Do you
relish the English language and really enjoy teaching it? Do you dream
about making a difference in the lives of kids around the world? Do you
like the idea of working from home on your own schedule? Then, there is a
company called EF which may help you do all three.
What Exactly Is EF?
First of
all, EF stands
for Education First, but many just refer to it as simply EF or EF.com. It is a
company similar to VIPKid, Cambly, and Magic Ears (all reviewed
previously) to name a few other sites you can use to teach English
online.
However,
EF is not just limited to China and other parts of Asia—there are many other
countries globally who want and need English teachers.
Another
difference with EF is that rather than teaching just children, there are
opportunities to work with all age groups. You also have the option of teaching
one-on-one or in a group setting.
EF allows
teachers to use their online platform and teaching materials as well as blend
in any of their own materials as they focus on each student or group's specific
needs. This makes for more customized learning.
Founded in
1965 in Lund, Sweden, the concept of Education First has been around long
before the Internet. Education First has long been the sponsor of cultural
exchanges as well as travel abroad programs for students of all ages. Host
families from 117 countries actively welcome students from every continent.
However,
with the introduction/onslaught of the Internet and other technology, student
engagement and learning have transformed many of the oversees cultural
exchanges and for the most part, traveling abroad to study has been replaced by
virtual classrooms.
The US
Headquarters is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and they have offices around the
world. The mission of EF is to open up the world through education, and they
believe that language is the first step. They are 120 nationalities strong and
growing.
What Is
The Schedule Like Working For EF?
At EF,
online teachers are considered independent contractors and have the flexibility
of setting their own hours. Many of their contractors are educators work in a
real world classroom during the day and then do EF in the evenings and on the
weekends.
Stories
abound of women and men who have left the traditional classroom to raise
families and used EF for many years to stay home with their children.
You can
schedule around the clock, seven days per week, so there is plenty of
flexibility that leaves you with plenty of opportunities to spend time with
family or pursue other goals.
Does EF Contract With Teachers In Other Countries?
Absolutely,
they do. As previously mentioned, one of the really great things about EF is that you can live
abroad in another country while you teach English.
As long as
you are a native English speaker, you can live anywhere on the globe where you
have a reliable internet connection.
What Are The Necessary Qualifications To Apply With EF?
The basic
educational and equipment requirements to work at EF are that applicants must
have:
·
Ability
to connect with kids!
·
Native
English speaker with a Bachelor's degree in any field.
·
40 Hour TEFL (Teaching
English as a Foreign Language) certification (or higher): submit now or provide
when obtained at start of contract term.
·
Experience
in early childhood development, teaching, coaching or mentoring is preferred,
but not required. Life experiences count.
·
Excellent
cultural awareness, communication and motivational skills.
·
Commitment
to delivering a high level of student engagement satisfaction.
·
Access
to a headset, personal computer, and wired Ethernet connection.
·
Willing
to submit an online background check, at no cost to you.
What Is The Application Process Like At EF?
The
application process at EF appears to be very simple. Just:
·
Fill
out the application online, preferably with a resume uploaded.
·
Wait
a few days to receive an email to schedule a phone interview.
·
Wait
a few more days to be accepted with an offer of placement.
What Is Training Like At EF?
Once you
submit all of your qualifications, you will be notified upon acceptance with
the information on training. It does not appear that they have a lot of
training for the work-at-home teaching positions, rather it is more of an
acclimation period – setting up your computer and troubleshooting, etc.
What Is The Pay Like At EF?
In the
past the pay was between $12 to $20 USD per hour, but they no longer list the
pay rate on the website, so it may have changed.
The pay is
paid out via PayPal once a month.
What Do Others Say About EF?
Glassdoor
has given them a 3.4 out of 5 star
rating in their reviews. For a deeper dive on what others have
to say, it is a good idea to read through several reviews, then you'll have a
clearer idea of both the good and the bad.
How Can Interested Individuals Apply To EF?
Go to
their website and
find the “apply” area. There is a field where you type your email address and
then click on the apply button. This begins the process. Good luck to all.
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