How Can You Become an Online Spanish Teacher?
By Space Coast Daily // October 13, 2020
It is no surprise that you will hear the phrase “go to Preply to get a teacher,” as we have the largest number of online Spanish instructors.
Due to the Spanish language’s growing popularity, becoming an online Spanish Teacher has a promising career outlook. Spanish is a widely spoken language, with more than 400 million native speakers alone and 700 million active learners.
In recent times, Spanish has gained immense popularity as many people now want to migrate to study or work in Spanish speaking countries. Spanish is the official language of 20 countries, with the largest number of native speakers found in Mexico.
Becoming a Spanish teacher is easier said than done. Most people who embark on the journey of becoming a Spanish tutor often lack the guidance required to become a certified Spanish instructor, which is why we have compiled a list containing the A to Z of becoming a qualified instructor.
Should you become a Spanish Teacher?
This is the first question that should come to your mind when you decide on becoming a Spanish teacher. If there is no real motivation behind the want, then there is little that will keep you moving forward on this academic journey. If you’re interested in learning Spanish online then go to Preply to get a teacher.
Researching the Right Schools
Knowing what to study is excellent. It is where you want to study where things get complicated. As mentioned previously, Spanish is the official language of 20 countries around the globe, which means there are 20 countries that will have an institute that can indeed offer a program or degree in the Spanish Language. However, the list of Spanish degree and certificate awarding institutes is not limited to those twenty countries. Several institutes globally recognize the importance of offering Spanish as a degree.
Do note that you may not fit into every institute’s vision and mission; hence it is crucial you sit down and make a list of universities and colleges before you apply anywhere.
Completing the Degree
Congrats! You made it into your first choice or safety school. Either way, you hit a milestone. Now comes the challenging part, completing the degree. In order to become a qualified Spanish teacher that can compare with the competition and stand out from the crowd, you will need to take at least two degrees, and one in Spanish Language and another is Bachelors of Education.
During your time studying for the degree, we recommend you indulge in as many study-abroad programs as you possibly can if you are learning Spanish in a country where it is not the native language.
Receiving a Teaching License
Just like teaching English as a language requires instructors to have achieved a TEFL or TESOL certificate, teaching Spanish requires you to have a state-approved certificate in the area where you wish to apply.
Advancing in your Career
With the job pool getting saturated over-time, you will require something on your resume that will make you stand out amongst the rest of the applicants. There are fewer jobs and more applicants each year, so if you wish to teach Spanish online, get ready to be a tough competitor.
If you want to put yourself in the spotlight, we recommend getting a Master in the Spanish Language. If you are a busy person and cannot make time for a Masters, then there are plenty of options for remote learning.
What to Know about Teaching Spanish Online
Teaching Spanish online comes with its own set of challenges. At Preply, we adhere to strict selection criteria, and our customer’s satisfaction is our top priority.
As a Spanish tutor, you will be expected to modify your lesson plans to your student’s needs; unlike traditional classes room where on lesson plan teaches 30-50 students each year, Preply focuses on giving the best to the user. This means that you will consistently find yourself changing the course for your students and repeating the same lessons until your student is ready to move onto the next stages of learning.
Students can book a trial lesson with you and can leave a review after taking the course. This rating will be shown on your profile and will reflect your teaching expertise and satisfaction level to new users before they decide to approach you for learning Spanish. You are free to add your hourly rates to your profile. However, do note if you are new, then having lower hiring costs can help you get customers initially.
Other than our policy requirements, you will require a stable internet connection, a good PC/Tablet, and sound knowledge of how all these devices work. At the end of the day, you will be managing all means of delivering your lesson; hence you need to have a grip of everything you will be using to make the learning experience immersive.
Online teaching lets you teach the exact number of students you wish to teach, the timings during which you are available, and earn as you rightfully think your level of skills and expertise deserve. Teaching from the comfort of your home is a dream job for many. If you cannot adhere to the rules and regulations, someone else will be more than willing to do so.
As any teacher in class would experience challenges, online teaching has its own set of difficulties. You will face the same issues as coming across shy and introverted students who are afraid to speak up or ask a question. It then becomes your duty to bring them out of the shell they have been sheltered in.
In Conclusion
By teaching online, you will always have students. You are not bound to educating a specific level; your students will range from all levels of Spanish skills from beginners to experts. Some will only book classes to be able to practice their speaking skills with you.
In the end, it will take you approximately four years before you can begin thinking about teaching online. This number increases if you go on to receive multiple teaching licenses and a Master’s degree in Spanish. Native Spanish Speakers are definitely at an advantage when applying for the job.
