Work-life balance. It’s a phrase that is often bandied around, but for so many parents, the idea simply seems alien. In essence, how is it even possible to make sure that kids are fed, watered, changed, entertained, and kept safe, all while taking care of other household necessities at the same time? Here are some ideas on taking a part-time job while you can still spend time with the kids.
However, as children do grow older, there is a silver lining. Many of them strive for their own freedom and independence, gently easing away from complete and utter reliance on the primary caregiver(s), and into a realm of their own. They start to have their own wants and needs, and begin to form solutions to the problems they face before them. All of this is good news for parents who need a break, or indeed a little extra pocket money to keep the household running smoothly, especially in these financially challenging times.
There are quite a few options on the table for a parent who is willing to try their hand at developing a new skill, and helping others at the same time. In recent times, blogging and v-logging (the video form of the blog) have become popular, as have podcasts, but there is a danger of the market becoming quickly saturated for those, and they often rely on a heavy initial investment for the pertinent equipment and licenses to make those happen.
Alternatively, it might be prudent to become an online English teacher, and the following below are just some of the reasons why this move could make total sense for a whole range of parents.
Paying for day-to-day basics
Whether it is keeping the little ones fed to a nutritious standard, or making certain they are kitted out in their school’s dress code, it is always wise to have a bit of rainy day cash set aside, just in case of emergency. Across the world, the recent reduction in cases of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a massive uptick in consumer confidence, which in turn has brought about a massive rise in inflation.
Thankfully, teaching TEFL online while at home is an option and can really bring about a nice extra stash of cash to have handy and combat those increased costs. Really, all that is needed technology-wise is a reliable internet connection, of which the majority of homes already possess this, so there is no extra impact on the wallet there. Additionally, a well-charged and modern device (such as desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone) should do the job nicely, provided that there is a camera and microphone to accompany them.
Beyond that, choosing an appropriate time where there is less likely to be external distractions, such as the toddler’s daily nap time, and a quiet room to ensure that teacher and leaner experience are optimised, should be all that are required to get the TEFL teaching journey started.
Adding value to the CV
When many stay-at-home parents do try and reintegrate into the work after a protracted break, one of the first and most common interview questions they are likely to face is how they are able to explain the employment gap in their resume. Luckily, a TEFL teaching position at home is the ideal way to combat that query, showing a whole host of abilities on the part of the parent/tutor.
Indeed, although there are many well-known companies who offer platforms for teaching English online, it is also possible to do a touch of freelance work by teaching close friends and family who may not have English as their native language.
First off, becoming a TEFL pro shows a willingness to add more responsibilities to an already full plate, illustrating amply the capacity to be flexible and adaptable, assets in any work sphere. On top of that, it shows the yearning to be a lifelong learner, diving back into the language of English in order to truly explore what it means, and identifying the subtle nuances of grammar and vocabulary that will really help a student learn.
Last but by no means least, being able to work remotely is something that has become more and more popular in recent years, and even though online study is not for everyone, there are clear signs that it is a medium which many learners prefer, and that offers long-term value in the career market.
Working with different age groups
The reality is that some people feel comfortable working with different ages of people. For many, the opportunity to help mould the learning arc of a young learner is merely too good an opportunity to pass up, especially during the nascent phase of their cognitive development. Allied to this, there is the very real possibility that teaching younger pupils online could unlock tools and techniques that might easily be transferred back to the education of the tutor’s own progeny.
One of the biggest benefits that a parent can bring to the TEFL teaching table is their own experience with their children, being able to recognise the signs of learning and understanding that bit more quickly than those who do not have their own children to observe each day. Also, most guardians have to be able to think on their feet and adapt quickly to what their offspring need, which makes this a transferable commodity when trying to assist another’s youngster in learning something new.
By contrast, for others the chance to work with a more experienced student is absolutely the best way to go, bringing together a more adult package for learning. There are a couple of reasons why this makes sense, for instance many adult students have already found their best niche of learning, and are more committed to following it as a result. Secondly, because of their own academic or career goals being more specifically defined, it is logical that these learners are highly motivated to succeed and get where they need to be in life.
Finally, it is most often the case that these adults are putting their own money into the learning process, meaning that they most definitely have skin in the game, and are more prone to push themselves that bit harder as a result. Check out my other post where I talk about how I made a decision to reduce my hours when the children were smaller. If you are looking for a part-time job simply make a note of the jobs that interest you and have a look at what is out there.
