Also in the nights for clarity, you can get a nice light that you can place behind the computer to keep it nice and bright.
4) RELIABLE NETWORK PROVIDER
It is very important to ensure that you have an internet service provider that is stable and reliable. It is also better to get an ethernet cable which you can connect directly to your router as the wi-fi itself can be unstable at times. Here are a few you can look at, they also come in different lengths.
5) WEBCAM
Video camera quality is everything in a virtual classroom. The students have to be able to see you clearly. Usually, companies do not hire if you have a bad quality camera. Try getting a nice clean camera. I usually suggest a good computer with a built-in HD Camera. Or an external HD Camera.
Additional things to consider when buying tools for teaching English online:
To avoid filling all ports a USB Hub can be useful which also can come with the ethernet connection if your system doesn’t. It is very useful when trying to teach English online and you have many different equipment to attach.
Some other tools for teaching English online to consider is a USB mouse and keyboard depending on if you ate using a laptop or a desktop computer.
Other than the items listed there are many other possible tools for teaching English online it just depends on your preference.
For any tools for teaching English online, I may have left out or for further information feel free to contact me and remember to join and subscribe to keep updated as well as for prizes and surprises!
Also if there are any tools for teaching English online that I didn’t mention that you would recommend please state it below in the comments section.
Also remember to check out ICT Tools for Teaching Online.
