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Tutoring English Online with SkimaTalk

If you are looking for more independence and flexibility in your teaching career, look no further. SkimaTalk allows students to get in contact with teachers, giving both parties freedom to choose their schedules and fees. Would this kind of open marketplace work better for your teaching needs?

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SkimaTalk is an online platform that facilitates the connection between learners and English teachers, offering a diverse range of individualised lessons at affordable prices. This innovative platform has gained popularity primarily among adult Japanese and South Korean students, although it remains open for anyone interested in learning English.

SkimaTalk was founded with the aim of bridging the gap between English learners and teachers in an accessible and convenient manner. The platform was established to cater to the specific needs of learners from Japan and South Korea, where the demand for English language proficiency is particularly high. Since its inception, SkimaTalk has rapidly grown to become a popular choice for language learners, offering a personalised and effective approach to language acquisition.

What are the requirements to teach with SkimaTalk?

To become a SkimaTalk teacher, as in most online teaching environments, you must have a passion for student success. Furthermore, you must demonstrate commitment to deliver high-quality lessons and reliability. This includes punctuality and a professional demeanour. Here are specific SkimaTalk teacher requirements:

Other SkimaTalk requirements

While prior English teaching experience or training is often preferred, on this platform you can teach without experience. SkimaTalk welcomes candidates with various levels of teaching experience, provided they meet other requirements and the platform's standards. You must be 18 years of age or older.

SkimaTalk primarily serves adult learners, so teachers should be comfortable and willing to work with this demographic.

SkimaTalk requires teachers to offer their first three lessons as free classes. This practice helps students assess the teacher's style and compatibility, ultimately promoting students’ language skills.

Bachelor's degree

With SkimaTalk there are no restrictions about teaching English without degree. However, this educational requirement would helps ensure that teachers have a solid academic foundation.

TEFL certification

Ideally, prospective teachers should possess a teaching certificate, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, but it's not mandatory. This qualification demonstrates that they have received formal training in language instruction techniques, making them better equipped to teach English effectively.

Native/non-native

SkimaTalk primarily hires native English speakers who have the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or Ireland as their origin country. However, if you are a non-native speaker, you are welcome to apply as long as you have a strong command of the English language.

SkimaTalk job description

As a SkimaTalk teacher, you should be a native English speaker who is passionate about teaching English online to adult students from Japan and South Korea.

During your online ESL courses, you will provide 25-minute online classes to students who want to improve their English skills for personal or professional purposes. You will have the flexibility to set your own schedule and rates, and work from anywhere with a computer and a strong internet connection. You will also have the opportunity to learn about different cultures and share your knowledge and skills with your students.

How much can you earn teaching English with SkimaTalk?

Earning as a SkimaTalk tutor as an English teacher can be a flexible and potentially lucrative way of making money online, but it depends on several key factors. Here's an overview of what factors influence your earnings on SkimaTalk:

  • 1. Session Rate: When it comes to teaching online, salaries vary greatly depending on the platform you work with. Teachers on SkimaTalk have a flexible schedule and the freedom to set their pay rate for 25-minute sessions. The minimum SkimaTalk teacher pay allowed is $8, but you can increase it up to an impressive $30 per session. The pay rate you choose can significantly impact your overall earnings, as higher rates naturally yield higher income per session.
  • 2. Number of Sessions: The number of sessions you teach per month plays a vital role in determining your earnings. Earning more sessions means more income. However, it's essential to remember that SkimaTalk operates as a marketplace, so there is no guarantee of consistently reaching the maximum teaching hours available. It could be worth specialising in one specific ELT area to build a more stable SkimaTalk tutor salary. This can be highlighted in your teacher profile to target a specific student demographic. Finding your niche could be the key to attract potential students and turn them into regular ones.
  • 3. SkimaTalk Commission: SkimaTalk retains a 20% commission on all earnings as a service fee. This commission is a standard practice on many online tutoring platforms, and it helps support the platform's operations and services. Therefore, you'll need to factor in this commission when calculating your total income.
  • 4. Free Classes: As part of the application process and to attract more students, SkimaTalk requires teachers to offer three free lessons. While these free sessions may not generate immediate income, they serve as a way to showcase your skills as an English teacher and attract paying students in the long run.

Taking all these factors into account, your actual hourly earnings on SkimaTalk, after deducting the 20% commission, will vary significantly. Depending on your session rate and the number of sessions taught, your effective hourly rate can range from $12.80 to $48. However, it's important to note that these figures do not include any potential PayPal fees or currency conversion fees that may apply when you withdraw your earnings.

SkimaTalk pays teachers once a month, typically by the 10th of the following month. While SkimaTalk claims that some of their top teachers can earn more than $1,000 each month, it's important to keep in mind that this may not be sufficient to make teaching on the platform a full-time job for most teachers. Earnings will vary based on your ability to attract students, the rates you set, and the number of sessions you can teach, making SkimaTalk a flexible but somewhat unpredictable income source. It could be beneficial to weigh your options and have a look at other TEFL jobs online.

Download our teaching English online guide

The application process for SkimaTalk

The application process for becoming a teacher on SkimaTalk is designed to be straightforward and efficient, consisting of four key steps.

How do I apply?

Step 1 - Sign Up: To become a SkimaTalk teacher, you start with a simple sign-up process on the SkimaTalk platform. You'll need to provide your email address and confirm your registration through the email sent to you.

Step 2 - Create Your Teacher Profile: After registering, you'll be prompted to create your teacher profile. This is a crucial step, as it's where you introduce yourself to potential students. You'll be asked to provide some basic information, including your personal details, educational background, teaching experience, areas of interest, teaching specialties, Skype username, time zone, and native language. You also have the opportunity to share any additional information that can help students get to know you better. In this step, you'll need to upload a professional profile photo and a teaching introduction YouTube video, which plays a significant role in attracting students to your profile.

Step 3 - Skills Tests: As part of the hiring process, you'll be required to complete a few simple tests that evaluate your grammar, pronunciation, and teaching skills. These tests are designed to ensure that you meet the necessary standards for teaching on SkimaTalk. Once you have completed the tests, you'll need to click the "APPLY" button to submit your profile for approval.

Step 4 - Approval and Activation: After you've submitted your profile, you'll need to wait for approval and activation by the SkimaTalk team. This approval process may take up to 48 hours. Once your profile is activated, it becomes visible to potential students, and they can book sessions with you.

Interview process

It's important to note that there is no formal interview process for becoming a SkimaTalk teacher. Instead, your suitability is evaluated based on the information provided in your profile, the quality of your teaching introduction video, and the results of the skills tests. Your profile and presentation play a crucial role in attracting students, so it's essential to create a comprehensive and appealing profile to increase your chances of being selected as a teacher on the platform.

What to consider before you start

Something worth considering is that SkimaTalk is a marketplace, not a company. This means that you are responsible for creating your own profile, setting your own rates, and attracting your own students. You will not have a guaranteed income or a fixed schedule. You will also have to compete with other teachers for students.

The requirements for teaching English online with SkimaTalk are quite relaxed for native speakers.

Furthermore, SkimaTalk offers an innovative way to language learning with:

  • Individualised Lessons: One of the standout features of SkimaTalk is its commitment to tailored learning experiences. Each teacher on the platform designs unique lessons to cater to the specific needs and goals of their students. This individualised approach allows for a more efficient and effective learning process.
  • Affordable Prices: SkimaTalk prides itself on providing high-quality English lessons at affordable rates. This accessibility makes it an attractive option for learners from various backgrounds, ensuring that the benefits of personalised language instruction are not limited to those with significant financial resources.
  • Diverse Students: Although SkimaTalk primarily serves adult Japanese students and South Korean students, its doors are open to anyone interested in improving their English skills. This inclusivity ensures that a wide range of learners can access the platform and engage with skilled teachers.
  • Free Registration: SkimaTalk offers free registration to anyone interested in becoming a student or teacher on the platform. This approach makes it easy for individuals to explore the available resources and services, enabling them to make informed decisions about their English language learning journey.

SkimaTalk pros and cons

Like any other company in other sectors, every online teaching company has advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

  1. Flexibility for Non-Degree Holders: SkimaTalk doesn't require teachers to have a degree or teaching certificate, making it accessible to a broader range of potential educators. Similarly, there's no teaching certificate required, but it is preferred.
  2. Flexible schedule: Like most online English teaching platforms, SkimaTalk offers complete flexibility in their schedule, allowing students to book lessons right up to the very last minute.
  3. No Formal Interview: SkimaTalk's application process doesn't include a formal interview for ESL teachers, providing an opportunity for teachers to showcase their skills through their profiles and introductory video.
  4. Global Reach: SkimaTalk welcomes teachers from native English-speaking countries, making the SkimaTalk platform truly international, connecting experienced teachers with students from various cultures.
  5. Variable Session Rates: You have the freedom to set your rates, with the potential to earn more by offering sessions at competitive prices.
  6. Access to Supplementary Lesson Materials: SkimaTalk lessons are already outlined for you, with teaching materials and lesson plans, but these should be used as a foundation. The company strongly encourages teachers to supplement the content of the one on one lessons with their own materials and external resources.

Cons:

  1. Strict Eligibility Criteria: SkimaTalk limits opportunities for non-native English speakers. You can apply to teach online English with SkimaTalk only if you are a native English speaker.
  2. Unpaid Free Lessons: Teachers are required to conduct three free sessions as part of the application process, which do not generate income.
  3. Cancellation and No-Show Penalties: SkimaTalk enforces penalties for teacher cancellations and student no-shows, resulting in deductions from subsequent earnings.
  4. Monthly Payouts with Fees: SkimaTalk pays teachers once a month via PayPal, subject to PayPal fees and potential currency conversion fees. Additionally, the platform retains 20% of earnings as a service fee.

It is noticeable that the pros outweigh the cons, which is confirmed by more than one SkimaTalk teacher review.

Similarly, student reviews are also positive about this platform. Here comments that appear in more than one student SkimaTalk review:

  • Most students are satisfied with the quality and variety of the teachers on SkimaTalk.
  • They appreciate the flexibility, professionalism, and friendliness of the teachers.
  • They also enjoy learning about different cultures and lifestyles from the teachers

SkimaTalk teacher reviews

Overall, SkimaTalk reviews are positive. Most SkimaTalk teachers believe that teaching online English with this platform is a great way to start in the TEFL world.

In a SkimaTalk teacher review, it is highlighted that the platform is easy to use and a good student rating score can give you the confidence boost to increase your pay rate.

Another SkimaTalk review points out that, although the teachers enjoy using the platform, it could be difficult to earn enough to turn this opportunity into a full time job.

Are you ready to help the world (Skima) talk English?

To teach English as a second/foreign language, especially in an online teaching setting, it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons to determine if they align with your goals and circumstances. This is a platform that offers a SkimaTalk legit opportunity for online teaching. However, it's important to be aware of the potential challenges, such as deductions for cancellations and no-shows, and the varying earnings due to factors like session rates and frequency. Overall, SkimaTalk could be a great starting point for your TEFL career.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. Does SkimaTalk provide lessons?

    SkimaTalk is a platform connecting English learners with individual teachers. These teachers set their own lesson plans and prices, offering endless options to fit your learning goals.

  • Q. How much do you get paid to teach English online?

    The pay for teaching English online varies depending on your experience and qualifications. Generally, you can expect to earn anywhere from $10 to $40/£8 to £30 per hour. Some platforms also offer bonuses based on the number of classes you teach.

  • Q. How can I teach English online with no experience?

    While some experience is ideal, it's completely possible to establish a career teaching English online without it. Here's what you'll typically need: a TEFL certificate, a reliable internet connection, a laptop or computer with webcam and microphone. Some teaching companies will require a bachelor's degree. TEFL courses can be completed online and some platforms offer resources for new teachers.

  • Q. Can I teach English online with a TEFL certificate?

    A TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is a strong qualification for teaching English online. It shows potential employers you have the knowledge and skills to effectively teach English to a variety of learners. A TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours - the industry standard - is generally considered a requirement for online English teaching positions.