| One of the wonders of online learning is the | | | | Skills for teaching international students |
| access to each other that teachers and students | | | | Language skills: |
| across the globe can now enjoy. For teachers | | | | Though many international students are |
| seeking online teaching jobs, there are many | | | | well-versed in other languages, online tutors taking |
| benefits to be harvested. Any teacher who | | | | on foreign students will have an advantage if they |
| enjoys a challenge, or doing something different, | | | | are themselves bilingual or have experience of |
| may find that online tutoring of international | | | | teaching learners for whom English is a second |
| students will suit them well. Especially in many | | | | language. Note also that some learners have a |
| developing countries, there is a hunger for | | | | good grasp of spoken English but may use a very |
| knowledge and qualifications: a need that Online | | | | different written alphabet. Online tutoring may |
| Learning is superbly well designed to meet. | | | | entail providing extra help with written |
| What international students want | | | | assignments. |
| Opportunities for teaching students from all | | | | Cultural sensitivity: |
| around the world are abundant, with particular | | | | Online tutors and educators in search of online |
| demand in some educational areas. They include: | | | | teaching jobs don’t need a degree in |
| 1. English language teaching. English remains one of | | | | anthropology but cultural sensitivity is essential. |
| the key languages of international commerce, and | | | | The scope for misunderstanding and even giving |
| the demand is perennial. Online tutors who | | | | offence is magnified and before starting online |
| can assist foreign learners with their command of | | | | tutoring of students from different cultures, online |
| the English language will find many openings. | | | | tutors would do well to familiarise themselves with |
| Possibilities include both structured language | | | | the backgrounds of potential students. |
| teaching, including grammar and English literature, | | | | The rewards of teaching international students |
| and conversational English tutoring online, via video | | | | Many online tutors find teaching international |
| link. China is one country where students are | | | | students exceptionally rewarding, both because |
| eager to learn English with an online tutor and | | | | most are hardworking and eager to learn and |
| make the most of the new links between China | | | | because students from other cultures demand |
| and western economies. | | | | that teachers stretch themselves to meet the |
| 2. SAT and GRE tutoring and test prep. Many | | | | challenges involved. It is a way for online tutors to |
| international students, in Africa and China (to | | | | learn about other countries and cultures and |
| name but two) aspire to obtaining places in | | | | sometimes results in lifelong friendships. Online |
| American and European universities. Online tutoring | | | | tutors of international students can, in their own |
| for aspirant undergraduates (SAT test prep) and | | | | small way, use education to contribute to building |
| postgraduates (GRE or GRE MAT test prep) are | | | | bridges between peoples and nations across the |
| both areas that online tutors and educators | | | | globe. |
| seeking Online Teaching Jobs can usefully consider. | | | | |