A Guide to Finding an English Teacher
Learning a foreign language can be daunting, especially when you’re just starting out. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming—having an experienced teacher by your side makes the process much easier. That’s why finding the right English teacher is so important. Let’s take a look at some tips on how to contact an English teacher and what to consider when you’re looking for one.
Finding an English Teacher Online
The internet is a great place to start your search for an English teacher—whether you’re looking for someone local or someone from another part of the world who can teach you online. Websites like iTalki are a good place to start, as they provide comprehensive profiles of all their teachers so that you can find someone who best suits your needs. You can also find sites that specialize in connecting learners with native-English speaking teachers from different countries around the world, such as Verbling or Preply. Once you’ve found potential tutors, make sure to read reviews before making a decision.
Looking at Credentials and Experience
When choosing an English tutor, it’s important that they have appropriate credentials and experience teaching the language. Ask them about their qualifications and experience teaching English, as well as how long they’ve been teaching for and how many students they’ve worked with in the past. Also inquire about any additional certifications or awards that may be relevant to their expertise in teaching English language learners (e.g., TEFL/TESOL certification). The more information you can get about your potential instructor’s background, the better.
In-Person vs Online Lessons
Finally, decide if you want to take classes online or if you need someone who can come over in person for lessons. If you opt for online classes, make sure that your tutor is well-versed in technology so that they can use video conferencing tools such as Skype or Zoom effectively during lessons. For face-to-face lessons, check if your tutor is willing to travel or if there are any other logistic considerations that need to be taken into account (e.g., availability/cost of public transportation).
Finding a qualified English teacher takes time and effort but it doesn’t have to be stressful! With some research and careful consideration of credentials and experience, anyone will be able to find their perfect match for learning the language of Shakespeare! Whether it’s online or face-to-face sessions—or both—it’s possible for every learner out there to find an experienced teacher who will help them reach their full potential with learning the language of “the Bard”! Good luck!