Online teaching is rapidly becoming more popular as would-be students around the globe begin to recognise the possibilities that remote learning can open up. Without having to turn up in person to classes, learners can fit their studies around their other commitments and still achieve the qualifications that they need to progress in their careers or change direction completely.

For education professionals, too, teaching online can present some attractive benefits. They have the flexibility to work at times that suit their needs while enjoying the freedom of being able to deliver lessons from literally any location with an internet connection.

So, let’s take a closer look at how much you could earn as an online teacher and find out whether it could be the right option for you as you approach retirement age.

Active Over 50s Want To Work And Travel

Today’s over-50s are nothing like the generations that went before them. They want to enjoy an active and exciting lifestyle, and part of that is continuing to stay in work. Baby boomers are choosing to remain in employment far longer, while more retirees than ever before are returning to the workforce, and studies show that they aren’t just doing it for financial reasons – they enjoy the social side of being in the workplace as well as the mental challenge that a job can bring.

Yet, while working past the traditional age of retirement is becoming more popular, a shift is taking place in the type of employment that older workers are choosing to take up. In the past, people in their 60s or 70s who could still be found in the workforce would often be seen in less active roles, such as on supermarket checkouts or assisting in libraries; these days, there has been a complete turnaround. In fact, currently, more people of retirement age are opting for a mobile lifestyle, combining their dreams of seeing the world with their drive to continue working.

Teaching English Online – A Perfect Choice For Retirees

While there are several remote career paths that can support the mobile way of life, online teaching is one of the most lucrative. The teaching English online salary can certainly be high enough to fund a very comfortable lifestyle on the road, allowing older workers to fulfill their desire to travel while earning a good income at the same time.

The remote nature of the job allows online educators to either work from the comfort of their own homes, from the table of their trusty campervan as they tour the country, or even from hotels and hostels around the world as they live out worldwide later life adventures.

Another great advantage of working as an online teacher is the ability to choose how much and how often you work. As you can tailor your schedule around you, you can make your job a full-time career or simply a top-up to your pension.

Could I Earn Enough To Live On?

If you intend to rely entirely on online teaching for your income, you’ll be pleased to learn that it’s certainly something that’s possible to accomplish. Your earnings will vary, however, based on several factors including:

•       The company you choose to work for, or whether you decide to go it alone as a freelance online teacher.
•       How many hours you work.
•       Your experience and qualifications.
•         Whether you’re setting an hourly rate yourself or receiving a flat pay rate per hour.

How Much Could I Earn Teaching For An Online Company?

If you decide to teach for one of the online English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching companies, you could expect to earn somewhere between $10 and $20 per hour. If you have a TEFL certification, you could earn towards the top of that bracket.

This option is certainly the simplest way to start working as an online English teacher. There are lots of companies to choose from, and most will supply the teaching materials and lesson plans you need for your classes. These companies have many students from around the world registered with them who want to take English lessons, so you won’t have to secure students independently.

On the downside, you won’t be able to set your own hourly rate. You’ll be assigned one depending on your qualifications and experience, but these companies often offer bonuses and incentives to boost your income.

How Much Could I Earn As A Freelance Online Teacher?

If working for an established online language school isn’t right for you, the alternative is to set up your own profile on one of the open marketplaces where you can connect with students who want to learn English.

The great benefit of this option is that it allows you to determine your own rate of pay. Usually, starting at a lower rate helps you attract students, and once you’ve built up a good reputation, you can then raise it.

The downside of freelancing is that it can be difficult to attract students in the first place. The key to success lies in a strong profile. You need to highlight your experience and qualifications, such as your TEFL certificate so that prospective students know that you have the right skills and experience to help them develop and hone their English language skills.

Is Online Teaching the Right Career Path For Me As I Approach Retirement?

Whether you’re looking for a new challenge later in life or want to enjoy the benefits of a flexible and rewarding career that allows you to pursue other interests, such as travel, you’ll find online English teaching an excellent choice for you. It gives you all the social benefits of working along with an attractive income, and even better, you’ll enjoy knowing that you’re making a real difference in the lives of others.