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Tutoring English Online with NIL English

With its unique range of bespoke courses and opportunities to increase your earnings, NIL English is an interesting company to teach online with. What are their requirements, how much can you earn, and what are the advantages of working with this company?

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NIL English is a small and friendly online language school based in South Korea. They have been providing online English classes via Skype and Zoom teaching Korean students since 2013 - they can even book a phone class! Over the years, they have expanded their range of courses to meet the increasing demand of language learners.

Since July 2021, when the regulations for international teachers working for Chinese online ESL companies changed, many online teaching companies have seen a surge in teacher demand. This might be due to the fact that Chinese students have been pushed to learn English online through Korean-based platforms. 

NIL English is particularly interested in receiving applications from North American teachers who are native English speakers. However, you could also head to their platform to learn (or teach) Korean language.

When teaching English online at NIL English, you should expect to teach Korean students online English one-on-one. They can choose from a range of online English lessons depending on their needs; each course follows its own curriculum.

This article will explore the various aspects of NIL English, from the prerequisites to teach English online, the job description, earning potential, and the application process. You will also find a useful list of pros and cons of teaching with NIL English and testimonials from teachers who have had firsthand experience with the platform.

What are the Requirements to Teach with NIL English?

Like with other online teaching companies, NIL English teachers have to meet a specific set of requirements in order to be hired.

Bachelor's Degree

Often, a university degree demonstrates a good level of formal education, ensuring that teachers have a strong academic foundation. NIL English will hire teachers who hold - or are working towards - a bachelor's degree. A master's degree is an added bonus. If you're interested in teaching English without degree, there are other online companies that allow you to do so.

TEFL Certification

Although it is not necessary, holding a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate or a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate gives you an advantage over other native speakers applying for the job. Together with your bachelor's degree, this teaching certification ensures that teachers possess the necessary training and language skills to effectively teach English.

TEFL certificates not only do they serve as quality assurance for the employer, but they also help teachers without past teaching experience in the field to feel confident from the very first day.

Typically, a TEFL course covers the following areas:

  • The principles and theories of language learning and teaching
  • The methods and approaches for effective language instruction
  • The skills and techniques for planning,delivering, and evaluating lessons
  • The grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation of the English language
  • The cultural and social aspects of teaching English in different contexts
  • The professional development and career opportunities for TEFL teachers

By covering these areas comprehensively, TEFL courses ensure that educators are well-prepared to teach English as a foreign language right from the start of their career. Accredited courses delivered by reputable providers should focus on the pedagogical techniques and cultural awareness necessary to be effective and successful language instructors, as well as the language itself. This well-rounded training equips teachers to meet the diverse needs of their students in various contexts, such as Korean children, young students, and college students.

Native/Non-Native Status

Unlike other online ESL companies, NIL English is very specific regarding the origin of their teachers. To work at this Korean online teaching company, a NIL English tutor should be a native English speaker from Canada or the US. However, there are many online companies that hire non-native English speakers.

Due to the historical and cultural ties between South Korea and the US, it's no surprise that Korean students - or their parents, if dealing with young learners - prefer to learn English sounding Northern American, such as the US or Canadian accent, rather than a British accent, for example.

NIL English Job Description

Once the requirements are met, teachers can look forward to a fulfilling role at NIL English. This section will outline the job description and responsibilities that come with teaching English on this platform.

It's important to note that actual earnings may vary based on several factors, including the number of teaching hours you choose to work, the level of dedication, the number of students you teach, and any additional incentives or bonuses you may qualify for. The more hours you commit and the longer you stay with NIL English, the higher your earning potential becomes due to the incremental pay increases.

How Much Can You Earn Teaching English with NIL English?

Compensation is a crucial aspect of any teaching job. NIL English offers a compensation structure that primarily centres on the number of teaching hours completed. Note that you are required to work a minimum of two hours per day and students don't have to have classes with the same teacher.

Let's have a look at teaching English online salaries with NIL English:

  • Base Pay: NIL English offers a base pay of $1.50 for every 10 minutes of teaching. This translates to $9 per hour. While this rate provides a solid foundation for earnings, what makes NIL English particularly enticing for educators is the opportunity for incremental pay increases.
  • Pay Increments: After three months of dedicated service with NIL English, teachers have the potential to see an increase in their base pay. This can rise to $2.00 for every 10 minutes of teaching, making it $12 per hour. Moreover, for teachers who continue their commitment and reach the six-month mark, there is another opportunity for a pay bump, potentially bringing their rate to $2.50 for every 10 minutes or $15 per hour. These incremental pay raises reflect NIL English's commitment to rewarding dedicated educators with higher earnings, teaching beyond the minimum weekly hours.
  • Additional Earnings Potential: Apart from the base pay and incremental raises, there's a 10% attendance bonus on top of the base pay, increasing the rate to a maximum of $20 per hour.

Considerations for Earnings:

Download our teaching English online guide

The Application Process for NIL English

If you are interested in gaining some online teaching experience, you would be glad to hear that the hiring process at NIL English has been streamlined to keep things simple and clear.

How Do I Apply?

Here's how to apply in just a few simple steps:

  1. To send your application, use this Google form
  2. Wait for an invitation to the interview
  3. Attend the platform training
  4. Upload your documents
  5. Sign your contract

Interview Process

During the interview process, teachers can expect specific requirements and evaluation criteria. Understanding what to expect will help applicants prepare for this essential step.

What to Consider Before You Start

Before embarking on your teaching journey with NIL English, there are important factors to consider.

One of the most important factors to take into account when considering becoming an online English teacher at NIL English is what kind of course you would like to teach. Let's see what each of these courses entails:

Junior course

  • For Beginners to Intermediate Learners (Levels 1-4): This program is tailored for children between the ages of 5 and 13. It offers one-on-one classes without any prior phonics training, making it accessible to young learners. This course relies on audio and video programs integrating songs and expression of movement through body language.
  • For Upper Intermediate Learners (Levels 5-8): Designed for upper elementary through high school students, this program assumes already some proficiency in reading and writing English sentences. It is ideal for students with experience in English-speaking countries or minimal listening challenges.

General course

  • Beginner (Level 1-3): This level is suitable for those who primarily use single words due to a lack of basic grammar, struggle with English conversation, and feel hesitant to speak with native speakers over the phone.
  • Intermediate (Level 4-6): Intermediate level caters to individuals who can construct basic sentences but face challenges in expressing more extended thoughts. It's also suitable for those with limited vocabulary and difficulties with unfamiliar grammatical patterns.
  • Advanced (Level 7-8): This level is designed for those who have extensive experience in English-speaking countries, feel at ease when meeting foreigners, and can confidently articulate their opinions.

It's important to point out that previous teaching experience is preferred but not necessary to teach English to Korean students with NIL English. There are many virtual schools that allow teaching online with no experience.

Netflix course

This program is perfect for Korean students looking to participate in captivating discussions, choosing from a vast library of over 42 million series and movies. Whether they want to enhance their conversational skills, grasp American humour, or discover the culture intertwined with daily life, this course offers a great opportunity to learn English online.

Business course

This course is specifically designed for upper-intermediate learners or above and is tailored for professionals whose work demands extensive use of English, extending beyond basic conversation. Whether they are tasked with writing English emails, delivering presentations in English, or engaging with foreign clients, this course caters to their specific needs.

NIL English Pros and Cons

Like any teaching company, working with NIL English comes with its unique set of advantages and disadvantages. This section will provide an overview of the pros and cons, helping teachers evaluate whether NIL English is the right fit for their needs and goals.

Pros

  • Flexible Scheduling: NIL English understands the importance of freedom of scheduling for teachers. Their teaching hours are accommodating, allowing educators to design a flexible class schedule that suits their lifestyle.
  • Scheduling options: The peak hours for teaching typically fall between 5 pm to 8 pm KST, aligning with popular times for most students. However, NIL English extends its hours of operation from 6 am to 12 am KST, providing ample flexibility for teachers to choose teaching slots that fit their preferences. Here is an example of class schedule:

    - Early Morning (6am-9am)
    - Morning (9am-12pm)
    - Evening (6pm-9pm)
    - Night (9pm-12am)
  • Variety of learners: At NIL English, the types of students range from young students to business professionals. As an online English tutor at NIL English, you can expect to teach to different age groups:

    - Elementary & Junior (age 5-15)
    - High School & College Prep (age 15-18)
    - Adult (age 18+)
  • Variety of courses: There's a wide selection of English online courses to choose from - Junior, General, Netflix, and Business.

Cons

  • Limited target audience: NIL English primarily focuses on teaching English to Korean students online. This means that if you prefer a more diverse group of students from various countries and cultural backgrounds, this platform may not provide that level of diversity.
  • Level of autonomy: NIL English offers structured lesson plans and standardised curriculum, which requires minimal prep work. However, some courses might not offer teachers as much flexibility as they would like to use their own lesson plans.
  • Earnings potential variability: Earnings can vary based on the number of students, the hours you work, and the number of classes you can secure. Furthermore, your starting fee per hour is quite low, although it increases the longer you teach English online with NIL English.
  • Technical Issues: As with any online teaching platform, technical issues can occasionally disrupt classes. These issues might include internet connectivity problems, platform glitches, or other unforeseen technical challenges. Make sure you have a good internet connection before you apply.

NIL English Teacher Reviews

Lastly, we will showcase real-world experiences from American teachers who have worked with NIL English. These reviews will offer insights into the working environment, the level of support provided, and the overall satisfaction of teachers who have chosen to teach Korean students online through NIL English.

Here's what Diana has to say: "I have been working for NIL English for more than a month now. I looked at several other online teaching companies for English and even interviewed. I am so happy with NIL English though. They offer a lot of support. They are very responsive to questions and answer immediately. The other teachers are friendly and the staff at NIL are welcoming and friendly. It’s a nice community. The students are great and they put in the effort. The daily and monthly reports are fairly quick and easy to complete and they also offer lots of teaching material, which I appreciate."

Gina's comment is also positive "I’ve been with Nil English for about four months now and I'm very pleased. They are helpful and my students and I get along fine.

Keen to teach English and gain some teaching experience?

NIL English has emerged as a prominent player in the field of online English language education in South Korea, focusing on teaching English communication skills in engaging and fun ways that resonate with the Korean culture. With its straightforward hiring process, increasing pay rates, and dedication to building a supportive community, NIL English is a great place to start building your teaching experience.

Do you want to have a flexible class schedule? Would you like to teach students who are non native English speakers? Are you happy to deliver your lesson online or via phone class? If you have a bachelor's degree and are a native speaker of English from the US or Canada, look no further than NIL English.