Good points, Tim. I am an ESL teacher and one of my 20 students needed help and focus for the PET (a Cambridge English test). I helped him and he was successful when he did the test. Now, I will evolve. I can add this to my toolbox and market this niche. First, I am a good teacher and kids like my classes. Second, I can prepare kids for the PET. You do NOT need a niche. You need to be a good, passionate teacher.
Very good timing. I’m trying to push myself off of the platforms and go on my own, but the perfectionism trap is keeping me stuck. This is very inspiring!
Great video! I agree. I offer some niche ESL classes (school interview prep, writing, etc) but the one that books the most is just my broad-spectrum class offered to ages 3-18, lol.
Sound advice Tim. A niche is only really going to pay off if it helps word of mouth or better promotional messaging, otherwise it is basically descriptive of your most common students.
I have been teaching ESL for about 9 months now. At the beginning, I was a bit frustrated because I wanted to have a perfect niche. However, I decided to just start teaching. I have been experimenting with different students of various levels and ages, seeing what I like and what I don't like. My student base has grown a lot these past few months and a lot of students are learning and enjoying my classes! So word of advice? Just get started!
I am researching to get back into ESL teaching again and I'm happy I found your videos. I taught in Japan for years and then went to Argentina. I taught here in person while also teaching online at 51talk. 51talk was one of the best jobs, I did group lessons and it was awesome. I want to ask is if you know of companies that teach Japanese kids and adults? I know in the past online learning wasn't super popular in Japan but maybe things are different now.
I totally agree. I feel like my ability to diversify and have multiple income streams is because I have NOT solely focused on one niche. I think every teacher has to figure that out for themselves.
Wow - 40 students is amazing! Where did you find them ? Oh, are they on a company? So, if you are teaching your students on your own, you can set your own price. I recommend nothing lower than $30 / hour to start.
As far as I know, Xiahongshu is the app a lot of teachers are using. In China, Tiktok is called Douyin and that can be another means. Thanks for the suggestion.
OK, a serious question! I’m pretty good at test preparation and interviewing skills. However, these niches get me lots of praise, but very few long-term students. They get the skills they need, tell me how wonderful I am, and then they’re gone! Do you have any sales tips on how to convince them to stick around for more lessons after their immediate need is met? Thx!
Hi Tim , I'm going to start My career as ESL teacher.but I wanna ask to you as a non native English speaker which level of English should be mine. Also i want to start online ESL teaching business.. Do I need to TEFL or any other certificate?
If you are teaching on your own, you don't need anything specifically. You can just market yourself and bring your students on to your own platform like Zoom, etc...
Good points, Tim. I am an ESL teacher and one of my 20 students needed help and focus for the PET (a Cambridge English test). I helped him and he was successful when he did the test. Now, I will evolve. I can add this to my toolbox and market this niche. First, I am a good teacher and kids like my classes. Second, I can prepare kids for the PET. You do NOT need a niche. You need to be a good, passionate teacher.
Exactly! Good to hear about the PET test success. - let me know how that goes!
Very good timing. I’m trying to push myself off of the platforms and go on my own, but the perfectionism trap is keeping me stuck. This is very inspiring!
Just do it!!! Get over yourself and your limiting beliefs - I promise you, you can do this.
This is so very true, thanks for sharing Tim. You took what I have been thinking and put it into words for me. 😊
I'm so glad and thanks for watching.
Great video! I agree. I offer some niche ESL classes (school interview prep, writing, etc) but the one that books the most is just my broad-spectrum class offered to ages 3-18, lol.
Isn't that interesting? My thoughts exactly.
Sound advice Tim.
A niche is only really going to pay off if it helps word of mouth or better promotional messaging, otherwise it is basically descriptive of your most common students.
Exactly.
I have been teaching ESL for about 9 months now. At the beginning, I was a bit frustrated because I wanted to have a perfect niche. However, I decided to just start teaching. I have been experimenting with different students of various levels and ages, seeing what I like and what I don't like. My student base has grown a lot these past few months and a lot of students are learning and enjoying my classes! So word of advice? Just get started!
I love this! Thanks for sharing. You are doing it the right way :)
Well said Tim. I agree🙂
Thanks Ingrid :) Hope you are doing well.
I wish I had heard this long ago when I was going into another field. This advice is relatable. Being hung up on a niche is ridiculous.
Thanks for this, yes, I agree.
I am researching to get back into ESL teaching again and I'm happy I found your videos. I taught in Japan for years and then went to Argentina. I taught here in person while also teaching online at 51talk. 51talk was one of the best jobs, I did group lessons and it was awesome. I want to ask is if you know of companies that teach Japanese kids and adults? I know in the past online learning wasn't super popular in Japan but maybe things are different now.
There are some you can probably find online...none come to my mind though. I know of a couple in Korea, you can go to my website.
@@onlineteacherdude1284 Thanks for the reply. :)
I totally agree. I feel like my ability to diversify and have multiple income streams is because I have NOT solely focused on one niche. I think every teacher has to figure that out for themselves.
Absolutely and, as I said, I don't believe you really need one. Let's just focus on getting students and growing our businesses.
Thank you for sharing👍
No problem 👍 Thanks for watching!
Agree with you, You make some great points.
Thanks mate.
Any advice on the best TEFL? I see a very wide ranges of prices and I'm not sure which would be better for VIPKid. Thanks
I recommend a couple in the description of my vidoes. I like the Bridge one.
Thanks Tim!
Hi Meredith! How are you? Thanks for watching :)
Thank you so much for the truth👏
Oh thanks for watching and agreeing!
Hey Tim. I currently have 40 Chinese students but I no longer have a platform to teach on. Which do you recommend based on price ?
Wow - 40 students is amazing! Where did you find them ? Oh, are they on a company? So, if you are teaching your students on your own, you can set your own price. I recommend nothing lower than $30 / hour to start.
Awesome , thank you
Thanks Cindy!
Great points
Thanks Kelly.
Tim can you do a new video on how to advertise and attract students from China in 2024? Is TikTok worth advertising on?
As far as I know, Xiahongshu is the app a lot of teachers are using. In China, Tiktok is called Douyin and that can be another means. Thanks for the suggestion.
OK, a serious question! I’m pretty good at test preparation and interviewing skills. However, these niches get me lots of praise, but very few long-term students. They get the skills they need, tell me how wonderful I am, and then they’re gone! Do you have any sales tips on how to convince them to stick around for more lessons after their immediate need is met? Thx!
Sell packages or offer group classes perhaps.
@@onlineteacherdude1284 Thanks!!!!!!!
Hi Tim , I'm going to start My career as ESL teacher.but I wanna ask to you as a non native English speaker which level of English should be mine. Also i want to start online ESL teaching business..
Do I need to TEFL or any other certificate?
If you are teaching on your own, you don't need anything specifically. You can just market yourself and bring your students on to your own platform like Zoom, etc...
Hi Tim, greetings from Taipei, Taiwan! I’m American, so I need a nitch rather than a neesh? ha ha ha
If you nitch down, your neesh will grow and then your nitches will flourish.