My Background
Hi there, my name is Peter and I have been teaching online for three years. I like teaching people of all ages and have mainly been teaching professional adults and students looking to enter the workforce. I also help a lot of people with their CVs, job interview preparation, travel and general everyday English.
I used to work in London where I managed the Supply Chain & Logistics departments for three of four big retailers. After a few years, I wanted a change. I needed to escape the 9-5 (8 to 8…), and I desired the flexibility to do the things I love when I wanted to do them. I moved to the south of France and looked for a job which would allow me to have the lifestyle I desired while being something I could fully rely on for a living.
I found and started working for a great company called Fluentify, which gives me exactly what I was looking for. Please watch the video above, and if you think you qualify as a teacher, then you can use my referral link to start the application process.
If you need help, you can email Fluentify’s highly accommodating staff, at oetjobs@fluentify.com. That is a unique email for all of the OETJob teachers. Your best bet to get you started will be to go straight to the application form. Make sure you mention my name when you apply, I love the kudos 🙂
Teaching Tips
Tips for new teachers:
I find that ‘just being myself’ is a great ingredient for being successful as a teacher. I started in this way and had never had to change, so if you’d like my advice, try to do the same. I find that students like the sincerity, feel more relaxed and feel more able to open up. This allows for a stronger working relationship resulting in a more prosperous and long-lasting teacher-student experience.
I would advise that you make yourself as available as possible. Students love the flexibility of learning online with Fluentify and will feel comfortable choosing you if they can see that you are likely to be available when they are.
As always, listening to the needs of your students is very important. Although the majority of my students prefer having conversations and for me to correct their errors, I have some students who are entirely focused on the grammar aspect, while others are concentrating on succeeding in a job interview. These are just a few examples, topics and discussions vary greatly. So, I would advise that you find out what your students need and adapt your lessons and approach accordingly.
Always try to provide your students with activities they can do at home such as an article to read, a YouTube video, an online exercise, etc., etc. Make sure your students know that you are there to help them achieve their learning goals.
Interview tips
Undoubtedly, Fluentify hires people who they think will give their students what they need and who will represent their company well. If you’re the right fit for Fluentify, you have a good chance of getting hired. I’ve included a list of their requirements below; please read these carefully before applying.
I recommend that you be yourself in the interview. That way, if ‘yourself’ is good enough to get employed by Fluentify then ‘yourself’ will probably have a high chance of being a successful tutor with them.
The pre-interview stage is also essential. Make sure your application form contains all the necessary information and please do spend some time on the presentation video. Choose a professional setting, an excellent stable camera and plan carefully what you want to say. This is the video students will be watching when looking for their perfect tutor, so it’s in your best interest to make this as enjoyable as possible.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to set up their profiles and partake in some (short) tutor training. Don’t forget to get in touch with the Head of Tutors when you’re ready. Smooth communication will speed up the process, and your profile will go live sooner.
Your favorite company to work for and why
I have to say that Fluentify has been my favourite company to work for. They don’t try to micromanage the teachers and they let us do what we do best. We get all the support we need and we use Slack (and occasional get-togethers on Zoom) to keep in touch. Their communication method allows all the teachers to discuss things, help each other, etc. which all helps to make us better teachers. Although I work for Fluentify, they don’t try to be my boss – I LOVE this.
Fluentify allows me to do what I love doing. I get to teach a variety of interesting people, develop myself professionally and make up to 22€($26) an hour, not bad!
What types of equipment you use – computer, headset, camera
All we need is a good, reliable internet connection and a device (desktop, mobile phone, tablet, etc.) with a webcam. However, I strongly advise that you use a desktop – as they’re physically more stable (your image isn’t bouncing around a student’s screen while you’re holding your phone) and it’s much easier to use the chat function while you’re talking to a student.
Requirements and Information for Fluentify
Fluentify selects their tutors carefully so I would advise that you apply only if you meet their requirements:
- Teaching certificate (CELTA/TESOL or equivalent)
- University degree
- Native speaker (all accents are welcome)
- Minimum 2 years teaching experience with adults
- Experience teaching online
- Experience teaching Business English (Fluentify focuses on corporate clients, so your business expertise is critical)
- Non-teaching work experience is an advantage (it’s always better if you know what your student’s job or industry is about)
- Knowledge of CEFR levels and experience testing students
- Willingness to design personalized learning paths for students
- Willingness to offer 15+ hours of availability (the tutors that are involved full time with Fluentify tend to be the most successful)
- Willingness to interact with other tutors and the Head of Tutors (attending occasional meetings and feedback sessions). Fluentify provides a lot of support, shares information about students, and shares teaching ideas. It is essential to always stay up to date.
- A good command of a foreign language is a plus
- A good computer with a webcam and a stable internet connection
Teacher Application
Please use this link if you are interested in working for Fluentify. You will need to submit a written application and then a short presentation video. The Head of Tutors will then contact you. All applicants who submit both parts of the application receive an email from Fluentify within a couple of weeks at the latest. As mentioned above, if you need help, you can email Fluentify’s very helpful staff, at oetjobs@fluentify.com.
Michelle says
Do you prepare your own lessons or are they set and ready according to the level of English they have?
Kevin Gaudette says
Valuable-personalized approach. Kudos to Peter!
I will apply to join the Fluentify team.
The title itself suggests non-generic-ism.